Nursing Track 1 - Day Program (AAS)

This rigorous program is designed to prepare students for a career as a nurse. Those who complete the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree will have a firm foundation in nursing with more than 500 hours of hands-on clinical instruction, preparing graduates to deliver quality patient care. Additionally, this program prepares graduates for the National Council Licensure Examination Nurse (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as an entry-level registered nurse (RN).

We’re excited to help you take the first step of becoming a nurse! Registered nurses (RN) earn high salaries, are in great demand, and perform duties that significantly impact people lives. In fact, nurses save lives, each and every day.

1. Meet with our Health Ready Coach. Your first step is making an appointment to meet with our health ready coach, Josh Greenwell. Josh will guide you in getting started and will help you with everything from completing the financial aid process to making sure you have all the tools you need to be well-prepared to take the TEAS. 
    
2. Apply to Virginia Highlands. Please note, admission to the college is the first of two applications. This first step does not guarantee admittance to our nursing program. 
    
3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need help with the FAFSA? We’re happy to walk you through the online application. Visit us in the Campus Connection Center of the ISC building or give us a call at 276-739-2438.
    
4. Complete any needed prerequisites. Not sure of the prerequisites you need? We’ll review  the Nursing Track 1: 2 Year RN Day Program Checklist - a list of everything required when you meet with our nurse ready coach!  
    
5. Take the Test for Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Admission to the nursing program requires a National Percentile Rank (composite score) of 45 or better. Concerned about the test? Talk with your nurse ready coach. She’ll direct you to the tools to help you prepare.
   • TEAS Testing Guidelines
   • TEAS Study Resource
   • TEAS Testing Registration Form
      
6. Complete the Online VHCC Nursing Track 1: 2 Year RN Day Program Application.  After completing all of the steps above, you’re ready to apply for our nursing program!
    
   • March 15 is the early application deadline for priority admission to the nursing program. Applications submitted after this date will be considered according to remaining seats available until July 15th, 2024.

Approval and Accreditation
The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, (Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463, (804) 367-4515, website: www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000, website: www.acenursing.org).  ACEN is officially recognized as the national accrediting agency for nursing education by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation (COPA) and by the U.S. Department of Education.

When enrollment for any curriculum must be limited (including nursing, practical nursing, radiography and medical assisting), priority will be given to qualified applicants who are residents of the VHCC service region and other Virginia residents who do not have access to a comparable program at their community college.

The priority list is as follows: 

1. Residents of the VHCC service region (City of Bristol, Washington County, and Western portion of Smyth County) and Tennessee residents from counties in which a clinical-site or other agreements exist (Johnson County and Sullivan County), 
2. Other Virginia residents, Out-of-state and international students.
3. The Virginia Highlands Community College Board has established the following schedule for considering applications: prior to April 1 applications will be considered for only those persons living within the political subdivisions supporting the College; after April 1 all Virginia residents will be considered for admission, and after May 1 out-of-state and international students with student (F-1 and F-2) and diplomatic (A-1 and A-2) visas.