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, to practice in a dynamic environment and to meet individual needs that impact health, quality of life and achievement of potential. 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 to coincide with role change responsibilities at the Associate Degree Nursing level. The program starts once a year in the summer semester.

The Martha Mann Smith School of Nursing is proud of our reputation in the community 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 the following address:

 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326

Faculty support the college’s core values of respect, responsibility, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and accountability, as well as the seven core values of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Outcomes & Competency Model, which include caring, diversity, ethics, excellence, holism, integrity and patient-centeredness. Faculty beliefs about individuals, health care, nursing and nursing education provide the framework for nursing education at Wake Tech. These beliefs are congruent with the 2010 NLN Program Outcomes (human flourishing, nursing judgment, professional identity and spirit of inquiry), integrating concepts and core values.

Faculty assists students by facilitating their clinical practice in dynamic health care environments in the surrounding community. We also offer simulated learning experiences in our state-of-the-art simulation learning lab, which offers the student the opportunity to practice nursing skills and clinical decision making in a safe learning environment.

Wake Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Contact SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the college's accreditation.

Clinical

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.

Clinical agencies have mandated that students, faculty and staff provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, to participate in clinical training. No exemptions will be considered for any student. Although Wake Tech has not mandated that students be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, the college must abide by the mandates of clinical training partners. If a student is denied access to clinical sites, he or she will be withdrawn from the program.

Licensure

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.