Practical nurses are required to successfully challenge the first year of the nursing program at Western Nevada College. The challenge process is unique to the nursing program and varies from the college's general challenge policy.

The process consists of the three steps outlined:

Step 1

• Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. **
• Complete NURS 200 and NURS 201 or equivalent course/s with a grade of C or better.**
• Hold, or be eligible to hold, a practical nursing license in the State of Nevada. Candidates with a restricted LPN license will be evaluated on an individual basis.

** College science courses have a ten year statue of limitations; NURS 200/201 or equivalent must be repeated if the completed course is older than two years at the time of application.

Step 2

Pass the following written National League of Nursing Challenge Examinations with a score of 75 percent or better:

• Foundations of Nursing
• Nursing Care During Childbearing and Nursing Care of the Child

The cost of each challenge examination is $70. The scores of students who pass the challenge examinations will remain on file for one year from the date of the passage.

Step 3

Demonstrate ability to safely perform first and second semester nursing skills in the nursing laboratory. A list of the skills to be demonstrated for each semester is available in the Office of Nursing & Allied Health. Skills will be evaluated on a pass/fail (P/F) basis.

Cost of each semester skill challenge examination is $100.

Candidates who successfully complete the above three steps are eligible to apply for admission into the nursing program by submitting an application and other required documents to Admission and Records by the required date. Information regarding the admission process may be obtained by accessing the Nursing and Allied Health web site or by contacting the Office of Nursing and Allied Health located in room 110 of the Cedar Building. The telephone number is 775-445-3294.