Nursing & Allied Health

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WSCC’s Nursing & Allied Health program can help you embark upon a rewarding health care career, or expand one you’re already passionate about. Jobs in the health care field will grow as more people gain access to health insurance, the population ages, and research provides ever increasing advances in diagnosis and treatment. Health care has always been an exciting and dynamic profession, but it is even more today with what seems like nearly daily advancements in technology, deepening public knowledge about prevention and treatments, and national and local debates about every aspect of health care. Job growth is anticipated throughout the health care sector through 2022 at rates up to double that of other sectors.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) work in nursing homes, hospitals, private homes, and physician offices. They help people of all ages by assessing health, providing treatments, comfort, and caring. LPNs are respected members of the health care team, working under the direction of RNs and doctors. WSCC’s LPN program serves as the first year of the curriculum toward the associate’s degree in nursing.

Learn more about what LPNs do here.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RNs) work as respected health professionals who help people stay healthy or get healthy. RNs provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. RNs work in hospitals, private homes, nursing homes, schools, and correctional facilities and often lead a team of other healthcare providers. The Institute of Medicine is encouraging all RNs to obtain bachelor’s degrees by 2020 and WSCC has multiple articulation agreements with four‐year universities allowing for transferability of classes.

Learn more about what RNs do here.

Nursing Assistant - Multi‐Skilled Health Care

Wherever there is a need for hands‐on personal care, certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), or nurse aides, are there. Nursing assistants are the caregivers who help patients of all ages perform the most essential basic activities of daily life, like bathing, toileting, dressing, and eating. CNAs work under the supervision of nurses, and since they have extensive daily contact with each patient, they play a key role in keeping nurses informed about patients’ needs.

Learn more about being a nursing assistant here.

Radiologic Technology

Radiologic technologists, also known as “rad techs,” perform diagnostic imaging examinations using computerized equipment such as x‐rays and MRIs. They assist patients to be positioned correctly for the test procedure. They also maintain imaging equipment. Most radiologic technicians work in hospitals.

Learn more about being a radiologic technologist here.

Respiratory Care

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) examine and provide treatments for patients of all ages who have trouble breathing. They use instruments and tests to evaluate breathing and oxygenation. RTs perform chest physiotherapy, connect patients to ventilators, and instruct patients and their families on how to maintain home oxygen therapy.

Learn more about being a respiratory therapist here.

Nursing Admissions

Admission to the Nursing Program at West Shore Community College is competitive and based on a number of factors. The application period for the program is January 1 through March 1 for the upcoming fall.

Required Steps

1. Apply for Regular Admission to West Shore
   • Previously Dual‐Enrolled students must reapply as a regular student
2. Have official High School and/or College transcripts sent to West Shore
   • Students with 12 or more college credits are not required to submit a high school transcript.
   • Currently enrolled high school seniors are eligible to apply.
   • Students with a GED and no prior college experience must submit GED scores
   • Students who took college classes more than eight years from the time they apply (i.e. prior to fall 2008 for students applying for 2017‐2018 admission) may choose to exclude them from the criteria if it is to their benefit, but must still send the official transcript.
3. Successfully complete the following (C or better):
   • ENG 051 /ENG 098  and ENG 052 , transfer equivalents, or obtain appropriate test score
   • MTH 051 , transfer equivalent, or obtain appropriate test score
4. Obtain a score of 75 or higher on the HESI exam, taken in the Learning and Testing Center (testing fee applies)
   • Must be taken by February 20
   • Exam covers English and Math; study guides are available in the library
5. Submit a Nursing Program Application to WSCC’s Admissions Office
   • The application can be found online at www.westshore.edu. Scroll down to Quick Links and click on Nursing Admission. Paper forms are also available in the Student Services office. The applications for upcoming admission are available on December 1.

Optional Steps

Students may elect to complete any of the following to increase their chances of getting into the program:

1. Successfully complete NUR 105 - Nurse Assistant  and obtain state certification (CNA)
   • CNA certification will earn points on the Nursing Program Admissions application.
   • High school students who complete the CTE Allied Health course but have not yet obtained CNA certification can get additional points.
2. Obtain employment in direct patient care for a minimum of six months. A letter from your employer will be required to verify.
3. Successfully complete any of the following General Education courses required to obtain the nursing degree. Any courses not completed prior to nursing admission will be required during the program.
   • The courses below will earn bonus points on the Nursing Application if completed prior to applying to the program. All sciences must be completed with at least a B‐ to meet the requirement for Nursing, all non‐sciences must be completed with a C. However, while a grade of C meets the requirement, it will not grant bonus points.
     • ANP 230 - Anatomy and Physiology I  (B‐ required)
     • ANP 231 - Anatomy and Physiology II  (B‐ required)
     • BIO 232 - Elementary Microbiology  (B‐ required)
     • ENG 111 - English Composition I  (C required)
     • PSY 161 - Introduction to Psychology  (C required)
     • CHM 107 - Introduction to Chemistry  (not required for the nursing program, but will grant bonus points)
   • The following courses will not generate bonus points toward the nursing application, but are required to earn the nursing degree:
     • SPE 110 - Interpersonal Communications  (C required)
     • PHL 104 - Bioethics  (C required)
     • POL 151 - American National Government  (C required)
4. Obtain 100% on the Medication Math or Dosage Calculation test (three attempts allowed per year)
   • This is not a regular math test. Study materials are available in the library and student services office.
   • Students must earn 100% on this test in order to begin the program. You have the option to take it prior to applying, to earn bonus points.
   • Students not completing the test, if admitted, will be required to complete it by May 1st. Students who are unsuccessful in three attempts will need to reapply the following year.

Please be advised that students will be required to undergo a criminal background investigation prior to beginning the Nursing Program. Any negative factors in a student’s background may prohibit entrance into the program. In addition, students who are convicted of an offense during the program may be required to withdraw, or may be denied a license by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Please contact the Director of Nursing or the Dean of Student Services for further information.

Programs

• Health Related, AS

• Associate Degree Nursing, AAAS
• Medical Assistant-Science Focus, AAAS
• Multi‐Skilled Health Care, Nurse Assistant Certificate
• Multi‐Skilled Health Care, Nurse Assistant, AAAS
• Practical Nursing Certificate
• Radiologic Technology, AAAS
• Respiratory Care, AAAS

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