Western Piedmont Community College Nursing Program Review

Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) was founded in 1964 and is a member of the North Carolina Community College System. It is located in Morganton, a small city that has been given awards as one of the best small towns in the USA. The college has an enrollment of around 13,000 students who are in associate degree programs or one of three transfer associate degrees. There are more than 36 associate in applied science degrees in healthcare, industry, business, and education offered at Western Piedmont. The college offers courses available through distance learning that make it easier for working adults to complete their associate degree while meeting their family and work responsibilities.

Nursing Program

Associate Degree Nursing

Western Piedmont Community College offers a two-year program for those interested in becoming professional nurses. The program leads to an Associate in Applied Science. Graduates take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that is required for nurses to be licensed Registered Nurses (RNs). Nurses are in demand in many healthcare sites, including hospitals, clinics, schools, factories, home health care, doctor’s offices, and other places in the community. Admission to the program is competitive, and applicants must closely follow the requirements for admission to be considered for the program.

An application to Western Piedmont Community College must be submitted, but even if an applicant meets the requirements for admission, it is not guaranteed that the candidate will be admitted to the program. Applicants must take a Reading exam and score 81 or better, or they make take a college level English course and earn at least a C in it. They must score 70 or higher on the Compass Writing exam or complete a college level English course with a grade of C or better. In Math, applicants need to score at least 47 on the Pre-Algebra exam or complete a college level Math course with a C or higher. In addition, they must take an Elementary Algebra exam and score at least 46 or higher, or they may take a college level Math course and earn at least a C in the course. It is also required that applicants have completed high school college preparatory chemistry with a grade of C or better, as well as biology with a C or better. Applicants must also test out of computer literacy or complete a college level course in this subject.

A grade point average of at least 2.5 is required in all college level work. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is offered by the college, and students must take this test. Applicants must have completed a nursing assistant program as well. A point system is used for admitting students to the nursing program. Admission test scores, placement scores, and grade point averages from high school and any college work that has been completed are used to determine which applicants are chosen for the program. The college also recommends that applicants have completed Anatomy & Physiology I and II before starting the nursing program. Once admitted, students must maintain minimum grade point averages.

Newly admitted students are required to attend an Orientation to Nursing, and state law requires that nursing students must be physically and emotionally healthy. A physical exam is required for this purpose. Students must also pass a urine drug test and background test. Once all of the liberal arts and science prerequisite courses have been completed, students begin nursing core courses and complete clinical experience. Tuition at Western Piedmont Community College is very reasonably priced, and some students finish the associate degree program and then transfer to a four-year college to finish their bachelors degree.

Contact:
Western Piedmont Community College
1001 Burkemont Avenue,
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 438-6000