Mar 28, 2024  
2019-20 BTC Catalog 
    
2019-20 BTC Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study

Overview

The Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Registered Nursing Program is nationally accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is a concept-based Associate Degree in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP). This degree was collaboratively developed by Washington State community and technical colleges, and four-year universities to create a streamlined pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates of the BTC Nursing Program are eligible to sit for the Registered Nurse National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and can apply for admission to RN-BSN programs at Washington State colleges and universities.

There is one Nursing Program at BTC which has two program options. For students new to the field of nursing there is the two-year, full-time Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP. The second program option is for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who want to complete their associate degree in registered nursing. LPNs holding an active, unencumbered WA license may apply for advanced placement into the part-time, evening LPN-RN cohort. Both program options graduate students with the Associate Degree in Nursing DTA/MRP.

Program Outcomes

The BTC Associate Degree Nursing graduate will:

  • Nursing Care: Integrate the nursing process to deliver individualized culturally competent care.
  • Self-Care Promotion: Formulate strategies to promote the health of self and others.
  • Professionalism: Model integrity through professional boundaries, ethical behaviors, and respectful communication.
  • Collaborative Leadership: Maximize positive health outcomes through the promotion of evidence-based clinical care within the interdisciplinary team.
  • Clinical Judgment: Model safe nursing care by integrating critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and prioritization.

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 5 quarter credits, or 3 semester credits.

The following courses must be completed with a B (3.0) or higher in each course:

The following courses must be completed with a C (2.0) or higher in each course:

Placement Requirements

  • ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills version 6 (ATI TEAS v. 6) assessment. Applicants must score at the “PROFICIENT” level or higher in each of the four areas; see the ATI TEAS Handout on the Nursing website for details.
  • Healthcare Experience. Two-year applicants must submit a Healthcare Experience Verification Form for prior approval. Experience in healthcare may be demonstrated by certification or training in an allied healthcare field. Other experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by program staff. LPN-RN applicants must have an active, unencumbered Washington Sate LPN license and submit the Verification of Work Experience Form documenting 1,000 hours of work as an LPN within the last five years. These two forms are located on the Nursing website.

Additional Requirements

Clinical Placement Requirements

After acceptance into the Nursing Program but prior to beginning clinical rotations, students must complete the clinical placement process and be at least 18 years of age. Clinical requirements include:

  • Criminal background check
  • 10-Panel urine drug screen
  • Physical examination
  • Tuberculous screening
  • Required immunizations
  • Current American Heart Association BLS for Provider CPR certification
  • 7-hours of HIV/AIDS education for healthcare providers (waived for LPNs)
  • Medical Insurance Coverage

Degree Requirements

Nursing DTA/MRP degree completion requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, a minimum grade of B- (2.7) for all Program Core courses, and minumum grades for all Prerequisite Courses as described above Students must also complete the minimum required clinical hours.

Programs

    Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program

    Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study