Nursing

Nursing AS

The West Hills College Lemoore Associate Degree Nursing Program endorses the mission of West Hills College Lemoore (WHCL) which is: to serve “a diverse community of students who seek an affordable, accessible, relevant, and rigorous education. The college community is dedicated to student learning and achievement by providing quality courses that lead to certificates, associate degrees, transfer, and career pathways.”(West Hills College Lemoore 2018-2019 Catalog, p.7).

The West Hills College Lemoore Associate Degree Nursing Program adheres to this mission when offering the Associate Degree in Nursing. The mission of the nursing program is to provide an innovative, student-centered educational program that prepares diverse students as candidates to become Registered Nurses to provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in the current healthcare environment. Upon completion of the program, the graduate is qualified to take the NCLEX-RN examination.

West Hills College Lemoore Nursing students will embody the Integrating Concepts of the National League for Nursing (NLN) and develop the ability to move with grace through the many realms of nursing. The students will master varied areas of knowledge and science. They will be prepared to operate in complex environments while meeting the highest standards of quality and safety. Students will be able to work comfortably in inter-disciplinary healthcare teams. With an awareness of their own personal and professional growing edge and learning needs, they will be able to build the relationships by which they touch and respond to those in need in the communities they serve.

Program Prerequisites

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is a 4 semester/two year program that includes didactic and intensive clinical placements with industry partners in our community. Students graduate with their associate degree in nursing. Completion of the program enables the student to take the California State Board Registered Nursing Exam (NCLEX) to obtain their RN license. An RN licensure with an associate degree in nursing allows the successful student to obtain employment in a variety of areas within the health care community. The Associate degree RN has the ability to advance their degree; BSN, MSN or Doctorate level while continuing employment as an RN and expand their nursing practice, employment and income earning potential.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skill includes:

• BIO032 (Human Anatomy)
• BIO035 (Human Physiology)
• BIO038 (Microbiology)
• ENG001A (Composition & Reading)
  
  

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Prioritize safe, quality nursing care incorporating application of the nursing process to diverse patients across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.
• Exercise nursing judgment through application of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice to promote the health of patients in a family and community context.
• Participate in quality improvement processes to improve patient care outcomes.
• Initiate communication and interdisciplinary collaboration with members of the healthcare team, patient and the patient’s support system to facilitate improved patient outcomes.
• Utilize the appropriate information management systems and patient care technology to communicate within an interdisciplinary team, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making in the clinical environment.
• Analyze professional identity through leadership and a commitment to caring, diversity, ethics, excellence, holism, integrity, and patient-centered care.
• Create a caring Culture of Health in demonstrating a spirit of inquiry and providing care to sick and well patients of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures in a variety of community settings.
  
  

 

This is a recommended sequence of courses for timely completion of this program. Please see your counselor to formalize your personalized educational plan or for alternative planning.