The Registered Nurse works to promote health, prevent disease, provide physical and emotional support to cope with illness and restore health. They provide direct patient care and are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. Nurses are employed in the acute and long term care facilities or hospitals, physician office, home health, community, school, business, industry, and in private settings. They must be physically capable to spend considerable time walking and standing; be able to lift fifty pounds; be required to mobilize quickly to respond to an emergency. Nurses need emotional stability and a caring philosophy in order to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and stress. Because patients in hospitals and facilities require 24-hour care, nurses in these institutions may work nights, weekends, and holidays.

The nursing faculty of WVNCC has adopted the National League for Nursing Educational Core Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs (2000). These eight Core Competencies of professional behavior, communication, assessment, clinical decision making, caring interventions, teaching and learning, collaboration and managing care, manager of care, and member of the discipline of nursing. Upon the completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program at WVNCC the graduate will:

1. Satisfactorily perform core competencies basic to the practice of associate degree nursing as defined by the National League for Nursing.
2. Proficiently utilize the nursing process in the application and synthesis of principle and concepts from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in providing individualized nursing care to clients.
3. Be eligible to qualify to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for licensure as a professional registered nurse.

Nursing education programs include classroom instruction, supervised and precepted clinical experience in hospitals and other health facilities, and community experiences. Students take courses in biological sciences, behavioral sciences, and liberal arts in addition to nursing courses. Students must complete the required nursing courses in the program on a full-time basis within 2 years. The program has a specific application, selection requirements, background and drug screening, standard of progress policies, and abides by the WV State Board of Registered Nursing Education requirements for nursing education. Contact the Nursing Program Director for additional information. Upon the completion of this basic accredited nursing education and successful completion of the National Council Licensure Exam the student will apply to their selected state for license to practice.

Important information: If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for any reason, State or National credentialing boards, licensing board and agencies which require criminal background checks on potential employees and students may deny you employment or placement in certain settings, even if you have completed all academic requirements. If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, please contact the appropriate Health Science Program Director.

Nursing - General Admission

First Year – Fall Semester

First Year – Spring Semester

Second Year – Fall Semester

Second Year – Spring Semester

Total Hours in Program – 72

A minimum grade of a “C” is required in all courses to remain in the program and graduate.