Nursing Program

The purpose of the nursing program is to educate students to practice registered nursing within varied health care settings in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, and to assist individuals who are experiencing healthcare problems to progress toward optimal health and wellness. The program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful program completers will earn an associate in nursing DTA/MRP degree. The degree allows the student to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing in one year from accepting universities.

Prerequisite courses

Scored prerequisites: ENGL& 101 or higher; MATH& 146; PSYC& 200; BIOL& 241; BIOL& 242; BIOL& 260; CHEM& 121 or higher.

Non-scored prerequisites: PSYC& 100; BIOL& 160; 5 credits in an OC Communications; 10 credits in Humanities.

All scored prerequisites must be completed with a minimum grade of B (3.0). BIOL& 241 and 242 must have been completed within five (5) years of program application deadline.

Applicants must be currently nurse assistant certified in Washington state.

Special application process

Admission to the nursing program is by selective entry application. For details about course/program prerequisites, the application process, application materials and deadlines, visit the nursing program page on the College’s website or contact entry & advising or the nursing program assistant.

Short-term training opportunity

In addition to the degree offered, the following short-term certificate of proficiency is also available at WCC:

• Nursing assistant

Additional requirements during/after course of study

Students must take NURS courses in sequence and maintain a final grade of “C” in all courses. (Note: A “C” in nursing courses is 78%.)

Dismissal/Re-entry regulations

Students will be dismissed from the nursing program for the following reasons:

1. Earning an unsatisfactory grade in any clinical course due to unsatisfactory clinical performance.
2. Failing to satisfactorily complete any probationary contract in the allotted time.
3. Being placed on suspension by the college for violations of the Students Rights and Responsibilities policy.

Students who are dismissed from the program will be sent a certified letter indicating the reason for the dismissal. If the student wishes to appeal this action, s/he may do so by following the appropriate student grievance procedure as stated in the college catalog.

A student dismissed from the program may apply to re-enter the program by completing and submitting an “Application for Re-admission” form to the program director at least one quarter prior to the quarter in which s/he intends to re-enroll. The program director will review the application and inform the student of the outcome of the review no more than ten days after receiving the application. Re-admission is dependent on space availability and whether the student has demonstrated that the problems that led to dismissal have been corrected. The program director may request additional documentation from the student to support the application for re-admission. If the student is readmitted to the program, s/he must complete the requirements that led to the dismissal before continuing the program sequence.

Students will not be allowed to enter the nursing program more than twice.

Visit whatcom.edu/nursing for more information.