Nicolet Area Technical College Nursing Program Review

Nicolet Area Technical College (NATC) is a public college located in Rhinelander, Northern Wisconsin, with a campus along Lake Julia. Nicolet Area Technical College was established in 1967 as a college designed to combine occupational education, liberal arts, and community education. The district served by Nicolet Area Technical College includes; Oneida, Vilas, and Forest counties and sections of Iron, Lincoln, and Langlade counties.

The total population of the region served by Nicolet Area Technical College is 83,000 people and each semester the college enrolls 1,600 students in the studies of vocational-technical and liberal arts and 10,000 in community education programs, with trade extension and apprenticeship programs. Nicolet Area Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a variety of programs in nursing education.

Applied Associate of Science Degree (AAS)

The Applied Associate of Science Degree in Nursing at Nicolet Area Technical College is composed of 70 credits and is open to entry-level nurses who are interested in beginning a career in nursing. The Applied Associate of Science Degree is intended for individuals who wish to learn about nursing throughout the lifespan and the program includes in-class lectures, laboratory work and clinical practice. The program is approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Upon graduation from the Applied Associate of Science Degree at Nicolet Area Technical College, individuals can go on to apply to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), in order to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

In order to be admitted into the Applied Associate of Science Degree at Nicolet Area Technical College, individuals must write the Accuplacer Test and score satisfactory results on the NLN pre-RN examination. Individuals applying to the program must complete two semesters of high school Chemistry with a “C” grade or above, as well as a post-secondary Chemistry course. Individuals applying to the program must have completed a Nursing Assistant course and pass a Caregiver Background Check before being admitted to the program. Applicants must have completed their CPR certification and provide evidence of professional liability insurance and must submit to a health requirement exam. Individuals who enter the field of nursing often work in acute care, long-term care, clinics, home health, hospices, correctional facilities and a variety of other healthcare establishments.

After individuals have completed the first year of the Applied Associate of Science Degree, he or she can submit an application to the state Board of Nursing to take the examination in order to become licensed as a Practical Nurse. Upon this certification as a Practical Nurse, individuals can continue to complete the degree in order to become a Registered Nurse.

Nursing Assistant (NA)

The Nursing Assistant program at Nicolet Area Technical College is three credits and trains individuals on how to become a junior but integral member of a healthcare team. Nursing Assistants bathe and dress patients, and deal with feeding, taking vital signs, ambulating, lifting and moving clients as well as other nursing procedures under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Physician. The Nursing Assistant Program at Nicolet Area Technical College is 120 hours, including a combination of laboratory work, in-class lectures and clinical practice.

Contact:
Nicolet Area Technical College
5364 College Drive
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: 715-365-4410, 800-544-3039