Nursing (Associate Degree) A.A.S.
A45110
The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.
Coursework includes and builds upon the domains of health care, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team providing safe, individualized care while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Employment opportunities are vast within the global health care system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community health care facilities. Students should consult their advisor for information about course scheduling.
The nursing program is accredited by: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org. (Amended 8/24/22)
| Student Achievement Outcome Data |
2022 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
97.2% |
| Graduation Rate |
43% |
| Graduate Job Placement |
100% |
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Make judgments in practice substantiated with evidence that integrates nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care that promotes the health of individuals and groups.
- Communicate professionally and collaborate effectively with individuals (including diverse populations), significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Advocate for and educate individuals, families, and communities in ways that promote self-determination, integrity, and optimal health.
- Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry to improve the quality of nursing care.
Admission Requirements for the Nursing Program
(Amended 10/25/22)
Admission is selective and all requirements (1-9) must be completed and submitted by May 31 of the same year the student intends a Fall entrance. The Nursing Director will mail notification of acceptance and "letters of intent" beginning January 31. The Nursing program does not have a "waiting list". July 18 is the final date "letters of intent" will be accepted via paper or email.
Completion of all requirements does not guarantee admission into the 2023 nursing class.
- Completion of a Western Piedmont Community College Admission Application with Nursing as major by May 31.
- Submission of official high school and all college transcripts.
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on all post-secondary coursework within the last 7 years.
- Eligible to take ENG 111 or higher without a co-requisite.
- Eligible to take MAT 143 or higher without a co-requisite.
- Completion of high school chemistry, CHM 130, or CHM 131 or higher with a grade of "C" or better within the last 7 years. (Not required for Fall 2023 admission.)
- Completion of high school biology, BIO 111, or BIO 168 with a grade of "C" or better within the last 7 years.
- Submission of a certificate of completion/transcript from a state approved Nurse Aid I program and an active DHSR listing. For more information, call the Foothills Higher Education Center at 828-448-6140 or visit https://www.wpcc.edu/allied-health/nurse-aide/.
- Completion of Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score in the proficient category of ≥ 63. TEAS score must be 3 years old or less and may only be taken twice in an academic year with at least 45 days between testing. A TEAS test schedule & registration link will be emailed to pre-nursing students in the Program A1030N. Test dates vary but will be prior to the deadline. Study resources: www.atitesting.com WPCC Academic Success Center
Applicants are ranked on the following Admission Points grid and admitted as space permits.
|
Course
|
Points per Grade
|
| BIO 168 Anatomy & Physiology I |
A = 20 points
|
B = 15 points
|
C = 10 points
|
|
BIO 169 Anatomy & Physiology II
|
A = 20 points
|
B = 15 points
|
C = 10 points
|
|
ENG 111 Expository Writing
|
A = 10 points
|
B = 7 points
|
C = 5 points
|
|
PSY 150 General Psychology
|
A = 10 points
|
B = 7 points
|
C = 5 points
|
|
TEAS Categories
|
|
Exemplary
|
40 points
|
|
Advanced
|
30 points
|
|
Proficient
|
20 points
|
Other Information:
- An applicant is considered a nursing student at Western Piedmont Community College when official written notification of admission is received, the student has submitted written acceptance of admission to the program, and all the requirements are completed on CastleBranch.com (student health form, immunizations documentation, certification of AHA Healthcare Provider CPR, negative urine screen, and criminal background check).
- North Carolina law requires a nursing student to be physically and emotionally healthy in order to ensure safe care of clients. The determination that a student is healthy and can participate in clinical practice must be made by a licensed medical provider (physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner). A student is admitted conditionally until a completed physical appraisal form, including the statement verifying the student is able to perform clinical practice, and documentation of all required immunizations/tests are submitted to the CastleBranch.com portal.
- Clinical agencies accredited by Joint Commission may require a criminal background check and negative urine drug screen for nursing students. This is a requirement of the agencies and not the Nursing program. Any student denied clinical access at any WPCC clinical agency due to the results of the criminal background check, drug test, or for any other reason will be dismissed from the program. Also, the North Carolina Board of Nursing requires a separate criminal background check on all program graduates prior to taking the NCLEX-RN Licensure exam. Specific information regarding this process is provided to students in the last semester of the nursing program.
- A fee is assessed for professional liability insurance and Assessment Technology Institute supplemental resources at the time of registration.
- Clinical practice experiences are provided at many different facilities. Students are responsible for providing transportation to the sites and purchasing required uniforms.
- A grade of "C" in each nursing course is required for progression to the next nursing course in the sequence according to the nursing program curriculum plan.
- A grade of "C" or better must be obtained for all required courses in the Nursing curriculum including Nursing, Psychology, Science, Humanities, and English courses. All co-requisites and pre-requisites for Nursing courses must have a final grade of "C" or better.
- The re-admission policy can be found in the Nursing Policy Manual.
WESTERN PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMPLIES WITH SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973, AS AMENDED, AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. IN THE CASE OF A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY, ATTEMPTS WILL BE MADE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS.
WESTERN PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES ON THE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AS NEEDED.
General Education
Required Courses
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 | FA, SP |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
English Composition
Select 3 semester hours credit from the following courses
| ENG 112 | Writing/Research in the Disc | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| ENG 114 | Prof Research & Reporting | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
Humanities/Fine Arts
Select 3 semester hours credit from the following
| ART 111 | Art Appreciation | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| MUS 110 | Music Appreciation | 3 | FA, SP |
| PHI 240 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
Major Courses
Core Required Courses
| NUR 111 | Introduction to Health Concepts | 8 | FA |
| NUR 112 | Health-Illness Concepts | 5 | SP |
| NUR 113 | Family Health Concepts | 5 | SP |
| NUR 114 | Holistic Health Concepts | 5 | FA |
| NUR 211 | Health Care Concepts | 5 | FA |
| NUR 212 | Health System Concepts | 5 | FA, SP |
| NUR 213 | Complex Health Concepts | 10 | SP |
Other Major Required Courses
| ACA 115 | Success & Study Skills | 1 | |
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | SP, SU |
| PSY 241 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
Total Credit Hours: 67