Associate Degree in Nursing

Application Process and Admission Index Score

The CBC Nursing application process for Fall 2021 is now available. Please choose Nursing Program Application in the drop down menu below. The last date to submit an application is March 1, 2021.

The program admits one class of approximately 50 students per school year each fall. Students will apply to the Nursing program in January and February prior to the planned entry year. You are strongly encouraged to complete nursing prerequisites before applying to the program. The prerequisite courses provide points for the Admission Index Score. Please review the following information.

All students have until the end of winter quarter to complete classes that will be counted towards the Admission Index Score. Students taking winter quarter classes that count toward points for the Admission Index Score will report on the application what courses they are currently enrolled in.

Semester courses (courses from outside universities) that end after April 15 will not be considered. Student acceptance will be determined by the end of May.

The CBC Nursing program utilizes three elements for admission. Those elements include cumulative grade point average among selected prerequisite courses, (TEAS) pre-nursing assessment score and departmental course completion score index. These three elements will be combined for a total Admission Index Score based on a total point value of 30 points.

National Background Search & Drug Screen Requirements

As part of the admission requirements for Health Science programs, applicants must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen prior to working with patients in clinical areas. The background check and drug screen are paid by the student and administered through a third party company, CastleBranch. In addition to the background check required by CBC, each clinical facility reserves the right to conduct its own criminal background check prior to allowing a student to enter its health care facilities for clinical participation.

Certain criminal convictions, pending charges, or negative actions may automatically disqualify a person from having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles and children. Clinical facilities reserve the right to accept or decline a student’s placement in its facility

Nursing Program Outcomes - effective with Fall 2020 cohort

As a member of the nursing profession, a provider of patient-entered care, a patient safety advocate, and a member of the health care team, a graduate of the Columbia Basin College Nursing Program will demonstrate the following outcomes.

Member of the Profession

1. Demonstrates professional behavior in the clinical setting and healthcare  community.

2. Demonstrates responsibility for continued competence in nursing.

Provider of Patient-Centered Care

3. Utilizes the nursing process to manage care for patients and families across the lifespan in diverse care settings.

4. Demonstrates caring behaviors with dignity, respect and sensitivity to the needs of all patients.

Patient Safety Advocate

5. Utilizes risk reduction strategies in the delivery of safe patient care. 

6. Applies technology and information management tools to support safe processes of care.

Member of the Health Care Team

7. Interacts with members of the health care team, fostering open communication and shared decision making.

8. Utilizes the quality improvement process in their nursing practice as a member of the healthcare team.

Nursing Program Outcomes - present cohort graduating June 2021

1. Utilizing the nursing process and critical thinking skills to:
   • Assess and diagnose a patient’s ongoing basic and complex health care needs through the lifespan and within the context of his/her environment. Assimilate data from other members of the health care team.
   • Develop outcomes, plans, and prioritizes nursing care for patients and families based upon gathered assessment data. Integrates principles of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Erikson’s Eight Stages of Life, pharmacology and nutrition into the plan of care.
   • Implement the developed plan of care through direct care and supervision of care by other members of the health care team.
   • Evaluate the responses of patients to nursing interventions, and analyze and modify the nursing care plan consistent with intended outcomes.
     
     
2. Integrating cultural awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of patient care in a diverse global Community.  
   
   
3. Using culturally sensitive verbal and non-verbal therapeutic communication skills with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in a one-to-one relationship or structured group setting.
   
   
4. Identifying the health education needs of patients across the lifespan; developing and implementing a teaching plan utilizing basic principles of teaching/learning which enable the graduate to identify appropriate methods and modify the teaching plan when necessary.
   
   
5. Assuming a leadership role in health care settings by delegating to health care team members with less education and/or experience.
   
   
6. Assessing, reading and summarizing current nursing literature. Analyzing nursing research and applying selected findings to practice. Integrating current nursing literature into patient care planning.
   
   
7. Practicing safely using current standards of care.
   
   
8. Demonstrating accountability, responsibility, and reliability when providing nursing care.
   
   
9. Demonstrating a professional demeanor and respect for the values and beliefs of patients.
   
   
10. Utilizing knowledge of pharmacological principles, including accurate dosage calculation, safe medication administration technique, assessment of individual response to medications and appropriate patient teaching.

There are two educational paths that can lead to a career as an RN: earning an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both degrees allow you to take the National Council Licensure Exam—Registered Nurse (NCLEX) exam and become an RN. When choosing which track to take, it’s important to think ahead and determine what the educational preferences are for the type of work you want. Some employers (especially hospitals) require RNs to have a Bachelor’s degree. Many working RNs with an ADN opt to go back to school later to earn their Bachelor’s degree through an RN-to-BSN program.

Registered Nurses (RNs) assume a wide variety of roles in patient care both in and out of traditional hospitals. Specific job titles and duties will vary depending on where you work and the types of patients you care for. There are opportunities for RNs to limit their work to caring for specific patient populations such as:

• Pediatric nursing
• Critical care nursing
• Neonatal nursing
• Rehabilitation nursing

RNs might also work to promote public health, run health screenings or blood drives or staff the health clinics in schools. RNs could also become:

• Healthcare consultants
• Public policy advisors
• Researchers
• Hospital administrators
• Salespeople for pharmaceutical and medical supply companies
• Medical writers and editors

The next step in the career ladder for nurses is a master’s degree or Doctorate in Nursing. Master’s programs typically require candidates to first have an RN license, with most preferring a BSN degree as opposed to an ADN and an RN license. Career options for master’s prepared nurses include:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Midwife
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Director of Nursing
  
  

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