Nursing | HCC

Nursing

Learn key nursing skills and practice them in a variety of real-world settings.

Program Contact
Kristi Martin
Administrative Assistant
(270) 707-3840
GET STARTED TODAY (270) 707-3700

 

What Is Nursing?

The Hopkinsville Community College Nursing Program prepares graduates for a challenging career in health care. Both the Associate Degree in Nursing (Registered Nursing) and the diploma in Practical Nursing will open a wide array of opportunities that can lead to career advancement in acute and chronic care of patients. The goals of nursing education at HCC are to develop the ability in graduates to enhance human flourishing, demonstrate sound nursing judgment, develop professional identity and possess a spirit of inquiry in order to improve patient outcomes.

Nursing student.

Getting Started

What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?

How Do I Pay For This?

Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, we have you covered. We'll help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.

Admission Requirements

HCC admits students twice per year to the RN Traditional, Medic To ADN, and LPN to RN Bridge tracks.

  • Fall admission cycle deadline: May 15
  • Spring admission cycle deadline: October 30

HCC admits students once per year to the PN track.

  • Fall admission cycle deadline: May 15
  • No Spring admission cycle
  • RN Traditional Track or Medic to ADN Track
    • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credits
    • PSY 110 General Psychology - 3 credits
    • Quantitative Reasoning math course - 3 credits (MAT 150 College Algebra, STA 220 Statistics, or other eligible course as selected with advisor)
    • NAA 100 Nursing Assistant I with passing nurse aide state exam OR have a current nurse aide certification on a state nurse aide registry
  • LPN to RN Bridge Track
    • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credits
    • BIO 139 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 credits
    • PSY 110 General Psychology - 3 credits
    • Quantitative Reasoning math course - 3 credits (MAT 150 College Algebra, STA 220 Statistics, or other eligible course as selected with advisor)
    • Current, unencumbered LVN/LPN license with a state board of nursing
  • PN Track
    • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credit or BIO 135 Basic Anatomy and Physiology - 4 credits
    • ENG 101 Writing I - 3 credits
    • AHS 115 Medical Terminology - 3 credits (may substitute CLA 131 or MIT 103)
    • NAA 100 Nursing Assistant I with passing nurse aide state exam OR have a current nurse aide certification on a state nurse aide registry

PAX Exam: Applicants to the RN Traditional, Medic To ADN, or PN track must take the National League for Nursing’s PAX exam and submit scores to the HCC Nursing Department.  For information about the PAX, please visit the PAX webpage.

Minimum PAX scores to be eligible:

  • RN Traditional or Medic to ADN Track - composite of 111
  • PN Track - composite of 99
  • LPN to RN Bridge applicants do not take the PAX. See below for NACE information.

NACE Exam: Applicants to the LPN To RN Bridge track must take the National League for Nursing’s NACE Foundations of Nursing exam and submit scores to the HCC Nursing Department.  For information about the NACE, please visit the NACE webpage

Recommended NACE score:

  • Composite 76%
  • Depending on the applicant pool, applicants may be considered if below the recommended score but no less than a composite 74%

ACT/SAT: The ACT/SAT requirement has been removed effective for Fall 2024 admission cycle.  Anyone applying for Fall 2024 or later will no longer need the ACT/SAT or waiver.

Applicants (except LPN-RN Bridge) must have an active status on a state nurse aide registry.  The active status can be on Kentucky’s nurse aide registry or any other state’s registry.  You will be asked to list the state and certification/registration number on your nursing application.

If you are not yet on a state nurse aide registry, you may still apply for the program.  However, you must have an active status by the end of Summer term for the Fall admission cycle or by December 31 for the Spring admission cycle.

Applicants to the LPN-RN Bridge Program must have an active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license with a state board of nursing.  The license can be with Kentucky Board of Nursing or any other state.

If you are a recent graduate of a PN Program, you may still apply for the LPN-RN Bridge.  However, you must have an active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license by the end of Summer term for the Fall admission cycle or by December 31 for the Spring admission cycle.

To receive the nursing application, you must attend a Pre-Admission Conference during the semester prior to the admission cycle for which you plan to apply.  We will host a minimum of 2 conferences for in-person attendance.  An online conference may be offered but is not guaranteed.

All attendees of the Pre-Admission Conference will be given access to the online nursing application for the upcoming admission cycle.  Applications are not available prior to the conference.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Accreditation

The Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program and Practical Nursing Program are approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.  Pursuant to the Kentucky Board of Nursing regulation 201 KAR 20:340, benchmark data for nursing programs in the state of Kentucky can be found at KBN Program of Nursing Benchmark Data.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING (RN) PROGRAM

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Hopkinsville Community College located in Hopkinsville, KY is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA  30326
(404)975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.  View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.


PRACTICAL NURSING (PN) PROGRAM

Effective February 20, 2024, this nursing program (PN) is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on February 20, 2026.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp

Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.

ACEN Seal

 

Length of Program

You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.

Request Information