2015-2016 Catalog

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), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  • Practice professional nursing behaviors incorporating personal responsibility, ethics and accountability for continued competence and lifelong learning.
  • Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals (including diverse populations), significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  • Make judgments in practice substantiated with evidence to provide safe holistic care to individuals and groups.
  • Teach and support individuals, families, and communities in ways that promote self-determination, integrity, and optimal health.
  • Collaborate within nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to advocate for positive individual and organizational outcomes.
  • Participate in processes to improve the quality of care to patients, families and communities.

Admission Requirements for the Nursing Program

Admission is competitive and all requirements (1-9) must be completed by Dec. 31, 2015 for admission into the 2016 nursing class. Notification of admission status will be mailed by March 17, 2016.

Completion of all requirements does not guarantee admission into the 2016 nursing class.

  1. Complete a Western Piedmont Community College Admission Application with Nursing as major by December 31, 2015.
  2. Submission of official high school and all college transcripts.
  3. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on all post-secondary coursework within the last 7 years.
  4. NC DAP Developmental Reading and English Composite score of 151 or higher or completion of DRE 098 or a college level English course with a grade of "C" or better.
  5. NC DAP score of 7 or above for DMA 010, 020, 030, 040, 050 and 060 (060 includes exemption from DMA 070 and DMA 080) or successful completion of DMA 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070 and 080 or a combination of the two, or a college level algebra course with a grade of "C" or better within the last 7 years.
  6. Completion of high school chemistry, CHM 130 or CHM 131 or higher with a grade of "C" or better within the last 7 years.
  7. Completion of high school biology, BIO 111 or BIO 168 with a grade of "C" or better within the last 7 years.
  8. A certificate of completion from a state approved CNA program and an active DHSR listing.
  9. Completion of Test of Essential Academic Skills V (TEAS V). A schedule of TEAS test offerings will be posted September 30, 2015 in Student Services, and online at www.wpcc.edu. Students may take TEAS V two times per academic year with 45 days between testing sessions. Visit www.atitesting.com to purchase study materials.

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 V Categories

Exemplary

40 points

Advanced

30 points

Proficient

20 points

Basic

0 points



 

Other Information:

 

  1. Nursing applicants are encouraged to complete Anatomy & Physiology I and II before entering the Nursing Program.
  2. 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 with documentation of all required immunizations, is submitted to the Nursing Director's office.
  3. 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 the health form with documentation of immunizations are completed as stated above.
  4. A fee is assessed for professional liability insurance and Assessment Technology Institute supplemental resources at the time of registration.
  5. Clinical practice experiences are provided at many different facilities. Students are responsible for providing transportation to the sites and purchasing required uniforms.
  6. Clinical agencies accredited by Joint Commission may require a criminal background check on and/or a 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 Licensure exam.  Specific information regarding this process is provided to students in the last semester of the nursing program.

 

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

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
BIO 168Anatomy and Physiology I

4

FA, SP
BIO 169Anatomy and Physiology II

4

SP, SU
ENG 111Writing and Inquiry

3

FA, SP, SU
ENG 114Prof Research & Reporting

3

FA, SP, SU
PSY 150General Psychology

3

FA, SP, SU

Humanities/Fine Arts

Select 3 SHC from the following

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
ART 111Art Appreciation

3

FA, SP, SU
MUS 110Music Appreciation

3

FA, SP
PHI 240Introduction to Ethics

3

FA, SP, SU

Major Courses

Core Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
NUR 111Introduction to Health Concepts

8

FA
NUR 112Health-Illness Concepts

5

SP
NUR 113Family Health Concepts

5

SP
NUR 114Holistic Health Concepts

5

FA
NUR 211Health Care Concepts

5

FA
NUR 212Health System Concepts

5

FA
NUR 213Complex Health Concepts

10

SP

Other Major Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
BIO 275Microbiology

4

FA, SP, SU
PSY 241Developmental Psychology

3

FA, SP, SU

Total Credit Hours: 70