Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose an AD Nursing Program at Chattanooga State Technical Community College?
- Highly qualified, experienced faculty dedicated to promoting student success
- Curriculum designed to prepare graduates to work in the today’s health care industry
- Excellent reputation in the community for the quality of the graduates it produces each year
- Comprehensive student support services provided by nursing and college personnel
- Consistently high state licensing pass and job placement rates
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
- Day – approximately 100 students are accepted in the fall of each year
- Night – approximately 40 students are accepted in the fall of every other
year (odd years)
- Paramedic and LPN Transition Programs - approximately 25 students are accepted every summer
How do I get started?
The best way to get started is to attend an Information Session! At these meetings, the nursing curriculum is
described along with information about which course to take first. In addition the application/selection process
is reviewed in detail. It’s a great time to have all of your questions answered.
Click
here for Information Sessions dates and times.
The Information Sessions are held in the Nursing Program facility in the CBIH Building on the Amnicola Highway
campus.
When should I turn in my application form?
NOW!! As soon as you decide you are definitely interested in the Nursing Program, submit the
application form. You do not have to wait until the “deadline” to turn it in. In fact, it is really important
to turn it in before you take the NET/HOBET test. So --- the sooner the better.
Click
here for a copy
of the application form.
Click
here to see the Steps to Apply to the Nursing Program.
Can I apply for both day and night programs?
The night program was developed to meet the needs of students who, because of work or home situations, can only
attend school in the evenings. A class of about 40 night students enrolls every other year. Because the number
of slots is extremely limited, we want them to be for individuals who need night classes. Since classes of
approximately 100 students enter the day program every year, there are a lot more slots available in the day.
Therefore, anyone who indicates they can attend either the day or night class, will be considered for the day program.
Will non-nursing classes I have completed elsewhere count toward Nursing Program requirements?
Any course that is required in the nursing curriculum that has been completed at an accredited college or
university should transfer to CSTCC to meet the curriculum requirement.
Please note:
- It is the student’s responsibility to be sure that official transcripts from all previous
colleges are sent to the CSTCC Records Office for evaluation.
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology must have been completed within 5 years of
entry into the program.
- Regardless of how many courses you have completed prior to entering nursing, the required clinical
nursing courses will have to be completed in sequence.
What are the program prerequisites? Day? Night? LPN and Paramedic to RN Transition?
A prerequisite is something that must be completed prior to starting something else. The prerequisites for the
Nursing Program must be completed prior to enrolling in the first clinical nursing course. All other courses
can be taken once enrolled in the nursing program.
| |
Trans.
Studies |
CHEM |
BIOL
2010 |
BIOL
2020 |
BIOL
1430 |
BIOL
2230 |
PY
101 |
PY
217 |
| Day Program |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Night Program |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
| LPN to RN day |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
X |
| LPN to RN night |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Paramedic to RN |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
What are the minimum requirements to be included in the applicant pool for the Nursing Program?
- Submit a nursing program application form and NET/HOBET admission test scores prior to the
application deadline.
- Score at least 60 percent on the reading test and achieve a 65 composite percent on the NET/HOBET
test
- Have a minimum 2.5 grade point average calculated using only the courses included in the
nursing curriculum.
What if I don't achieve the minimum scores?
If you do not achieve the minimum reading or composite NET/HOBET score, you can still be included in the
applicant pool if you have a minimum 3.0 nursing GPA and a minimum 3.0 GPA in at least 3 of the 4 required
biology courses.
How are the points for admission calculated?
Acceptance into the nursing program is a competitive process as there are usually more applicants than there
are slots in a class. Because of this, an objective points system is used to identify the individuals who will
be accepted. Points are awarded for completion of nursing curriculum courses, grades in those courses and the
results of the NET/HOBET test. The higher your points are, the better your chances of gaining acceptance.
Click
here for more detailed application/selection information.
How many points do I need to be admitted?
There is no set number of points needed to be accepted into the program. Selection is a competitive process
based on total points. The applicant pool is sorted according to total points. Students scoring the highest
number of points are accepted.
Will I be admitted if I meet the minimum requirements?
Because there are more students applying for the nursing program each year, it is becoming increasingly more
competitive to gain acceptance. At the present time, minimum scores in each of the numbers in the calculation
of the total points will not be sufficient to gain acceptance.
To see how to calculate your points click
here.
What if I am applying to more than one Allied Health program?
The NET/HOBET Test is the same test used by other Allied Health programs as well as the LPN program. Keep in
mind that the test must be taken within two years of the application deadline for the desired class.
How do I take the NET/HOBET test?
Click
here
for NET/HOBET information and a copy of the NET/HOBET registration form.
How do I prepare for the NET/HOBET test?
The best preparation for the NET/HOBET usually is to review basic math and algebra. Math is one of those
subjects that you forget if you do not use it on a regular basis. So spend a little time reviewing adding,
subtracting, multiplying and dividing whole numbers, fractions and decimals. There will be problems where you
have to convert between percent, fractions and decimals. Basic algebra concepts are also included, such as
solving for one unknown, distributive properties in algebra, etc.
Click
here for resources to help you.
When will I know if I am accepted?
The Nursing Program Admissions committee usually meets soon after the deadline date. Letters are usually sent
within 2-3 weeks to everyone whose application files are complete – application form on file and NET/HOBET test
completed by the deadline date.
If I am not accepted, what is next? Can I
reapply? Is there a waiting list for this program?
If you are not accepted or designated as a standby for a class you must reapply each year.
If you are reapplying please submit the
Update Application. A waiting list from year to year is not used. Since selection into a class is competitive, it is recommended
that you try to increase your points by completing more of the required nursing curriculum courses and/or
improving your NET/HOBET test scores. You may refer back to your NET/HOBET Test Student Report to see specific
topics where you might need to concentrate your efforts to improve.
If I am accepted, what is next?
Following notification of acceptance, you must submit an Intention Form that lets us know that you accept
placement in the class and plan to enter. Following receipt of this information, an enrollment packet will
be made available to you. The packet includes
detailed information about the
nursing course and things that you will need to do to be ready to enter the first nursing class.
When are the classes held? Day? Night? LPN? Paramedic?
- Day program – Day classes usually require all or part of three days each
week. In the first semester there is 5.5 hours of class on Monday and clinical
on Tuesday or Wednesday from 8-4 and Thursday or Friday from 7-2.
After the first semester, class will usually be on two days each week -
Monday and Thursday or Friday and clinical on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The actual schedule varies each semester.
- Night Program – Night classes are scheduled two nights each week – Monday
and Wednesday from 4-11 PM. Additional times for online chats, testing and
other class activities are also scheduled on Thursday evenings.
- LPN and Paramedic Transition – NS 024 and NS 027, Nursing Transition
courses are scheduled in the summer session during the day.
Where are the classes held?
Everything specifically related to the nursing classes is located in the nursing program facility at
4501 Amnicola Highway, CBIH Bldg. (formerly Olan Mills). This includes the program and faculty offices
as well as nursing classrooms and a skills practice lab. The facility also includes a Resource Room with
access to nursing literature and a computer lab for independent student use.
How much does it cost?
Click
here for detailed cost information.
Is financial aid available?
All financial aid programs offered at Chattanooga State are available to students enrolled in the Nursing
Program. Check with the financial aid office for more details. In addition, there are hospitals
in the surrounding area who are providing various types of scholarship programs for students enrolled in the
nursing program. Information for these program can be obtained from the Nurse Recruiter at the major hospitals
or information will be provided once enrolled in the nursing program.
Can I have a job while I am a nursing student?
Nursing is a very intense program. Students may find working, even part-time, very difficult. However, many
students do work while enrolled in the nursing program. Nursing classes/clinical will usually require all or
part of three days or evenings each week. Keep the following in mind: Work schedule will need to be worked
around the program requirements. Committed time for most courses will be 15-17 hours each week plus time for
reading and studying.
Attendance in nursing classes is strongly recommended; attendance in clinical is mandatory. Usually after
completion of the NS 119 (day) and NS 110 (night), you will have the skills needed to obtain employment as
a nursing technician (comparable to a nursing assistant).
If I have more questions, how can I contact the nursing office?
Email: RNinfo@chattanoogastate.edu
Phone: 423-493-8741
Mail:
Chattanooga State Nursing Program
4501 Amnicola Highway
CBIH Building
Chattanooga, TN 37406