Nursing

Professional/Technical Program Advisor
Jackie Landsem
(360)383-3080 

Nursing Program Coordinator
Connie Rockstad, R.N. MSN
(360) 383-3550

 Special Announcement:  Save the date

The National League for Nurses Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) will be visiting Whatcom's Nursing Program September 29, 30, and October 1.  The open community meeting will be held Wednesday, September 30 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm in Heiner Theater (HNR 209).  This meeting is open to the public - please join us!

Information Sessions

Wednesday, September 9        11:30am - 1:00pm      LDC 203
Wednesday, October 14           11:30am - 1:00pm      LDC 203
Tuesday, October 27               3:00pm - 4:30pm        LDC 212
Monday, November 9               11:30am - 1:00pm      LDC 203
Tuesday, November 24            3:00pm - 4:30pm        LDC 212
Wednesday, December 9         11:30am - 1:00pm       LDC 203

You are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions or contact one of the Professional/Technical advisors listed above for planning help.

Degree Information

Associate in Science Degree / Nursing [PDF Format]

What is the Nursing Program?

Students who complete the 2-year Nursing Program at Whatcom Community College receive an Associate in Science in Nursing (AS-Nursing). Students are then eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (N-CLEX), for Registered Nurses (RNs). The Nursing Program is dedicated to fostering and nurturing the caring, compassion, critical thinking, problem solving, and lifelong learning skills needed by leaders in professional nursing.

The Nursing Program focuses on facilitation of individual acquisition of knowledge and theory necessary for the practice of nursing. Because nursing is a practice discipline, opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skill are an important part of the Nursing Program curriculum. Nursing students are educated to practice nursing within varied healthcare settings in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.

The Nursing Program is a full-time program requiring attendance in daytime lecture and lab classes, and both daytime and evening clinicals. The class and clinical schedules may change each quarter. Students will need reliable transportation since clinical sites may be located as much as an hour away.

What do nurses do?

Registered Nurses practice in a collaborative health care team with physicians, allied health professionals, social service providers, clients/patients and others in the health care environment. Registered Nurses are required to utilize decision-making capabilities, communication techniques, health teaching strategies, and delegation skills in assisting individuals who are experiencing healthcare problems to progress toward an optimal level of health and wellness.

Does the Nursing Degree (AS-Nursing degree) transfer?

Whatcom's AS-Nursing degree transfers directly to UW Bothel's Bachelor/Science in Nursing (BGN) degree program. Other BSN programs may also accept Whatcom's AS-Nursing degree. Speak to an advisor about the college you would like to attend.

What are the prerequisites?

The following prerequisite courses must be completed by the application deadline with a minimum grade of B- ( 2.70) required in each course.

• ENGL& 101, Composition I or higher level English Composition course
• MATH 111, Methods for Problem Solving; or MATH 125, Survey of Mathematics; or college precalculus Mathematics or above
• PSYC& 200 (PSYCH 216), Human Development [PSYC& 100 (PSYCH 110) is a prerequisite for this course at Whatcom]. The grade for PSYC& 100 (PSYCH 110) will not be factored in to the admission process.
• BIOL& 260 (BIOLOGY 240), Microbiology [BIOL& 160(BIOL 102) is a prerequisite for this course at Whatcom]. The grade for BIOL& 160 (BIOL 102) will not be factored in to the admission process.
• **BIOL& 241 (BIOL 270), Human A&P 1
• **BIOL& 242(BIOL 271), Human A&P 2
• CHEM& 121 (CHEM 115), Intro to Chemistry or higher level Chemistry

**These courses must have been taken within 5 years of program application deadline.

Students completing prerequisite courses at WCC may submit an unofficial copy of their WCC transcript as part of the nursing application. If prerequisite courses are completed at another institution, an official transcript documenting your work must be submitted by the application deadline*. Transfer courses will be evaluated for equivalency to the WCC courses listed above.

*If the prerequisite courses are on a transcript from outside the US, the transcript must be evaluated by AACRAO before the courses can be considered for Nursing Program prerequisites. Contact the Selective Entry Coordinator 360.383.3032 for more information.

How can the Pathways Program and the Opportunity Grant Scholarship support you?

These programs assist and support students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry. The Pathways Program offers free tutoring, study groups, workshops, mentoring, and advising. The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information.

What are the application requirements?

Admission to the Nursing Program is decided through a competitive selection process, done once a year. Complete applications must be received by the deadline of May 21, 2010 by 5 p.m. for consideration for the Fall Quarter 2010 class.

Notice: September 25, 2008

Please note that there are changes to the requirements for nursing applicants. The 2009 nursing students will all be required to have passed the exam for Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) unless they are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). This change ensures that all students will have a base level of knowledge about bedside care, and that they have real, hands-on experience with patients. The basic bedside care skills will no longer be taught in the Nursing Program, which means more time can be spent on higher level, more complex skills and critical thinking.

Previously, these licenses (NAC and LPN) were worth 1 point in the selection process, now one or the other will be a requirement for all applicants.

An EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) license used to be worth an extra point, but since that training does not include bedside care, it will not be an option to fulfill the requirement, nor will it be worth an extra point in the process.

• Minimum requirements for a complete application are:
• Whatcom Community College application for admission (Admission to the college does not guarantee admission into the Nursing Program.)
• nursing application form
• personal statement
• application checklist
• documentation (official transcripts) of completion of prerequisite courses at 2.7 or above in each class
• Receipt from WCC's Business Office for Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Proof of licensure (NAC or LPN)-due by June 30, 2009.`

Additional factors that will be considered for Nursing Program admission are:

• higher than minimum grades in prerequisite courses
• documented previous degrees

How do I apply?

You must complete the following steps by the Nursing Program application deadline, May 22, 2009 by 5 p.m., to be considered for program acceptance:

STEP 1 - Apply to WCC online.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at , by phone (360)383-3080 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

STEP 2 - Complete the Application for Selective Entry: Nursing Program. You may use the online Nursing Program Application or contact the Selective Entry Coordinator at (360)383-3032 or by email at to obtain an application.

STEP 3 - Submit all required supporting documentation, including official transcripts from all previously attended colleges, a notarized copy of a previous NAC or LPN license, (if available) an applicant checklist and a personal statement.

You are responsible for submitting all documents and materials by the deadline date. Incomplete files will not be considered for Nursing Program acceptance.

How can I get my NAC licensure?

Whatcom offers an 8-credit Nursing Assistant class, usually in the winter and again in the summer. For the 2008-09 year an additional section will be offered spring quarter. For more information, click here.

Who makes the final selection and how will I know if I have been accepted into the program?

The Nursing Admission Committee is made up of nursing faculty. All applicants will be notified of program selection results by letter. If you are not accepted to the program, you must reapply for program admission to be considered for the following year.

Applicants may choose to appeal the admissions decisions made by the committee. These appeals are to be directed to the Dean for Workforce Education at WCC.

If accepted, what are the additional program requirements?

If you are accepted into the Nursing Program, you must meet the following criteria at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the first Nursing Program quarter. If these documents are not on file, you will lose your place in the program and will be required to reapply the next program year.

1. Submit a $100 non-refundable deposit within 2 weeks of your notification of acceptance. This deposit will hold your place and be applied toward your fall tuition.

2. Submit the following health related items:

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray
• Physical clearance by health care provider (Use the health exam form provided in packet.) Note: Though private health insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended.
• Immunization record: recent diphtheria-tetanus vaccination; Positive Titer (German Measles) or measles, mumps and rubella vaccination; varicella; Hepatitis B vaccination series
• Negative drug screening urine test (Check with the Nursing Program Coordinator for a list of accepted testing sites.)
• Proof of current First Aid/CPR certification (must be either an AHA Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross - CPR for professional rescuers.)

What are the requirements during the course of study?

You must demonstrate professional conduct and willingness to abide by WCC Rights and Responsibilities.

Allied Health progression requirement: You must take NURS courses in sequence and maintain a final grade of "C" in all courses. A "C" in nursing courses is 78%.

Will Whatcom maintain a wait list?

A Nursing Program wait list will not be maintained. If you are not accepted, you must reapply for program admission the following year.

What is the I-BEST Nursing Assistant Class?

I-BEST stands for Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training. An I-BEST program or class is one that takes people who are working on their basic educational skills (English and Math) and puts them in a technical training program at the same time. What it looks like to you, as a student, is that they are two teachers in the classroom, and an extra support class to help you really understand the classroom information.

Students must have CASAS test scores in a certain range to qualify for the I-BEST course. The CASAS test can be taken on the Whatcom campus, call the ABE/ESL office at 360.383.3060 for more information.

If you think you are interested in this program or would like more information, please email your questions to

The following regional employers and agencies have contributed funds to help expand the Nursing Program at Whatcom Community College.

• St. Joseph Hospital
• St. Lukes Foundation
• Whidbey General Hospital
• Island Hospital
• Skagit Valley Hospital
• Alderwood Park Convalescent
• Shuksan Health Care
• St. Francis Health Care
• Stafholt Good Samaritan
• Evergreen North Cascade Nursing Home
• U.S. Department of Labor
• Foundation of the National Student Nurse's Association

Background and Drug Checks for Nursing

Clinical placements, employment, and licensure in a healthcare field often require a background and drug check. WCC will conduct a Washington State Patrol background check on applicants to the Nursing Program. Students need to pay the $10 fee for background checks to the business office, obtain a receipt, and attach that receipt to their application. Results of the background check will be given to the Nursing Program Coordinator.

Students accepted into the Nursing Program will need to complete a more extensive background and drug check as required by the local hospital for clinical placement. Information on securing a more extensive check will be presented at the information session held during the summer for selected applicants. Cost for the extensive check varies between $50 and $150 depending upon the number of states the student has lived in. Results of the background checks will be sent to the Nursing Program Coordinator. For students not passing the background/drug checks, a meeting with the Nursing Program Coordinator is required to discuss possible options with the student. A meeting with personnel from the hospital may also be needed.