Nursing

The two-year Associate Degree program is designed to prepare students educationally as contributing members of the health team, rendering direct patient care as beginning practitioners of nursing in a variety of health services facilities. At the successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to make application to the Board of Nursing for their respective state to be considered for eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) leading to licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.).

The Associate Degree Nursing program at Wytheville Community College at the Main Campus located in Wytheville, Virginia is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

This may be used as a resource for program information.

ADN Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies

Nursing Program Mission

Provide affordable, community access to quality nursing education. The VCCS nursing programs prepare qualified students to provide safe, competent, entry-level nursing care in 21st century healthcare environments. Students are prepared to meet the ever-increasing complexity of the healthcare needs of the citizens of Virginia.

Philosophy

VCCS nursing faculty ascribe to the core competencies for nursing and Nursing education. While firmly based in science and the arts, the essence of nursing is caring and compassionate patient-centered care. Ethical standards, respect for individual dignity, and consideration of cultural context are implicit in the practice of patient-centered care. The nurse advocates for patients and families in ways that promote self-determination, integrity, and ongoing growth as human beings. Nursing care is provided in collaboration with the patient, the family, and members of the health care team. The nurse displays a spirit of inquiry by examining evidence to improve the quality of care, promote safety, and improve patient outcomes. Nursing judgment is integral to making competent decisions related to the provision of safe and effective nursing care. Information management essential to nursing care is communicated via a variety of technological and human means.

Program Outcomes:

1. Educate graduates to deliver safe, patient-centered nursing care to a diverse population with health alterations in structured health care settings.
2. Eighty percent of most recent graduates pass the NCLEX-RN exam as first-time test takers within 12 months.
3. Fifty five percent of students who start the first semester will graduate within 100% of the program length.
4. Eighty percent of graduates will indicate employment as a registered nurse 6 – 12 months after graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the Associate Degree of Applied Science with a major in Nursing will be expected to:

1. Provide client-centered care promoting therapeutic relationships, caring behaviors, and self-determination across the lifespan for diverse populations.
   • Coordinate client centered care delivery with sensitivity and respect.
   • Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching plans and outcomes and revise for achievement of desired outcomes.
   • Promote client self-determination in making healthcare decisions as a level 4 student.
   • Integrate therapeutic communication skills when interacting with clients and the client’s support network.
   • Advocate independently for diverse individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
2. Practice safe nursing care that minimizes risk of harm across systems and client populations.
   • Evaluate human factors and safety principles.
   • Participate in the analysis of errors and designing system improvements.
   • Incorporate client safety initiatives into the plan of care.
   • Practice safe client care as a level 4 student.
3. Demonstrate nursing judgment through the use of clinical reasoning, the nursing process, and evidence-based practice in the provision of safe, quality care.
   • Evaluate an individualized plan of care based on client values, clinical expertise and reliable evidence.
   • Independently prioritize changes in client status and intervene appropriately.
   • Apply the nursing process to guide care.
   • Prioritize client care using evidence-based practice independently.
   • Evaluate existing practices and seek creative approaches to problem solving.
4. Practice professional behaviors that encompass the legal/ethical framework while incorporating self-reflection, leadership and a commitment to recognize the value of life-long learning.
   • Incorporate ethical behaviors and confidentiality in the practice of nursing.
   • Assume responsibility and accountability for delivering safe client care.
   • Deliver nursing care within the scope of nursing practice.
   • Evaluate professional behaviors in interactions with clients, families and healthcare providers.
   • Engage in reflective thinking for the purpose of improving nursing practice.
   • Develop a plan for lifelong learning in the nursing profession.
5. Manage client care through quality improvement processes, information technology, and fiscal responsibility to meet client needs and support organizational outcomes.
   • Evaluate the common quality measures encountered in clinical practice.
   • Evaluate the use of technology and information management to promote quality.
   • Evaluate fiscally responsible client care.
6. Demonstrate principles of collaborative practice within the nursing and healthcare teams fostering mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve stated outcomes of care.
   • Compare and contrast the effectiveness of the members of the interdisciplinary team to promote optimal client outcomes.
   • Participate in the interdisciplinary plan of care to promote optimal client outcomes.
   • Evaluate communication strategies that are inclusive of various communication and cultural differences.
   • Evaluate management skills and principles of delegation when working with other members of the health care team.
   • Reflects at a professional level on individual and team performance

First-time Performance on Licensure/Certification Examination - Aggregated for Entire Program

Performance on Program Completion – Aggregated for Entire Program