Southwest Tennessee Community College Nursing Program Review

Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) was founded in 2000 when Shelby State Community College and State Technical Institute in Memphis were combined. Southwest enrolls 13,000 students, and prepares students for the workplace or transfer to a four-year institution with a variety of Associate Degree, Technical, and Academic Certificate programs.

Nursing Programs

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing

This two year program is designed to give students the knowledge they need to become licensed and employed immediately upon graduation. Students who complete the program will be allowed to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam offered by the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

To enroll in this two year program, students must first enroll in Southwest, and then apply to the nursing program. They need to have a high school GPA of at least 3.0, or a college GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students that were enrolled in an accredited nursing program at another school must have documentation from the director of the nursing program that they were in good academic standing there.

Students must also be able to enroll in English and Statistics, earn the minimum score or higher on the Nursing Pre-Admission exam, and submit a letter explaining why they want to become an RN. Though it is not required, it is highly recommended that students take Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology prior to applying to the nursing program.

Applicants are selected based on an admission index score, which is made up of their college GPA, grades on Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology courses, and their Pre-Admission Exam score. Admission to the program is limited, and meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee a spot.

The nursing program at Southwest is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Mobility Track

LPNs may apply for the AAS in nursing program. They will need to have a current LPN license, CPR certification, and must have completed Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology I and II in the last five years with a grade of C or better. They must also meet the qualifications listed above for the AAS degree, but they do not have to take the Nursing Pre-Admission Exam.

Students in the LPN Mobility Track will earn seven credit hours, based on their prior nursing education, in place of taking the Foundation of Nursing Theory classroom and clinical courses.

Online Continuing Education

Southwest offers online continuing education courses for those looking to pick up new skills, reinforce existing ones, or for personal enrichment.

Some of the healthcare related offerings include six week training programs in Introduction to Natural Health and Healing, Medical Terminology, Medical Coding, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Transcription, Handling Medical Emergencies, Spanish for Medical Professionals, Certificate in Integrative Mental Health, and Certificate in Holistic and Integrative Health.

Southwest has also partnered with online service provider ed2go to offer certificate programs in various healthcare related fields, such as Administrative Medical Specialist, Medical Transcription, and Physical Therapy Aide. Depending on the program, these courses can take up to 400 hours to complete.

Students apply to these courses through the Southwest Tennessee Community College Corporate Training & Continuing Education office.

Contact:
Southwest Tennessee Community
5983 Macon Cove,
Memphis, TN 38134