Nursing Education Program

History & Accreditation Status

The Associate Degree Nursing Education Program admitted its first students in September 1965 and in August 1967 graduated the first Associate Degree nursing graduates in the state. The program received initial accreditation by the National League for Nursing in December 1967 and has maintained that statue throughout the ensuing years. Since the inception of the program more than 3,000 students have graduated from the Associate Degree Program. The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000. The program received continuing accreditation in September 2008 and is scheduled for a reaccreditation visit in fall 2016.

The Practical Nursing Program admitted its first students in fall 2006. The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000. The program received initial accreditation September 2008 and is scheduled for a reaccreditation visit in fall 2013.

Registered Nursing - RN

Nursing program graduates earn the Associate in Applied Science degree and take the national licensure examination for registered nurses. Graduates may seek employment in various patient care settings as registered nurses or further their education to obtain a higher degree in nursing.

The Nursing Education Program is a five term program of study (including summers) which combines general education and nursing courses in a sequence that allows the student to develop the basic skills for nursing practice. All required courses are taught on the Jefferson and Shelby-Hoover Campuses. Selected general education courses are offered on the St. Clair campus. Students are admitted to both campuses each semester (See Admission Requirements). A student should plan to complete the program on the campus to which he is admitted. Changing campuses to complete the program will be allowed only in extenuating circumstances on a space available basis. The program director will make the final decision in the event a transfer between campuses is requested.

During the first semester of the Nursing Education Program, students begin to learn basic patient care skills in the nursing laboratory. These basic skills combined with knowledge acquired in the classroom provide a foundation for the clinical experiences. The clinical experiences are obtained in a variety of hospitals and other settings in and around the greater Birmingham area.

Students entering the Nursing Education Program are exposed to a variety of educational teaching methods. Some nursing courses offer computer adaptive instructional disks to enhance course content while other courses use the computer for instruction and evaluation or testing. Basic computer skills, including email capability, are needed while enrolled in the program. Computer access is available to all students on either campus in the Learning Success Center and the library. Please check each location for hours of operation.

Upon admission to the nursing program, students are required to submit to a screening for drugs and alcohol prior to assignment for clinical experiences. Random drug and alcohol screenings may be required during the clinical experiences. All screening for drugs and alcohol will be performed at the expense of the student.

A background screen will be required prior to admission to the program. Clinical agencies may deny facility access based upon a student’s background screen. The cost of this screen must be paid by the student. Other agencies used for clinical experiences require that students sign a statement declaring their history of arrests, criminal convictions, and/or chemical abuse. Students must sign the affidavits prior to assignment for clinicals.

If you have concerns in this area, please contact the Department of Nursing Chairpersons for an appointment.