2022-2023 College Catalog

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (Major Code: NU63)

Program Description

The Atlanta Technical College Associate of Science in Nursing Degree Program is an integral part of the parent institution and provides a broad frame of learning opportunities based on the sciences and humanities. The ASN Program provides a course of study that prepares the graduate as a generalist practitioner in nursing. The program prepares the student to practice with a diverse population across the life span. The curriculum design moves from simple to complex and education is guided by the use of the nursing process as well as critical thinking. Throughout this program, experiences both didactic and practicum develops the individual's ability to provide quality nursing care. After successful completion of the program, the graduate has met the requirements to take the licensure examination to become a Registered Nurse.

Once admitted, students must maintain current CPR certifications in Basic Life Support of Infant, Child & Adult through the American Heart Association. Students must also submit physical examination records clearing them for participation in the program, all immunization records including an annual TB test, undergo a criminal background check, and drug screening. Students will have the option of becoming a member in the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). While in the program, students must maintain a C average or better to remain in good academic standing.

Mission Statement

The Atlanta Technical College Associate of Science in Nursing Program (ASN) supports the mission and commitment of Atlanta Technical College to produce competitive graduates and provide continuing educational opportunities for professional growth as well as lifelong learning to our constituents. The mission of the ASN program is to educate qualified students to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN Examination, to provide knowledge for career mobility, and to prepare the graduate to assume responsibilities of an RN involving a diverse community in a variety of health care settings.

 

Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Atlanta Technical College has full approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Information regarding approval may be obtained from the:

Georgia Board of Nursing
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
(478) 207-1640

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975- 5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program has been granted initial Accreditation.

Select this link to view the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Atlanta Technical College has full approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Information regarding approval may be obtained from the:

Georgia Board of Nursing
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
(478) 207-1640

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975- 5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program has been granted initial Accreditation.

Select this link to view the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program.

Career Information

Occupation

Registered Nurses 

Career Projections

The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 18.5% nationally and 13.8% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $60,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually. 

Career Coach

Please select the following link to review additional career information on Career Coach.

Admission Requirements

College Admission

Students who wish to be admitted to the Associate of Science in Nursing Program must be enrolled full time at Atlanta Technical College and be identified as program ready by meeting the admission requirements listed below. 

General College Admissions Requirements

Fall 2023 Admission Information

The Fall 2023 admission cycle will open February 1, 2023 and end on May 31, 2023.

The following are required to be submitted in order for your application to be reviewed.

- ATC Associate of Science in Nursing Program Competitive Degree Application (gmail required)


- A copy of unofficial transcripts from all attended colleges and universities


- A copy of TEAS exam results

Nursing Information Session
Attendance to an in-person nursing information session is a requirement for admission. These sessions will be held on campus in the Brenda Watts Health Complex, in the Multipurpose Room. Previous online information session certificates will not be accepted.

The dates and times are as follows:

- Wednesday February 8, 2023 at 4pm
- Wednesday March 8, 2023 at 4pm
- Wednesday April 12, 2023 at 4pm
- Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 4pm
- Wednesday May 10, 2023 at 4pm
- Wednesday May 17, 2023 at 4pm

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing Admission Requirements

The ASN program utilizes a competitive admission process to select students. Program faculty and the Enrollment Services staff designed the process to ensure maximum opportunity for student success in the program and on the NCLEX-RN examination.

The program admits students twice per year for the fall and the spring semesters.

 

Applicants must be in good academic standing at the time of selection to receive consideration as candidates for admission. Applicants not selected for the program may reapply during subsequent admission intake periods. Applicants must complete the application process for each attempt at program entry.

Applicants must meet the criteria listed below to be considered for admission into the ASN Program:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Must complete and sign application for admission and submit a non-refundable application fee to the college (Business Office).
- Must be admitted into the college and accepted into an approved program to complete general education courses.
- Must complete and sign ASN Program application for admission and submit it by the due date. Applications received after the determined due date will not be accepted.
- Submit official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past to the Office of Enrollment Services (see General Admission Requirements).

- Must take and pass the ATI (TEAS) 65% or better for program admission, to be identified by the Student Success Center and faculty. TEAS cannot be over two (2) years old, only the first three (3) attempts will be accepted.
- Must meet all eligibility requirements for entry into ASN Program, including but not limited to achieving a minimum grade of (B) in BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113 Lab, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114 Lab, BIOL 2117, BIOL 2117 Lab, and is less than five (5) years old.
- It is required to achieve a “B” or better in MATH 1111 or MATH 1101, with no time restriction.
- Must understand that Nursing curriculum courses will not be considered for transfer credit.
- After successful completion of general education courses program curriculum, in order to meet eligibility for the ASN Program, the student must achieve a minimum, overall CGPA of 3.0.
- Must have a baseline criminal background check no less than three months prior to beginning the first clinical experience. Name of agency performing the background check as well as the procedure will be shared with student during the beginning of the course clinical component. Students should be aware that background checks are required at various intervals of the program by many clinical agencies. These agencies reserve the right to prohibit clinical experience based on negative background checks. Criminal background checks will be required at various intervals throughout the program, as designated by the program faculty.

Blood and Airborne Pathogens

Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.

These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.

Program Contact Information

Dr. Katrina Walker
Dean, Health and Public Safety
Brenda Watts Jones Allied Health Building H100C
404-225-4420

kwalker@atlantatech.edu

 

Kendra Jackson-Smith

Nursing Instructor

Brenda Watts Jones Allied Health Building H232B

404-225-4765

kjacksonsmith@atlantatech.edu

Program Length and Cost

Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 6 terms

Credit Hours: 69

Estimated Program Cost: $12,726

Required Courses

 

General Education Courses (27 Credits)

Area I – Language Arts/Communication (6 Credits)

ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric

3

And

SPCH 1101Public Speaking

3

Area II – Social/Behavioral Science- (3 Credits)

PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology

3

Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics – (3 Credits)

Select one of the following Math Courses

MATH 1101Mathematical Modeling

3

Or

MATH 1111College Algebra

3

Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts – (3 Credits)

Select one of the following courses

ARTS 1101Art Appreciation

3

Or

ENGL 2130American Literature

3

Or

HUMN 1101Introduction to Humanities

3

Or

MUSC 1101Music Appreciation

3

Area V- Sciences- (12 Credits)

Take all the following science courses:

BIOL 2113Anatomy and Physiology I

3

BIOL 2113LAnatomy and Physiology Lab I

1

BIOL 2114Anatomy and Physiology II

3

BIOL 2114LAnatomy and Physiology Lab II

1

BIOL 2117Introductory Microbiology

3

BIOL 2117LIntroductory Microbiology Lab

1

Occupational Courses (42 Credits)

RNSG 1300Professional Practice I: Fundamentals of Nursing

7

RNSG 1304Professional Practice II: Pharmacology

3

RNSG 1308Professional Practice III: Medical Surgical I Nursing

8

RNSG 1312Professional Practice IV: Psycho-Social Mental Health and Illness

4

RNSG 2300Professional Practice V: The Childbearing Family

4

RNSG 2302Professional Practice VI: The Childrearing Family

4

RNSG 2306Professional Practice VII: Medical-Surgical II

7

RNSG 2308Professional Practice VIII: Transition, Leadership and Management in Nursing

2

RNSG 2310Professional Practice IX: Transitioning into Professional Practice

3

Total Credit Hours: 69

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Goals

NCLEX pass rates: The program will maintain an annual licensure examination pass rate of at least 80 percent for all first-time test-takers during the same 12-month period.

Program completion rates: Fifty-five percent of students who enter the program will complete it within 24 months (four semesters).

Job placement rates: Ninety percent of new graduates will be employed in the nursing profession within 12 months of passing the NCLEX licensure examination.

 

Program Statistics

Year

Graduate Nursing Students

NCLEX Pass Rate

Program Completion Rate

Job Placement Rate

2018

1/11

91.67%

65.5%

100%

2019

12/13

92.31%

65%

100%

2020

 

15/19

78.95%

64.5%

84.21%

2021

 

8

88.89%

40%

87.5%

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Student will exhibit a holistic, compassionate, respectful partnership with the patient and family that facilitates autonomy, recognizing client preferences and needs while providing coordinated and effective care. (Patient-Centered Care)

2. Student will minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. (Safety)

3. The student will use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate errors, and support decision-making. (Informatics)

4. Student will function effectively within the nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care. (Teamwork and Collaboration)

5. Student will use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of the healthcare systems. (Quality Improvement)

6. Student will integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient/family preference and values for delivery of optimal care. (Evidence-Based Practice)