The Northwest College Associate of Applied Science Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing (State of Wyoming, State Board of Nursing, 1810 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001, 307.754.7601) and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000). The two-year program of study leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing.
The program is open to all individuals interested in a career in nursing. Classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience are integrated throughout the program. The student gains nursing experience in patient care under the direct supervision of qualified instructors.
To be eligible for graduation from Northwest College, students must satisfactorily complete the curriculum here for the academic year of admission into the Nursing Program.
All nursing courses are sequential and must be taken with the corresponding corequisite nursing course(s) in each semester. Students must successfully complete all nursing and co-requisite courses with a 74% or higher within each semester in order to progress to the next semester.
Criteria for admission to the Nursing Program are:
- Completion of standard Northwest College application.
- Completion of a Nursing Program Letter of Intent and nursing application packet.
- Evidence of high school graduation or GED (score of 500 or above).
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 (most recent high school transcript or last 12 credits of college coursework or GPA on those courses taken as required by the Northwest College Nursing Program, at least 12 credits).
- Placement at math level 2 (eligible to take MATH 0930 ). Math testing is required for courses older than five years.
- Completion of ZOO 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (within the past five years), PSYC 1000 - General Psychology , and ENGL 1010 - English I: Introduction to Composition with a grade of 2.0 or better in each course.
- ACT score of 20 (applies to first two years after high school graduation. Successful college work may fulfill this criteria).
- Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Contact the Director of Nursing for scoring criteria details.
- Evidence of certification as a nursing assistant by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. (This is not required for acceptance into the program, but it is required by the commencement of fall semester, freshman year.)
Students admitted to the program may anticipate additional expenses for student uniforms, name pins, shoes, liability insurance fees, travel and lodging to clinical facilities, stethoscopes, bandage scissors, licensure fees, plus meals, transportation, and housing for off-campus activities. Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical facilities.
Current licensure as a practical nurse or completion of a practical nursing program is required to be eligible for advanced placement into the second year of the NWC Nursing Program. Students will be admitted for advanced placement depending on space availability and the following:
- Completion of a standard Northwest College application.
- Completion of an Advance Placement Nursing Program Letter of Intent and nursing application packet.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4 point scale from the practical nursing program attended.
- Completion of the LPN Gap test and scoring of the national average.
- Completion of a Skills Laboratory and Clinical Challenge Examination, if deemed necessary by the nursing faculty and Director of Nursing.
- Licensure as a practical nurse.
- Placement at math level 2 (eligible to take MATH 0930 ). Placement testing within the last five years.
- Completion of NRST 2500 - Role Transition - Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing .
- Completion of the following general education courses with a grade of “C” or better: