Cleveland State Community College Nursing Program Review

Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) enrolls 5000 students each semester and serves a five county area. Founded in 1967, Cleveland State has satellite campuses in Athens and Madisonville, in addition to the main campus in Cleveland.

The main campus sits on 105 acres located in scenic area of Tennessee, and features modern classrooms and student activity centers. The average student age is 28.

Nursing Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Cleveland State offers a two year Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing. This program is for students who want to begin their career in nursing. Students who graduate will be eligible to take the state licensing exam for Registered Nurses (RNs).

There are two options available with this program. Students may take a traditional, full time course of study with classes during the day, or a part time schedule with evening classes.

To apply to the program, students will need to be currently enrolled in the college, take any developmental classes required by the college placement test, have taken high school or college Chemistry with a C grade or better, and score a 75% or better on the HESI test.

In addition, it is recommended that students take the nursing academic courses of General Psychology, Lifespan Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, English Composition, Microbiology, and a Humanities or Fine Arts elective. These courses must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Applicants to the program will be rated based on their GPA, the number of nursing academic courses they have taken, the number of hours toward their nursing degree they’ve completed, and their HESI score.

The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) has accredited the nursing program at Cleveland State. It is also approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

This program has not been specifically designed to transfer to four year institutions, but all or some the classes will be accepted as transfer credit into most bachelor degree programs.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Transition

LPNs may apply to the nursing program to earn their AAS degree and become RNs. LPNs will need to be currently licensed, apply to the nursing program, and submit all previous transcripts. They will also have to meet the requirements for the AAS program, listed above, and show proof of one year of work as an LPN within the last two years.

After being admitted to the program and taking two LPN transition courses, students will receive ten credit hours for prior experience.

Pre-Nursing Emphasis

Cleveland State offers a one year program for students who plan on transferring to a four year institution to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at a public university in Tennessee. This is a 32 hour course of study, and students will take classes in Anatomy, Physiology, English Composition, Statistics, Psychology, Sociology, Speech, and History.

It should be noted that taking this program does not guarantee acceptance into a BSN program.

Other Health Related Programs

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

The EMT program is two semesters long and is for students looking to become eligible to take the National Registry Exam to become a licensed EMT.

Students must be at least 18 years old to apply and a high school graduate or equivalent, and become certified in CPR during the program. Students must undergo a background check and physical to be admitted to the program. Those with first responder experience are given priority over other applicants.

For students with previous rescue experience, there is an accelerated course that meets twice a week for eight hours at a time. Admission into the accelerated course is considered on a case by case basis.

Contact:
Cleveland State Community College
3535 Adkisson Drive,
Cleveland, TN 37312