LPN/Paramedic to RN Pathway, A.A.S.

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The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Paramedic to Registered Nurse (RN) Pathway builds on knowledge and skills acquired in an LPN/Paramedic program, providing students an opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing and become eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Applicants must meet specific prerequisites, including completion of designated general education courses and must possess an active, unencumbered LPN license/Paramedic license with eligibility to practice in the state of TN. After admission to the pathway, the curriculum spans three semesters (18 months), emphasizing core nursing competencies, including professional behavior, communication, assessment, clinical decision-making, caring nursing interventions, teaching/learning, collaboration, and managing care for diverse populations. Clinical experiences are conducted in a variety of healthcare settings with travel required. Graduates of the LPN/Paramedic to RN pathway are well-prepared for continued professional growth and advancement.

This concentration is specifically designed for students who plan to enter the workforce after graduation.

To facilitate success in this program, all students should enroll in ORN 1010 - Orientation: Learning to Succeed during their first semester at DSCC.

Major/Concentration Codes: NURS-NURS

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To view a sample degree map by semester for this area of emphasis, go to Degree Map.

General Education Requirements:

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credits: 3 ^*
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3 ^**
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3 ^*
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics Credits: 3 ^*
BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4 ^*

Additional Degree Requirements:

BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 ^***
BIOL 2230 - Microbiology Credits: 4
Choose one of the following Guided Electives:
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II Credits: 3
-OR- HPED 220 - Principles of Nutrition Credits: 3
-OR- PSYC 2130 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credits: 3
-OR- COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credits: 3
Note: Nursing courses must be taken in sequence.
NRSG 1700 - Transitions Credits: 7
NRSG 1340 - Mental Health Nursing Credits: 3
NRSG 2730 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II Credits: 7
NRSG 1320 - Women’s Health and Childbearing Family Credits: 3
NRSG 2740 - Medical-Surgical Nursing III Credits: 7
NRSG 1330 - Pediatric Nursing Credits: 3
NRSG 2240 - Professional Practice in Nursing Credits: 2

Foundations of Nursing:

After successfully completing NRSG 1700, the student will be awarded 7 credit hours for NRSG 1710 on the basis of their prior LPN or Paramedic educational program. The student must successfully complete NRSG 1700 to receive the 7 credit hours.

NRSG 1710 - Fundamentals of Nursing Credits: 7

Total: 66 Semester Hours

^*Learning support courses, BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I , ENGL 1010 - English Composition I , MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics , and PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology are prerequisite courses and must be completed with a C or better to be considered for admission.

^**For lists of eligible electives, see the appropriate sections of the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements.

^***BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II is a prerequisite courses for the second semester in the Nursing Program.