Associate Degree Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Course work includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team providing safe, individualized care while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Employment opportunities are vast within the global health care system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community health care facilities.

The Wilkes Community College Associate Degree Nursing program operates under the full approval of the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON).

The Wilkes Community College Associate Degree in Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

Learning Outcomes

  • Prioritize nursing care for individuals across the life span considering the concepts of needs assessment, and physiologic integrity.
  • Provide patient-centered, holistic nursing care to individuals and groups with common complex alterations in health, based on evidence based practice and the nursing process.
  • Communicate effectively with other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, as well as with individuals/families through the use of written expression, verbal and non-verbal expression.
  • Actively participate in quality improvement initiatives in directing nursing care for individuals and groups with common complex alterations in health.
  • Collaboratively participate as a member of the healthcare team, upholding legal, ethical, and professional standards of nursing practice.
  • Utilize principles of critical thinking including pursuing best information, examining underlying assumptions, engaging in inquiry and analyzing different points of view when exercising nursing judgment.

Contact Information

Image of Emily Orr
Emily Orr, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Director of Nursing
Phone: 336-838-6573
edorr738@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

This part of the website is currently undergoing maintenance. Please refer to the WCC Catalog for program information.

Technical Standards

The Associate Degree Nursing program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
  • Document relevant patient information (manual or via computer) using correct terminology and spelling
  • Interpret doctor’s orders
  • Record patient responses to treatments
  • Establish rapport with patients, families, and other health care providers
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate objects
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require dexterity and flexibility to move body in a variety of positions
  • Utilize instruments with patients
  • Move around in patients’ rooms and treatment areas
  • Maneuver in confined spaces
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Running
    • Bending
    • Stooping
    • Lifting
    • Reaching
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability to stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry a minimum of 40 pounds
  • Stand and walk up to 12-hour shifts
  • Walk up to 5 miles per day
  • Lift and/or maneuver patients
  • Lift and move equipment
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range and manipulate equipment
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify various sounds
  • Ability to touch and locate anatomy on patients to perform physical assessments
  • Ability to tolerate various odors
  • Observe patient responses to treatment
  • Hear equipment/emergency alarms, call bell, or call for help
  • Listen to heart, lung, and blood pressure sounds
  • Feel for pulse
  • Work with patients with poor hygiene
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Frequent exposure to communicable and infectious diseases, secretions, blood, and bodily fluids
  • Exposure to environmental hazards
  • Possible exposure to X-ray radiation
  • Ability to work under high stress situations and respond promptly
  • Work in confined spaces
  • Possible exposure to HIV, hepatitis, etc.
  • Exposure to X-ray radiation, medicinal preparations, latex, and toxic substances
  • Respond appropriately in emergency to maintain patient safety and care
  • Wear a face mask
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Criminal background check
  • CPR certification
  • CNA (nurse-aide) certification
  • Completion of required tests and screening
  • Move without mobility assisted devices (clinical site requirement)
  • Successfully complete and pass:
    • TEAS test
    • TB test
    • Drug screening
    • Immunizations

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Associate Degree Nursing graduates:

3+1 Information

A 3+1* agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate’s degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor’s degree. Wilkes Community College has the following 3+1 agreements for our Associate Degree Nursing graduates:

* The 3+1 model is the proposed timeframe, but may be subject to change.