Nursing, Degree (ND73) Degree
Competitive Entry Program
The two-year associate degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for positions in the nursing profession. The curriculum is designed to produce highly trained, technically advanced, competent and caring individuals who are prepared to practice professional nursing in a variety of healthcare settings. The purpose of the program is to provide the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice competently and safely as a beginning nurse generalist, in a variety of acute and long-term care settings. The nurse is viewed as a caring holistic person who possesses critical thinking/problem solving skills, integrity, accountability, a theoretical knowledge base, refined psychomotor skills, and a commitment to life-long learning. Program graduates receive an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. Graduates are then eligible to apply and take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN, and licensure by the Georgia Board of Nursing, graduates are employed as registered nurses in a variety of settings.
Curriculum: Graduates will advocate for patient and family access to quality care promoting self-actualization and health promotion across diverse settings. They will provide interdisciplinary, holistic, patient-centered nursing care that respects beliefs, culture, diversity, and preferences. Graduates will make evidence-based clinical judgments using critical thinking, intuition, and reflection. They will implement progressive nursing practices reflecting caring, excellence, accountability, integrity, safety, advocacy, ethical standards, and quality improvement processes. Additionally, graduates will effectively utilize informatics and health technology to enhance safe and effective patient care.
Careers: Registered Nurse
Start Terms:
- Ben Hill-Irwin: Fall 2024
- The application deadline for Fall 2024 entry is May 1, 2024; the application will open on March 1, 2024.
- The program will accept up to 30 students to begin Fall 2024.
- Valdosta: Spring 2025
- The application deadline for Spring 2025 entry is August 1, 2025; the application will open on May 1, 2025.
- The program accepts up to 50 students each spring.
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- The application deadline for Fall 2025 entry is May 1, 2025; the application will open on March 1, 2025.
- The program will accept up to 30 students to begin Fall 2025.
Length of Program: 5 Terms
Admission Requirements:
- General College Admissions and Placement
- Be at least 18 years of age
- This is a competitive admission program.
- The application for the Spring 2025 Campus Program is open!
- The application for the Spring 2025 Campus Program is open!
Program-Specific Admission Requirements:
- Admission to the Nursing Degree program is highly competitive; acceptance to the college does not guarantee admission. Students must first be accepted to the college before they can be accepted to the program through the competitive process.
- The Nursing Degree program follows a competitive admissions process based on specific criteria, including prerequisite courses and HESI A2 scores. To apply, students must submit an online competitive admissions application, official transcripts, HESI A2 scores, and any other required documents by the program's application deadline.To start prerequisite courses, enroll in the Nursing Technician Certificate.
- Applications can be submitted before completing the Nursing Technican TCC program; however, priority will be given to graduates of the program by the application deadline.
- Applicants must be in good academic standing at Wiregrass; those on academic warning, probation, or suspension cannot be accepted to the competitive program, if selected. Additionally, all registration holds must be cleared for registration eligibility.
Competitive Admission Rank Order:
- Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Entry: Applicants will be ranked based on the following formula: Nursing Technician TCC GPA (40%) + HESI Critical Thinking Conversion Score (20%) + HESI Cumulative Score (40%)
- Applicants must have a 2.75 or better GPA in the Nursing Technician Technical Certificate classes (ENGL 1101, MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, and NAST/ALHS 1100/PNSG 2030). [Please see your One-Stop Advisor for potential MATH subsitutions.]
- Applicants must have a 75.0 or better on the cumulative HESI A2 Exam.
- The HESI A2 exam must be taken at Wiregrass. Scores from other institutions will not be accepted. Both the cumulative and critical thinking portion of the exam must be completed. HESI scores are valid for 2 years and must be valid at the application deadline date. Applicants have 3 attempts per 2 years to complete the HESI A2 exam.
- Beginning Fall 2024 Entry: Applicants will be ranked based on the following formula: Nursing Technician TCC GPA (40%) + HESI Critical Thinking Conversion Score (20%) + HESI Cumulative Score (40%)
- Applicants must have a 2.75 or better GPA in the Nursing Technician Technical Certificate classes (ENGL 1101, MATH 1111, PSYC 1101, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, ALHS 1090, and NAST/ALHS 1100/PNSG 2030 [Please see your One-Stop Advisor for potential MATH substitutions.]
- Applicants must have a 75.0 or better on the cumulative HESI A2 Exam.
- The HESI A2 exam must be taken at Wiregrass. Scores from other institutions will not be accepted. Both the cumulative and critical thinking portion of the exam must be completed. HESI scores are valid for 2 years and must be valid at the application deadline date. Applicants have 3 attempts per 2 years to complete the HESI A2 exam.
- If class capacity remains unfilled for a program, the deadlines and/or other requirements for that program can be extended/modified with the Dean of Health Sciences approval.
- All of the competitive admissions criteria are current as we know them. They may be modified with curriculum revisions. Please see the One-Stop Enrollment and Success Center for the most current criteria.
- Trend Data
| Entry | GPA (Average/Low) | HESI Cumulative (Average/Low) | HESI Critical Thinking (Average/Low) | Selected Students | TCC Complete | Total Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2020 | 3.80 / 3.38 | 85.2 / 76.4 | 89.3 / 79.0 | 40 (10 Waitlisted) | 81 | 117 |
| Spring 2021 | 3.80 / 3.38 | 90.01 / 80.4 | 92.1 / 80.0 | 40 | 94 | 149 |
| Spring 2022 | 3.75 / 3.38 | 85.4 / 79.2 | 86.4 / 78.0 | 40 | 72 | 115 |
| Spring 2023 | 3.76 / 3.18 | 85.8 / 75.6 | 87.9 / 71.0 | 50 | 74 | 110 |
Program Information
- Health Science students must meet additional requirements. See the Health Science Program Advising Packet for more information.
- Clinical experience is required to complete the Radiologic Technology program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.
The associate nursing program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College at the Ben Hill-Irwin, Coffee, and Valdosta campuses located in Valdosta, Georgia is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
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 nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
Program Effectiveness Data for Associate Nursing
The associate nursing program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217-3858 (phone: 487-207-2440)
| General Core Courses | 15 |
|---|---|
| Area I - Language Arts/Communication (3 Hours) | 3 |
| ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience. |
3 |
| Area II - Social/Behavior Science - (3 Hours) | 3 |
| PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology. |
3 |
| Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Hours) | 3 |
| MATH 1111College Algebra
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry. |
3 |
| Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts - Complete 3 Hours | 3 |
| General Education Core Elective - Complete 3 Hours | 3 |
| Occupational Courses | 50 |
|---|---|
| BIOL 2113Anatomy and Physiology I
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113L, ENGL 1101 Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems. |
3 |
| BIOL 2113LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, ENGL 1101 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems. |
1 |
| BIOL 2114Anatomy and Physiology II
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2114L Continues the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system,and reproductive system. |
3 |
| BIOL 2114LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2114 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system. |
1 |
| BIOL 2117Introductory Microbiology
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): (BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L) OR (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2117L Provides students with a foundation in basic microbiology with emphasis on infectious disease. Topics include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, microorganisms and human disease. |
3 |
| BIOL 2117LIntroductory Microbiology Lab
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): (BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L) OR (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2117 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2117. The laboratory exercises for this course include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, and microorganisms and human disease. |
1 |
| RNSG 1350Fundamentals of Nursing Care
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-Requisites: ENGL 1101, MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite: BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, RNSG 1355, RSNG 1360 This course is designed to introduce the student nurse to professional nursing including basic care of the adult and older adult population, health promotion, illness prevention, the nursing process, and the role of the associate degree nurse. The focus of this course is on nursing history, professional organizations, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, cultural diversity, documentation, ethical issues and values, hygiene and safety, infection control and prevention, and patient teaching. The student learns pain management, skin integrity and wound care, and urinary and bowel elimination. The student nurse learns correct techniques with nursing skills. This course includes classroom, skills lab, and a clinical rotation. The course must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of 70 percent in theory and 70 percent in the clinical rotation. |
6 |
| RNSG 1355Nursing Pharmacology and Dosage Calculations
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: ENGL 1101, MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite: BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, RNSG 1350, RNSG 1360 This course is designed to prepare the student with the necessary skills essential to perform accurate medication calculations. The student will learn how to competently prepare and administer medications including intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, oral, and subcutaneous injections. Students learn conversions between systems and reconstitution of solutions. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and precision necessary for accuracy in drug calculations. The student will learn medication classifications, action, adverse reactions, peak, route of administration, side effects, and medication safety. This course must be successfully completed with a minimum theory grade of 70 percent. |
3 |
| RNSG 1360Physical Examination and Health Assessment
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: ENGL 1101, MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite: BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, RNSG 1350, RNSG 1355 This course introduces the student to health assessment and physical examinations of patients in the clinical environment. The student learns how to perform a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship and conduct a head-to toe assessment including each body system. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills necessary for acquiring, organizing, recording and interpreting data. This course must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of 70 percent. |
2 |
| RNSG 1365Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-Requisites: RNSG 1350, RNSG 1355, RNSG 1360 Co-Requisite: BIOL 2117, BIOL 2117L, RNSG 2350 This initial medical-surgical course is designed to introduce and prepare the student to care for patients with selected medical disorders and surgical conditions. This course includes classroom, simulation and a clinical rotation which builds on concepts and skills taught in the Fundamentals of Nursing Care course. The role of the nurse as provider of care will be utilized to include patient care, basic clinical decision making, patient teaching, coordination of care, clinical reasoning, and collaboration of care with other disciplines. Specific medications related to health care conditions will be taught. The application of the nursing process in caring for patients experiencing alterations in cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, respiratory, and renal systems are included. Infusion therapy is introduced. The student will learn about the perioperative patient. Emphasis is placed on diversity and in care of the elderly considering developmental, cultural and spiritual needs of each patient. This course must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of 70 percent in the theory component and 70 percent in the clinical component. |
5 |
| RNSG 2015Obstetrics, Childbearing, and Peds Nursing
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): RNSG 1365, RNSG 2350 Co-requisite(s): RNSG 2355 This course prepares the student to provide competent, compassionate evidenced-based nursing care for the childbearing patient, family, and the pediatric patient. Concepts will be introduced which include normal pregnancy and childbirth, complications in pregnancy and childbirth, care of the newborn, assessment, planning, and intervention as well as nutritional care, patient education, health promotion strategies and illness prevention practices for the childbearing family. Emphasis is placed on disease processes and management, interventions and critical knowledge skills with care of the child. Pharmacologic principles are incorporated as applies to the obstetrical and pediatric patient. Students learn to provide safe and culturally competent care for obstetrical and pediatric patients and their families. The student will learn concepts and theories related to developmental stages. This course requires supervised clinical rotations in clinical environments to enhance the educational opportunities and meet course objectives. This course requires a minimum grade of 70 percent in theory and a minimum of 70 percent in the clinical rotation. |
5 |
| RNSG 2350Mental Health Promotion and Restoration
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-Requisites: RNSG 1350, RNSG 1355, RNSG 1360 Co-Requisite: RNSG 1365, BIOL 2117, BIOL 2117L This course introduces the student to care for patients across the lifespan with alterations in mental health. The focus is on the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship, behavioral and emotional responses. Emphasis is placed on building the therapeutic relationship, milieu therapy, and psychopharmacology. A project is required on mental illness classifying defense mechanisms and variations in mental health. This course includes class and a clinical rotation at an acute care mental health facility. This course requires a minimum grade of 70 percent in theory and a minimum grade of 70 percent in the clinical rotation. |
4 |
| RNSG 2355Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-Requisites: RNSG 1365, RNSG 2015 Co-Requisite: RNSG 2350 This course prepares the student to care for patients with complex medical and multisystem disorders. This course includes classroom and a clinical rotation and builds on concepts and skills taught in the Medical-Surgical Nursing I course. Specific medications related to health care conditions will be strengthened. The student will continue applying the nursing process in caring for patients experiencing disorders including arthritis and connective tissue disorders, cancer, cardiovascular alterations, endocrine, gastrointestinal, inflammation and immune response, infections, neurologic, musculoskeletal trauma, renal, and respiratory diseases and disorders. Emphasis is placed on maintenance and restoration of health. Clinical inpatient experiences will provide the student with opportunities to meet course outcomes. This course requires a minimum grade of 70 percent in theory and a minimum of 70 percent in the clinical rotation. |
5 |
| RNSG 2360Medical-Surgical Nursing III
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-Requisites: RNSG 2015, RNSG 2355 Co-Requisite: RNSG 2365 This course is the final medical-surgical nursing course. This class builds on previous content and includes classroom and a clinical rotation. The student will gain knowledge and understanding about patients with complex and multisystem disorders. This course prepares the student to acquire knowledge and skills for the application of the nursing process. Students learn to care for patients with emergency, life threatening, or multi-system disorders. This course requires a minimum grade of 70 percent in theory and 70 percent in the clinical rotation. |
6 |
| RNSG 2365Essentials Nursing Mgmt/ Leader. - Spring 2023
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: RNSG 2015, RNSG 2355 Co-Requisite: RNSG 2360 This course is designed to prepare the graduate nurse to function as a role of a leader with management and leadership skills necessary to promote growth and development in the profession of nursing. This course requires a minimum theory grade of 70%. |
2 |
Faculty
Associate of Science Nursing Instructor
Valdosta Campus
Director of ASN Programs
Valdosta Campus
Associate of Science Nursing Instructor
Coffee Campus
Up one level
Programs of Study
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
The information in this College Catalog and Student Handbook accurately reflects current policies and procedures at the time of publication. Students are admitted to the College under and are subject to the provisions of the WGTC Catalog and Student Handbooks for the term they initially enroll. Students in all programs are admitted under and are subject to the provisions of the College Catalog and Student Handbook and applicable addendums for the term they are admitted to the program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. If for any reason a break in enrollment occurs, students must reapply and satisfy the College Catalog and Student Handbook requirements for the term of their re-entry to any program. The provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and the student. The College reserves the right to change any provision or requirement at any time.
