Nursing

Minimum Requirements: (Must be met by March 12)

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Nursing program requires competency in English and Math – MDE 10 as demonstrated through direct enrollment and diagnostic tests, or by satisfactorily completing the required EDE and/or MDE units or the equivalent;
• One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If the applicant does not meet the high school prerequisites, he/she may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses. The high school requirements may be waived if BIO 141 and BIO 142 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II) are completed with a grade of “C” or better;
• Score at or above the 45th percentile rank on the ATI/TEAS V, as mandated by the VCCS within the past three years.  Students have unlimited opportunities to obtain a satisfactory score and must wait 30 days before retesting;
• A 2.5 cumulative GPA of the nursing prerequisite courses must be achieved prior to nursing admission. Prerequisites: BIO 141, ENG 111, PSY 230, SDV 100 (or SDV 101), PHI 220. Additionally, a cumulative 2.0 overall college GPA is required for all students.

In the event there are more applicants who apply in a given year than there are slots available the college will employ selective admission. Please consult the Health Professions Admission Packet for a detailed description of the selective criteria, readmission, and LPN-RN Bridge transition information. The packet is available through the Admissions Office.  

Credit for Prior Learning- LPN to RN Bridge

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who have met requirements may enter the Wytheville Community College (WCC) Associate Degree in Nursing Program through an advanced placement option.  Deadline is January 15.

• Minimum Requirements:  The LPN may receive credit for the first year nursing courses and enter into the second year of the program, beginning in the Summer Semester, providing the following requirements are met:
  • Must submit an application to Wytheville Community College and Selective Admissions to Health Professions Packet.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Official transcripts from previously attended high school and colleges, including the practical nursing program.
  • TEAS V Score of 45^th National Percentile Rank
  • High school algebra, biology/ lab, chemistry
    • If a student has successfully completed BIO 141  and BIO 142 , the high school chemistry requirement is waived. 
  • Students must complete the pre-requisite placement testing competency competency in English and Math – MDE 10 as demonstrated through direct enrollment and diagnostic tests, or by satisfactorily completing the required  EDE and/or MDE units or the equivalent.
  • Successful completion of pre-requisite courses: SDV 101 , ENG 111 , BIO 141, BIO 142, PSY 230, PHI 220. These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above and cumulative GPA of 2.5.

• Submission of a copy of current unencumbered valid LPN license.  Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN licenses are not eligible to enter the nursing program.
• Successful completion of BIO 141, BIO 142, SDV 101, ENG 111, PSY 230, and PHI 220 to be considered for admission to NSG 115  LPN Transition.
• Service region students (Bland, Carroll, Wythe, Grayson, Smyth (East of Marion) counties, and the city of Galax) are considered before out-of-region and out-of-state students.
• If more students who meet the above admission requirements apply for admission than there are positions available, students who have completed all co-requisite coursework will be considered first.  Students will then be ranked using criteria such as GPA, science GPA, TEAS V score and years of clinical experience.
• Upon successful completion of NSG 115​  Transition and NSG 200 , the student may enter the third semester of the program beginning in the Fall Semester.
• The licensed practical nurse who chooses to enter as a traditional nursing student and who is not successful in NSG 100 , NSG 106 , NSG 200  or NSG 130  may not be admitted to NSG 115  LPN Transition.
• The LPN will be afforded one opportunity to complete NSG 115​ LPN Transition.  If unsuccessful, the student may request admission to the traditional program.
• Upon successful completions of NSG 115​ LPN Transition, the LPN student must enter the second level nursing classes in the subsequent Fall Semester.
• Additional Information:
  • Students must possess the technical skills required for the nursing program.  See requirements for clinical participation policy.
  • All applicants should be advised that the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations (54.1-3007) state the following:

Regarding refusal, revocation, or suspension, censure or probation.  The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license or certificate to any applicant and may suspend any license or certificate for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or certificate holder or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

• Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
• Unprofessional conduct;
• Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
• Conviction or any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
• Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public;
• Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
• The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license or certificate to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or
• Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.
  • Prior to the deadline communicated upon acceptance to NSG 115​ LPN Transition course all students must complete the following;
    • Clinical Eligibility Form, including:
      • Evidence of a Current 2-step Purified Protein Derivative Tuberculosis Skin test (within one year) with negative results.  If the student has a history of a positive PPD, evidence of appropriate follow-up care is required.
      • Evidence of immunity of rubella by an immune titer or documentation of two MMR vaccinations.
      • Evidence of immunity to chickenpox by history of disease or having received the Varicella vaccination.
      • Evidence of current Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) immunization within ten years.
      • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification must be either American Heart Association CPR or Red Cross Basic Life Support.
      • Negative criminal background check (see Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy) through the designated third party vender.
      • Sign a statement indicating that the Hepatitis B vaccination was previously received and provide proof of vaccination status or sign a disclaimer for exposure.  The signed declination must be kept in the students file.

The following is a list of technical abilities and skills applicants for admission should possess:

• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient
• Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
• Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
• Mobility: Sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
• Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe care
• Hearing Acuity: Ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
• Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care
• Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment

All applicants should be advised that the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations (54.1-3007) state the following:

Regarding refusal, revocation, or suspension, censure or probation. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license or certificate to any applicant and may suspend any license or certificate for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or certificate holder or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
2. Unprofessional conduct;
3. Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
4. Conviction or any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
5. Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public; Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
6. The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license or certificate to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or
7. Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.

Any student receiving a final grade lower than a “C” in any course in the Nursing curriculum will be ineligible to continue in the program and will need to contact the program head for readmission requirements.

The following list is a suggested sequence in which students may plan their class schedules to ensure graduation in two years.  All first semester pre-requisite courses must be met prior to progressing as a fall admit into the NSG prefix courses.