Highline Community College Nursing Program Review

Highline Community College (HCC), founded in 1961 and located in Des Moines, Washington, is one of 34 community and technical colleges located in Washington state. Highline Community College’s main campus is 20 minutes from downtown Seattle and classes are also conducted at Marine Science and Technology Center at Redondo Beach and Burien and White Center.

HCC is currently home to 16,900 students and has over 350,000 alumni. Highline Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and approved by the Washington State Department of Health’s Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program at Highline Community College prepares nurses for a career in hospitals, long-term care facilities and many other healthcare environments. Highline Community College offers a program for individuals who are already licensed as a practical nurse – the Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN to RN) program.

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program, individuals can go on to apply to write the NCLEX-RN examination, in order to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). Registered Nurses work in a variety of healthcare organizations including; long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospices, hospitals, schools, physicians’ offices, and many more varied healthcare organizations.

In order to apply to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program at Highline Community College, applicants must submit a certified national background check, certified by the Washington State Patrol. Individuals applying must also submit all prior education transcripts and must hold a 2.0 GPA from all prerequisites.

Highline Community College currently has agreements with the University of Washington-Tacoma and University of Washington-Bothell and is in discussions with Seattle Pacific University for another partnership. These partnerships allow Highline Community College graduates, who hold a Registered Nurse (RN) licensure to go on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree on a full-time or part-time basis at an accredited university in the state of Washington.

Individuals who are already licensed as Registered Nurses, may wish to go on and complete education in nursing at a baccalaureate level, in order to be able to continue nursing education in the future. Baccalaureate education in nursing is a prerequisite for nursing education at the post-graduate level, so if an individual wishes to complete post-graduate nursing education, he or she must complete baccalaureate education. Baccalaureate education in nursing must be completed prior to applying to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program or a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program at an accredited nursing program throughout the United States.

In order to be able to secure financial aid at Highline Community College, individuals must complete all application materials by the predetermined deadline, listed on the college’s website. If an individual is enrolled in less than 12 credits (less than full-time), he or she must notify the college, before applying for financial aid.

Contact:
Highline Community College
P.O. Box 98000, 2400 S. 240th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198
Phone: (206) 878-3710