Nursing (RN) AAS

Setting the standard of nursing excellence for our community, TCC’s Nursing Program has provided Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma with thousands of excellent nursing professionals. TCC offers two nursing tracks ranging from three to four semesters, including Nursing Career Mobility (LPN/Paramedic to RN) Track, and Traditional Nursing (RN) Track.

Tulsa Community College offers an Associate Degree Nursing Program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. The Program challenges students in an environment that facilitates personal and professional growth, educational mobility, and a pattern of life-long learning. Five core values of the TCC Nursing Program include: Caring; Diversity; Collegiality; Integrity; and, Excellence. Nursing education is a dynamic, collaborative process in which responsibility for outcomes is shared between faculty and student. All theory, lab, and clinical courses follow a concept-based delivery method and competency/standard-based assessment and evaluation process. The seven program outcomes essential for entry-level nursing practice include: Patient-Centered Care; Teamwork and Collaboration; Best Practices; Quality Improvement; Safety; Informatics; Integrated Concepts. Student learning outcomes for each individual nursing course integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes specific to the patient population served and collectively contribute to the overall attainment of the program outcomes.

Together, courses taken for the general education requirements and those taken for the Associate Degree in Nursing will ensure that graduates of the TCC Associate Degree Nursing Program have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to successfully meet the requirements for entry into the nursing profession set forth by respective professional nursing accrediting/governing bodies. Upon successful completion of all required courses and TCC graduation requirements, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Prospective students interested in the Nursing Program should contact the School of Nursing office (918-595-7075) or access the Nursing Program web page (www.tulsacc.edu/nursing).

Traditional Nursing (RN) Track

The Traditional Nursing Track admits a new class each fall and spring semester. This track allows for completion of nursing courses in as few as four semesters, with most courses offered during the daytime hours. Courses in the Traditional Nursing Track are offered using classroom, lab, and clinical activities as well as blended on-line resources. Students who have successfully completed NURS 2221 , NURS 2222 , NURS 2231 , and NURS 2232  may be eligible to sit for the practical nurse licensure exam prior to completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing. Applicants for practical nurse licensure must also hold a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree (G.E.D.) [59 O.S. §567.5 & 567.6].

Nursing Career Mobility (LPN/Paramedic to RN) Track

The Nursing Career Mobility Track admits a new class each fall and spring semester. This track allows for completion of nursing courses in as few as three semesters. To facilitate the progression of working students, courses in the Nursing Career Mobility Track are offered using classroom, lab, and clinical activities as well as blended online resources. Clinical rotations are offered at varying times conducive to part-time and full-time working conditions. Students in the Nursing Career Mobility Track must have access to a personal computer with broadband or DSL IP (Internet Service Provider).  A student who is a Paramedic is required to successfully complete NURS 1471  .

Applying to the Nursing Program

All potential nursing students must have two (2) applications on file: (1) the application to the College must be on file in the TCC Student Completion Services office; and, (2) the application for the Nursing Program must be submitted to the Department of Nursing office, Metro Campus. Admission to Tulsa Community College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. Prospective students interested in the Nursing Program should contact the School of Nursing office or access the Nursing Program web page (www.tulsacc.edu/nursing) for more information regarding application to the Traditional Nursing Track and/or the Nursing Career Mobility Track.

All students applying must first take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. This exam is offered multiple times per application period and students should register for the exam at www.atitesting.com. There is a $77 charge for this exam from the testing company. Testing policy: test results must be no more than 2 years old at the application deadline; student may take the exam no more than 3 times in a 12-month period; and must wait 30 days between each attempt.

The Tulsa Community College School of Nursing is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for (registered or practical) nurses. Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state-approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements include submission of an application for licensure, a criminal history records search, and evidence of citizenship or qualified alien status [59 O.S. §§567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present to the Board office, in person, valid documentary evidence of:

1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States;
2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;
3. Admission into the United States in refugee status;
4. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
5. Approved deferred action status; or
6. A pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status.

The Board has the authority to deny a license, recognition or certificate; issue a license, recognition or certificate with conditions and/or an administrative penalty; or to issue and otherwise discipline a license, recognition or certificate to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on any professional or occupational license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made, with the exception of felony convictions. Potential applicants to state-approved education programs, with a criminal history, may obtain an initial determination of eligibility for licensure or certification from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for a fee. The initial determination of eligibility for licensure petition can be accessed at http://nursing.ok.gov/initialdeterm.pdf.

 

English Language Proficiency

An official iBT® TOEFL (internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Band score is required as proof of English proficiency for any International student for whom English is a second language who is applying to any Tulsa Community College health sciences program. Students who have graduated from a U.S. high school will not be required to take the iBT Toefl or IELTS tests.  Your scores must be current within 2 years of the semester for which you are applying.

For health sciences students, the minimum sub-scores on the internet based TOEFL (iBT®) are 21 for Writing; 24 for Speaking; 20 for Reading; and 20 for Listening, with a total minimum score of 85.

For students choosing the IELTS test, acceptable scores include: 6.5 for Reading; 6.5 for listening; 7.5 for Speaking; and 6 for Writing, for a total IELTS Bans score of 6.5.  These required minimum scores must be met for each of the four sub-tests on a single exam. A total score that does not meet the sub-score minimums does not meet the requirement. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on an individual basis.

Students must go to www.ets.org/toefl to find a TOEFL iBT testing site, register and pay for the test. Students may go to www.ielts.org/us to find an IELTS testing center and register and pay for the test. Both tests cost approximately $190. Students are highly encouraged to take practice tests to prepare for these important tests. Your official scores, including ALL Sub-scores, must be sent directly to the TCC Registrar’s Office.

 Application Periods

	Application Period	Semester of Enrollment
Traditional Nursing Track+ Career Mobility Track	May 1 - September 1	Spring/January
Traditional Nursing Track+ Career Mobility Track	January 1- April 1	Fall/August

 

Application to Traditional Nursing Track

The Traditional Track admits a new class each fall and spring semester. Selected classes are held at both Southeast and Metro Campuses. Applicants become qualified for admission based on achievement of Nursing Program admission criteria submitted by the application deadline date. The application period for submission of application for the fall semester is January 1 to April 1. The application period for submission of application for the spring semester is May 1 to September 1. All applicants are notified of their admission status, in writing, within approximately 4 weeks of the application deadline date. The admission decision is based on a ranking process  (Ranking worksheet available @ www.tulsacc.edu/nursing). Students who are accepted to the Nursing Program must meet the following program and curriculum prerequisites prior to beginning nursing courses:

1. Complete the following prerequisite general education classes with a grade of “C” or higher prior to beginning the Nursing Program.
   1. ​ENGL 1113 - Composition I  
   2. BIOL 2134 - Human Anatomy (L)  
   3. CHEM 1114 - Principles of Chemistry (L)  
   4. BIOL 1224 - Introduction to Biology for Majors (L)  
   5. PSYC 1113 - Introduction to Psychology (S)  
2. Provide documentation of current Oklahoma CNA certification or an acceptable substitute.  Acceptable substitutes include: current Oklahoma AUA certification; completion of an Oklahoma Patient Care Technician (PCT) course within the last two years; successful completion of a “Foundations” or “Fundamentals” nursing course form an ACEN accredited nursing program; or local hospital based Nurse Tech (training & employment verification required). 
3. Submit ALL previous official transcripts to the Student Completion Services office prior to application deadline. Please remember that it may take several weeks to have your transcripts reviewed.
4. Have an overall GPA of 2.5 or above. NOTE: To stay eligible for selection in the application pool your GPA must be maintained at 2.5. Otherwise, you will become ineligible and your application will be returned.
5. Students must make a minimum of “C” in all courses required in each semester of the degree plan for continued enrollment and graduation in the Nursing Program. See course descriptions for pre- and co- requisite course requirements. 
6. Admission to Tulsa Community College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. To be considered for admission to the Nursing Program one must make application to the Nursing Program, in addition to the College application. To remain in the program, the student must be in “good standing” at TCC.
7. See www.tulsacc.edu/nursing  for specific requirements related to criminal background check, health record requirements, and CPR certification. Drug screening will be required upon entry to the program.
8. Applicants who previously attended a nursing program  (RN) at TCC or elsewhere, must submit a completed application at least one month prior to the application deadline. The application will be reviewed on an individual basis. Attach official transcripts from the RN school in a sealed envelope. Attach a letter addressing any grade of “W”, “D”, or “F” you received for any Nursing courses.

Application to Nursing Career Mobility Track

The Career Mobility Track admits a new class each fall semester and spring semester. Applicants become qualified for admission based on achievement of Nursing Program admission criteria submitted by the application deadline date. The application period for submission of application for the fall semester is January 1st to April 1. The application period for submission of application for the spring semester is May 1 to September 1. All applicants are notified of their admission status, in writing, within four (4) weeks of the application deadline date. The admission decision is based on a ranking process (See ranking worksheet available @ www.tulsacc.edu/nursing). Students who are accepted to the Nursing Program must meet the following program and curriculum prerequisites prior to beginning nursing courses:

1. Complete the following prerequisite general education classes with a grade of “C” or higher prior to beginning the Nursing Program.
   1. ​BIOL 1224 - Introduction to Biology for Majors (L)  
   2. BIOL 2134 - Human Anatomy (L)  
   3. BIOL 2154 - Human Physiology (L)  
   4. CHEM 1114 - Principles of Chemistry (L)  
   5. ENGL 1113 - Composition I  
   6. ENGL 1213 - Composition II  
   7. PSYC 1113 - Introduction to Psychology (S)  
2. Provide documentation of current unrestricted licensure as an LPN in the State of Oklahoma, or National Paramedic Registration.
3. Submit ALL previous official transcripts to Student Completion Services prior to application deadline. Please remember that it may take several weeks to have your transcripts reviewed.
4. Have an overall GPA of 2.5 or above. 
5. Students must make a minimum of “C” in all courses required in each semester of the curriculum degree plan for continued enrollment and graduation in the Nursing Program. See course descriptions for pre- and co- requisite course requirements. 
6. Admission to Tulsa Community College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. To be considered for admission to the Nursing Program one must make application to the Nursing Program, in addition to the College application. To remain in the program, the student must be in “good standing” at TCC.
7. See www.tulsacc.edu/nursing for specific requirements related to criminal background check, health record requirements, and CPR certification. Drug screening will be required upon entry to the program.
8. Applicants who previously attended a nursing program (RN) at TCC or elsewhere, must submit a completed application one month prior to the application deadline.  The application will be reviewed on an individual basis. Attach official transcripts from the RN school in a sealed envelope. Attach a letter addressing any grade of “W”, “D”, or “F” you received for any Nursing courses.

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Program Learning Outcomes

The Graduate:

• Coordinates compassionate care based on respect for the patient’s preferences, values, and needs. (Patient-Centered Care)
• Functions effectively within nursing & interprofessional teams. (Teamwork & Collaboration)
• Incorporates best evidence with clinical experience in the delivery of healthcare. (Best Practices)
• Incorporates research from QI studies to improve patient care. (Quality Improvement)
• Incorporates safety standards to minimize risk of harm to patients & providers. (Safety)
• Incorporates information & technology for improvement of patient care. (Nursing Informatics)
• Integrates concepts from nursing and other academic disciplines to provide effective patient care. (Integrate Concepts)

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Careers

Search careers in this field at Focus 2 Career or schedule an appointment with TCC Career Services to learn more about our free career planning and job preparation services.

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Student Organizations

Student Nurse Association; Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society; Student Nurse Christian Fellowship

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Degree Requirements

View a semester-by-semester course plan of study on the Nursing Degree Map.