Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The purpose of the nursing major is for the students to learn to apply both scriptural and scientific methods to nursing services rendered to individuals, families, and communities. The accomplishment of this dual goal encompasses biblical concepts about the relationships between God and man, man and fellow man, and man and the physical universe.

High school preparation for nursing should include three units of English; at least two units of mathematics, one of which must be algebra; and two units of science, one of chemistry and one of biology. In addition, applicants should earn at least an ACT composite score of 20, CLT total score of 63 (66 if taken prior to April 26, 2023), or SAT total score of 1030. Opportunities are available to make up certain deficiencies. In this case, time required to complete a nursing degree should be expected to increase.

No student will be permitted to enroll in the nursing program unless he or she has clearly established the highest standards of Christian character and deportment. References from the applicant’s pastor, principal, guidance counselors, and previous employers are secured whenever possible. Such references receive top priority in the admission process. Prior to beginning clinical experiences, local healthcare facilities require all nursing students to complete a background check. Students must have satisfactory results in order to participate in clinicals.

All students in this program are required to be full-time students taking a minimum of 12 semester hours. First consideration for acceptance into the program will be given to residence hall students. Residence hall living space is not provided for married students or their families.

All students who want to major in nursing start as pre-nursing students. Typically, pre-nursing requirements can be completed in one year. Students who score below the required ACT/CLT/SAT composite scores will be placed into a two-year pre-nursing sequence. Students in the one year pre-nursing sequence who test into EN 099 Basic English Language will be required to take EN 121/123 English Grammar and Composition I or EN 126 English Grammar and Composition II online during Interterm or summer. Students who want to take a reduced load may also choose the two-year pre-nursing sequence. Students contemplating transferring into PCC’s nursing department should have their program of study approved by the Registrar.

Enrollment in the nursing major is limited based on clinical availability and is contingent upon successful completion of pre-nursing requirements. Objective criteria used in determining the members of each nursing class include academic performance and results of the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test given to pre-nursing students in the spring. In addition, all pre-nursing students are evaluated for ability to display advanced verbal skills through the communication of ideas. An interview with a nursing faculty member may also be required.

Pre-nursing preparatory courses are BY 105 Principles of Biology, BY 201 General Anatomy and Physiology I, CH 107 Chemistry for the Allied-Health Professional, MA 121/123 College Algebra I, and NU 128 Introduction to Nursing Practice. To be considered for the nursing major, students must earn at least a “C-” in these courses and cannot be on Academic Warning or Probation. A student may take a pre-nursing preparatory course once and repeat it once for a total of two times. A maximum of two pre-nursing preparatory courses may be repeated.

Nursing students receiving an unsatisfactory grade of “D,” “F,” “WP,” or “WF” are considered to have failed the nursing or psychology course. A student may take a nursing or psychology course once and repeat it once for a total of two times. Upon the academic failure of two of the following courses—NU 190, 207, 226, 290, 390, junior- and senior-level clinical courses, and PS 323—a formal evaluation will occur to determine whether the student can continue in the nursing program. This evaluation will be conducted by the Nursing Practice Committee and will consider academic performance along with performance on standardized tests.

Throughout their education, nursing students take standardized tests, which are indicators of NCLEX-RN readiness. To help assure the student’s future NCLEX success:

1. students who fail to achieve established scores on end-of-semester standardized tests will be given the opportunity for remediation work, and
2. students who fail to achieve the established score on a standardized exit exam or meet other objective criteria will be given the opportunity to retake NU 490 NCLEX-RN Review the following semester and will be required to pass in order to graduate with a nursing major.

In addition to the health regulations for all entering students, all students who are admitted to the nursing major must complete a physical examination, annual skin or blood testing for tuberculosis, tetanus toxoid if 10 years since last immunization, record of immunizations including 2 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and 2 varicella vaccinations, hepatitis B vaccination, and annual influenza vaccinations. Local healthcare facilities require confirmation that these requirements have been met before students can complete clinicals or preceptorships. Vaccination waivers granted as part of PCC admission are not accepted. The completed medical/health form is to be on record by June 15 annually. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on the student nurses to be responsible for their own health. Each student must have proof of adequate medical insurance.

All clinical activities are supervised by the College nursing faculty. Students receive their clinical experience in a number of healthcare facilities, including several large hospitals located in the Pensacola area.

Upon successfully completing the nursing curriculum, graduates will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to sit for the U.S. NCLEX-RN examination in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories.

$150 per semester or 3 payments of $50

1. Uniforms are purchased and laundered by the student.
2. Nursing students must provide their own transportation to and from all clinical experiences.
3. National standardized exams must be taken periodically at student expense. The Kaplan Nursing Admission Test taken the last semester of the pre-nursing sequence is $30 (price subject to change).
4. Nursing students are responsible for all costs associated with submission and verification of annual health forms, background checks, and 10-panel drug screenings required by local healthcare facilities to be completed within 90 days prior to beginning their clinical experience and randomly as deemed necessary. Students must have satisfactory results in order to participate in clinicals.
5. Each student will have malpractice insurance through the College.

General expenses are the same as for other students.

Nursing students can apply for scholarships to receive financial aid.

Lynne Johns Memorial Scholarship
$500 scholarships awarded to continuing sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a nursing major who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Schroder Nursing Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships awarded to continuing juniors or seniors with a nursing major who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Sylvia Ann Taylor Scholarship
$500 scholarship awarded to a continuing female junior or senior with a nursing major, to be applied over one semester.

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