The Practical Nursing (PN) program provides practical nurses with academic and clinical practice opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills that are essential to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment. The program offers career-focused curricula designed to cultivate students’ successful learning and the ability to apply knowledge, think critically, and communicate effectively. Graduates of the Practical Nurse (PN) program are eligible to take the PN licensure examination (NCLEX-PN).

PN students will learn to collect and organize healthcare data, coordinate with other nurses and healthcare providers to provide patient care, contribute to the care plan, and identify and understand common health problems in a variety of patients.

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at South College is designed to promote a strong academic and clinical foundation including the fundamental skills required of a nurse generalist, including the basics of medical care, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and technical competence required for taking required certification/licensure exams.

Nursing is a challenging field and the ASN program is designed to promote the development of aspects for being a key part of the healthcare team providing collaborative, interdisciplinary care, leading to better outcomes for patients. With classroom, laboratory, and clinical training from our experienced team of instructors, you work to gain the knowledge and skills that are most important in delivering superior patient care.

The 21 months of South College’s ASN program consist of general education/core prerequisite courses combined with the framework for the more advanced portions of the program. In the major nursing courses, students undertake a rigorous schedule with approximately 20 hours of in-class time per week.

To deliver the highest-quality education, we use tools such as case studies, presentations, Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) resources, and other creative teaching approaches.

Diagnostic medical sonographers use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body (in a procedure commonly known as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram) to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.

Through completion of the Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at South College, you could be exploring career opportunities as an entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer in just over two years (27 months). This is a growing field in the healthcare industry, offering a challenging, fulfilling work environment.

The Certificate in Medical Assistant Specialist program is designed to include instruction to build knowledge and skills to perform medical office administrative and clinical tasks, manage emergency situations, communicate effectively, and provide instruction to patients.

In-depth study of the medical sciences of the human body, including anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the body systems and clinical including room procedures, medical lab procedures, medical terminology, pharmacology, and administrative procedures, including but not limited to medical insurance and coding and front office procedures, is provided.

Students receive educational instruction in the classroom, along with practical training in lab and practicum courses.  The certificate program pairs online instruction with on campus laboratory courses and on-the-job practicum experience.

Surgical technologists are the surgeon’s right hand, serving as an essential part of the surgical team and helping to save lives.

The South College Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program is designed to provide students with training to help care for patients, prepare surgical supplies, maintain aseptic conditions before and during surgery, and assist surgeons during surgical procedures. Coursework include classroom and clinical hours.

In the AS in Surgical Technology program, you’ll work to build a foundation of knowledge and skills including:

• Learn surgical procedures & clinical care
• Familiarize yourself with the uses and effects of pharmaceutical drugs
• Provide care that is respectful of individual patient preferences, needs, and values
• Position, prep, and drape a patient
• Become aware of sterilization procedures and the importance of keeping surgical areas clean
• Get to know the role of microorganisms in the environment and how they affect our lives
• Run lab tests and interpret the results of those tests

The Hybrid/Online option for the BS Nursing program is available at the Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville & Orlando campuses only. All didactic course content will be delivered via asynchronous and synchronous distance education. Required lab hours are completed on campus one day per week and course testing is scheduled on a synchronous online platform throughout the week. All clinical assignments/rotations are completed on an approved-on ground schedule at a South College affiliated clinical site.

The first two years of this program consist of general education courses which provide a liberal arts framework for completion of the nursing component of the program and pre-professional courses. Students may choose to attempt pre-requisite courses online or in a combination of online/onground.

Upon admission to the upper division nursing courses, the student will complete six quarters of nursing education. This is a rigorous program with direct course time averaging approximately 20 hours/week plus associate outside of direct course time. See the South College definition of a credit hour. It is expected that success will depend upon two hours of study per hour of direct classroom time. Students should be committed to considerable preparation and study. Class schedules may change at the discretion of the institution.

Preparation of the professional nurse requires classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. The clinical component of the nursing program will take place in various settings in the applicable geographic area and beyond. Students are responsible for costs associated with these clinical rotations, and for any costs associated with any emergency services needed while participating in off-site activities.