Admission to the Nursing Program
Application to the Nursing Program is a separate procedure in addition to the application to Olympic College. Admission to Olympic College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. Admission to the Program is based on a factoring system. Students are admitted to the Nursing Program during Fall Quarter.
To be considered for admission to the Nursing Program, all of the following must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
- Washington Community College Application Form;
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended beyond high school (this includes all colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and hospital nursing schools);
- Olympic College Nursing Program Application, submitted when currently enrolled in the final prerequisite course(s);
- Achievement of a 78 or above on the Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Test; and
- Completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course: CHEM& 121, BIOL& 241 and 242, and ENGL& 101.
It is the student’s responsibility to request all transcript(s). Transcripts and/or credentials must be official and must be sent DIRECTLY to the Office of Admissions by the issuing institution(s).
To be considered for Fall Quarter admission, all documentation must be received in Admissions by March 31.
Students who have been offered acceptance into the Nursing Program will be required to attend an orientation session prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter.
Acceptances are granted for a particular quarter and year. Students not enrolling for the specific quarter and year as noted in their letter of acceptance must reapply for admission to the Nursing Program.
Proof of the following is required after provisional acceptance into the Nursing Program:
- Current immunizations
- Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers Certification
- Non-refundable liability insurance
- Personal health insurance
- Criminal History Information Background Inquiry Check
A student who cannot participate in patient care delivery in clinical settings based on a positive Background Inquiry Check will not be able to meet program progression requirements.
Advanced Standing
Transferring Students
Students who have completed formal nursing education must complete prerequisite course work and meet grade requirements. After an evaluation of transcripts and course descriptions, advanced standing admission will be granted based on space availability. If there are more applicants than spaces available, the factoring system will be utilized to determine applicants admitted for a given quarter.
Reentering Olympic College Nursing Students
Reentering Olympic College Nursing students must complete an application for reentry by the specified date.
The two-year ATA in Nursing curriculum is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly National League Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and/or ACEN
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
P: (404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360-236-4700
Fax number: 360-236-4738
Email address: nursing@doh.wa.gov
www.doh.wa.gov
Nursing Program
Olympic College offers a two-year Nursing curriculum designed to prepare qualified applicants to become Registered Nurses. The two-year curriculum is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing), and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (www.acenursing.org). The Program includes a balance of general education courses, nursing theory, and nursing practice. Following acceptance, most students will complete the program in six academic quarters. NURSE 151, Dosage Calculations, requires a minimum 3.7 grade point. All other nursing courses require a minimum 2.2 (80%) grade point or above to progress in the Nursing Program. Graduates are prepared for employment as Registered Nurses in home health care, hospitals, long-term care, and community-based care agencies. The graduate of the Nursing Program will receive the Associate in Technical Arts Degree which qualifies the candidate (for eligibility) to take the NCLEX examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The license permits the nurse to use the legal title of Registered Nurse in the State of Washington.
Additional costs:
- Uniforms, including regulation shoes, laboratory coat, name pin, Olympic College patch for uniform and laboratory coat, and Nursing Skills laboratory packets;
- Wristwatch with sweep second hand and stethoscope;
- Nursing student liability insurance;
- Personal health insurance;
- Student Nurse Association dues (optional);
- State license application fee;
- NCLEX-RN fee;
- Transportation to and from clinical facilities not located on campus;
- Nurse Legislative Day;
- Criminal background check and Immunization Tracker.
The Olympic College Nursing Program values a foundation of information technology upon entry into the Associate Degree Nursing program. This foundation of information technology includes word processing, accessing information and communicating through email and on-line teaching and learning tools, such as textbook resources or Angel. Performance of searches using Internet and intranet resources (electronic course reserves and library searches) is expected of students in the ADN program.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Professional Values/Lifelong Learning/Global Perspectives (Member of the Profession)
Definition: Professional values are demonstrated by providing direct care for clients across the life span, collaborating with nursing colleagues and other caregivers, and accepting accountability and responsibility for one’s practice within a legal and ethical framework. Lifelong learning is a commitment to developing an awareness of one’s current knowledge and formulating a plan to increase knowledge to positively impact client care. Global perspective is recognizing diversity of ideas, points-of-view, opinions and backgrounds and demonstrating the ability to develop a mutually respectful working environment that will benefit client care. - Communication (Member of Profession, Manager of Care, Provider of Care)
Definition: Communication is an interactive sharing of information (verbal, nonverbal & written) that can be demonstrated by continuity of quality care for the client and their family. Effective communication is an ongoing and dynamic process that includes the use of therapeutic skills and health education strategies in the promotion, maintenance and/or restoration of health that has clarity, purpose and sensitivity. - Clinical Reasoning (Provider of Care, Manager of Care)
Definition: Clinical reasoning uses the skills of clinical judgment and decision making, which requires solid theoretical knowledge and the ability to notice clinical signs, interpret observations, respond appropriately, and reflect on actions taken. It is the process used to assimilate information, analyze data, and make decisions regarding client care. (Noticing, Interpreting, Responding, Reflecting) - Nursing Informatics/Information Literacy (Provider of Care)
Definition: Nursing informatics integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom into nursing practice. (ANA, 2009)
Advisor / Program Contacts
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, successful students will have demonstrated the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the following ways:
- Program completion rates: number of students who complete the program within 150% of the time of the stated program length.
- Job placement rates: number of graduates, one year after graduation, employed in a position for which the program prepared them.
- Licensure pass rates: performance on the licensure examination for first time writers.
- Program satisfaction: perceptions of the graduates and employers as to the adequacy and effectiveness of the program.