Associate Degree in Nursing

• Kentucky Medication Aide Certificate
• Medicaid Nurse Aide Certificate

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Nursing Program must attend a Pre-Admission Conference. There is no registration for the conference. Students do not need to bring any material with them.

TESTING & CONTENT

 The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is used as part of the admissions process by Nursing and Allied Health schools nationwide. The exam measures skills in reading, mathematics, science and english and language usage.

MISCELLANEOUS INFO

For additional information, sample test questions, general exam policies and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the TEAS website here.

The TEAS exam may only be taken one time in a 6 month period.  Exam results submitted for nursing program consideration can be no more than one year old.  

REGISTRATION FEE

 TEAS testing is $87.00.  

REGISTERING for the EXAM

To register for the TEAS exam, go to ATI Testing Website and click:

• TEAS
• Register for TEAS
• In-Person Proctored by an Institution - Register
• Search By School Name
• State – Select KY
• School - Big Sandy Community and Technical College Pikeville Campus
• Search
• Select your preferred date
• Continue Registration
• Proceed to Checkout

The TEAS must be taken in the Testing Center. Remote proctoring is not permitted.

 

TEAS Testing Schedule – Fall 2026

The nursing program is a selective admission program. We use the following criteria when selecting students. There is a total of 70 points possible.

STATE REGISTERED NURSE AID

All applicants must provide proof of current registry on the State Registered Nurse Aide Registry. 

STATE REGISTERED NURSE AID: WORK EXPERIENCE

(Points Possible: 10)

All applicants, who provide proof of 6 month’s experience as a practicing CNA within the last 3 years, earn 10 points.

 

Students may opt to take the ACT exam OR the TEAS exam for points in this area.

NATIONAL COMPOSITE ACT

(Points Possible: 36)

• An ACT composite score of 18 or above is required for admission.
• ACT Composite Score of 18-19 equals 10 points
• ACT Composite Score of 20-36 equals the composite score. 

There is no automatic admission provision based on ACT Score.

PRE-ADMISSION NURSING EXAM (TEAS)

(Points Possible: 36)

(The National Average Score is 64.3)

Refer to the Pre-Admission Exam (TEAS) page for additional information.

REQUIRED COURSES

(Points Possible: 14)

Two points are awarded for each of these courses completed with a grade of C or better.  If courses are repeated for a grade of less than C, the student will NOT receive points for the course.  

Point Courses

• BIO 137 (Pre-requisite)
• BIO 139
• BIO 225 or BIO 227
• Quantitative Reasoning** (Pre-requisite)
• PSY 110  (Pre-requisite)
• ENG 101
• Heritage/Humanities

(** Note: Quantitative Reasoning Course that meets AS, AA, or AFA level.)

CUMULATIVE GPA

(Points Possible: 4)

Points will be equal to GPA. A GPA of less than 3.0 is worth no points. 

Other healthcare-related degrees

(Points Possible: 6)

Students who have earned a healthcare-related degree, such as paramedic, respiratory care, surgical technology, or dental hygiene, will be awarded 6 points toward admission.  The committee reserves the right to review other credentials.

 

BSCTC Fees – Nursing

These are estimates of major fees or purchases that are expected while in the nursing program. Semester one is the semester the student enrolls in Nursing 101.

Please note receipt of this cost list is notification of approximate expenses (including, but not limited to) experienced within the program.  Inability to obtain requirements of the program due to insufficient funds is not allowed and may result in removal from the program, depending on program policies.

NURSING NURSING MODULAR PATHWAY

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

Our Associate Degree Nursing program prepares graduates to use their skill and knowledge to fulfill the role of the nurse and is supported by the works of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Education. Competencies and Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN). The NLN Outcomes and Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Programs in Nursing which serve as goals of nursing education for entry into nursing practice are: human flourishing, nursing judgment, professional identity, and spirit of inquiry. QSEN competencies which were developed to prepare future nurses to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare are: patient centered care, safety, informatics, teamwork and collaboration, evidenced based practice, and quality improvement. These core components are introduced, developed and built upon through the curriculum. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum is organized around that clearly defined conceptual framework and combines general education and nursing courses. The nursing courses correlate classroom and clinical instruction in a variety of community agencies. Acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing program is based on a selective admissions process. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must comply with college and program admission requirements. Progression in the Associate Degree Nursing program is contingent upon achievement of a grade of “C” or better in each biological science, nursing and mathematics course and maintenance of a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average or better (on a 4.0 scale). Completion of the nursing program will meet the KCTCS graduate requirement of digital literacy. Upon graduation, the Kentucky Board of Nursing will determine the graduate’s eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). NOTE: The Kentucky Board of Nursing may deny a nursing graduate admission to the NCLEX-RN Exam is an individual has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony which involves acts that bear directly on the qualifications of the graduate to practice nursing.

Admission Requirements

Our Nursing Modular Pathway Program is a selective admissions program. Guidelines for admission are outlined in the Nursing Pre-Admissions Conference. All students are required to attend a Pre-Admissions Conference. No registration is required to attend. The Pre-Admissions Conference is the first step for all students. *Successful completion of an equivalent Nursing Assistant Skills I (NAA 100) course, proof of active status on the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aid Registry, an American Heart Association’s CPR certificate for Health Care Providers is required prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. CPR certification must be kept current throughout the program.

BSCTC is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.

SUGGESTED SEMESTER SCHEDULE

Nursing, at the technical level, involves the provision of direct care and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions.

Therefore, in order to be considered for admission or be retained in the program after admission, all applicants should possess:

• Sufficient visual acuity, such as needed in the accurate preparation and administration of medications, and for the observation necessary for client assessment and nursing care
• Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from clients and members of the health team and to assess health needs people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitor, stethoscope, IV infusion pumps, Doptone, fire alarms, etc
• Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, required in meeting health needs
• Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively as may be necessary in the individuals interest
• Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals

Applicants who are seeking readmission into the nursing program should adhere to the following application deadlines:

• Applicants reapplying to NRS 101 or any other nursing course that is taught in the fall semester should apply for readmission prior to March 1st
• Applicants reapplying to any nursing course that is taught in the spring semester should apply for readmission prior to November 1st

Recommendation for readmission to the nursing program is the responsibility of the Nursing Admissions Committee and is dependent upon available resources. 

In order to be considered for readmission by the Nursing Admissions Committee, the applicant must: 

• Attend a Pre-Admission Nursing Conference (Fall Applicants should do so by March 1st,
  Spring Applicants should do so by the 1st Friday in November.) 
• Meet current admission guidelines
• Submit a written request to the nursing coordinator
  (This letter, addressed to the coordinator, should include the following:  (1)  the semester and course to which the student is requesting readmission, (2) reason(s) for previous unsuccessful progress in the nursing program, and (3) personal plans to increase chances for success if readmitted)
• Complete any required remediation processes outlined by the Coordinator and/or nursing program faculty/staff 

A student MAY BE readmitted to the Nursing program one time.  The Nursing Admissions Committee may recommend readmission a second time, if a student meets current readmission guidelines and furnishes sufficient evidence of remedial study, additional preparation, or resolution of factors contributing to unsuccessful course completion.  There is no provision for a third readmission. 

If more than three years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first nursing course of any registered nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses. 

All students, regardless of length of time out of the program, must demonstrate continued competency to be readmitted.  Program faculty and the Nursing Coordinator will determine the competency requirements which will include both written exams and clinical/lab performance skills.   Competency requirements include any content covered in previous nursing courses, and nursing assistant, which the student has successfully completed.  Demonstrated competency includes:

• Passing a competency exam with a minimum of 78%
• Passing a competency skill exam(s)/clinical requirements at 100%, consisting of skills learned from all successfully completed nursing courses

Applicants who have attended another nursing program, or wish to transfer from a KCTCS nursing program must:

• Meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution;
• Notify the Coordinator of the Nursing Program in writing, stating anticipated entry and reason for transfer;
• Include a copy of their unofficial transcripts reflecting grades in all previous courses in the nursing program from which they are transferring;
• Have a faculty member from the program previously attended submit a letter of recommendation to the receiving institution; AND
• Submit documentation from the nursing coordinator that the student is eligible for re-admission to that original nursing program.

When more than three years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first nursing course from any nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses. 

Policies regarding readmission requirements listed above also apply to students requesting transfer. 

Transfer requests are considered based on space availability. 

Transfer requests will be considered by the Nursing Admissions Committee, in consultation with the nursing faculty.