Whatcom's associate in nursing degree can be used as the basis for transferring two different ways. The prerequisites for the nursing program at Whatcom are very similar to what's required to transfer as a junior into a university nursing major. If you decide to go that direction, you can use your nursing prerequisites toward the requirements of an associate in arts & sciences (AAS/DTA) transfer degree, complete its remaining 30 credits, and apply to transfer.

Alternatively, graduates who have completed both the prerequisites and the core courses in the nursing program may transfer to a specialized bachelor's degree program and earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) relatively quickly. Graduates of Whatcom's nursing program are often able to pursue a BSN through an "RN-to-BSN bridge" program. Bridge programs include the Western Washington University program in Bellingham, WA. Click here for a list of bridge and other nursing program options in Washington State.

Students in Whatcom Community College's nursing program must be able to meet the following minimum standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, for successful completion of the program requirements. Students must be capable of meeting these skills requirements in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. There are no substitutes for these essential skills. The applicant must also be able to perform these skills throughout the course of the program. The essential functions include:

• Observation
• Communication
• Motor
• Intellectual/Conceptual
• Professional Conduct

Please see the Nursing Student Handbook for details.

It is the policy of Whatcom Community College to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified students with a disability so they can meet these required standards, if requested by the student. Whether or not a requested accommodation is reasonable will be determined on an individual basis and will be provided if it does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program, impose undue hardship, expense or difficulty, or be unduly disruptive to the educational process. Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that WCC will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways the college can assist the student toward completion of the tasks.

The nursing program is full-time, very demanding and requires significant study time. Faculty highly recommends that students admitted to the program limit their outside obligations, particularly work hours. The first five quarters average 18 hours per week in the classroom with an expectation that students work up to 20 hours per week outside of class on homework assignments. The final quarter is full-time clinical assignments scheduled at 40 hours per week.

Health care workers are required to have current CPR training, TB tests, and multiple immunizations (please see the Nursing Program Student Handbook for details). Students are also required to undergo drug screening and a national criminal history background check. Students are required to have these completed and current before entering clinical experiences.

Some of them, yes! Many prerequisites are offered through Whatcom Community College and other colleges around and outside of Washington state. Check with your academic advisor to make sure a prerequisite course will transfer to the nursing program.

Find online courses available from WCC using the Class Search.