Frequently Asked Questions

The nursing program is a sequence of six quarters:

• After completing the 1st quarter, the student is eligible to take the examination for nursing assistant certification.

• After completing the 2nd quarter, the student may become employed as a Nurse Technician.

• After completing the 4th quarter, the student is eligible to take the practical nurse licensing examination.

• After completing the program, the graduate is eligible to register and take the nursing licensure exam: The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Students begin patient care in the first quarter of the program. Beginning students take care of patients in extended care facilities. In the second quarter of the program, they learn in acute care facilities, caring for medical and surgical patients. Students then have experiences caring for maternity and newborn patients, mental health patients, advanced and more complex medical-surgical patients, specialty areas, and patients in a variety of settings.

As of April 26, 2019, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) granted the Spokane Community College Nursing Program continuing accreditation as the program is in compliance with all Accreditation Standards and Criteria. The next onsite accreditation review will be conducted in Fall 2024.

The entry-level salary for certified nursing assistants is about 25 to 50 percent above current minimum wage. The starting salary for licensed practical nurses is higher, and the entry-level salary for registered nurses is approximately $28-30 per hour for work in an acute care setting. Opportunities for advanced income vary greatly depending on the person’s skills, personality, work ethics, and employer.

Students can apply twice a year and begin the nursing core courses fall or spring quarters.

Contact the Counseling Center at 509-533-7026 to make an appointment with the counselor for the nursing program.

Health care experience is considered if the employing organization defines itself as a health care organization and included hands‐on patient experiences such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Registered Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Medical Assistant, Physio/occupational Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Laboratory Assistant, EMT, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist and Licensed Practical Nurse.

• All math and science courses need to be taken within a 10 year period and can only be repeated one time.
• All non‐math/sciences courses can be repeated only one time, but do not have to be taken with a 10 year period.
• If any course is repeated, the highest grade will be used.

Completion of the SCC Nursing Program is a rigorous commitment of students’ time and resources. Timelines and schedules vary each quarter. The Nursing Program does not accommodate student change requests. Students shall be prepared to make personal and professional adjustments to fulfill clinical and learning schedules each quarter.

Required Vaccinations for Clinical Rotations*:

• Tuberculin Status
• Hepatitis B
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
• COVID-19
• Influenza

*For specific information regarding these vaccinations and clinical requirements, please refer to these documents:

• Clinical Passport
• Student Clinical Passport Guidance

Yes, all students must complete an application to be accepted into the SCC competitive scoring process to be eligible to take the nursing core courses. There is no longer a wait-list.

Deadlines for application are posted on the SCC Nursing Website. Applications received outside of the dates identified will not be accepted.

There is no cost to submit an application at this time.

Once a decision is made, a notification will be sent to the student.

Yes, if you are not accepted, you can reapply during a new admission cycle. Application deadlines are posted on the SCC Nursing Website.

There is no limit on how many times you can apply; however, you can only apply one time per admission cycle. Students who fail NURS 101, NURS 102, or NUTRI 251 will be required to reapply for acceptance. Students who fail more than one course in the Spokane Community College Nursing Program are ineligible to reapply for admission. Students who have previously been enrolled in any other Nursing Program must be eligible to return to the previous program (as evidenced by a letter from the director of the Nursing Program) in order to be considered for admission to the SCC Nursing Program).

No, if you are accepted and decline your spot, your spot will not be held for the next admissions cycle. You must reapply and go through the admissions process as everyone else.

Unless for Military obligations, students will not be able to defer their acceptance to another quarter. They will have to reapply each cycle if they decline a spot offered to them.

The competitive admissions process gives points for grades, general work experience, work experience in a licensed health care job, military service and coursework completed at a CCS college. Students need to have a minimum score on each of the one assessment test.