Dyersburg State Community College Nursing Program Review

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) in Tennessee is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1969, DSCC is an affordable college, and offers campuses in Trenton and Covington, as well as an online program for busy students.

Nursing Programs

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Nursing

This is a traditional, daytime program offered at the main campus and at the Covington location.

Students must first be admitted into DSCC before they can apply to the nursing program. To apply, they must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher from high school or any previous college work, and must submit all transcripts. They must also take the nursing preadmission exam (HESI), have a grade of C or better on all nursing prerequisites, and a background investigation.

The prerequisites for the program are Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Math.

Students will be ranked and admitted to the program based on a point system. Points are awarded for their HESI exam score, GPA, grade on science courses, and any previous healthcare experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), or other healthcare provider.

There is no waiting list for this program. Students that apply and are not accepted into the program must reapply to be considered again.

This program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Graduates who complete the program will be able to take the state licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become Registered Nurses (RNs).

LPN to RN Fast Track

The LPN to RN Fast Track program is for LPNs who wish to earn their AAS degree. This program is offered in the evenings and on weekends, and gives the student advanced placement into the AAS degree program.

To apply to the program, students must have an active nursing license and CPR certification. They should apply to DSCC and have a 2.5 GPA or better. They will need to have taken the prerequisite courses of Anatomy and Physiology, and Psychology

Students will also need to take the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) and score 75 or higher. Their clinical skills will be evaluated prior to beginning the nursing program, and they will need to pass a math dosage validation exam before beginning classes.

After passing the ACE exam and taking Introduction to Nursing, students will receive 9 credit hours in place of taking the Foundations of Nursing class. Once they have taken Transitions to Nursing Care and Introduction to Pharmacology, students will be allowed to take Nursing Care II.

If a student doesn’t pass Introduction to Nursing and Transitions to Nursing Care I, they may still enroll as a regular student in the AAS program, provided they meet the requirements above.

Other Healthcare Related Programs

AAS in Emergency Services

DSCC offers interested students an AAS degree in Emergency Services with a concentration in EMT or as a Paramedic. This course of study requires at least 60 credit hours to complete. After graduation, students will be eligible to take the licensing exam offered by the Tennessee Department of Health.

To apply, students must be high school graduates or equivalent, at least 18 years old, able to read, write, and speak English, and have no history within the past three years of substance or alcohol abuse or habitual intoxication. Students must also pass Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider or be a current, certified American Heart Association Health Care Provider.

EMT – Paramedic Technical Certificate

For students who are already EMTs and want to become advanced EMS providers, DSCC has the Paramedic Technical Certificate program. This course of study is a three semester (12 month) combination of classroom time, lab, clinical, and field internships.

Students must already have a valid Tennessee EMT certificate and must pass the EMT knowledge exam, have a psychological profile, and take an interview. They must also take the prerequisite courses of Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a grade of C or higher.

Graduates of the paramedic program may be licensed by the Department of Health in Tennessee.

Contact:
Dyersburg State Community College
1510 Lake Road,
Dyersburg, TN 38024