Dalton State College Nursing Program Review
Dalton State College (DSC) is a small, public college in Dalton, Georgia. It offers certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. The college enrolls just under 6,000 students and is part of the University System of Georgia. Dalton State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Dalton State College (named Dalton Junior College at its foundation) was founded in 1963. The college’s location in Dalton city, makes the college an ideal community to complete education programs. The city was named by the US Chamber of Commerce among the top four communities with an effective business and education partnership. Furthermore, though Dalton is a small city in itself, it is however located between the bustling cities of Chattanooga and Atlanta.
Nursing Degree Programs
Nursing programs at Dalton College are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing educates nurses to become generalists able to function in a range of settings and roles within the field of nursing. DSC offers a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for working Registered Nurses, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate program.
Dalton State College Undergraduate Nursing Programs
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program
The ASN (more commonly referred to as ADN) program prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RNs) in an array of healthcare settings. The program is 72 semester hours. Admission requirements to the program include an SAT/ACT or COMPASS (college entrance exam) score. Depending on a student’s overall scores and academic background, they will be placed in one of three academic plans. The plans indicate the number of course prerequisites that a student must complete before being considered for the nursing program. For example, students in Plan 1 (qualification for Plan 1 includes a bachelor’s degree or an SAT score above 960) need only complete 10 hours of prerequisites before being considered for the nursing program. Students in Plan 3 must complete 24 hours of prerequisites before being considered for admission into the nursing program. Prospective students can increase their chance of being considered for the nursing program sooner by earning competitive scores on standardized tests (i.e., SAT, ACT or COMPASS) or holding a degree. Upon completion of the program, a student may take the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse.
RN-BSN Program (Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program for the Registered Nurse)
This is a new program and is currently going through the process of being accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). This RN to BSN program is open to students who are gaduates of an Associate of Science in Nursing or Diploma program within the past 4 years. If you completed your ASN or Diploma more than 4 years ago, you will need to present documentation that shows that you have 1000 hours or more of practical nursing working experience withing the past 3 years. Applicants will also need to have a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who would like to take the next step in their career through earning a BSN degree can do so in Dalton State College’s RN-BSN Program. In the program, classroom sessions will be no more than once per week as the nursing courses will be taken partially online and partially in class. This program is ideal for those looking for an LPN to RN program.
Dalton State College Nursing Certificate Programs
Practical Nursing Program
The LPN program at Dalton State College prepares students for entry-level careers in nursing. LPNs provide general care to patients across the lifespan. The program requires clinical experiences which may require travel. The program is 66 credit hours and upon completion, students are awarded the LPN diploma and are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses) to become a LPN.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program
The CNA program requires just 3 courses and can be completed in one semester. Graduates of the CNA program are eligible for employment in a variety of settings including home healthcare programs. Upon completion of the program Certified Nursing Assistants will receive a diploma and can take the certification exam to become a CNA in the state of Georgia.
Contact:
Dalton State College
650 College Drive
Dalton, Georgia 30720-3797
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