Carolinas College of Health Sciences Nursing Program Review

The Carolinas Healthcare System (CHS) is a very large provider of medical care in North Carolina. The Carolinas College of Health Sciences is the training facility that trains Nurses Aids, Registered Nurses, and other healthcare technologists and others. Carolinas College of Health Sciences (CCHS) is part of Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), which is part of Carolinas HealthCare System.

Nursing Programs

Pre-Nursing

The Carolinas College of Health Sciences offers a Pre-Nursing program for students who plan to enter a two-year or four-year nursing program. Students may enter the program in two different ways. They may have guaranteed admissions or a Pre-Nursing certificate program. To be guaranteed a seat in the nursing program at Carolinas College, students must complete four courses within three consecutive terms at the college. They must earn a grade point average of 3.25 in these courses. The courses are Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Medical Terminology, and College Math. Students who earn the required grade point average on these courses are placed on a waiting list, and when an opening occurs, they are admitted to the nursing program.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Carolinas HealthCare System offers a two-year program in nursing. This Associate of Applied Science degree program enables graduates to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse. Students must be high school graduates or equivalent, or they may be a high school senior. The applicant must have completed biology, chemistry, and algebra in high school. If this was not done, the applicant must complete these courses before applying to the nursing program. Students take general education classes in the daytime, evenings, or on the weekend. Nursing classes are available only during the day. Clinical experiences begin during the first semester and take place one or two times each week. A total of 71 semester hours must be completed to graduate and take the NCLEX-RN exam. After that, RNs are able to begin working in many different healthcare facilities.

Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nursing

The Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nursing program is a four-year program that admits students to both the University of North Carolina (UNC) Charlotte and one of three Associate Degree Colleges. These community colleges are Carolinas College of Health Sciences, Central Piedmont Community College, and Gaston College. Students complete the first three years of studies at the Associate Degree College. They also take one course each semester at UNC. Then, the final year of studies for the bachelor’s degree takes place at UNC. Admission to this program is competitive. A combination of general education courses and nursing courses are taken during the three years at the Associate Degree College.

This unique program is a money-saving option for students because the bachelor’s degree institution charges more for tuition, yet the courses and credit are basically the same, wherever the courses are taken. Carolinas Healthcare System offers financial assistance to students who need financial aid. The finance 80 percent of the tuition for a student until the student graduates or leaves the nursing program. At that time, payments can be arranged. There are also grants, scholarships, federal student loans, or a federal work-study program available.

Contact:

Carolinas College of Health Sciences
1200 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 355-5043

Carolinas Healthcare System
200 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 376-1787