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Nursing

Nursing is a dynamic and essential discipline within the healthcare sector, focused on the care and well-being of individuals across various stages of life. At its core, nursing is rooted in compassion, ethics, and a commitment to patient-centered care. Nurses play a critical role in promoting health, preventing illness, and providing holistic care to patients, which encompasses physical, emotional, and social dimensions.

The discipline is characterized by its emphasis on evidence-based practice, where nurses utilize current research and clinical guidelines to inform their care decisions. This scientific foundation supports the delivery of safe and effective care, ensuring that nurses are equipped to respond to the complex needs of patients.

Collaboration is a key aspect of nursing, as professionals work closely with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare providers to develop comprehensive care plans. This interdisciplinary approach fosters an environment where patient outcomes can be optimized through shared knowledge and resources.

Nursing also encompasses a commitment to advocacy, with nurses often serving as the voice for patients’ needs and preferences. This advocacy extends to public health initiatives and community education, where nurses engage in efforts to improve overall health and well-being at the population level.

The profession is continuously evolving, influenced by advancements in technology, changes in healthcare policy, and emerging health challenges. As such, lifelong learning and professional development are integral to nursing, allowing practitioners to stay current and responsive to the evolving landscape of healthcare.

Spokane Community College Nursing End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes:

  • PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate will manage accountability and integrity while utilizing legal standards and ethical values that govern professional nursing practice.
  • COLLABORATION: The graduate will collaborate care with the patient, significant support systems, and other members of the healthcare team to achieve optimal patient and organizational outcomes.
  • CLINICAL DECISION MAKING: The graduate will integrate best current evidence-based practice and clinical judgment to ensure patient, staff, and system safety in a variety of healthcare settings.
  • CARING: The graduate will create partnerships with the patient as the source of control in providing compassionate care based on respect for the patient’s preferences, values, and needs.
  • MANAGEMENT OF CARE: The graduate will structure care based on principles of delegation, supervision, resource management, and information technology for patients in a variety of settings.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Prepare for College-level Math

Math placement is required for this program. If your math placement is below MATH& 146, you’ll need to take the following sequence of courses, starting from the level you placed into:
AE 48 → MATH 87 → MATH 88 → MATH& 146

Placement

English placement is not required for this program.

Our ACEN-accredited nursing program prepares you for licensure as a registered nurse in a variety of health care settings. Your training will include nursing courses, hands-on practice in the nursing simulation laboratory, computer-assisted instruction and supervised clinical experiences. As a graduate of the program, you could enter a Bachelor of Science in nursing program as a junior or senior at a four-year university or sit for the NECLEX-RN exam to go straight to work. You can learn more about the program below or in the Nursing Program Handbook.
SCC nursing faculty members believe there are varying levels of nursing practice that provide unique contributions to meet the health care needs of society. The curriculum allows each student to move from one level to the next including advancing to a Bachelor of Science, master's, or doctorate in nursing after graduation if the student desires.

In the nursing classes, the students have both supervised clinical experience and classroom theory. Students study introduction to nursing, medical-surgical nursing including gerontology and pediatrics, prenatal nursing, mental health nursing, and beginning management/leadership concepts. Required clinical rotation hours vary and may include early morning (6:00 AM), evening, and weekend hours one or two days per week.

Mission Statement
SCC’s Nursing Program meets community needs by preparing graduates for entry-level practice in a variety of health care settings. The Nursing Program offers quality, student-centered education, emphasizing critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, patient-centered care, and lifelong learning. Nursing students are provided with the opportunity to succeed in a supported environment that enhances individual and professional growth through academic, personal and professional development. Nursing graduates are well prepared to transfer their nursing degree credits in pursuit of their next step in their educational plan. The nursing program reflects SCC’s Mission in its support of a diverse community of adult learners.

This program is best suited for students who:

  • Want to complete their Registered Nursing requirements and leave ready for licensure to enter the workforce after graduation.
  • Want to transfer to a four-year institution to complete advanced degrees like a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing upon completion of their RN.
  • Please visit our Detailed Information page for more information.

Program Map for

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Choose program map:

Total Support Courses Credits: 60

Total Program Credits: 75

Support Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&160
General Biology with Lab   1
5
ENGL&101
English Composition I  
5
MATH&146
Introduction to Statistics   1
5
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&241
Human A & P 1   1
5
BIOL&260
Microbiology   1
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&242
Human A & P 2   1
5
CHEM&121
Introduction to Chemistry with Lab   6
5
PSYC&200
Lifespan Psychology  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
HUM& 101
Introduction to Humanities   5
5
Total Credits
 
15

Program Courses

NOTE: You must apply and be accepted into the program before taking the following courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 101
Foundational Principles in Nursing  
3
NURS 102
Application of Foundational Principles in Nursing  
5
 
NUTR 251 OR NUTR& 101  
5
Total Credits
 
13
NUTR 251 OR NUTR& 101: Choose 5 credits NUTR 251 OR NUTR& 101: Choose 5 credits  
NUTR&101
Nutrition  
5
NUTR 251
Nutrition in Healthcare  
5

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 104
Nursing Care of Patients Across the Lifespan  
3
NURS 105
Application of Nursing Care of Patients Across the Lifespan  
5
NURS 106
PSYC 106/Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare I   2
2
NURS 110
Pharmacology in Nursing Practice  
2
Total Credits
 
12

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 113
PSYC 113/Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare II   3
3
NURS 133
Care of the Developing Family  
3
NURS 134
Application of Care of the Developing Family  
2
NURS 138
Care of the Mental Health Patient  
3
NURS 139
Application of Care of the Mental Health Patient  
2
Total Credits
 
13

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 181
Nursing Care of the Acute Patient  
4
NURS 182
Application of Nursing Care of the Acute Patient  
5
NURS 202
PHIL 202/Ethics and Policy in Healthcare I   4
3
Total Credits
 
12

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 205
Nursing Care of the Critically Ill Patient  
5
NURS 206
Application of Nursing Care of the Critically Ill Patient  
6
NURS 207
PHIL 207/Ethics and Policy in Healthcare II   4
2
Total Credits
 
13

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NURS 208
Capstone Experience in Nursing  
6
NURS 209
Leadership Principles in Nursing Care  
4
NURS 210
Simulation in Nursing Practices  
2
Total Credits
 
12

NUTR 251 OR NUTR& 101  

 

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NUTR&101
Nutrition  
5
NUTR 251
Nutrition in Healthcare  
5
1 This required support course must have been completed within the last ten years with a 2.5 grade or higher. Because of the number of applicants for this program, the completion of all required support courses does not ensure the admission into the program at the next available quarter.
2 This nursing course is also considered part of the 15 credits required in the Social Sciences discipline. This course is cross-listed with PSYC 106.
3 This nursing course is also considered part of the 15 credits required in the Social Sciences discipline. This course is cross-listed with PSYC 113.
4 This nursing course is also considered part of the 15 credits required in the Humanities discipline. This course is cross-listed with PHIL 202 and PHIL 207.
5 This course may be substituted with other courses from the Humanities distribution area of the AA/DTA (except Philosophy).
6 This required support course must have been completed within the last ten years with a 2.5 grade or higher. This course may be substituted with a higher level Chemistry class.

Program Requirements

Nursing DTA-MRP

Completion of the required support courses does not ensure admission into the Nursing DTA-MRP program.

Students must complete all the required courses in quarters one through four prior to starting the nursing program but they may apply to the nursing program after completing 45 credits or the first three quarters.

The courses that must be completed prior to application are: BIOL& 160, CHEM& 121, BIOL& 241, BIOL& 242, BIOL& 260, ENGL& 101, PSYC& 100, PSYC& 200, and MATH& 146. The remaining 15 credits may be taken while your application is considered. Acceptance will be conditional if all required courses are not completed prior to the start of the nursing program.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in each support course is required to move to the competitive scoring process. Only the courses required in the first four quarters will be considered in the GPA calculation.

Completion of the associate in nursing DTA/MRP will satisfy requirements for direct transfer with only one additional year of study to complete a licensed Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at four-year institutions in Washington State. Double-check the requirements with schools outside of Washington state to ensure they accept the direct transfer agreement. Students should meet with a counselor or academic advisor at the school they wish to transfer into to ensure there are no additional requirements.

Admissions to the Nursing program are competitive and require a completed application packet including a transcript for all required coursework including additional math, science, and healthcare-related courses. Applicants may include completion of 96 hours volunteerism in healthcare for additional application points. For further information please refer to nursing program admission requirements as they may have changed.  

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Licensed Practical Nurse

Completion of the required support courses does not ensure admission into the Licensed Practical Nursing program.

Students must complete all required support courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with a minimum of 2.5 GPA in each course. Only required support courses will be considered in the calculation of the GPA. If any course is repeated, the highest grade will be used. The ampersand in each course subject indicates these are generally transferrable courses within Washington state 4-year institutions.

Required support courses include:

  • BIOL& 160: General Biology with Lab2 (5 credits)
  • BIOL& 241: Human Anatomy and Physiology I1 & 2 (5 credits)
  • BIOL& 242: Human Anatomy with Physiology II1 & 2 (5 credits)
  • ENGL& 101: English Composition (5 credits)
  • PSYCH& 100: General Psychology (5 credits)1
  • Math& 146: Introduction to Statistics (5 credits)2
  • 1Following course grades will be utilized in the competitive scoring process
  • 2Course must have been completed within the last ten (10) years.

Once students have confirmed with a counselor that they have successfully satisfied the program requirements, they must apply to the program. Please see the Special Application Requirements page for more information.

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Nursing Assistant Certified

Attendance is required in lectures, skills, and clinicals to qualify to take the Nursing Assistant Certification exam. Attendance is expected in every class, lab and clinical day. There are no guaranteed provisions for the makeup of homework, labs, class assignments, quizzes, or clinicals missed due to absence or tardiness.

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Pre-Nursing DTA-MRP

Our Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP is a 90-credit transfer degree designed to prepare students to complete a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a four-year institution in the state of Washington. This pathway provides a strong foundation for transferring as a junior into upper division BSN courses. Admission to all BSN programs is competitive and completion of this degree does not guarantee admission into any BSN program. Admission requirements vary, so students must work with their academic advisor at SCC and at the transfer institution they plan on attending on a regular basis to ensure they meet all requirements. All students must complete all academic courses with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, meet specific distribution requirements, and apply for graduation when the degree is completed.  

This program is not accredited and does not meet Washington State licensure requirements. Students will not sit for the NECLEX RN until completion of their BSN. If students are interested in completing an associate degree in nursing that leads to licensure and sitting for the NECLEX-RN, they should inquire about the Nursing DTA/MRP.  

Students entering the pre-nursing program should work closely with counseling to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the nursing programs they intend to transfer to upon completion at SCC. Students in this program may also apply to SCC’s Nursing DTA-MRP program. Please work closely with counseling to plan for transfer after completion of this degree. Please visit the Contact Us page for this degree to identify transfer counselors assigned to this program.

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Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 14,963
$ 18,740
$ 35,304
Books
$ 1,493
$ 1,493
$ 1,493
Course Fees
$ 413
$ 413
$ 413
Institutional Fees
$ 1,120
$ 1,120
$ 5,324
Supplies and Materials
$ 1,900
$ 1,900
$ 1,900
Total Costs
$ 19,889
$ 23,666
$ 44,434

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Accredited Nursing Degrees/Certificates

Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program – Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing program at Spokane Community College located in Spokane, Washington is accredited by
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) logo
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

The Spokane Community College Nursing Program is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).

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Certificate - Nursing Assistant Certified

The Spokane Community College Nursing Program is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).

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Year Completion Rate Completed in 6 quarters (100% of Nursing Program length) NCLEX Pass Rate
2019 77% 82.5%
2020 85% 96.59%
2021 74% 93.42%
2022 67% 82.76%
2023 86% 97.75%

NCLEX pass rates and completion rates are for the Nursing Direct Transfer/Major Related Program.

Nursing Degrees/certificates

Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program – Nursing

The Spokane Community College nursing program meets the requirements for licensure in Washington State. The nursing program has not decided that the curriculum meets the requirements for licensure in any other state/jurisdiction. Please check with the state/jurisdiction where you hope to be licensed.

To easily find professional nursing licensure requirements (RN, PN, and APRN programs) by state, please click on the button below and select the states/jurisdictions where you want to know their professional licensure requirements (Resource is from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing):

NCSBN

Disclaimer: NCSBN has gathered this information from a variety of sources. Although NCSBN has made every effort to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information, NCSBN makes no warranties, express or implied, or representations as to the accuracy or reliability of this information. The information is fluid and evolving. Spokane Community College and NCSBN assume no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained in this resource.

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Certificate – Licensed Practical Nurse

The Spokane Community practical nursing program meets the requirements for licensure only in Washington State. If you are interested in learning more about licensure requirements in other states, please visit the NCBSN link above.

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Certificate - Nursing Assistant Certified

Upon completion of the Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) program at Spokane Community College (SCC), students are eligible to take the NAC Exam and earn their credential through the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).

WABON exam and certification information

Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) Exam | Washington State Board of Nursing

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Nursing Degrees/certificates

Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program – Nursing

Admission to the nursing program is a competitive admissions process. You will find more information about the competitive admission process by visiting the Admissions Process links. Once all pre-requisite requirements are met, please contact the Health Sciences counselors in SCC Building 1 to review your transcripts and be advised regarding the competitive admission scoring process.

Students may apply to the program after successfully completing the first three quarters or the first 45 credits of support courses.

Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Application

Applications to the nursing program are generally accepted:

  • March 15 - April 15 for fall admission
  • September 15 - October 15 for spring admission

Note: If the dates listed above fall on a weekend or holiday, the applications will be accepted the following business day.

Nursing Application Workshops

Join us via Zoom to learn the ins and outs of the SCC Nursing/DTA application. Choose one of the following sessions and send an inquiry to nursingapp@scc.spokane.edu for the meeting link and password:

  • Tuesday, October 1st, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, October 10, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate

Students may apply to the Practical Nursing program after completing the required support courses. If applicants are not currently students at Spokane Community College, they must apply for admission.

Apply to SCC

Admission is competitive entry, and applications close on November 30, 2024, for the winter admission cycle.

Practical Nurse Application

All those accepted into the PN program are required to meet clinical requirements. These requirements will be further outlined in a letter sent to students accepted into the program, and you can read more about them on the SCC Nursing webpage (in the Licensed Practical Nursing Certified section). The two (2) main components are below:

  1. Provide documentation of selected immunizations and present an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card. This will occur prior to registering for PN courses.
  2. Have a clear background check. This will occur when acquiring your clinical onboarding account during the program.

Clinical Passport for vaccination information.

Clinical Passport Form
Student and faculty Clinical Passport Guidance

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Programs based on student goals:

Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program

  • Students who want to earn their RN (Registered Nurse License) to go directly to work in the industry after graduation.
  • Students who want to transfer to a four-year institution for advanced degrees like a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing with sophomore or junior standing.
  • Students who can commit as a full-time student
  • Students interested in completing an affordable fully accredited and licensed RN program.
  • If this sounds like you, please visit our Contact Us page and reach out to a counselor for more information.

Details:

  • Four quarters of required support courses before applying to the nursing portion of the program.
  • Competitive entry to start the program in quarter 5
  • The entire program from start to finish requires a total of ten quarters or three years to complete.
  • Requires students to commit to attending clinical hours off campus at various times and locations. These hours are required and may fall outside of a standard class schedule.
  • Background checks and vaccination records are required for clinicals.
  • The estimated costs to attend can be found on our What to Expect to Pay page.
  • Students will sit for the NCLEX-RN upon program completion.

Admissions Process for the Nursing DTA/MRP

Please read the following information carefully so you fully understand the changes and what will be required as you apply to the SCC nursing program.

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Licensed Practical Nurse Certified

  • Students who want to get started working as a nurse require less time and financial commitment.
  • Students who would like to enter the workforce more quickly than taking the time to complete a full Registered Nurse program.
  • Students who might want to become an RN after spending time in the workforce.
  • Students who can commit as a full-time student.
  • If this sounds like you, please visit our Contact Us page and reach out to a counselor for more information.

Admissions Process for the Licensed Practical Nurse

Please read the following information carefully so you fully understand what will be required as you apply to the SCC Licensed Practical Nursing program. Please reach out to the Licensed Practical Nurse program director or counseling with questions.

Details

  • Three quarters of required support courses before applying to the Practical Nurse portion of the program.
  • Competitive entry to start the program in quarter four (after three quarters of supports complete).
  • The entire program from start to finish, including support course, requires a total of seven quarters.
  • Requires students to commit to attending clinical hours off campus at various times and locations. These hours are required and may fall outside of a standard class schedule.
  • Background checks and vaccination records are required for clinicals.
  • The estimated costs to attend can be found on our What to Expect to Pay page
  • Students will sit for the NCLEX-PN upon program completion.

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Nursing Assistant Certified

  • Students who would like to be eligible for entry level jobs in healthcare.
  • Students who would like to enter the workforce as quickly as possible.
  • Students who can commit to full-time attendance for a single quarter.
  • Students who would like to earn their certification without being committed to an employer in exchange for training and certification.
  • If this sounds like you, please visit our Contact Us page and reach out to a Counselor for more information.

Details

  • No required support courses.
  • No competitive entry.
  • Program can be completed in a single quarter.
  • Requires students to commit to attending clinical hours off campus at various times and locations. These hours are required and may fall outside of a standard class schedule.
  • Background checks and vaccination records are required for clinicals.
  • The estimated costs to attend can be found on our What to Expect to Pay page.
  • Students will sit for their NAC exam administered by the Washington State Board of Nursing.

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Associate in Pre-Nursing Direct Transfer/Major Related Program

  • Students who want to transfer BEFORE starting a Registered Nursing program.
  • Students who know they want to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their RN and possibly continue to more advanced degrees like a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing.
  • Students who may need to attend part-time while completing courses required for any nursing program, not just SCC’s.
  • This is not required for SCC’s RN students, but students can transfer into the Nursing RN through the competitive application process if they choose.
  • Students interested in completing the requirements of a four-year program of choice while managing the costs of education.
  • Students may start this degree before committing to the Nursing RN program or the LPN program at SCC if that aligns with their education and career goals.

Details

  • This program is not part of the nursing program or department, instead students work with the Arts & Science faculty in preparation for nursing programs.
  • There are no required support courses to start this degree.
  • There is no competitive entry for this degree but entry into all nursing programs is competitive which is why students must work with counselors to ensure they are satisfying the requirements of the transfer institution.
  • Program can be completed in six quarters or just two years if attending full time.
  • No exams for certification or licensure are taken after program completion, this specific degree is to prepare you for those programs leading to licensure.
  • If this sounds like you, please visit our Contact Us page and reach out to a counselor for more information.

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Resources

Links

Jobs

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Note: Spokane Community College does not assume any responsibility for the contents of the external and independent sites linked here.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

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Bill Rambo

Academic Counseling Liaison
Bill.Rambo@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7038

 

Brittany Heidenreich

Program Director – Licensed Practical Nurse
Brittany.Heidenreich@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8004

 

Cheri Osler

Associate Dean of Nursing DTA/MRP
Cheri.Osler@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7296

 

Holly Campbell

Department chair - Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
Holly.Campbell@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7245

 

Jennifer Hickman

Program Director - Nursing Assistant Certified
Jennifer.Hickman@scc.spokane.edu

 

Leslie Plum

Workforce Transitions Specialist
Leslie.Plum@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8210

 

Mary Golden

Department Chair - Nursing DTA/MRP
Mary.Golden@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8128

 

Megan Fadeley

Academic Counseling Liaison
Megan.Fadeley@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7039

 

Scott Anderson

Pathway Specialist
Scott.Anderson@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7013