TTC’s Division of Nursing offers a curriculum with multiple entry and exit points with options for students to earn a certificate, diploma and associate degree. The Nursing curriculum incorporates course requirements for all Nursing programs into three levels. The sequential program levels prepare students for progressive roles of nursing practice: the nursing assistant, the practical nurse and the registered nurse. Students may successfully complete requirements for each program level and exit, or progress to the next level. Requirements for each program level of the curriculum are progressive and must be met before entering courses in the next program level.
All qualified students may enter the first program level, the Nursing Assistant certificate. Students who successfully complete the course requirements of the first program level (Nursing Assistant) may exit with the Health Science certificate or meet the progression requirements for the next program level and continue in the curriculum. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the second program level (Practical Nursing) may exit with a Health Science diploma or meet the progression requirements for the third program level and continue in the curriculum. Students who successfully complete the required courses of the third program level (Associate Degree Nursing) exit with an associate in Health Science degree.
Qualified students who are Certified Nursing Assistants may enter the second program level of the curriculum and follow the CNA-to-PN Option. Students successfully completing the CNA-to-PN Option may exit with a Health Science diploma or meet the progression requirements for the third program level and continue in the curriculum. Qualified students who are Licensed Practical Nurses may enter the third program level of the curriculum and follow the LPN-to-ADN Option. The LPN students who successfully complete the third and final program level exit with an associate in Health Science degree.
The Nursing curriculum combines general education courses and clinical nursing courses and incorporates classroom instruction, laboratory simulation and clinical practice to assure students obtain the most current knowledge and high-level skills available in the nursing profession.
TTC’s Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 61 Broadway 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10016, 212.363.5555) and approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Board of Nursing (P.O. Box 12367, Columbia, SC 29211, 803.896.4550). The Nursing Assistant program is approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.
All clinical nursing courses are FastForward sessions.
Professional courses for the Associate Degree Nursing level are offered in sequence and require two years for completion. Professional courses for the Practical Nursing level are offered in sequence and require three and a half semesters for completion. The course for the Nursing Assistant level requires one-half semester for completion.
Prior to beginning clinical experiences in the nursing programs, students must have current CPR certification, medical professional liability insurance (included in tuition), major medical insurance, a physical examination, and all required immunizations and tests.
In these programs students are required to purchase uniforms, laboratory supplies and other course materials.
Since students will be assigned to clinical sites off campus, they must have reliable transportation.
In order to be in compliance with Article 23, Section 44-7-2920 of the SC Code of law, all students applying to Nursing programs are required to have completed a criminal background check. Only applicants who have completed a criminal background check and show no record of convictions other than minor traffic violations will be considered for admission to a program. Those applicants who meet the state 12-month residency requirement will only be required to complete a criminal background check through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Applicants who do not meet the 12-month residency requirements will be required to obtain a federal fingerprint check along with a SLED criminal background check. Only criminal background checks that have been conducted through the College will be accepted. Students will be assessed a processing fee.
Conviction of a crime (other than a minor traffic violation) could make the student ineligible to take the licensing exam required by the profession upon graduation. Early notification to the appropriate board is suggested.
TTC reserves the right to cancel courses due to inadequate enrollment.
Admission to the Nursing Programs
Admission to the Nursing programs is on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. Applicants who complete the admission requirements to enter the College and the nursing program for which they are applying are admitted on a space-available basis.
General College Admission Requirements
1. Meet the College’s admission requirements.
2. Students must be accepted to the College in order to apply for the Nursing program.
3. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing program.
General Nursing Program Admission Requirements
All students applying to Nursing programs must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Attend an Open Advising Session and obtain written faculty verification of attendance OR complete the Open Advising Session online and submit the signed verification form of completion to the Nursing Admissions Coordinator. This should be done first since all program requirements are reviewed in this session. Open Advising Session schedules are available at www.tridenttech.edu/nursing or by calling (843) 574-6370.
2. Complete a Nursing application (available at an Open Advising Session). Submit with the Statement of Completion after all admission requirements are met.
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for courses taken at TTC and NOT be on academic or disciplinary suspension at the time of admission and date of entry into the program.
4. Show evidence of a background check with nothing other than minor traffic violations at the date of entry to the nursing program. Only criminal background checks that are conducted through the College will be accepted. Instructions for obtaining background checks will be mailed to students the semester before the date of entry to the nursing program. Students will be assessed a processing fee.
5. Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended. Students who have had a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for courses taken during the last five (5) years must complete ten (10) semester hours with a minimum grade of C or better in each course, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. At least one of these courses must be a required laboratory science. Laboratory sciences must be taken within five (5) years of date of entry to the program.
6. Submit the Statement of Completion (with the Nursing application) in person or by certified mail to:
Trident Technical College
Admissions and Records Office
Nursing Admissions Coordinator
7000 Rivers Avenue (P.O. Box 118067)
Charleston, SC 29423-8067
In addition, students must meet the specific admission requirements listed under the Nursing program for which they are applying: ADN (Fall Semester start), ADN (Spring Semester start), LPN to ADN (Fall Semester start), LPN to ADN (Spring Semester start), CNA to ADN (Fall Semester start), CNA to ADN (Spring Semester start), PN (Fall Semester start), PN (Spring Semester start), CNA to PN (Fall Semester start), CNA to PN (Spring Semester start) and NA.
Important Note: Students initially admitted to the Nursing Assistant program who wish to progress to the PN or ADN programs MUST provide proof of current certification as a nursing assistant prior to progressing to the PN or ADN programs. Students initially admitted to the Practical Nursing program who wish to progress to the ADN program MUST provide proof of current South Carolina licensure as a practical nurse prior to progressing to the ADN program.
Acceptance: Students who meet College and program admission requirements are considered qualified and are accepted on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis to the next available space. Qualified students are sent an acceptance letter indicating the year and semester for which they have been accepted.
Falsification of any information submitted will make a student ineligible for admission to or continuation in the Nursing program.
Transfer to Specific Programs
Students seeking admission to a Nursing program at TTC who have been enrolled in (and not completed) another Nursing program must complete the following requirements to be considered for admission:
1. Meet the College’s admission requirements.
2. Meet the Nursing program’s admission requirements.
3. Submit a letter from the dean or director of the former Nursing program that addresses the student’s
a. theoretical standing
b. clinical standing
c. eligibility for readmission to that program
NOTE: Only students who have no more than one unsuccessful attempt (W, D, F or U) in a clinical nursing course are considered for admission.
4. Meet the College’s requirements for 25 percent of the curriculum credit hours to be taken at TTC.
5. Meet all prerequisite and corequisite courses applicable to the semester for which the student is seeking entry. Laboratory sciences must be taken within five years of the date of entry into the program.
6. Once the student is eligible for admission, he/she may request consideration for transfer credit for Nursing courses taken within the last two years by submitting a written request to the department head.
Course Sequence and Progression
A student must achieve a minimum grade of C or better in all prerequisite and corequisite courses.
Repeat Policy and Termination
A student may repeat no more than one clinical nursing course in each program level of the Nursing curriculum. If a student fails to complete a repeated course with a grade of C or better on the second attempt, or fails to complete a second clinical nursing course with a grade of C or better in the same program level, the student will be terminated from the program level. A student will be allowed to exit from the last program level successfully completed. A withdrawal constitutes an attempt for a course and will count as one failure to complete the course.
Readmission to a Program Level
Students who receive a grade of W, D, F or U in a clinical nursing course must seek readmission to the program level in order to repeat the course or progress to another clinical course. Readmission to the program level is not automatic. Criteria for readmission are stated in the Student Nurses Handbook/Course Materials.
Graduation Requirements
All general education requirements must be completed prior to or during the final semester to ensure eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) upon graduation. Prior to graduation, students are required to demonstrate attainment of stated program competencies.
