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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 believes that you should graduate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that further your educational goals, increasing your value in the workforce and contributing to a vibrant community.
 
Our AA-DTA degree program learning outcomes align to our five College-Wide Key Literacies.

Applied Content Literacy
Students will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in all transfer distribution areas or program elements/areas. Students will build a foundation of information relevant to their program or focus of study while increasing knowledge and competency in their chosen field.

Communication Literacy
Students will develop the ability to create meaning and make connections between themselves and their audience, incorporating awareness of the social nature of communication, including, but not limited to, the impact of ethnicity, age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and ability on communication styles and results. Students will learn to listen, read, speak, and write effectively using a variety of mediums and modalities.

Information Literacy
Students will develop knowledge and abilities allowing them to identify, locate, and evaluate information pertaining to the problem under consideration. Students will learn how to responsibly research, use, share, and produce accurate, relevant information gleaned through skilled research methods.

Intercultural Literacy
Students will develop an intersectional understanding of modern social realities, which will help enable effective participation and communication in cross-cultural professional, academic, and social settings. This may include, but is not limited to, biological sex, gender identity, socio-economic status, race, sexual orientation, religion, country and culture of origin, and political stance.

Quantitative Literacy
Students will develop and expand the ability to understand numeric information through the gathering, examination, modeling, manipulation, analysis, interpretation, and representation of quantitative and/or scientific data.
 

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.

The Pre-Nursing degree prepares students to transfer into a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at participating public and private baccalaureate institutions. It is recommended that students contact their transfer institution as early as possible to identify admission requirements including GPA requirements, and specific courses when options are provided. The Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP is not accredited and does not meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Washington.

Admission to all BSN programs is highly competitive and completion of the Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP does not guarantee placement into any BSN program. If students find themselves on a waitlist for the BSN program of their choice, they should consider applying to a different program or for a general degree at the same institution. Students must apply to graduate from SCC upon completion of the Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP before transferring.

Students who wish to sit for the NCLEX RN exam after completing an associate degree should inquire about the accredited Nursing DTA/MRP which meets licensure requirements in the state of Washington. It does not apply to the Nursing DTA/MRP which prepares students for Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. The Pre-Nursing degree prepares students to transfer into a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at participating public and private baccalaureate institutions. It is recommended that students contact their transfer institution as early as possible to identify admission requirements including GPA requirements, and specific courses when options are provided. The Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP is not accredited and does not meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Washington.

It is highly recommended that all students seek academic advising from counselors to ensure that they meet all the requirements for SCC and the transfer institution’s admission requirements. Students can create a customized plan outlining required courses for transfer programs and monitor their progress using ctcLink mobile.

This program is best suited for students who:

  • Want to transfer prior to completing their nursing program and earning their RN
  • Want to transfer to pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing program
  • Please visit our Detailed Information page for more information

 

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 90


Program Courses

First Quarter

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

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&260
Microbiology  
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&241
Human A & P 1  
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
 
Humanities Group B or C Electives   1
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

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

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CHEM&122
Introduction to Organic Chemistry with Lab  
5
NUTR 251
Nutrition in Healthcare  
5
 
Sociology Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
15
Sociology Electives: Choose 5 credits Sociology Electives: Choose 5 credits  
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems  
5

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CHEM&123
Introduction to Biochemistry with Lab  
5
 
Electives   2
5
 
Humanities Electives   3
5
Total Credits
 
15
Electives: Choose 5 credits Electives: Choose 5 credits  
HLTH 174
First Aid   4
3
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems  
5

Electives   2

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HLTH 174
First Aid   4
3
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems  
5

Humanities Electives   3

Course ID
Course Title
Credits

Humanities Group B or C Electives   1

Course ID
Course Title
Credits

Sociology Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems  
5
1 Choose a writing-intensive course
2 Plan electives as appropriate for intended transfer university in consultation with an advisor or counselor. PE activity courses are limited to a maximum of 3 credits for the entire degree.
3 Choose any course in a discipline not already taken
4 If taking HLTH 174, an additional two credits will be required for the degree.

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
$ 9,544
$ 11,488
$ 21,823
Books
$ 1,119
$ 1,119
$ 1,119
Course Fees
$ 86
$ 86
$ 86
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 11,421
$ 13,365
$ 26,223

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

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.

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):

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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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.

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.

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

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.

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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.

Scott Anderson

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

 

Leslie Plum

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

 

Megan Fadeley

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

 

Bill Rambo

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

 

Cheri Osler

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

 

Mary Golden

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

 

Jennifer Hickman

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

 

Holly Campbell

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

 

Brittany Heidenreich

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