Tennessee Wesleyan College Nursing Program Review
Tennessee Wesleyan College (TWC) began in 1857 as Athens Female College. The college experienced many name changes before the current name was adopted in 1954. The College is affiliated with the Holsten Conference of the United Methodist Church, and is dedicated to serving traditional and non-traditional students. With just over 1100 students enrolled and a 15 to 1 student to faculty ratio, personalized attention is guaranteed.
The campus is located in the heart of Sweetwater Valley, in between Chattanooga and Knoxville.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This program gives students a broad educational foundation in science and humanities, preparing them to practice as Registered Nurses (RNs). Students that graduate from this program will receive a BSN and be eligible to sit for the state Board of Nursing exam (NCLEX-RN).
The BSN program is an eight semester course of study. The first four semesters cover general education requirements, and the last four concentrate on nursing major courses. Students are required to take at least 128 credit hours to graduate the program.
To be eligible to apply to the nursing program, students must have completed at least 58 of the 64 credit hours of required general education classes, and must complete all science and math classes before they may begin the upper division nursing courses. They must also have a GPA of at least 2.7, and must have earned at least a C grade in all prerequisites.
The general education requirements are English Composition, Literature, Religion, Chemistry, Statistics, a Math elective, Microbiology, Sociology, Psychology, Speech, Philosophy, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Fine Arts, and Physical Education.
Applicants will be judged based on their GPAs, number of repeated classes and withdrawals, grade improvement, written essay, pre-entrance exam, a personal interview, and references.
Once in the program, students must earn at least a C grade in all nursing classes to be able to continue. Any grade below a C in a nursing class is considered a failure. If a student fails a class, they may retake the class, but are not allowed to take any more nursing classes until they earn a C in the repeated class. If a student fails a second class, they will not be allowed to continue in the program.
The Fort Sanders Nursing Department is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
RN to BSN
This program is for students who already have an RN license, and wish to return to school to earn their BSN degree. If taken full time, this program can be completed in two semesters plus one summer semester. There are also part time options available.
To apply to the program, students must have taken the 64 credits of general education classes required for the degree, show proof of graduation from an accredited nursing program, proof of licensure, and submit clinical references.
The RN to BSN program begins in the summer semester. After successfully completing Transition to Professional Nursing, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment, students will receive 31 credit hours for past nursing experience.
Center for Faith Community Nursing
This Center provides continuing education workshops for nurses in the Faith Community Nursing specialty, a program newly recognized by the American Nurses Association. This specialty focuses on the entire patient, including body, mind and spirit. The complete training program for Faith Community Nursing is offered when there is demand for it, usually once or twice a year.
Contact:
Tennessee Wesleyan College
204 E College Street
Athens, TN 37303
