Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose an AD Nursing Program at Chattanooga State 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 110 students are accepted in the fall of each year
- Night - approximately 50 students are accepted in the fall of every other year (odd years)
- Paramedic and LPN Transition Programs - approximately 30 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.
When and where are the Information Sessions held?
The Information Sessions are held in the Nursing Program facility in the Health Science Center 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 TEAS 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 45 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 Chattanooga State 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 Chattanooga State 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 |
PSYC 1030 |
PSYC 2130 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 TEAS admission test scores prior to the application deadline.
- Have a minimum 2.5 grade point average calculated using only the courses included in the nursing curriculum.
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 TEAS 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 TEAS Test is the same test used by other Allied Health programs. 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 TEAS test?
Click here for TEAS information and a copy of the TEAS registration form.
How do I prepare for the TEAS test?
The best preparation for the TEAS 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 TEAS 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 TEAS test scores. You may refer back to your TEAS Test 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 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 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 1 or 2 days each week.
Where are the classes held?
Everything specifically related to the nursing classes is located in the nursing program facility at 4501 Amnicola Highway, Health Science Center. 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: 423-493-8740
Mail: Chattanooga State Nursing Program
4501 Amnicola Highway
Health Science Center
Chattanooga, TN 37406