South Puget Sound Community College Nursing Program Review

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is located in Olympia Washington on over 100 acres of woodland. Students come from Thurston County and across the United States, and South Puget Sound Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education. South Puget Sound Community College’s main campus is located in Olympia, with another supporting campus; Hawks Prairie Center, located in Lacey, Washington.

The nursing programs at South Puget Sound Community College include; the Associate Degree in Nursing Education (ADN), a Certificate in Practical Nursing (PN) and a Certificate as a Nursing Assistant (CNA). The Associate Degree in Nursing Education is for graduates to become certified as a Registered Nurse (RN). Registered Nurses work in a variety of healthcare environments including; hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and many other healthcare institutions. Individuals who graduate from the Associate Degree in Nursing Education go on to apply to write the NCLEX-RN examination, which certifies them as a Registered Nurse. Registered Nurses are able to administer medication and treatments, as well as a series of other responsibilities. Registered Nurses are entitled to work in a variety of healthcare organizations including; hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospices, physicians’ offices and schools, as well as many other various healthcare organizations.

The Certificate in Practical Nursing is for individuals who wish to work in a variety of healthcare environments. Practical Nurses work under the supervision of Registered Nurses and Physicians. Graduates from the Certificate in Practical Nursing program at South Puget Sound Community College go on to apply to write the NCLEX-PN examination in order to become licensed as a Practical Nurse.

The Certification as a Nursing Assistant Program at South Puget Sound Community College readies graduates to work as nursing assistants in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and a variety of healthcare environments. Individuals who graduate from the Nursing Assistant Certification Program, go on to take the Certification Examination for Nursing Assistants, in order to become licensed in the state of Washington. Courses in the Nursing Assistant Certification program at South Puget Sound Community College include; body mechanics, restorative and rehabilitation techniques, reality orientation, and the assistant’s role in the health care team.

The Certified Nurse Assistant Program is eight weeks in duration, or two semesters and the Licensed Practical Nurse program is one-year in duration. The Registered Nurse Program is two-years long. Licensed Practical Nurse candidates, who apply to the Registered Nurse Program must provide proof of their Licensed Practical Nurse licensure. All students will complete their clinical practicum at a local hospital or other health care agency and Registered Nursing Program students will shadow an experienced nurse through their clinical practicum.

Individuals applying to the nursing programs at South Puget Sound Community College must have completed all of the nursing prerequisites and must submit immunization records, proof of CPR certification, and a criminal background check prior to being accepted into the any of the nursing programs.

Contact:
South Puget Sound Community College
2011 Mottman Road SW,
Olympia, WA 98512
Phone: (360) 754-7711