Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
The ADN program at Columbia Basin College (CBC) prepares you for a dynamic profession that encompasses compassion and caring with a scientific approach to promote optimal health for the individual, family and community. At completion of the program, you will be eligible to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through the state licensure examination.
Individuals who complete an ADN program and obtain a Washington State RN license are eligible to apply to CBC’s RN-BSN program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The RN-BSN program can be completed in as little as four quarters. The program allows working nurses to maintain their jobs while completing most of their coursework online.
First Time Pass Rate on National Council Licensure Exam for Nurses (NCLEX)
Program Benchmark: Three-year mean for the licensure exam pass rate will be at or
above the nation mean for the same three-year period.
2016 Graduates: 94%, national mean 83%
2017 Graduates: 100%, national mean 85%
2018 Graduates: 94%, national mean 85%
Students Completing the Program
Program Benchmark: 80% of students entering the Nursing Program will graduate within
nine quarters (150% of program length).
2016 Graduates: 90.1%
2017 Graduates: 86.5%
2018 Graduates: 94.4%
Graduates Obtaining Jobs within Nine Months
Program Benchmark: 90% of graduates will be employed full-time or part-time within
nine months.
2016 Graduates: 96%
2017 Graduates: 91%
2018 Graduates: 94%
Students should attend at least one Pre-Nursing Information Session prior to meeting with an adviser. At these sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Nursing program director and CBC's pre-nursing counselors. Information is provided about required prerequisites, the application process and how to progress through the nursing curriculum. These sessions are held frequently throughout the year.
It is strongly encouraged to complete nursing prerequisites before applying to the program. These courses provide points for the Admission Index Score. Nursing support courses that may be completed prior to entry include the following:
- Chemistry, CHEM& 121 or above
- Human A&P 1, BIOL& 241
- Human A&P 2, BIOL& 242
- English Composition, ENGL& 101 or ENGL& 102
- Lifespan Psychology, PSYC& 200
- Microbiology, BIOL& 260
- Introduction to Stats, MATH& 146
- Communication Studies, CMST& 101, 210, 220, or CMST 260 (5 credits)
Obtaining a 2.0 GPA is required for major courses, major support courses and general education requirements.
To be eligible for the CBC Nursing program, each of the following requirements must be met:
- Must be a current student at CBC, if not, you can Apply for Admission.
- Submission of official transcripts from all schools the student has attended; please have these sent to Student Records, not the Nursing program. It is the student's responsibility to follow-up with CBC to assure that transcripts have arrived and have been evaluated.
- TEAS test on file (test fee is $100). Please see TEAS Testing Schedule.
- Submit Nursing program application via NursingCAS (fee is $50) by the assigned due date for the following fall quarter program start.
Students are admitted using an admissions index system, which includes the GPA of
four selected courses, the TEAS examination score, and course completion scores from
all pre-nursing courses. All applications are reviewed at the close of winter quarter.
Students with the highest admissions index score will be admitted first. Admission
to the Nursing program is limited, and completion of entrance requirements does not
ensure admission to the program.
Once accepted into the Nursing program, students will need to submit the following:
- Required immunization records
- Current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR card
- Satisfactory criminal history background check using a college approved vendor. Criminal history background information is required of all Nursing students. Information obtained will be considered in determining student eligibility to complete clinical coursework. Inability to participate in clinical experiences due to the information obtained from the background check may result in the student’s inability to satisfactorily complete program degree requirements. Any infraction while enrolled in the Nursing program should be self-reported to the coordinator/director. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Director for Nursing Programs at 509-544-8318.
Program Approval and Accreditation
CBC Nursing programs are approved by the:
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Commission
310 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
360-236-4700
The Associate Degree Nursing program is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
Continuing accreditation was granted in July 2015 until Spring 2023