Policies Related to Enrollment and Retention

  • If two grades of "D" or below are earned in clinical courses the student will be dismissed from the Program. Program applicants who have received two nursing course grades of "D, F, or W" during two or more terms in a collegiate-level nursing program are ineligible for admission or enrollment unless Academic Fresh Start status has been granted by JSCC. Grades of “C” or above are required to enroll and progress.
  • Academic requirements of the program include achievement of performance competencies in real-world clinical setting caring for hospitalized patients at affiliate partner facilities.  Program affiliate partners have established several requirements before permitting students to participate in clinical experiences at their site. A clinical affiliate partner may determine not to allow your presence at their facility, which could result in an inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Clinical affiliate partners may also change or add requirements during a student’s program enrollment.  Individuals should know that clinical placement, as well as whether to admit an individual to a facility, are those of clinical partners and not the college.  Students must be age 18 or older to participate in clinical and incur all costs related to clinical requirements. Transportation to and from clinical agencies is the responsibility of the student and travel outside of the Jackson area and/or on weekends or evenings may be required.  Clinical affiliate partners require students adhere to their facility protocols and procedures, which may include additional immunizations, health screening/monitoring, and masking to prevent transmission of infection.
  • Students are required to comply with program-specific enrollment and clinical placement requirements, including satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses, orientations and clinical trainings, health verification and immunizations documentation, drug screening and criminal background checks, AHA CPR certification, and obtaining textbooks, uniforms, and specific supplies prior to enrolling in nursing courses.  Current immunization requirements include: completion of MMR, Varicella, TDAP, Hepatitis B, and COVID-19 series. Annual TB screening and influenza vaccine documentation is also required. Students must attain specific academic and performance standards to progress in the Program and achieve a satisfactory score on a comprehensive exam to complete the program.  Details of these standards and requirements are available from the Nursing Office and are published in the Nursing Student Handbook, on reserve in the College library.
  • Background checks, alcohol and drug screens may be required by the program clinical affiliate sites prior to beginning clinical training.  Based on the results of these checks, a clinical training site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility.  This could result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program.  Clinical Agency placement requirements must be met.  Additionally, a criminal background and some other background check findings may preclude licensure or employment in nursing.  More information is available from the Nursing Program.

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.

Legal Limitations of Licensure

1) 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.  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.

2) RN licensure in the state of Tennesee requires US or naturalized citizenship.

3) A graduate's eligibility for licensure is determined on an individual basis by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.