Associate of Applied Science
Nursing

For many years, Western Nevada College has prepared nurses for careers in hospitals, offices and care centers throughout western Nevada. As Nevada's rural communities have grown, the college has worked to extend its Associate Degree Nursing Program to residents throughout its 18,000-square-mile service area. The program is based at the Carson City campus, but partnerships with area hospitals and work force initiatives have allowed Western to offer some nursing courses and laboratory experiences at the Fallon campus.

Through a new Rural Nursing Initiative, the college is taking steps to deliver the Associate Degree Nursing Program to rural Nevada communities on a regular basis.

Rural students with a high school diploma or GED may now access the WNC associate degree program and prerequisite courses through interactive video, web instruction, a rural clinical laboratory site, and rural hospitals, along with travel to Carson City and Reno for clinical experiences. Much of the coursework will be centered at WNC's Fallon campus, but the focus of the initiative is on utilizing technology to limit travel as much as possible.

In addition, high school students have the opportunity to complete some program prerequisite classes before they graduate, providing an early start to their college degree. Entrance into the WNC Associate Degree Nursing Program is a competitive process. Through the Rural Nursing Initiative, up to 16 students may be accepted each year into the first year of the two-year program.

What are the Benefits of a Nursing Career?

• Become a valuable member of a respected profession.
• Find satisfaction in an occupation that will help those in need.
• Join a high growth field that has a shortage of trained health care professionals.
• Earn a good salary ranging from $51,600 to $69,300. (middle range - Nevada)

What are the Benefits of the WNC Rural Nursing Initiative?

• Enjoy opportunities for clinical training with local health care providers.
• Save time and money by completing some classes through interactive video and web instruction, along with offerings at WNC Fallon.

How to Prepare for Application

1. Read through and become familiar with the nursing information in the college's academic program guide or online catalog - http://www.wnc.edu/academics/discipline/nurs/
2. Meet with a counselor at WNC Fallon at 775-423-7565 or set up an appointment through a rural coordinator to formalize a plan and register for prerequisite classes.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Complete these prerequisites before applying for the nursing program:

• BIOLOGY 223 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• BIOLOGY 224 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II
• BIOLOGY 251 - General Microbiology
• ENGLISH 101 - Composition I
• MATH 120, 126 or higher
• PSYCHOLOGY 101 or SOCIOLOGY 101

Prerequisite courses are regularly offered at WNC Fallon, and are periodically offered at rural instructional sites in Fernley, Hawthorne, Lovelock and Yerington. Many of these courses are transmitted via interactive video and through online instruction. Periodically, with the cooperation of local high schools and when qualified part-time faculty is available, prerequisite courses can be scheduled in the rural communities as traditional classes. Meet with a counselor for successful class scheduling.

All prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress when application is made. Prerequisites are identical for all students seeking to enter the WNC Associate Degree Nursing Program. For the full requirements of the associate degree in nursing, please refer to the WNC online catalog, available at http://www.wnc.edu/catalog/, or see a counselor. Prerequisite requirements are subject to change.

Prepare Well in Advance to Fulfill Program Prerequisites:

• ENGLISH 101 - Students may enroll in the course with an ACT score of 21 or better, an SAT score of 510 or better, by passing the English placement test, or by completing English 98 with a "C" grade or better.
• MATH 120, 126 or higher - Students may enroll in the course with an ACT score of 21 or better, an SAT score of 510 or better, passing Math 96 - Intermediate Algebra, or by earning three credits in high school algebra or above.
• BIOLOGY 223 - Students must have completed one year of high school chemistry within three years of application or must complete Chemistry 121 and pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills.
• BIOLOGY 224, 251 - If Biology 223 and Biology 224 are completed at an institution outside the Nevada System of Higher Education, both courses must be completed at the same college or university.

INFORMATION

To enter the WNC Nursing Program through the Rural Nursing Initiative: http://www.wnc.edu/nursing/

It is important that pre-nursing students meet regularly with an academic counselor to assess current academic status in preparation for entering the program in a timely manner. The application deadline is in April for admission into the program beginning in the following fall semester. See a counselor for the exact timelines.

Take advantage of a valuable career opportunity & community partnership. The Rural Nursing Initiative is a collaborative effort of many Nevada health care providers and agencies. It was developed by WNC in partnership with Banner Churchill Community Hospital, Churchill County, Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, the Nevada Hospital Association, the Area Health Education Center, and individual rural hospitals within the WNC service area.

INFORMATION

• WNC Allied Health Division . . .775-445-3294
• WNC Fallon . . . 775-423-7565
• WNC counselor . . . 775-445-3267