Become a Registered Nurse
What Will I Learn?
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
Nursing, AAS
Westmoreland’s associate degree Nursing program provides the academic and clinical preparation to start a career in entry-level nursing positions. Upon completion of the associate degree program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for the RN (NCLEX-RN) leading to the licensure to practice nursing.
The associate degree Nursing program is offered at both the Youngwood campus and at Westmoreland - Indiana County. The Youngwood campus offers a full-time daylight program (fall start) and an evening program (spring start). The Indiana County location offers the full-time daylight program.
- Lectures & Labs are held on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday beginning at 8 a.m. and ending by 3:50 p.m.
- Clinical is scheduled at an acute care facility (assigned hospital) Wednesday & Friday 6:30 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.
- Lectures & Labs are held on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. and ending by 10 p.m.
- Clinical is scheduled at an acute care facility (assigned hospital) Wednesday & Friday 2:45-10:45 p.m.
In addition, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can continue to climb the career ladder by enrolling in the Nursing Advanced Standing to AAS for LPNs Program Option. This program option allows licensed practical nurses to apply for advanced placement into the second year of the associate degree Nursing Program if they meet specific criteria.
View Nursing, AAS in the College Catalog
What Will I Earn?
If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and certificates. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from $28.71 - $45.75 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $35.18.
It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors.
Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2023.1
* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.
Career Opportunities
Registered nurses work in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in correctional facilities or schools, or serve in the military.
Pathways to a BSN
Graduates of Westmoreland's Nursing program who want to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing are encouraged to do so! Westmoreland partners with several colleges and universities to maintain guided pathways for graduates to achieve a BSN. We have formal transfer agreements with the following institutions:
- Carlow University
- Chatham University
- Duquesne University
- Edinboro University
- La Roche University
- Mount Aloysius College
- PennWest California
- PennWest Edinboro
- Robert Morris University
- Seton Hill University-Online
- Slippery Rock University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- West Virginia University
- Western Governors University
- Youngstown State University
Accreditation
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Westmoreland County Community College, located in Youngwood, Pa, is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
The Westmoreland County Community College Associate Degree Nursing program is also approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Technology Requirements
- Examplify can be used on virtually any modern computer (i.e. purchased within the last 3-4 years).
- Examplify can only be supported on Mac, Windows, and iPad operating systems.
- Examplify will not run on Chromebook, Android, or Linux operating systems.
Caring
- Provide safe, quality, evidence-based patient-centered care with respect for diversity across the lifespan
Competency
- Implement technical aspects of care by following standards of safe, professional practice
Communication
- Implement the use of therapeutic and professional communication when participating in the collaborative care of patients and their families
Clinical Judgment
- Use the nursing process, critical thinking and clinical reasoning to manage patient care
- Use information technologies to coordinate safe care for individuals and their families
Commitment
- Incorporate nursing actions within the legal and ethical framework of nursing practice by conducting self in a civil and professional manner
Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing Program must attain the Program's stated End of Program Student Learning Outcomes. To review the analysis of data related to these outcomes, and to provide input related to program improvement, please contact the Nursing Program Director at HealthProfessionsFREEWESTMORELAND
- 2022-2023 - 91%
- 2021-2022 - 70%
- 2020-2021 - 88%
- 2020-2021 - 75%
- 2019-2020 - 81%
- 2018-2019 - 75%
- 2022-2023 - 96%
- 2021-2022 - 82%
- 2020-2021 - 96%
Associate Degree Nursing Program Progression Statement
Students accepted into the Westmoreland County Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program must fulfill defined criteria to progress and/or graduate from this program.
Please refer to the Student Nurse Handbook for the Guideline for Progression in the Nursing Program.
Associate Degree Nursing Program Tuition and Fees 2024-2025
1st Year Associate:
- CPR- good for 2 years (includes book) $110.00
- Passport photo $30.00
- Professional liability insurance $60.00
- Health requirements *varies depending on health insurance coverage
- Physical exam and vaccinations $1,000.00*
- Castle branch documents management $85.00
- Child abuse clearance $15.00
- FBI fingerprinting $28.00
- Urine drug screen $80.00
- Nursing program uniforms $220.00
- Stethoscope $100.00
- Wrist watch with a second hand $35.00
- Text book bundle Level I $1,300.00
- Software Fee $1,000.00
- Estimated text books - general education $1,000.00
- Tuition - $140.00 per credit (in-county) $5,460.00 for 39 credits
- Tuition - $280 per credit (out-of-county) $10,920.00 for 39 credits
- General Fee $70.00 per credit - $2,730.00 for 39 credits
- Pre-Requisite 7 credits BIO 171 & CPT 150
- Nursing Classes first Semester 13 credits
- General Education Courses First Semester 4 credits
- Nursing Classes Second Semester 9 credits
- General Education Classes second semester 6 credits
- Capital Fee (out-of-county/out-of-state) $6.00 per credit =$234.00
- Lab fees nursing courses $80 per course
- First Semester 3 courses X $80.00= $240.00
- Second Semester 1 course X $80.00 = $80.00
- Clinical Placement Fee $20 per clinical course
- First Semester $20
- Second Semester $20
- Lab fee non-nursing courses with a lab $70 (BIO 171, BIO 172) - $140.00
Estimated total for first year: $13,753.00 in-county and $19,447.00 out-of-county
2nd Year Associate:
- Professional liability insurance renewal $60.00
- Subsequent health follow-up $75.00
- Annual urine drug screen $80.00
- Text books Level II $1,000.00
- Estimated textbooks - general education $900.00
- Software Fee $1,000.00
- Tuition $140.00 per credit (in-county) $4,620.00 for 33 credits
- Tuition $280.00 per credit (out-of-county) $9,240.00
- General Fee $70.00 per credit - $2,310.00 for 33 credits
- Nursing courses third and fourth Semester = 20 credits
- General Education Courses = 13 credits
- Capital Fee (out-of-county/out-of-state) $6.00 per credit X 33 credits= $198.00
- Lab fees $80 per nursing course
- 5 Nursing courses Third and Fourth Semester : 5X $80.00=$400.00
- Clinical Placement Fee $20 per clinical course
- Third semester $60
- Fourth semester $60
- NCLEX Prep Fee NSG 280: $300.00
- This fee covers NCLEX readiness assessment and preparation materials
- Lab fees non-nursing courses with a lab (BIO 265) $70. 00
Estimated total for Second Year: $10,935.00 (in-county) and $15,728.00 (out-of-county)
Estimated grand total for 72-credit Associate Degree Nursing Program of Study - $24,688.00 in-county and $35,175.00 out-of-county
Other associated estimated Fees:
- NLN NEX pre admission testing $10.00
- PA State Board of Nursing $150.00
- Fees for examination and licensing $300.00
Basic Application Process - Health Professions
- Complete and submit an Application for Admission to
the college - Receive a College Login: 24-48 business hours after applying, you will receive a college login.
- Log into Westmoreland: Use your login to access "MyWestmoreland" from the top of any page on the college website.
- Access the Health Professions Application: Within MyWestmoreland, go to Student Resources and Popular Links to find the Health Professions Application. Two applications are required: Westmoreland application and Health Professions Application
- Use the following checklists to guide you:
- Day and Evening Nursing: Pay for, complete, and submit the National League of Nursing Preadmission Exam (NEX) to Westmoreland County Community College. The exam assesses your ability to meet the demands of the Nursing Program and assesses your skills in math, English, reading, language, and science. You will be evaluated based on the highest of up to two exam attempts submitted to the college per year.
- LPN Bridge (NACE Version): Pay for, complete, and submit the National League of Nursing - Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exam (FN1.2) to Westmoreland County Community College. The exam assesses your ability to meet the demands of the Nursing Program and assesses your LPN skills in fundamental nursing. You will be evaluated based on the highest of up to two exam attempts submitted to the college per year.
- More information regarding the Entrance Exam can be found here.
- Submit official transcript from all secondary schools attended, graduate equivalency degree (GED) programs and any other formal educational program beyond high school
- Application Deadline: January 12 prior to fall start; May 15 prior to spring start
- Acceptance Notification: Mid-March (fall); Mid-August (spring)