Nashville – Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Program Quick Facts
| Duration | 21 months (full-time) |
| Start Dates | January/April/June/October |
| Format | On-campus |
| Accreditation | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
Discover
In our Nashville Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, you’ll work to develop a strong academic and clinical foundation. With classroom, laboratory, and hands-on clinical training from our experienced instructors, you’ll work to learn how to function as part of a healthcare team to provide collaborative, interdisciplinary care that improves patient outcomes. In your major nursing courses, you’ll undertake a rigorous schedule with approximately 20 hours of in-class time per week, along with work outside of the classroom, including reading and analysis. Courses explore mental health, pediatric, adult health, and maternal infant nursing care. By the time you earn your ASN, you’ll have worked to gain the fundamental skills and technical competence needed and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Learn more about preparing for the TEAS Test, required for Admission to the program on Episode 31 of the LIVE From South College Podcast including Tips & Tricks to studying!
Develop Essential Skills In
- Evidence-based, holistic patient care
- Critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Patient education and communication
- Cultural sensitivity and competence
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Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes
The program outcomes for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program in Nashville are to provide undergraduate students with the:
- Critical thinking, interpersonal, and technical skills of a nurse generalist.
- Academic foundation necessary to pursue post-licensure education.
Upon completion of the ASN program, the graduate will meet the following student learning outcomes:
- Incorporate the principles of ethics, professionalism, practice accountability, and integrity as the standard of care in ASN practice.
- Facilitate therapeutic communication effectively with diverse patients and members of the health care team to obtain the most favorable outcomes.
- Analyze and evaluate nursing interventions to promote optimal patient outcomes across the continuum.
- Utilize clinical judgment to support patient centered decision making and provide evidence-based nursing care.
- Collaborate with patients and members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement holistic care.
- Integrate evidenced-based practice and technology to teach individuals, families, and populations while providing holistic nursing care.
These End of Program Student Learning Outcomes are based on the ANA Code for Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2015), National League for Nursing Core Values (NLN, 2021), Quality & Safety Education for Nurses competencies and essential concepts (QSEN, 2007).
Student Outcomes and Program Effectiveness – Nashville Campus
Minimum Academic Requirements for Admission
Cohorts will begin depending upon enrollment and approvals from the associated state board of nursing. All students must meet the requirements for general admission to South College in order to pursue core/general education courses. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Application deadlines are available in the School of Nursing and the Admissions Department.
Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of academic qualifications, previous educational experiences, and standardized test scores. The School of Nursing reserves the right to update or modify admission criteria as deemed necessary.
For detailed information on Nashville ASN admission criteria, prerequisites, and program requirements, please refer to the South College Academic Catalog here.
Additional Information
Need to Know More About the Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) Program? Here Are Frequently Asked Questions!
No, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is not the same as a Registered Nurse (RN). An ASN is a type of academic degree program in nursing, while an RN is a professional title and license awarded after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. You earn an ASN degree to become eligible to take the RN licensure exam and once passed, practice as a Registered Nurse.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnASN is a two-year academic degree program that prepares students for entry-level nursing positions.
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at South College is designed for completion in 21 months (full-time). Prior academic background could affect this length if some prerequisite courses have already been completed
Yes! We are institutionally accredited by SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) and for the ASN, most campuses are programmatically accredited by ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and also approved at the state level by multiple Boards of Nursing including North Carolina, Georgia, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Two campuses only recently gained approval for ASN (Asheville, North Carolina and Indianapolis, Indiana). These campuses are applying for Candidacy with ACEN for this program.
More information regarding accreditation status can be found here: https://www.south.edu/about/accreditations-and-approvals/
No, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is not the same as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program which is usually a certificate or diploma program. Earning an ASN degree qualifies graduates to attempt the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN), while completion of an LPN program qualifies graduates to attempt the NCLEX-PN exam. These designations lead to different levels of licensure, responsibility, and patient care scope.
Key Differences
- Education & Degree:
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- ASN: An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a two-year degree that requires a more comprehensive nursing education and leads to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).
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- LPN: A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) earns a diploma or certificate after a shorter, typically one-year, program.
Cohorts begin based on enrollment and approval from the respective state board of nursing.
All applicants must meet South College’s general admission requirements to enroll in core or general education courses; however, general admission does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Application deadlines are available through the School of Nursing and the Admissions Department.
Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of academic qualifications, educational experiences, and standardized test scores. The School of Nursing reserves the right to update or modify admission criteria as necessary.
Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission without stipulation:
- Meet general admission requirements to South College.
- Submit a School of Nursing application by the published deadline.
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher.
- Entrance Exam:
- Achieve a minimum ATI TEAS score at the Basic academic preparedness level or an equivalent passing score on the HESI A2*.
- Scores below this threshold will not be considered for admission.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for both general education/core prerequisite courses and required science prerequisites.
Additional Requirements:
- Complete the required drug test and background check before the first day of class.*
- Attend the nursing orientation in full on the scheduled date.
*Applicants who fail the drug test or background check will have their admission canceled.
See more information here: https://catalog.south.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=1368&returnto=228&_ga=2.106161354.874565821.1762218890-12488737.1757434889#tt810
Clinical hours in an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program are hands-on, supervised training in various healthcare settings to develop fundamental nursing skills and competence. Students rotate through different specialties like mental health, pediatrics, and adult health, gaining practical experience under the guidance of experienced nurses and instructors before taking the NCLEX-RN exam. The specific number of hours and the scheduling of clinicals vary by state and nursing program, but they are a mandatory component of the curriculum. At South College we require set number of clinical hours per quarter at a variety of healthcare settings.
Yes – please scroll up on this page for more information for those that qualify.
Accreditation
State Authorization (Tennessee)
The South College Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in December 2003, with full approval granted in September 2008. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2016. The Master of Science in Nursing program received approval in November 2016. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program received approval in February 2020. The Post-Graduate Certificate programs received approval in August 2021.
The South College Associate of Science in Nursing program (Knoxville & Nashville Learning Site) was approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in November 2022.
The South College Certificate program in Practical Nursing offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in February 2018. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2018.
Programmatic Accreditation
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at South College – Nashville Campus located in Nashville, Tennessee is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is initial accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website, www.acenursing.org.