School of Nursing

South College Online Nursing

Our quality online nursing programs provide flexible pathways to begin and advance your professional opportunities, including AS in Health Science (Pre-Nursing), RN-BSN, MSN with concentrations like Family Nurse Practitioner, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice, as well as Postgraduate Certificates.

 

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Online Nursing Quick Facts by Program

Associate of Science in Health Science (Pre-Nursing)

Duration21 months (full-time)
Start DatesEvery 5 weeks
FormatOnline or Hybrid
AccreditationN/A
Admission Requirements• Meet South College General Admission Requirements to begin courses – Program Admission is met following successful completion of 8 hours in the major curriculum at South College, earning the minimum grades required by the program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)

Duration12 months (full-time)
Start DatesEvery 5 weeks
FormatOnline
AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Admission Requirements• Proof of a current unencumbered Registered Nurse license or in progress of becoming licensed as a Registered Nurse
• Hold an Associate degree or Diploma in Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing*

Duration18-21 months (full-time)
Start DatesEvery 5 weeks
FormatOnline
AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Admission RequirementsClick HERE to see all admission requirements for the South College MSN program.
*Concentrations include Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master’s)*

Duration21 months (full-time)
Start DatesEvery 5 weeks
FormatCBE*
AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Admission RequirementsClick HERE to see all admission requirements for the South College DNP program.
*The South College Competency-Based delivery modality (or CBE) is an innovative educational approach that creates opportunity for students to evidence mastery of required content at their own pace in their own surroundings. Learn more here.

Post-Graduate Certificates*

Duration53-55 Credit Hours
Start DatesEvery 5 weeks
FormatOnline
AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Admission RequirementsAll applicants to a South College Post-Graduate Certificate in, regardless of concentration or track, must meet the current entry requirements as stated in the South College Catalog.
*Postgraduate Certificate options include: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

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Online Nursing FAQs

Yes, South College has enjoyed a strong reputation in the cities where the campuses are with students highlighting the following aspects:

  • Faculty:

Many reviewers highlight the nursing faculty as phenomenal, helpful, knowledgeable, and supportive of student goals.

  • Clinical experiences:

Clinical adjuncts are praised for their active involvement in the field and for helping students pursue specific interests, like flight nursing, thanks to strong ties with local hospitals.

  • Program strengths:

Some South College campuses have reported high pass rates for the nursing licensure exam over a multi-year period.

  • Online options:

Some students find the online or hybrid formats helpful for managing a busy schedule.

South College was also ranked #1 in the state of Tennessee for “Best Colleges For Nursing”  by Niche (2026) based upon key statistics and student reviews.

Yes, South College is accredited for nursing, with its School of Nursing holding accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the BSN, MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate programs. Other programs, such as PN and ASN are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at applicable campuses.  South College’s overall institutional accreditation is from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The specific nursing programs are also approved by relevant state boards of nursing where the campus is located.

  • Nursing Program Accreditation: The School of Nursing holding accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the BSN, MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate programs. Other programs, such as PN and ASN are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at applicable campuses.
  • Institutional Accreditation: South College is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC.
  • State Approval: Specific programs are approved by state nursing boards, such as those in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Tennessee, depending on the campus location.
  • Importance: This accreditation ensures the quality of the nursing education and is crucial for graduates who wish to become registered nurses.

You’ll need to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing in order to become a registered nurse. The AS Health Science (Pre-Nursing) at South College prepares you for the rigors of nursing school, as well as satisfactory completion of prerequisites you may need to qualify to apply to Nursing School. Upon successful completion, you will earn an Associate of Science degree in Health Science which gives you many possible directions in Healthcare if you decide Nursing is not for you.

An RN-BSN refers to a “Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing” program, a pathway for licensed RNs with an Associate degree (ADN) or diploma in nursing to earn a BSN. These programs offer advanced education, focusing on areas like leadership and community health, to improve patient care and expand professional options.

 

Key Aspects of RN-BSN Programs

  • Purpose: Designed for current RNs with an ADN or diploma to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
  • Curriculum: Builds on existing RN knowledge with more comprehensive studies in sciences and nursing practice.
  • Career Benefits:
    • Increased Opportunities: Can opens doors to leadership, administration, and specialized roles not always available to ADN-prepared nurses.
    • Foundation for Graduate Studies: Provides a strong basis for pursuing advanced degrees or certifications.
  • Flexibility: Many programs are offered online with flexible schedules to accommodate working RNs, with some programs even offering streamlined clinical hours.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must hold a current, unencumbered RN license.

An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program is a master’s degree program for registered nurses who want to provide advanced, specialized care to critically ill adults, from young adults to the elderly. This specialization prepares graduates to work in fast-paced hospital settings, such as emergency rooms or intensive care units, where they diagnose, treat, and manage complex, acute, and chronic conditions. The degree focuses on skills like advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and evidence-based care, and prepares graduates to take national certification exam.

 

What an AGACNP Does:

  • Manages Complex Conditions: Specializes in the care of patients with acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions, including traumatic injuries or conditions like heart attack or stroke.
  • Works in Acute Settings: Primarily works in high-acuity environments like hospital intensive care units, special care units, or emergency departments.
  • Collaborates with Healthcare Teams: Works closely with physicians, other nurses, and specialists to stabilize and improve patient health.
  • Diagnoses and Treats: Assesses patients, makes diagnoses, orders treatments, and provides patient education.

FNP stands for Family Nurse Practitioner. A FNP is a master’s-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who specializes in providing primary care to individuals and families across all ages.

 

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide comprehensive primary care to individuals and families across the lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood. They conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, and manage both acute and chronic health conditions. FNPs practice in diverse healthcare settings, including community health centers, private practices, hospitals, and urgent care facilities.

Nursing informatics is a nursing specialty that blends nursing science with information science and computer science to define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Its primary goal is to improve patient care and health outcomes by effectively using and integrating technology and information systems, such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), to support nurses and healthcare teams in their decision-making, data management, and daily workflows.

 

Key Aspects of Nursing Informatics:

  • Integration of Technology:

It serves as a bridge between clinical nursing practice and technology experts, ensuring that information systems meet the needs of healthcare professionals and patients.

  • Data Management:

Professionals identify, collect, and manage large amounts of health information, ensuring it is accurate, relevant, and confidential, which supports patient care and research.

  • Improved Patient Care & Safety:

By providing nurses with easy access to comprehensive patient data, informatics supports informed decision-making, leading to better patient safety and care.

  • Workflow Optimization:

The field helps to streamline administrative tasks and automate processes, allowing nurses more time to focus on direct patient care.

  • Education and Training:

Nurse informaticists often train other healthcare professionals on new technologies and best practices for data entry and retrieval, as well as the effective use of systems like EHRs.

  • Data-Driven Insights:

This specialty provides data-driven insights to support operational planning, identify areas for process improvement, and help develop evidence-based policies and research.

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) has completed an advanced practice nursing degree with a specialty in the area and obtained the required certification/licensure.  These professional are qualified to diagnose and treat patients with mental health conditions, providing a full spectrum of psychiatric care.

 

Depending on state laws, PMHNPs can:

  • Perform psychiatric evaluations
  • Diagnose mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia
  • Prescribe medications, including controlled substances
  • Provide psychotherapy / counseling
  • Develop and manage treatment plans
  • Order and interpret lab tests
  • Provide education and support to patients and families
  • Work in collaboration or independently (varies by state)

 

At South College, the Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMHNP) is designed to prepare registered nurses to provide care for patients with mental and substance use disorders. Graduates are eligible to take the board certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

South College is known for its flexible and diverse educational programs at multiple campuses, with a strong focus on allied health, nursing, and other career-focused fields. The college is also known for its market-based programs and supportive environment, which includes modern facilities and experienced faculty.

Key aspects South College is known for:

  • Flexible and career-focused programs: 

The college offers a variety of programs with flexible study options, often designed to lead directly to professional opportunities in the associated fields including  allied healthcare, nursing, business/accounting, education, and criminal justice.

  • Diverse campus locations: 

South College has multiple campuses including Atlanta, GA, Asheville, NC, Dallas, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Marietta, GA, Orlando, FL, Pittsburgh, PA, and Knoxville and Nashville, TN.

  • Commitment to student success: 

The college aims to support the intellectual, social, and professional development of its diverse student body in a supportive community.  The curricula are regularly assessed for relevancy by the qualified faculty.

  • Accreditation: 

South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring quality in its educational offerings.

  • Market-based curriculum: 

South College’s programs are designed to be relevant to the current and future job market.

  • Modern facilities: 

Campuses are equipped with modern labs and classrooms filled with industry used technology and equipment.

Yes, South College offers scholarships and participates in financial aid programs for its nursing students that qualify. Qualifying students can receive aid through federal, state, and private programs, and the college provides grant options as well.  See Financial Aid for more information.

South College specific opportunities:

Go to Financial Aid

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