Nursing

“When you’re a nurse, you know that everyday you touch a life or a life will touch yours.”  WMCC is proud to provide an ACEN accredited, high-quality, comprehensive, student-centered nursing education.  During the two-year Registered Nurse program, our expert faculty will prepare you on campus through classroom lectures and our state-of-the-art simulation lab.  Off campus clinical rotation experiences also occur throughout the program at local hospitals, nursing homes, and other social service agencies throughout northern New Hampshire.

Program Purpose

The nursing program prepares students to provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities in acute, long-term, ambulatory, mental health, and other structured settings. The program consists of nursing, science and general education courses. Nursing courses include classroom, simulation lab and clinical experiences. Learning experiences and clinical practical may vary in time and locations.

The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Classroom and clinical components of the nursing program must be completed concurrently. All nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry into the first nursing course.

Students admitted into the nursing program must take nursing courses in sequence, and must achieve a minimum grade of C+ (76.67) in all major theory and science courses (Nursing, A&P I/II, and Microbiology), and a C (73.33) in all other general education program requirements, as well as achieve a grade of “Pass” in clinical to continue in the program.

Admission Requirements

1. Meet college requirements for admission. Submit official high school and previous college transcripts to the WMCC Admissions Department.
2. Achieve a minimum total score of 60.0% or better on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). Applicants are allowed three (3) attempts and the test scores are valid for a period of three (3) years. Contact the WMCC admissions office for exam dates and cost. TEAS handout for testing at WMCC. 
3. Have completed science courses within five (5) years of their first Nursing course at WMCC to be eligible for transfer credit. Transfer credits are awarded for Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology only if the grade is a C+ or better.
4. Submit two professional references, work or education

Applications are not complete until all the above-mentioned documents have been received. To qualify for admission, applications must be completed by March 15th.

Selection Criteria

Selection is determined by the Nursing Admission Rubric, which evaluates applicable college courses and grades, the ATI TEAS score, and references. Qualified students who are not accepted at first may be assigned to a prioritized waiting list based on the above criteria. They may be subsequently admitted if an opening becomes available prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Students desiring admission in the future must reapply.

Upon Acceptance

All students accepted into the Nursing program will:

1. Submit a current physical examination (within 1 year prior to beginning their first Nursing course), including all immunizations/titers.
2. Possess and maintain personal health insurance.
3. Acquire and maintain current Basic Life Support-Healthcare Provider certification.
4. Complete a criminal background check through the program’s approved vendor.
5. Complete a drug screening through the program’s approved vendor.

The clinical portion of the degree program is offered at area health care facilities (“clinical sites”). Clinical sites establish their own requirements for persons entering their facilities for educational purposes. Clinical sites may have established vaccination requirements, including vaccination for COVID-19. As with all clinical program requirements, the clinical site reserves the right to deny participation to any student who does not meet required clinical criteria and do not follow clinical site policies. Individual programs of study do not have the authority to secure clinical experience(s) for students who do not meet eligibility criteria. Students participating in clinicals must adhere to the sites’ requirements. While these are not college requirements, failure to adhere to the clinical site requirements will result in ineligibility to complete the Nursing program. Students may request exemptions through the appropriate college or clinical coordination representative, who will forward the request to the clinical site for consideration. Until an exemption or approval for attendance is granted by the clinical site, students will not be able to attend their assigned clinicals. Inability to attend clinical could impact clinical attendance, continuation in the program, and financial aid. Students should contact Sarah Baillargeon MSN, RN, WMCC Nursing Program Coordinator to find out a clinical site’s vaccine requirements and the process for seeking exemption.

LPN to RN Completion Option

Licensed Practical Nurses wishing to advance their education and complete their Associate in Science degree in Nursing may transfer into the second semester of the nursing program pending seat availability after meeting the following criteria:

1. Have successfully completed a practical Nursing program from an accredited school or
2. Provide evidence of a current unencumbered LPN license.
3. Meet all college requirements.
4. Provide evidence of first semester courses:
   • Human Growth and Development with a C or better.
   • Anatomy and Physiology I with a C+ or better and completed within the last 5 years.
   • Science courses completed within 5 years of students’ admission into the Nursing program. Transfer credits are awarded for grades of C+ or better for Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology.
5. Achieve a 77% or better on a drug calculations test.
6. Take ATI Practical Nurse Comprehensive Predictor and achieve 68% or better.
7. Demonstrate competency in specified skills including assessment of vital signs, medication administration, and sterile technique.

A meeting with the Nursing Program Coordinator is recommended to ensure the student is prepared for entry into the second semester of the first year.

Transfer Policy

Transfer into the nursing program may be an option only if there is space available. Transfer requests are evaluated individually based on the student’s qualifications and seat availability. Contact the Nursing Program Coordinator for further information.

Readmission Policy

Students matriculated in the associate degree in Nursing who withdraw or do not achieve the required minimum grade may be eligible for readmission.  Readmission requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, they must occur within one year of the student’s exiting the program, and they are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission is required to meet the curriculum requirement in effect at the time of readmission.

Students who have failed a Nursing course because of unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions are NOT eligible for readmission into the Nursing program.

Employment/Transfer Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the degree, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Prior to meeting all course requirements for the degree, students may be eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing for additional licensure after the successful completion of Nursing I (LNA) and Nursing III (LPN). The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action.  Questions about licensing restriction should be addressed to:

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

Division of Health Professions

Board of Nursing

7 Eagle Square

Concord, NH 03301

[email protected] 

(603) 271-2323 (Nursing)

(603) 271-6382 (Nursing Assistant)

(603) 271-6605 (Fax)

The Nursing program maintains articulation agreements with colleges and universities throughout New England. Further information can be obtained from the Nursing Program Coordinator.