Technical College of the Lowcountry Nursing Program Review

The Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL, Lowcountry Tech) has a unique history, dating back to the Mather School for the daughters of freed slaves (founded in 1864). Since that foundation, the school gradually shifted focus from elementary education to industrial training, and opened up to boys. In 1988, the school was officially named the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Now, the college enrolls over 10,000 students of all races in its associate-degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Students can take classes on the main campus in Beaufort, or on one of the satellite campuses in Varnville, Bluffton, and Walterboro. TCL also offers classes on the Merritt Field and Parris Island military bases. Among the college’s many programs are two for prospective nurses, and one for aspiring nurse assistants. Here is a review of the available programs:

Practical Nursing Diploma Program

TCL’s Practical Nursing (PN) program has a three-semester curriculum that prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The practical nursing program is offered on two different campuses: the main campus in Beaufort and the New River campus in Bluffton. Students on the New River campus may occasionally have to travel to Beaufort, as not all nursing classes are always offered on the New River campus. Students must begin in the fall, and must earn forty-two credits total. The practical nursing diploma program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Board of Nursing.

Associate Degree Nursing Program

Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program earn an associate of applied science degree with a major in nursing. They are prepared to work as Registered Nurses (RN), after successfully completing the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). TCL prepares students for this exam through a five-semester curriculum, which is offered on both the New River and Beaufort campuses. (Students at the New River campus may have to travel occasionally to Beaufort). The curriculum includes general education classes, nursing classes, and clinical rotations, which will take place at healthcare facilities within sixty miles of Beaufort or New River. In total, an ADN student must earn sixty-eight credits. Students may begin the ADN program in either the fall or the spring. TCL’s ADN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Board of Nursing.

Associate Degree Nursing Program – LPN Advanced Placement

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is a graduate of a practical nursing diploma program may apply for advanced placement in the ADN program. While she needs to complete all the general education requirements and most of the nursing classes, she can place out of the first few nursing classes on the basis of her diploma and work experience. An LPN should be able to complete the ADN program in four semesters.

Certified Nurse Assistant Program

TCL regularly offers a training program for prospective certified nurse assistants (CNA) through its department of continuing education. The class takes six to eight weeks to complete, and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice at a healthcare facility. Classes are offered in Beaufort, on the Hampton campus in Varnville, and on the New River campus.

Contact:
Technical College of the Lowcountry
921 Ribaut Road,
Beaufort, SC 29902