Program Details
Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate
Career Studies CertificatePaul D. Camp Community College
The Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate offers foundational courses from the AAA in nursing curriculum and the nurse aide courses to prepare students for entry into the Nursing Program. Although completion of the certificate does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program, the career studies certificate provides a curriculum that accurately reflects the intentions and goals of the students enrolled. This option includes most of the courses within the Nursing Curriculum that can be completed prior to Nursing Program admission. At the completion of this certificate program the student is eligible to sit for the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Certification Exam.
Outcomes
At the completion of this certificate program the student is eligible to sit for the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Certification Exam.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This program is designed to provide the foundational course from the nursing degree curriculum to prepare students for entry into the Nursing Program. Completion of career studies certificate does not guarantee admissions into the Nursing Program. At the completion of this certificate program the students are eligible to apply for the Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Certification Exam. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students who apply to Phlebotomy, Nurse Aide, Practical Nursing, or Registered Nursing, must take any developmental courses recommended in the evaluation of direct enrollment. All new students will complete the advising questionnaire to determine which English and Math class would be appropriate to both assist and guide the prospective student. Direct Enrollment English placement is based on high school GPA, GED, or SAT scoring. Direct Enrollment Math placement is based on GPA, GED, or SAT scoring, along with highest level math taken in high school. Pre-nursing and nurse aide students must be ENG 111 ready with a 2.5 GPA. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education credential or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of Camp’s general education component of Camp’s curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the program. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students earning an associate degree while in high school may not be eligible for guaranteed admission programs at four-year institutions. Students planning to transfer should review the guaranteed admissions requirements at the college to which they want to be admitted. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Camp follows the VCCS Waiver of Requirements policy when determining whether any course or program requirements can be waived when previous educational studies, training programs, or work experience may entitle students to an adjustment in required courses in a particular curriculum. Students who believe that previous educational studies, training programs, or work experience may entitle them to an adjustment in the required courses in a particular curriculum should contact the Dean or their Program Advisor to determine procedures before registering for classes. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Camp enrolls over 900 curricular students, with an average class size of 10 students, a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the Catalog in effect when a student enters the college, or any in a subsequent Catalog chosen. A student must follow program or major requirements in effect at the time a program or major is declared or at the time a program or major is changed. If a student’s progress toward a degree is interrupted for four or more consecutive semesters (excluding Summer), the curricular requirements of the Catalog in effect when re-entering the college must be followed. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Most degree and certificate programs are open to all students. Some programs in nursing and allied health have competitive entry and require a separate application. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing-Trad | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies - Specialization Pre-BSN | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-BSN Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Professional Nursing - Registered Nurse | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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29-1141.01 | Acute Care Nurses | Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.02 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.04 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.03 | Critical Care Nurses | Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1072.00 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-1141.00 | Registered Nurses | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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