Chattanooga State Community College Nursing Program Review
Founded as Chattanooga State Technical Institute in 1967, the college underwent many changes until it was renamed Chattanooga State Community College (CSCC) in 2009. Currently Chattanooga State enrolls almost 12,000 students a semester, and has a main campus on Amnicola Highway. There are six other satellite campuses in the area: East, Eastgate Town Center, Dayton, Kimball, Sequatchie-Bledsoe, and the Volkswagen Academy.
Nursing Programs
The Nursing Division at Chattanooga State was developed in 1982, and merged with the Allied Health Programs in 1988. The Nursing and Allied Health Division offers six different programs of study to a six state area around Tennessee.
The Baroness Erlanger School of Nursing offices are located at the Main Campus.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The ADN program at Chattanooga State allows students who are seeking a career in nursing to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in nursing. After graduating with an AAS, students may then take the state licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
The traditional Day Program is four semesters long. To apply, students must complete the program prerequisite of chemistry, with a grade of B or higher, at either the high school or college level. Students may enter the program each fall semester. There are about 110 students accepted into the Day Program each year.
The Night Program is designed for students who cannot attend traditional daytime classes or who wish to attend the program part time. Classes are only offered two or three evenings per week, and the program takes five semesters to complete, or two and half years. The Night Program admits about 50 students every other year. The Night Program prerequisites are Nutrition, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology.
All nursing students at Chattanooga State must prove they are certified in CPR for health professionals, and must maintain their certification throughout the program. Students must also submit a health verification form prior to their first class, stating they are in good health and have no communicable diseases.
Chattanooga State’s Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to RN Transition
LPNs who want to continue their education and earn their AAS degree can apply to the accelerated LPN to RN Transition program. LPNs must be currently licensed, and be able to show documentation that they have worked as an LPN for at least 400 hours in the two years prior.
The prerequisites for the LPN to RN Transition program are Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, and Human Growth and Development. Students applying for the Night Program must also complete Microbiology.
In addition, students must pass Nursing Transition before entering the program. Once they do, they will receive credit for the first year of nursing courses, and will enter the program in the second year.
Paramedic to RN Transition
Licensed paramedics may apply to the accelerated Paramedic to RN Transition program. Paramedics must show they have worked at least 400 hours as a paramedic in the most recent two year period.
In addition to the prerequisite courses for the LPN to RN Transition program, paramedics must also take English Composition and a Math and a Humanities elective. Students must also take Nursing Transition. After passing this course, they will receive credit for the first year of nursing courses and will enter the program in the second year.
Contact:
Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway,
Chattanooga, TN 37406-1097
