Nursing Department

Application for Nursing: Nursing, Bridge, and Medical Laboratory (Adobe PDF)

The Three Rivers Community College Nursing Department provides high-quality, learning opportunities for selected students to effectively provide safe nursing care for diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings, and to become eligible to apply for licensure by examination as a registered nurse.

The Nursing Department

The Nursing Department was established in 1969. In 1991 a Bridge program for LPN's was started in Poplar Bluff, offering LPN's an alternate advancement pathway in nursing. In 1999 a second site for the LPN-ADN Bridge program was opened in Sikeston. Since its inception, TRCC's Nursing Department has graduated a total of 742 nurses. In January 2005, the evening program was added, doubling the on campus student body.

The purpose of the associate degree nursing program is to prepare selected individuals from the local area to achieve an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing, to apply for licensure as a registered nurse, and to utilize the nursing process in providing safe and effective nursing care for clients in structures of primary and secondary care settings.

Both general education and nursing education courses are included in the programs of study. Clinical laboratory experiences are planned in local health care facilities under the direct guidance of the Nursing Faculty. Students enrolling in the Nursing Department have the same privileges and responsibilities accorded all students at the college.

The requirements for licensure, as set forth in Missouri Statutes 335 RSMo 2004 Supp (Nurse Practice Act) include being of good moral character and have completed at least the high school course of study, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the state board of education and have successfully completed the basic professional curriculum in an accredited school of nursing (however successful completion does NOT guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination). Applicants from non-English speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency in the English language. There are also questions related to conviction of any crime other than traffic violations, including improper use of or addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Affirmative answers may result in the applicant being denied access to the licensure examination by the State Board of Nursing.

LPN-ADN Bridge Program

The LPN Bridge Program was developed in 1991 on the Poplar Bluff Campus to respond to the need for more flexibility and upward mobility in nursing. Based upon an extensive survey of LPN's in southeast Missouri, the program was designed to increase the educational opportunities for LPN's and advance within nursing while being able to continue to work and to be eligible for financial aid. Bridge students have a lighter academic load than generic students.

>The Bridge Program at Sikeston was approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing in August, 1998, and the first class of 24 was admitted in January 1999.

>All Bridge students must complete the same admission and application process as regular students. Bridge students must have UNDISCIPLINED Missouri Practical Nursing Licenses and be IV certified by the state of Missouri. Bridge students must also complete the NLN ACE I PN-RN Exams (for Foundations, Pediatric, and Maternity Nursing). Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Development, Basic Pharmacology, Foundations of Nursing, Nursing Interventions I, and II are articulated credit upon meeting certain criteria.

>Nursing students must also meet the requirements as set forth in Missouri Statutes 335 RsMO 2000, being of good moral character, and having completed at least a high school course of study or its equivalent. (Please note that graduation from the nursing program does NOT guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination.)

>All admission materials must be on file by November 1st of each year for the TRCC Center at Sikeston and by February 1st of each year for the Day Program at the Poplar Bluff Campus, and July 1st of each year for the Evening Program at the Poplar Bluff Campus.

Selection of Nursing Students

Students are selected by the Nursing Admissions Committee. Applicants must meet the initial screening requirements as stated in the current prior to being considered eligible. Students are admitted to a class and progress through their perspective curriculum as a group or cohort. The following are the deadlines for application:

Poplar Bluff: Day Program - February 1st
Evening Program - July 1st
(Bridge students are also admitted to the program with the above deadlines.)

TRCC Center at Sikeston: Bridge Program - November 1st

Contact Information

Three Rivers Community College
Nursing Department
Lower Level Rutland Library Building
2080 Three Rivers Blvd.
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Phone
Toll Free: 1-877-TRY-TRCC
Direct-Poplar Bluff Campus: 1-573-840-9672
Direct-Sikeston Center: 1-573-472-5223

Transfer and Readmission Requests

Transfer requests and readmission requests into the nursing program are evaluated on an individual basis. Fall semester requests must be received by July 15th preceding the desired semester, and spring semester requests must be received by December 1st preceding the desired semester. Call the nursing department to request a Transfer Packet.