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Nursing Program Admission Policies

Accreditation and professional certification standards, limited clinical and classroom space, faculty availability, and a concern for appropriate student progress influence the selective admissions process to all Tennessee Board of Regents nursing programs. Students must meet the admission criteria, be reviewed and accepted for admission, and make satisfactory progress in order to continue their enrollment in the nursing program. In the employment of admission criteria in the review of applicants, Jackson State is cognizant of the institutional goal of maintaining appropriate student diversity in its acceptance pool.

Enrollment and Retention Criteria

Students admitted to the program must comply with specific enrollment, retention and progression requirements to continue in the program. Enrollment and retention criteria are published in the Nursing Program Student Handbook, which is on reserve in the college library, and is provided to each admitted student. Enrollment and retention criteria include, but are not limited to:

Criminal background checks and drug/alcohol screens may be a requirement at some affiliated clinical sites for training. An affiliated clinical site may determine not to allow a student's presence at their facility based on the result of these checks. This could result in a student's inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment. Further information is available from the program director.

Core Performance Standards for Retention in Nursing Program

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students must be, with reasonable accommodation, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program. The Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression developed by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing and adopted by all nursing programs in the Tennessee Board of Regents system include:

  1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
  2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups.
  3. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
  4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
  5. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.
  6. Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs and hear verbal instructions.
  7. Visual abilities sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.
  8. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

Admission to the nursing program is not based on these standards; instead, they are used to assist each student in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. Each of these standards is reflected in nursing course objectives and provides an objective measure for students and advisors to make informed decisions regarding whether the student is qualified to meet requirements.

Transfer Applicants

Students seeking approval of transfer of credit from another nursing program must:

  1. Meet all program admission requirements and be selected for program admission.
  2. Submit a written request for transfer and a letter of recommendation, verifying good standing, and eligibility to return and re-enroll in their prior nursing program.
  3. Submit all official transcripts, appropriate course descriptions and syllabi from the previous school of nursing.
  4. Understand that nursing courses from other programs will be evaluated for transfer on an individual basis. All nursing courses must be completed within three years of initial enrollment in nursing courses.

Legal Limitations of Licensure

A graduate of a state-approved nursing program who has been convicted of a violation of the law other than a minor traffic violation may be denied licensure. A graduate's eligibility for licensure is determined on an individual basis by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Program applicants should be aware that conviction of the following crimes would make you ineligible for Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Tennessee: Aggravated Assault, as in T.C.A. 39-13-102; First Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-202; Second Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-207; Voluntary Manslaughter, as in T.C.A. 39-13-211; False Imprisonment, as in T.C.A. 39-13-302; Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-303; Aggravated Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-305; Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-401; Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-402; Especially Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-403; Aggravated Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-13-502; Rape, as in T.C.A. 398-13-503; Aggravated Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-504; Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-505; Statutory Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-15-506; Theft of Property, as in T.C.A. 39-14-103; Theft of Services, as in T.C.A. 39-14-104; Forgery, as in T.C.A. 39-14-114; Falsifying of Educational and Academic Records, as in T.C.A. 39-14-136; Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-301; Aggravated Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-302; Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-402; Aggravated Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-404; Incest, as in T.C.A. 39-15-302; Aggravated Child Abuse, as in T.C.A. 39-15-402; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1003; Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1004; Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1005; Assisted Suicide, as in T.C.A. 39-13-216; Rape of a Child, as in T.C.A. 39-13-522.