Great Basin College Nursing Program Review

Great Basin College (GBC) is a rural College-located and serving the communities in the rural settings of Nevada. The college was established as Elko Community College in 1967, before it was renamed to Northern Nevada Community College. It later received its current name owing to the state-wide coverage of its educational programs. The main campus is located in Elko and other campuses and satellite campuses are spread throughout the state-especially in the rural areas. It is a two-year public college with a few four-year professional programs.

Nursing at Great Basin College

Great Basin College offers qualified candidates a chance to become nurses through three programs. Students can choose to start from the Certified Nurses Assistant program or the Associate in applied science nursing program. Registered nurses can also choose to complete their Baccalaureate through the Bachelor of Science-BSN completion program. The associate and Bachelor programs at Great Basin are fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and are approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

Certified Nursing Assistant Program

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is a short nursing assisting course that requires 80 hours of both clinical and classroom instructions. The course is offered in several openings throughout the year and can be completed in either day or evening plans.  Completion of this course gives the student eligibility to write the National Nurse Aid Competency Exam to become certified as a Nursing Assistant.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

This is a 4-semester program that welcomes fresh entry candidates who wish to become registered nurses. The program admits students once annually for classes commencing fall semester. However, admission into the program is kind of restrictive as students in the sense that, candidates from the 6-county Great Basin College service area are considered first during the selection process. Students from other locations outside the Great Basin College area are only considered if the former applicants do not fill-up all slots.

Candidates must be certified nursing assistants to be allowed to make an application into the program. Students are also required to have completed 20 general education courses prior to starting on any nursing courses. After enrollment, 50 nursing and supporting courses are taken on a 4 semester period at the main campus.  Completing the program awards the student an occupation-based Associate of Applied in nursing degree in addition to gaining educational eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) wishing to make the shift into professional nursing are also welcome to do so by taking a level 200-Introduction to Associate Nursing Bridging Course. After passing the course, such candidates are awarded advanced placement at the 2nd year of the associate degree program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The BSN at Great Basin College is an entirely online BSN Completion program. It offers students the flexibility of working as they pursue their baccalaureate degree. Candidates for this program must have current and unrestricted registered nurses licenses to be allowed to apply.  As a 100% non-traditional program, students are able to complete all their nursing and remaining general education/supporting courses online. What’s more, the program is available in both full time and part time study plans.

Contact:
Great Basin College
1500 College Parkway, Elko,
NV 89801