Western Iowa Tech Community College Nursing Program Review

On its main campus in Sioux City, Iowa as well as on its extension campuses in Cherokee and Denison, Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC, WIT), founded in 1966, offers a variety of work-training programs. Over 7000 students are enrolled in its degree programs, and an additional 17,000 take advantage of Western Iowa Technical Community College’s noncredit courses. Included among the school’s programs are several in the field of nursing. The programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program at WIT prepares students for entry-level work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The curriculum consists of thirty-six credits, and includes courses in nursing, anatomy and physiology I and II, psychology, nutrition, and developmental psychology. Classes are available online, and on the campuses in Sioux City and Dennison. On a full-time basis, a student can complete the Practical Nursing program in just two semesters. Part-time study is also allowed in the Practical Nursing program. After completing the two semesters, a student will receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). She then has two options: she can start her career as an LPN or she can progress to the Associate Degree Nursing Completion program and work toward certification as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Completion Program

After completing two semesters in the Practical Nursing diploma program and earning his license as an LPN, a student can enroll in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) completion program. This takes three semesters to complete, and consists of thirty-seven credits (in addition to the thirty-five credits of the Practical Nursing program). If a student chooses to study on a part-time basis, the program will take longer to complete. WITCC offers the ADN Completion program on the main campus in Sioux City as well as online. After finishing the ADN Completion program, a student is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and start his career as an RN.

Nursing Assistant Certificate Program

Through a four-credit Nursing Assistant Certificate program at WITCC, a student can prepare to enter the nursing field as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). The training course prepares the student to help patients with their basic needs, such as eating and bathing, and helps the student learn medical terminology and safety procedures. The course requires a commitment of seventy-five hours over the course of several weeks. Forty-five hours are devoted to classroom instruction, and the remaining thirty hours are devoted to a hands-on experience in a healthcare facility. After completing the program successfully, the graduate will receive a certificate of completion. She can then take the state CNA certification exam and apply to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to be added to the direct care workers registry. WITCC offers this class several times each semester, in Sioux City, Dennison, and Cherokee.

Contact:
Western Iowa Technical Community College
4647 Stone Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106

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