Nursing |
 The Nursing program at WWCC is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission: 310 Israel Rd., Tumwater, WA 98501, phone (360) 236-4700, (www.doh.wa.gov). The Nursing program is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC): 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, phone (212) 363-5555 ext. 153, (www.nlnac.org).
CONTACTS:
Walla Walla Campus
Becky Manderscheid
Nursing Secretary - Walla Walla Campus
Office Location: 1802, Health Sciences Building
500 Tausick Way
Walla Walla, Wa. 99362
Rebecca Manderscheid@wwcc.edu
Tel: (509) 527-4240
Fax: (509) 527-4226
Clarkston Campus
Jenny Charlo
Program Coordinator - Clarkston Campus
Office Location: 2126, Health Sciences Building
1470 Bridge Street
Clarkston, Wa. 99403
Jennifer Charlo@wwcc.edu
Tel: (509) 758-1702
Fax: (509) 758-1488
|
| The nursing program operates within the framework and endorses the mission of Walla Walla Community College by providing an opportunity for students to discover their potential and achieve their goals. The mission of the nursing program is to promote the art and science of nursing by developing professional, caring and competent nurses who are dedicated to enhancing the wellness of a culturally diverse population.
Students enter the Walla Walla Community College Nursing Program with diverse backgrounds. Nursing education is a progressive process that allows students multiple entry and exit options. Through the educational process, students are socialized into the profession of nursing. At the completion of the nursing program, the graduate is prepared to perform in entry-level nursing positions in a variety of health care settings.
Nursing practice is an art and science based upon the foundational concepts of caring for ones-self and others, thinking skills, professional behaviors and cultural awareness. Nurses provide the best possible clinical care when their nursing practice is evidence-based and patient centered. Nurses practice in a variety of settings to promote, maintain and/or restore the client's health as well as provide end-of-life care.
Critical thinking is the foundation of the program of learning. Nurses must be able to think critically to problem solve and to identify the best solution to meet a client's needs. The nursing process is the approach to critical thinking endorsed by the profession and it is one way critical thinking is actualized in the curriculum.
Caring is the essence of nursing. Caring encompasses those attitudes and interventions that assist the client to move toward a desired outcome. Nursing practice provides service to society through caring behaviors for individuals of all ages, families and groups. Each individual or family is viewed through the concept of wholeness, which is complete only when the physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual dimensions are considered. Nursing interventions may be nurse initiated, physician initiated, or collaborative.
Professional behaviors are characterized by accountability and responsibility for competent nursing practice. Nurses practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of health care and must adhere to the standards of nursing practice. Professional behaviors demonstrate awareness of the impact of economic, social, cultural, demographic, and political processes upon healthcare and nursing practice. The graduate collaborates with peers and other health care team members to meet client needs that exceed the graduate's current level of knowledge or experience.
Learning is a dynamic, interactive process that is accomplished best when a mix of cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills is provided in the program of learning. The faculty prepare students for life-long learning to meet the continually evolving nature of nursing practice and the health care delivery system. Faculty function as learning facilitators, professional role models and evaluators of student performance. Current practicum knowledge and expertise is essential for faculty to be competent in the classroom and practicum settings. Faculty maintain professional relationships within the academic community at WWCC and the health care community at-large.
COMPETENCIES OF THE WWCC GRADUATE
Critical Thinking
- Demonstrate critical thinking in the use of the nursing process.
- Use the nursing process to meet the physiologic, psychosocial and developmental needs of clients from all age groups.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in the provision of nursing care.
- Apply teaching/learning principles in addressing client/patient learning needs.
- Complete documentation that reflects organization and application of the nursing process in addressing specifics of client/patient situation.
- Demonstrate use of management/leadership principles in the delivery of client care.
- Manage care for multiple clients/patients.
- Participate in providing comprehensive care with an interdisciplinary team.
- Access resources appropriately and manage them effectively.
Caring
- Perform interventions in a safe and effective manner.
- Administer medications safely, evaluating the need for and the response to prescribed medications.
- Perform technical procedures safely and effectively.
- Use therapeutic communication.
- Purposefully use therapeutic communication.
- Assist the client and significant support persons to cope with and adapt to situations related to illness and stressful life events.
Professional Behaviors
- Demonstrate professional behaviors.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and attentiveness to the client, family, and others including their life experience and cultural/social background.
- Demonstrate accountability and responsibility.
- Practice within ethical, legal and regulatory guidelines.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors.
- Participate in the processes that affect healthcare practice.
|
| The Nursing program encompasses two professional levels of nursing: Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing. The college also has an NA (Nursing Assistant) program (see Allied Health). Graduates, upon successful completion of the licensing examination, may practice at the designated level.
The Practical Nurse is able to recognize and meet the basic needs of the client while providing nursing care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician in routine nursing situations. Students who complete the first year courses and additional coursework in the summer quarter are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Practical Nursing. If successful, they are licensed as practical nurses (LPN).
The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) utilizes the nursing process to provide and/or supervise client care while maintaining responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided in complex and varied situations. Graduates who complete the ADN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nursing. If successful, they are licensed as Registered Nurses (RN). |
| Admission is based on total points earned (see the Admission Rating Form, found in the Nursing Program Admission Guide). Deadline date of all materials to be received in the Nursing Department is April 15. The information below is an abbreviated overview of the admission process. Complete instructions are available in the Nursing Program Admission Guide in the Nursing Department or on the web. Upon request, hard copies can be mailed.
Students intending to become nursing candidates should consult with a pre-nursing advisor prior to beginning support courses. LPN and transfer students will be advised on an individual basis by the Director of Nursing (or designee).
Any student may prepare for nursing admission by meeting the minimum program requirements outlined below:
Satisfactory Cumulative Grade Point Average
Demonstrated by a 2.5 High School gpa or 2.0 College gpa
Chemistry Competence
Completion of one year of high school chemistry within the past five years or a five credit college level introductory chemistry course. Grade must be 2.0 or better.
Completion of the Placement Tests offered by WWCC's Student Development Center:
English Competence
Eligible to enter English 101 Composition
Mathematics Competence
Eligible to enter Math 095, Intermediate Algebra or completion of Mathematics 065 Introductory Algebra (C- or better)
Biology Competence
Eligible to enter Biology 210, Anatomy and Physiology I or completion of Biology 151 Cell Biology (C or better)
Submission of Nursing Information Sheet, Personal Data Form, a letter addressing "Why I am choosing nursing and my goals for career growth in the nursing profession", current Degree Audit and proof of Nursing Assistant Certification to the Nursing Department.
Instructions are available in the Nursing Program Admission Guide in the Nursing Department or
on the web. (click here)
The following mandated courses are required prior to entering the clinical setting:
"Aids Education for Nursing Students" (.7 credits)
"Basic Life Support" (.3 credits) annual requirement
Returning LPNs who have been out of school for two or more years and wish to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) must meet the requirements as outlined in the Nursing Program Admission Guide.
|
Acute Care Nurse
Office/Clinic Nurse
Extended Care Facility Nurse
Home Health Nurse
School Nurse
Charge Nurse
|
| The Nursing program strongly encourages students to complete as many of the nursing support courses as possible before entrance into the Nursing program. These courses provide points toward admission.
For additional information including regional employment data, completion rates, student characteristics, and employment see http://www.wtb.wa.gov/etp.
|
