Certificate: Pre-Nursing

The Pre-Nursing Certificate is a curriculum program, which offers 20 hours of college credit. Although completion of the Pre-Nursing certificate courses does not guarantee admission to TTC's Nursing programs, completion of the certificate may meet the admission requirement.

1. Apply to Trident Technical College.You must meet all general college admission requirements. Please be sure to submit your application before the application deadline of the semester you would like to enroll.
2. Attend new student orientation in the Student Success Center (formerly The Hub) on any campus, declare Pre-Nursing as your major and receive your advisor assignment.
3. Meet with your assigned Pre-Nursing advisor who will review the program information with you and help you select the best Nursing admission option. This advisor will also initiate an academic plan and provide your personal advisor's contact information for future assistance with advising and registering for courses.

Students using the Pre-Nursing Certificate as their admission option should not apply to the Nursing program until they have completed the certificate program and are ready to move on to TTC's Practical Nursing or Associate Degree Nursing programs.

Pre-Nursing Curriculum

Diploma: Practical Nursing (PN)

Graduates of the Practical Nursing program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam-PN (NCLEX-PN). Upon satisfactory completion of the exam, graduates are licensed practical nurses (LPN).

1. Apply to Trident Technical College. You must meet all general college admission requirements. Please be sure to submit your application before the application deadline of the semester you would like to enroll.
2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, colleges and universities previously attended. Students who have had a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for courses taken at any college they have attended 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.
3. Meet one of the following three admission options (a, b or c) before applying to the program.
   a. Hold an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited school with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.*
   b. Achieve a minimum composite score equivalent to the 60^th percentile on the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NEX). Scores are valid for two years from date of testing. To register for the NLN NEX exam, contact TTC Testing Services in Bldg. 410/Rm. 202 at Thornley Campus, 7000 Rivers Ave. (South Gate entrance).
   c. Complete the Pre-Nursing Certificate with a minimum certificate GPA of 2.75. No more than three of the six courses required for the Pre-Nursing Certificate may be repeated to meet this admission option and all courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

Important Note: Students initially admitted to the Practical Nursing program who wish to progress to the ADN program MUST provide proof of an unencumbered current South Carolina license as a practical nurse prior to progressing to the ADN program.

*In addition, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Associate Degree: Nursing (ADN)

A graduate of the ADN program is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN). Upon satisfactory completion of the exam, graduates are registered nurses (RN).

1. Apply to Trident Technical College. You must meet all general college admission requirements. Please be sure to submit your application before the application deadline of the semester you would like to enroll.
2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, colleges and universities previously attended. Students who have had a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for courses taken at any college they have attended 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.
3. Meet one of the following three admission options (a, b or c) before applying to the program.
   a. Hold an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited school with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.*
   b. Achieve a minimum composite score equivalent to the 60^th percentile on the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NEX). Scores are valid for two years from date of testing. To register for the NLN NEX exam, contact TTC Testing Services in Bldg. 410/Rm. 202 at Thornley Campus, 7000 Rivers Ave. (South Gate entrance).
   c. Complete the Pre-Nursing Certificate with a minimum certificate GPA of 2.75. No more than three of the six courses required for the Pre-Nursing Certificate may be repeated to meet this admission option and all courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

*In addition, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Associate Degree: LPN to ADN

Applicants who are licensed practical nurses from another program or who have been out of TTC’s PN program two or more years are eligible to be considered for admission to the LPN-to-ADN Option.

1. Apply to Trident Technical College. You must meet all general college admission requirements. Please be sure to submit your application before the application deadline of the semester you would like to enroll.
2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, colleges and universities previously attended. Students who have had a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for courses taken at any college they have attended 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.
3. Achieve at least 8 points on a scale of criteria to include points for the ADN level admission requirement, the PN Comprehensive Predictor score and BIO 210 and 211 grades.
4. Provide proof of graduation from a practical nursing program by submitting official transcripts.
5. Provide proof of current SC unencumbered licensure as a practical nurse.
6. LPNs from another program or LPNs that have been out of TTC's PN program for two years or more must provide an Employment Verification form validating a minimum of 960 hours (equivalent to six months full-time) employment as a LPN.

Note: LPNs who have been out of TTC's program over two years, or LPNs who completed another program must meet admission requirements including scoring 8 points on a scale of criteria. Please contact the Nursing Department for the name of the LPN - ADN nursing advisor.