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.
General Information
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 (see information in Open Advising Session) 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 affiliation agreements between Trident Technical College and clinical facilities, all students entering Nursing programs are required to have a completed drug screen and criminal background check within six months prior to starting the Nursing program.Background checks for students will include, at a minimum, the following:
Social Security number verification
Criminal search
Employment verification to include reason for separation and eligibility for re-employment
Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry search
HHS/OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, List of Specially Designated Nationals
Applicable State Exclusion List
Only drug screens and background checks conducted through the agency designated by the College within six months prior to admission to the Nursing programs are acceptable. Students will be assessed processing fees. Results of the drug screens and criminal background check will be made available to the dean, who will forward any adverse findings to the clinical agency.
The clinical agency will review all adverse findings and determine whether or not the findings disqualify the student from clinical practice. Should a student be disqualified from clinical practice in a clinical agency, the student must meet with the dean to review potential options.To be eligible for graduation, the student must be able to complete all clinical rotations.
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.
Cancellation Policy
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
Meet the College’s admission requirements.
Students must be accepted to the College in order to apply for the Nursing program.
Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing program.
General Nursing Program Admission Requirements All students applying to Nursing programs must be accepted to TTC and meet the following admission requirements:
Attend an Open Advising Session and obtain written faculty verification of attendance OR complete the Open Advising Session online. 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.htm or by calling 843.574.6370.
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.
Show evidence of a criminal background check and drug screen completed within six months prior to starting the nursing program. Only criminal background checks and drug screens that are conducted through the agency designated by the College will be accepted. Instructions for obtaining criminal background checks and drug screens will be mailed to students the semester before the date of entry to the nursing program. Students will be assessed a processing fee.
Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended. Students who have had a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for courses taken during the last five years must complete 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 years of the entry date to the program.
Submit a Nursing Application, Open Advising Session Verification form, and Statement of Completion once all requirements are met either in person or by certified mail to the address below.
Submit the form accepting your seat in the Nursing program.
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 LPN (Fall Semester start), CNA to LPN (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.
Reminder: Prerequisites for clinical courses may change based on clinical affiliation agreement requirements. Students are responsible for meeting all prerequisites to clinical courses throughout the program.
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:
Meet the College’s admission requirements.
Meet the Nursing program’s admission requirements.
Submit a letter from the dean or director of the former Nursing program that addresses the student’s
theoretical standing
clinical standing
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.
Meet the College’s requirements for 25 percent of the curriculum credit hours to be taken at TTC.
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.
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 Nursing Assistant students may have no more than one unsuccessful attempt in Basic Nursing Skills (NUR 102). Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing students may have no more than two unsuccessful attempts in clinical nursing courses. LPN-ADN students may have no more than one unsuccessful attempt in clinical nursing courses. An unsuccessful attempt is defined as receiving a D, F, U or W in a clinical nursing course.
Readmission Students enrolled in any Nursing program who do not progress in the curriculum sequence for any reason (academic or personal) must seek readmission in order to progress to another clinical course. Readmission is not automatic. Criteria for readmission are outlined in the Student Nurses Handbook.
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.
All students applying to Nursing programs must be accepted to TTC and meet the following admission requirements.
