Nursing Program
The associate’s degree in nursing program (ADN) is designed to help you learn how to care for patients and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Yakima Valley College provide hands-on nursing courses and supportive instructor relationships to prepare you to provide quality, compassionate care that can make a difference in the lives of others.
Our nursing program provides a wide variety of learning opportunities and includes experiences in:
- Gerontological Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Obstetrical Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
- Oncology Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Emergency Nursing
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Yakima Valley College meets the state education requirements for a registered nursing license in the state of Washington. Yakima Valley College has not determined if the Associate Degree Nursing program at Yakima Valley College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
Degree
Associate in Nursing – Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway, ADN-DTA/MRP
The YVC Associate in Nursing – Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway (ADN-DTA/MRP) degree in a direct transfer degree that is six quarters in length. In addition, students must complete all the required courses prior to program entry. All supporting course work must be successfully complete prior to entry into the fifth quarter (NRSE 220/221) of the Nursing program.
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Students who successfully complete the six-quarter program are eligible to take the licensure exam for Registered Nursing (RN).
Program information
The mission of the Yakima Valley College Nursing Program is to provide quality, nursing education that reflects the college’s commitment to enrich and enhance individuals and the community by delivering accessible, student-centered education. The nursing program is designed to prepare successful critical thinkers and lifelong learners who are equipped to meet the current and future health care needs of the local and global community.
Values
Diversity – affirming the uniqueness of and differences among persons, ideas, values, and ethnicities
Caring – showing compassion for others
Integrity – respecting the dignity, moral wholeness, and ethical principles of every person without conditions or limitation; honesty
Excellence – co-creating and implementing transformative strategies with daring ingenuity
Collaboration – working jointly with individuals and multidisciplinary teams
Philosophy
Nursing education at the Associates degree level at Yakima Valley College is a process that facilitates changes in behavior and the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function in the role of an entry level nurse. The curriculum incorporates the principles of Malcolm Knowles Adult Learning Theory, Bloom’s taxonomy, Tanner’s Model, and Patricia Benner’s concepts of the transition from novice to expert in nursing practice.
Knowles Adult Learning theory has six assumptions about adult learners. These assumptions are:
1) Adults need to know why they need to learn something.
2) As people mature, their self-concept moves from one of being dependent toward one of being self-directed.
3) As people mature, they accumulate a large amount of experience that can serve as a rich resource for learning.
4) Real-life problems or situations create a readiness to learn in the adult.
5) As a person matures his or her time perspective changes from one of postponed application of knowledge to immediacy of application.
6) Adults are primarily motivated by a desire to solve immediate and practical problems. As a person, matures, motivation to learn is stimulated by internal stimuli rather than external stimuli (McEwen and Wills, 2007, p. 399).
Bloom’s taxonomy defines three domains in which learning takes place: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.
The cognitive domain involves the ability to obtain and demonstrate knowledge.
The affective domain involves internally valuing the unique multidimensional individual, respecting the individual’s right to self- determination, as well as valuing the core beliefs of the nursing profession.
The psychomotor domain involves performing coordinated fine motor, manual, and gross motor skills that are guided by intellectual reasoning. Critical thinking in today’s complex health care system is necessary for safe, effective, and efficient patient care. Learning to critically think is successful when knowledge is presented in a systematic fashion wherein concepts are presented in a progressive manner of simple to complex incorporating all three learning domains.
Patricia Benner’s novice to expert concepts takes the student from the novice level and works through five distinct levels; novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. According to Benner (2001), nurses move from the novice level of no experience to the next stage of advanced beginner which demonstrates acceptable performance and has gained prior experience in actual nursing situations. “This helps the beginning nurse recognize recurring meaningful components so that principles, based on those experiences, begin to formulate in order to guide actions” (Benner, 2013, para 9). Students are expected to be at the advanced beginner stage at the time of program completion.
Student-centered nursing education is best achieved when educators meet adult students at their level while creating an environment of mutual respect and collaboration in the educational process. Learning is an interactive process by which the educator and the learner share responsibility in obtaining successful student outcomes. By combining theories and research identified previously, students’ transition from novice to advanced beginner and demonstrate clinical judgment necessary for safe entry-level practice in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Associate Degree in Nursing – Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway (ADN-DTA/MRP)
Yakima Valley College offers a six-quarter program (two academic years) that leads to an Associate in Nursing Direct Transfer Degree (ADN-DTA/MRP). Most students complete a year of pre/co-requisite and supporting courses prior to entry. Nursing courses proceed consecutively with objectives for each course accomplished before the student proceeds to the next course. The ADN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Graduates of the Associate Nursing Degree program are eligible to take the licensure examination for Registered Nursing.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Nursing Program, the student will pass the National Licensing Exam (NCLEX) and be prepared for entry-level practice as a Registered Nurse.
Program Location
The six-quarter program is offered fall, winter, and spring on the YVC Yakima campus. Students are admitted fall, winter and spring quarters, subject to a sufficient number of qualified applicants.
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
This accreditation is valid until March 2021.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: 404.975.5000
Website: www.acenursing.org
How to apply to the nursing program
What must be complete by the application deadline?
- You must have applied to Yakima Valley College for general admission, paid the $30.00 application fee, and been accepted to the college a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the application deadline. This applies to any student who has not attended YVC in the four quarters previous to an application deadline. Special conditions apply if you have attended summer quarter at YVC. You may need to still submit an application to the college and pay the application fee, as summer quarter enrollment does not always require an application.
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- To apply for admission to YVC, visit Admissions. Please pay attention to the important dates and deadlines as those may impact your transcript evaluation timeline.
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- Transcripts must be complete in the evaluation process. Official transcripts submitted to the college are evaluated in the order for which they are received, therefore to be assured of official transcript evaluations for admission to the nursing program we ask that you allow no less than 4 weeks for transcript evaluation. In some cases, an evaluation of transcripts may take longer than 4 weeks, such as when transcripts arrive from out of state and/or are international school transcripts. This delay occurs when additional information is requested from the Admission department.
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- Official transcripts, from all schools attended, are required for the Admission Department
- Unofficial transcripts are uploaded to the Nursing Application, this includes transcripts from YVC. When the student is accepted to the program, they would then provide official transcripts.
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Failure to disclose all schools attended, and provide transcripts from all schools attended, could result in the invalidation of your application.
- The TEAS test must be completed one week prior to the application deadline day. You may take the test at YVC, or at a regional testing center. If you test at a regional testing center or location other than YVC, you will be required to have ATI forward your TEAS transcript to the YVC Nursing Department. If you take the TEAS at YVC, we have the ability to look your score up. We cannot accept test scores directly from students.
What needs to be included with my application?
- If you wish to be awarded points for licensure, you must include a copy of your active license. If your license is contingent upon job status, you will also need to provide proof of employment. Expired licenses, and/or test results will not be accepted. Please go the Department of Health to print a copy of your credential.
- Include official transcripts from all schools attended. These must remain sealed. Failure to provide official transcripts from all schools attended, with the exception of YVC, will result in the invalidation of your application. In addition, failure to disclose all schools attended will invalidate your application.
- Hepatitis B titer- A serological titer lab result for Hepatitis B is required with the application. If an applicant has had to restart the Hepatitis B series, due to a non-immune status, evidence of restarting that series must also be included with the application. The series restart must follow the timeline as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Include a copy of your CPR card if you have it. We only accept the American Heart Association BLS card. If you do not have a CPR card, it will not prevent your application from being reviewed. If you are accepted, we will provide you an opportunity to the training that will occur before the start of the program.
- Include your complete immunization records. The Nursing Program’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites require students to be complete with all immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients. If Immunization status is not verified at time of application, the application will be ineligible for review.
Nursing Application
Applicants are notified of acceptance, or denial, no later than the end of the month directly following an application deadline date. (IE, June 30 applicants receive notification no later than the end of July. etc.) Letters are mailed to the address listed on the application.
All applications are due by 12 noon of the application deadline day.
TEAS results are due by the close of business day, 1 week prior to the application deadline date.
Due to the amount of time involved with reviewing applications, we ask that you please not call to inquire about your application status until after the end of the following month.
In the event that the June 30 application deadline falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the application will be due the Thursday before. YVC is not open for business on Fridays during the summer months.
Admission will be based on the “Prioritization for Admission” criteria. Using these criteria, students with the highest number of points will be offered admission first, regardless of their place of residence.
All applicants to the nursing program, must first have applied for admission and been accepted, to YVC.
The following information pertains to the method for prioritization for admission. Where there are more qualified applicants than spaces available, the program admits at Priority Level 1. Each time a student applies to the program, they will be prioritized, with that application deadline, pool of students. Consequently, admission to that class may be more or less competitive.
What is factored into Prioritizing?
The YVC Nursing program uses a point system when processing and prioritizing applications for admission.
- 80% (or 80 points) is allocated for cumulative GPA in the nine required entry courses. Any requisite course, that is repeated, are averaged. Ie, PSYC&100 with a “C” the first time and an “A” the second will have the value of a “B” or 3.0 when used to calculate GPA points.
- 10% (or 10 points) is allocated for TEAS test score (calculation) (ie, a score of 78% on the Adjusted Individual Total Score, is equivalent to 7.8 points.)
- 6% (or 6 points) is allocated for licensure in a human health related field. Licensure must be unencumbered, and validated through the Washington State Department of Health list of licensure. In the “Credential Type” box, use the drop down arrow to review a list of licenses through the Department of Health. Accepted licensure must be a result of completion of a state approved program and/or from an accredited college or university.
- 2% (or 2 points) is allocated for second language proficiency in a language other than English. Applicants are required to contact the Nursing Program Assistant (nursing@yvcc.edu or call 509.574.4902) to arrange for testing. Please initiate contact one month prior to the end of fall, winter and/or spring quarter. Testing occurs quarterly, during the final exam week only.
- 2% (or 2 points) is allocated for re-application. The applicant must have successfully met all program eligibility requirements, but was not admitted to the program. Once awarded, these points remain with the applicant for any potential future application (if applicable) and are not cumulative.
GPA Requirement
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all required nursing program course work. No grade below a “C” will be accepted in any required or elective course.
Grades
A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be achieved in all required prerequisite and supporting courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 (C) grade point in each nursing course throughout the program. All supportive coursework must be successfully completed prior to entry into the fifth quarter of the Nursing program. Please note that any Nursing prerequisite course taken at another institution must have a letter grade. Pass/Fail grades may not be accepted.
How are the Prioritization Levels for admission applied?
The YVC Nursing program prioritizes admission based on courses completed. The current prioritization level for admission will be posted on the YVC Nursing website. The following paragraph describes the prioritization process.
Priority Level
- “Priority Level I” applies to students who have completed ALL non-elective required courses.
- “Priority Level II” applies to students who have completed ALL non-elective required courses with the exception of Nutrition. (NUTR& 101)
What are the deadlines for applying to the YVC Nursing Program?
YVC offers three opportunities for application and acceptance to the program.
December 20 (spring admission) June 30 (fall admission) September 15 (winter admission)
Prerequisite Requirement Course Information
The following courses must be completed before acceptance to the Nursing program. Courses taken at other institutions and/or online must meet equivalency requirements at YVC. Any science course taken online must have a lab component with an instructor on site and supervising the lab in order to meet equivalency at YVC. Students who have taken advanced placement courses in high school must verify credit with the appropriate department at YVC.
Required Courses:
- CHEM 109 (5 Cr) – Principles of Chemistry with Lab revised to CHEM& 121: Introduction to Chemistry
- MATH& 146 (5 Cr) – Introduction to Statistics ♦
- BIOL& 160 (5 Cr) – General Biology (not used in GPA calculations)
- BIOL& 241 (5 Cr) – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL& 242 (5 Cr) – Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIOL& 260 (5 Cr) – Microbiology
- ENGL& 101 (5 Cr) – English Composition I •
or - ENGL 102 (5 Cr) – English Composition II •
- NUTR& 101 (5 Cr) – Human Nutrition
- PSYC& 100 (5 Cr) – General Psychology ■
- PSYC& 200 (5 Cr) – Lifespan Psychology
Required Supporting Classes:
- 10 credits of Humanities electives taken from the approved Humanities Distribution.
- 5 credits of Communication distribution taken from the approved Communications Distribution.
Credit deficiencies
If you have fewer than the required credits for any given subject area but have the required classes, you will be required to make up the additional credits in that subject area, with courses that are relevant to your Nursing degree (subject to the approval of the Nursing Program Coordinator). For example, if you transfer in 4 credits in General Psychology and 4 credits in Lifespan Psychology, you have 8 credits total. Because you are deficient in your credits, you will need to take an additional class in Psychology to make up the additional credits. Please have additional classes approved by the Nursing Department.
Immunizations and CPR
The Nursing Program’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites require students to be complete with all immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients.
Students who have applied, or plan to apply, to the Nursing Program must upload official documentation of their immunization status to their online application. If Immunization status is not verified at time of application, the application will be ineligible for review. Failure to maintain immunization records with annual updates will impact enrollment status, jeopardize clinical participation, and continued program participation will be prohibited. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all immunizations and/or proof of immunity documentation be submitted on time (prior to the start of the program and any quarter thereafter). Immunizations, and any needed laboratory testing, are done at the student’s expense.
Current Immunization requirements are as follows:
- Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) injection: Within the last eight years. If you have had a Tdap prior to the eight-year mark, a regular tetanus shot may be used. A titer does not satisfy this requirement.
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): Documentation of two injections. If this documentation cannot be provided, then serum titer must be done to demonstrate immunity. If any portion of the titer is negative, a booster must be conducted followed by a retiter 30 days after the booster, for the portion the applicant is negative.
- Hepatitis B: The series of three injections must be given over a period of months. The second injection is administered one month after the first, with the third administered six months after the first. The series of three injections must be given over a period of months, followed by a post immunization titer. The second injection is administered one month from the first, with the third administered six months after the first. Documentation must be in the student’s file proving the immunization has been completed prior to participation in the program. A positive Hepatitis B titer may be used to replace evidence of the shot series.
- Hepatitis B titer: Serologic titer with the LAB results for the Hepatitis B demonstrating immunity. If the titer is negative for immunity, a restart of the series is required. Documentation demonstrating the restart of the series, using the CDC guidelines must be included with titer results.
- Tuberculin skin test (PPD): Required once a year after the two-step baseline has been established. Evidence of recent, three, current consecutive years of testing history is accepted in place of the two-step baseline, provided they are annually and timely. Students with a positive PPD must have a chest x- ray demonstrate that they are negative for active disease and provide documentation to the Nursing Program office. Once a chest x-ray is performed, the student will provide an annual questionnaire in place of the PPD. The student should have a repeat PPD if exposed to a patient with active TB. A tuberculin titer, known as a Quantiferron, may also be used.
- Format for PPd 2 step: Date Administered/Date read and read results. This is repeated within 10 days to provide a 2-step baseline. All PPd records must demonstrate date administered, the date read, with results to be valid.
- Quantiferron: If using a Quantiferron titer to satisfy this requirement it must be repeated annually. If a student returns to using the injection method, a 2-step baseline must be re-established.
- Hepatitis A injection: At least one shot within the last 10 years
- Varicella: Provide proof of two dose inoculation, or titer lab results.
- Flu: proof of seasonal flu immunization-If the application deadline precedes the shot availability, it will be due at the time of final acceptance to the program.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(C.P.R.)
Prior to entering the first quarter all students are required to obtain, and maintain CPR certification. The CPR training/certification must be obtained from the American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider (HC) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification card. The Nursing Program will offer a course before the students first quarter begins, so the correct card is obtained.
Clinical Course Information
Clinical hours are generally scheduled between 6:00 am and 11:30 pm Clinical may rotate from day to evening shift. Some nights and weekends may be scheduled in order to gain specific experiences. Students must provide their own transportation. Travel may be required to outlying clinical sites. Students must abide by the policies stated in the Nursing Student Handbook related to matters of academic standards, integrity, attendance, behavior, and dress as it pertains to clinical rotations.
Background Check Information
Criminal history background information and drug screening is required of students applying to the Nursing program. Information obtained from the background check and/or drug screen will be considered in determining student eligibility to enter the program and/or complete clinical courses. Inability to participate in clinical experiences due to information obtained from the criminal history background check and/or drug screen may result in the student’s inability to satisfactorily complete program degree requirements. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Nursing Program Coordinator who can be reached at 509.574.4909.
Additional Course Requirements
All supportive courses must be completed prior to entry to the fifth quarter of the Nursing program (NRSE 220/221).
During COVID-19 campus closure, the YVC Nursing Department will be offering the TEAS exam online with a select number of dates and times, for applicants applying for the spring quarter deadline.
Applicants must contact the Nursing department, at nursing@yvcc.edu, to request a test date and time, a minimum of 5 days prior to the desired test date. Please put “TEAS Request” in the subject line of your email.
TEAS testing for the Spring Quarter Application Deadline (December 20, 2020)
TEAS with dry run the same day:
Sunday, October 18, 2020, at 11 am (*dry run same day at 10 am)
Saturday, October 31, 2020, at 10 am (*dry run same day at 9 am)
Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 1 pm (*dry run same day at 12 noon)
Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 10 am (*dry run same day at 9 am)
Friday, December 11, 2020, at 1 pm (*dry run same day at 12 noon)
*The mandatory dry run is free of charge and is necessary to determine if your operating system will require updates or has problems with ATI’s PROCTORIO system. Failure to complete the dry run will result in not being able to take the TEAS test. The dry run is only required to be done one time. If you have already completed it, you do not need to take it again.
Requirements for Online Testing
- Google Chrome: Install Google Chrome on your device. (You will not be able to take the proctored assessment with any other browser.)
- Identification: Have a school or government-issued ID card available.
- Room Scan: Find a well-lit space and be ready for a room scan prior to the assessment.
- Paper: One piece of blank paper may be used during the assessment. Please destroy the paper upon completion of the exam
- Microphone: Any microphone, either internal or external.
- Webcam: 320×240 VGA resolution (minimum) internal or external.
- Computer: Desktop or laptop computer (No iPads, tablets, or phones are to be used) with the ability to download Google Chrome.
- Time: The test can take up to four hours.
- Calculators: Students may not use calculators.
- Scores: Scores will be available to students immediately following the test.
Cost and Payment Information
The TEAS exam will cost the student $75.00* and is paid directly to ATI at time of exam with a debit or credit card. *subject to change
TEAS Minimum Scores by Category-Effective on June 1, 2019
(No results dated prior to June 1, 2019 will be considered)
TEAS score must be at the Proficient level of 58.7%. Additionally, students must earn a minimum cut score in each category:
- Reading 69% or higher
- Mathematics 63.3% or higher
- Science 45.8% or higher
- English and Language Usage 60% or higher
Applicants will receive no more than 10 points on their application based on the TEAS test results. TEAS application points are found by taking the Adjusted Individual Total Score and dividing by 10.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is offered through Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), and is required for all students seeking admission to the YVC Nursing Program. Results must be submitted electronically from ATI, if taken at a location other than YVC. This test is intended for students who have completed or are near completion of required prerequisite coursework as some content in the exam may relate to content in these courses.
The TEAS will assess in reading, writing, math, and science. Students must score at the “Proficient” level or higher in each area.
TEAS Minimum Scores by Category-Effective on June 1, 2019
(No results dated prior to June 1, 2019 will be considered)
TEAS score must be at the Proficient level of 58.7%. Additionally, students must earn a minimum cut score in each category:
- Reading 69% or higher
- Mathematics 63.3% or higher
- Science 45.8% or higher
- English and Language Usage 60% or higher
Applicants will receive no more than 10 points on their application based on the TEAS test results. TEAS application points are found by taking the Adjusted Individual Total Score and dividing by 10.
Cost
YVC has two fees associated with the TEAS test. The first fee is a testing site fee of $20.00, paid at the Cashiers Office in the Deccio Higher Education Center. The second fee of $70.00 (subject to change) is for the exam and is paid directly to ATI at the time of the exam with either a debit or credit card. Proof of payment for the testing site fee and picture ID are required to present to the exam proctor at the time of the exam.
Where may I take the TEAS?
The TEAS is offered through the YVC proctored computer lab in the Deccio Higher Education Center, Building 8 on the Yakima Campus and at other regional locations through PSI (ATI). See special notice above about testing during the COVID-19 health emergency.
Number of attempts allowed
The Nursing Department has removed the limitation to the number of attempts allowed on the TEAS test. However, applicants should be advised that the nursing department would only use the results for the last test taken.
To take the test at YVC
Students may visit the Deccio Higher Education Center lab schedule for operation hours and lab testing times.
How do I test at YVC?
- Visit Creating a user account with ATI, prior to visiting the YVC lab.
- Do not select the option “Register for TEAS” if taking the exam at YVC.
- If testing at YVC, step 1 is all you can do until you go to the lab to take the TEAS.
- On testing day, In the YVC Lab, students log in to ATI at www.atitesting.com.
- Select “My eLearning” once the students’ page loads. This takes you to where the Assessment ID is entered.
- The proctor will enter the assessment ID for the student. If the student has not paid yet for their exam, they will be prompted to do so here before the exam will begin. It can be paid by credit or debit card.
Additional program information
Estimated Costs for the two year program
Information provided regarding program expenses is updated when a tuition change occurs. The Estimated Nursing Program Expenses excluding coursework taken prior to program entry, is provided to all applicants. This estimate does not include living expenses.
All costs are estimated and subject to change.
**Tuition amounts are based upon current tuition rates.
When applying for any type of loan, processing takes approximately 3 months or longer.
Essential behaviors refer to those physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities and competencies required for safe, satisfactory completion of all aspects of the nursing program. These behaviors are non-domain specific, i.e., those physical and mental activities and attributes needed by a nurse to practice safely in terms of essential nursing functions. Students in the nursing program must demonstrate competence in the following categories of behavior in order to successfully meet the program learning objectives. Inability to demonstrate competency with or without accommodations, may prevent a student from successfully completing the requirements of the program.
Clinical facilities utilized in the training of nursing students may have additional requirements that if not met, may result in the student’s inability to complete a clinical course and the nursing program.
The Yakima Valley College Nursing Program signifies that the holder of the ADN degree has been educated to competently practice nursing in all healthcare settings and to apply for RN licensure in the State of Washington. The education of a nurse requires assimilation of knowledge, acquisition of skills, and development of judgment through patient care experiences in preparation for independent, semi-autonomous practice where making appropriate decisions is required. The practice of nursing emphasizes collaboration among physicians, nurses, allied health care professionals and the patient.
The curriculum leading to the ADN requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences to the acquisition and practice of essential nursing skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical, and social abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these functions. These functions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients, peers, faculty and other healthcare providers.
The essential behaviors following this paragraph are necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in a discipline as complex as nursing. These behaviors are in addition to the standards of behavior and academic conduct set forth in the YVC Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities (published on the College’s website).
Motor Skills
Students should have sufficient motor function so that they are able to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all health care settings. [For example: For the safety and protection of the patients, the student must be able to perform basic life support, including CPR, and function in an emergency situation. The student must have the ability, within reasonable limits, to safely assist a patient in moving, for example, from a chair to a bed, or from a wheelchair to a commode. Additionally, students must demonstrate competent computer skills including word processing.
Sensory/Observation
A student must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and nursing sciences. He or she must be able to observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand, and observe and appreciate non-verbal communications when performing nursing assessment and intervention or administering medications. The student must be capable of perceiving the signs of disease and infection as manifested through physical examination. Such information is derived from images of the body surfaces, palpable changes in various organs and tissues, and auditory information (patient voice, heart tones, bowel and lung sounds).
Communication
The student must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, patients, family, and other professionals. He or she must express his or her ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. A student must be able to: convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history; identify problems presented; explain alternative solutions; and give directions during treatment and post- treatment. The student must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms. The student must be able to process and communicate information on the patient’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team. The appropriate communication may also rely on the student’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
Cognitive
A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize in the context of undergraduate nursing study. The student must be able to quickly read and comprehend extensive written material. He or she must also be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical setting.
Behavioral/Emotional
A student must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and families. In addition, s/he must be able to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances including highly stressful situations. The student must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in
unpredictable ways. The student must be able to experience empathy for the situations and circumstances of others and effectively communicate
that empathy. The student must know that his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect his or her perceptions and relationships with others. The student must be able and willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships. The student must possess skills and experience necessary for effective and harmonious relationships in diverse academic and working environments.
Professional Conduct
Students must possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner. Students must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice. Students must not engage in unprofessional conduct, and must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance. Students must be able to engage in patient care delivery in all settings and be able to deliver care to all patient populations including but not limited to children, adolescents, adults, developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised patients, and vulnerable adults.
Yakima Valley College is committed to supporting student success and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate these essential behaviors. If an applicant to the program or a student enrolled in the program believes he or she has a disability that could affect their demonstration of competence in one of the above categories, the student must see the ADA Coordinator, located in the Deccio Building, phone number 509.574.4961. To successfully complete the nursing program, the student must be able to demonstrate competence in their performance of all essential behaviors either with or without accommodation.
Schools of nursing are approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) which monitors the quality of education in these institutions. The NCQAC also licenses practical and registered nurses and, therefore, has a legal right to inquire about aspects of your personal life which might impair your ability to practice safely as a licensed nurse. When you near completion of the Nursing Education Program, you will make application to the NCQAC for your licensing examination. A portion of this application asks you to answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:
- Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety?
- Do you currently use chemical substance in any way which impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety?
- Have you ever been diagnosed as having or have you ever been treated for pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, or frotteurism (recurrent pre-occupation with touching a non-consenting person)?
- Are you currently engaged in the illegal use of controlled substance?
- Have you ever been convicted, entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or a plea of similar effect, or had prosecution or sentence deferred or suspended in connection with:
- the use or distribution of controlled substances or legend drugs?
- a charge of a sex offense?
- any other crime, other than minor traffic infractions? (Include driving under the influence and reckless driving.)
- Have you ever been found in any civil administration or criminal proceeding to have:
- possessed, used, prescribed for use, or distributed controlled substances or legend drugs in any way other than for legitimate or therapeutic purposes, diverted controlled substances or legend drugs, violated any drug law, or prescribed controlled substances for yourself?
- Have you ever been found in any proceeding to have violated any state or federal law or rule regulating the practice of a health care profession? If “yes” explain and provide copies of all judgments, decisions, and agreements.
- Have you ever had any license, certificates, registration or other privilege to practice a health care profession denied, revoked, suspended, or restricted by a state, federal, or foreign authority, or have you ever surrendered such credential to avoid, or in connection with, action by such authority?
- Have you ever been named in any civil suit or suffered any civil judgment of incompetence, negligence or malpractice in connection with practice of a health care profession?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, full details must be furnished to the NCQAC. Be sure to tell the truth and contact the Commission early to determine their requirements.
The laws of Washington do not allow community college programs to discriminate in their admission process based on difficulties in any of the areas covered by these questions. Consequently, it is possible that you could be admitted to, and successfully complete, our program and still not be eligible for licensure.
The NCQAC will not discuss the possible action it might take regarding your eligibility for licensure until you apply for the exam. Therefore, if you have any concerns regarding these questions, it is recommended that you discuss them with the Program Coordinator prior to entering the Nursing Program.
Students applying to the Nursing program who have previously taken any coursework in another Nursing program must supply transcripts and any other program performance indicators as requested before the application can be considered.
Based on the information obtained, a student may be admitted, admitted with conditions, or denied admission. In addition, a letter from the director of the previous Nursing program stating that the student left the program in good standing must be provided from that program’s Nursing director. This documentation must be mailed directly to the YVC Nursing program from the previous program. Students who fail to disclose attendance and/or unsatisfactory work in another Nursing program may be subject to immediate dismissal from the YVC Nursing program if the information becomes available while they are enrolled.
Please contact the Nursing program directly at 509.574.4902 for more information.
YVC Nursing Program Student Achievement Data and Program NCLEX Pass rates
| Description | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX Pass Rate | 96% | 96% | 91% | 90.57% | 90.20% | 87.50% |
| Program Completion Rate | 90% | 91% | 93% | 95.2% | 93.2% | 91.38% |
| Job Placement Rate (employment in nursing within 6-9 months after graduation) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Advising
Students interested in the nursing program are encouraged to meet and maintain contact with the faculty advisor in the nursing department as well as meet with a college counselor/advisor to explore career options.
Nursing advisors are assigned alphabetically based on the first letter of your last name.
Faculty Advisors