Once required prerequisites are completed, this is a two-year selective admissions program, designed to prepare a student to become a registered nurse (RN). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road N, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, [404-975-5016] and approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, P O Box 47860, Tumwater, WA 98501, [360-236-4700].
The curriculum in nursing provides didactic education and clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatric, behavioral health, maternity, and gerontological nursing.
To be considered for acceptance into the program, students must follow specific admission guidelines, published annually and updated as needed. Please refer to the nursing website for any significant changes occurring between publications. Students planning to enroll in this program should be aware that a criminal history investigation will be required and may affect their continued enrollment. The applicant should also be aware that some clinical facilities are randomly screening for drug usage.
Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (RN-NCLEX). Although students receive a degree from Bellevue College, the actual license to practice nursing in the state of Washington is granted by the Department of Licensing, Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and the Commission stipulates requirements for licensure.
Applicants must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to apply to the program. Testing must be completed within one year of the application date. The Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP degree is a pathway preparing a student for licensure as a registered nurse through Washington State community and technical colleges, as well as for entry into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion degree. This pathway does not alter the basic Associate Degree Transfer Degree (DTA).
The Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP degree combines technical courses required for job preparation and college-level general education courses. This degree is designed for the dual purpose of immediate employment and preparation for the junior year in a Washington state baccalaureate degree program. The curriculum provides didactic education and clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatric, behavioral health, maternity, and gerontological nursing. To be considered for acceptance into the program, students must follow specific admission guidelines, published annually at www.bellevuecollege.edu/nursing.
College courses typically have a ratio of one credit hour to one clock hour (hour of attendance) per week. For the nursing program, theory courses have this 1:1 ratio. For example, NURS 120 is a 6-credit course with an average of 6 clock hours per week for a TOTAL of 66 clock hours over the 11-week quarter. Nursing lab/clinical courses have a 1:2 ratio. For example, NURS 121 is a 6-credit course with an average of 12 clock hours per week for a TOTAL of 132 clock hours over the 11-week quarter.
Students in the Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP degree program must earn a C (2.0) or better in all courses required to earn the degree.
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills & abilities described below:
- Apply the standards of professional practice, be accountable for their own actions and practice nursing within legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks.
- Assist the client to manage change, develop more satisfying interpersonal relationships, and integrate new knowledge and skills.
- Collect information in an orderly fashion from multiple sources to establish a foundation for provision of nursing care, identify available resources and perform ongoing assessment to meet the client’s changing needs.
- Identify individualized solutions and deliver accurate, safe care that moves the client and support person(s) toward positive outcomes.
- Create an environment in which cultural values, beliefs, and lifestyles of the client are respected.
- Promote and facilitate informed decision making, and support self-care activities of the client.
- Collaborate with the client and health care team in planning and delivering care.
- Manage client care through efficient, effective use of human, physical, financial, and technological resources.
As of the publication date for 2017-18 catalog, changes to this porgram are pending approval from Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Return to: