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 500, Atlanta, GA 30326; telephone number (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 500, Atlanta, GA 30326; telephone number (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 may be required prior to assignment for clinical
experiences in some agencies. 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.