1. Home
  3. Admissions
  4. Services for Students with Disabilities
  5. Information
  6. Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Category

What is the difference between an A.S. Degree University Parallel Major and an A.A.S. Degree Major?
FAQ Answer: The Associate of Science (AS) Degree is designed to meet a proposed baccalaureate major for the student who plans to transfer to a four-year college or university. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree is constructed around majors and concentrations to provide students with the training needed to obtain a responsible position in their chosen fields of interest.
How do I know what books to purchase for my classes? Where can I purchase books?
FAQ Answer: You will need a copy of your class schedule listing the course(s) in which you are enrolled. Visit the DSCC website , click on the Current Students tab and the Bookstore link to look up the books to purchase. You may also visit the College Bookstore which is located on the main campus in Dyersburg and off-campus at the Gibson County Center and the Tipton County-Jimmy Naifeh Center.
What if a student asks for accommodations in his or her classes?
FAQ Answer:

When a student asks us to do so, the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, provides reasonable accommodations such as readers, scribes, signed language interpreters, and assistive technology.

At no time does a student pay fees for reasonable accommodations. However, personal services such as personal care attendants, drivers, etc. or personal devices such as tape recorders, software, etc. which would need to be taken home are the responsibility of the student.
What if a student needs a Sign Language Interpreter?
FAQ Answer:

Students who are deaf may request the use of a sign language interpreter in order to have access to course lectures and other college activities. Sign language interpreters are professionals employed by Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC).  Their job is to provide access by interpreting lecture and other spoken communication into signed communication, usually American Sign Language (ASL). Interpreters maintain a professional level of distance in the classroom when interpreting. Students handle requests for signed language interpreters directly with the Counselor/ADA Coordinator and need to do so as soon as they know they will be attending DSCC. The Counselor/ADA Coordinator may be contacted by email to arrange a meeting or phone call using TTY at Counselor@DSCC.edu.

Note: The interpreter’s job is to interpret spoken language into sign, and to voice signed language. The signed language interpreter is not responsible for the student’s grasp of material, homework, testing arrangements, or attendance. These are the student’s responsibility.
What if a student with a disability is enrolled in a program that requires specific certification?
FAQ Answer:

No student can be denied access to any program based solely on his or her disability. All students must adhere to the standards of the program with necessary accommodations made according to his or her disability so long as the accommodations do not fundamentally alter the objectives of the program. When the standards are not met and the student has been given appropriate accommodations, it is reasonable that the student may be denied certification in the program.
When do the nursing classes start?
FAQ Answer:

Traditional class: Dyersburg classes begin in the Fall semester and classes at the JNC begin in the Spring semester.

LPN-RN class: Begins in May of each year.

Paramedic-RN class: Dyersburg classes begin in the Fall semester and classes at the JNC begin in the Spring semester.
What are the requirements for admission to the LPN-RN nursing program?
FAQ Answer:

You must have a GPA of 2.5 or above, successfully completed all Learning Support courses, taken the TEAS Exam, and completed a current nursing application. The pre-requisites are Anatomy & Physiology I, English Composition I and Introduction to Psychology. TEAS exam score is good for three years.
When is the nursing program application deadline?
FAQ Answer:

Traditional class:  Dyersburg campus application deadline is March 1 with courses to begin in the Fall. Jimmy Naifeh Center (JNC) at Tipton County application deadline is Sept. 1 with courses to begin in the Spring.

LPN-RN class:  Dyersburg campus application deadline is Dec. 31 with courses to begin in May. There is no LPN-RN class at the JNC.

Paramedic-RN class: JNC at Tipton County application deadline is Sept. 1 with courses to begin in the Spring. The Dyersburg application deadline is March 1 with courses to begin in the Fall.
What are the minimal requirements for admission to the traditional nursing program?
FAQ Answer: You must have a GPA of 2.5 or above, successfully completed all Learning Support (LS) courses, taken the TEAS exam, and completed a current nursing application. If you are not a current student at DSCC, you will also need to apply for admission as a student. If you have attended any other college or university, all transcripts must be forwarded to DSCC Admissions and Records as well as the Division of Nursing prior to the application deadline. The TEAS exam score is good for three years.
How is the nursing class selected?
FAQ Answer:

Traditional: To be considered for admission to nursing, you must meet all eligibility criteria. These include completion of all pre-college (LS) courses, GPA of 2.5 or above (nursing general education curriculum courses only), submission of an electronic application, and completion of the standardized preadmission test (TEAS). Points are calculated for applicants meeting eligibility criteria. The applicants with the highest points are selected. Points are awarded for the following: GPA; TEAS score (your score / 10); and general education courses (A&P I, English Composition I, and Introductory Statistics) with an A or B completed prior to application deadline will receive 1 point for each. Applicants with current healthcare experience can receive 1 point.

LPN-RN: To be considered for admission to LPN-RN Fast Track nursing, you must meet all eligibility criteria. These include completion of all pre-college (LS) courses, GPA of 2.5 or above (nursing general education curriculum courses only), submission of an electronic application, and completion of the standardized preadmission test (TEAS). Prerequisite courses that must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to the application deadline are Learning Support (if needed), Introduction to Psychology, English Composition I and A & P I. Points are calculated for applicants meeting all eligibility criteria. The applicants with the highest points are selected. Points are awarded for the following: GPA; TEAS score (your score / 10); and general education courses (A&P I, English Composition I, and Introductory Statistics) with an A or B completed prior to application deadline will receive 1 point for each.

Paramedic-RN: To be considered for admission to Paramedic-RN nursing, you must meet all eligibility criteria. These include completion of all pre-college (LS) courses, GPA of 2.5 or above (nursing general education curriculum courses only), submission of an electronic application, and completion of the standardized preadmission test (TEAS). Prerequisite courses that must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to the application deadline are Learning Support (if needed), Introduction to Psychology, English Composition I and A&P I. Points are calculated for applicants meeting all eligibility criteria. The applicants with the highest points are selected. Points are awarded for the following: GPA; TEAS score (your score / 10); and general education courses (A&P I, English Composition I, and Introductory Statistics) with an A or B completed prior to application deadline will receive 1 point for each.