Nursing

Nursing is one of the most exciting and challenging professions in health care, and there has never been a better time to be a nurse. Nursing is considered the most trusted profession, according to Gallup Poll surveys where the public ranks different professions based on their honesty and ethical standards. In fact, nurses have retained this respected ranking for the last 20 years. The Martha Mann Smith School of Nursing at Wake Tech offers different options for students interested in becoming a nurse:

• The Associate Degree Nursing program of study provides students with the knowledge, skills and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care in a dynamic environment. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required to practice as a registered nurse (RN).
• The Associate Degree Nursing – Advanced Placement is designed for licensed practical nurses who seek to further their education and advance in the profession. The curriculum builds on the practical nursing foundation by broadening theoretical knowledge, enhancing nursing skills and increasing critical thinking. This coincides with the expanded responsibilities at the Associate Degree Nursing level. The program starts once a year in the summer semester.

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Nursing students gain experience at a number of different clinical sites. Students may be assigned days/evening/nights/weekends/weekdays clinical rotation depending on assignment. Clinical experiences may also occur outside of Wake County. Students must provide their own transportation to all laboratory and clinical experiences. Students are expected to follow the policies and procedures of each facility to which they are assigned.

Faculty members assist students by facilitating their clinical practice. The program also offers simulated learning experiences in a state-of-the-art simulation learning lab, which provides the opportunity to practice nursing skills and clinical decision making in a safe learning environment.

Licensure and accreditation

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) is the regulating body for all nurses and nursing education programs in North Carolina. Wake Tech's Associate Degree of Nursing is approved by the NCBON  and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing to provide nursing education.

After you have completed your nursing program at Wake Tech and before you can practice as a registered nurse or use the designation of RN, you must first register with the NCBON. The board uses the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX^®) prepared by National Council of State Boards of Nursing to measure competence for entry-level practice for graduates of board-approved nursing education programs. In addition to the successful completion of the exam, registration also includes a criminal background check.

All Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.

The Martha Mann Smith School of Nursing is proud of its reputation for preparing excellent, well-qualified nurses. Our goal is to prepare graduates with entry-level competencies to practice as RNs in a variety of settings. The Associate Degree of Nursing is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The commission can be contacted at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326.

Wake Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Wake Technical Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Wake Technical Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).