Nursing - Home

Nurses are on the front lines of medical care, providing patients the help and support they need when they're most vulnerable. At Pierce College, nurses are trained to meet the rigorous demands of this taxing work, while relishing its incredible, lasting rewards.

Pierce College's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) fully prepares students for the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam measures the competencies needed to be a safe, effective, entry-level registered nurse. Pierce's program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and approved by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, Washington State Department of Health.

Pierce College also offers an LPN-RN Bridge program. Students who are already Licensed Practical Nurses, or are recent graduates of an LPN program, may be able to transfer directly into the fourth quarter of Pierce's ADN program through this option. However, these students must take the LPN articulation course (NURS 218) the week prior to the start of fall quarter.

Begin today
Pierce College's Nursing program has a unique application process.  

  • Application packets for the LPN-RN Bridge program are available for download from this website around the middle of February for a fall quarter start (September).
     
  • Application packets for the ADN program are available for download from this website about the middle of May for a winter quarter start (January).

Students wishing to apply are encouraged to meet with the Allied Health Program Manager to go over application requirements, prerequisite courses, deadlines and other important details.  To schedule an appointment, call (253) 840-8355. To download application packets and more nursing information please visit our department website.

Prerequisites
All program candidates must first complete college-level courses and meet minimum GPA requirements for consideration. All courses must have been taken within 10 years of the application date. A complete list of prerequisite courses, application, and admission requirements is available on the Department Website at www.pierce.ctc.edu/dept/nursing/site/. Or, schedule an advising appointment at (253) 840-8355.

Program length
The Associate Degree in Nursing at Pierce College takes six quarters. Students start in winter quarter and finish at the end of spring quarter the following year (January through May of the next year). The program continues through the summer quarter.

Transfer possibilities
Pierce College's Associate Degree in Nursing transfers directly to the University of Washington-Tacoma's bachelor's degree program, allowing students to transition quickly and seamlessly.

Students intending to transfer into a four-year program are asked to work closely with their nursing advisor.

Employment possibilities
Washington is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses in all medical settings. Students who complete Pierce College's Nursing program are trained and ready to begin their career immediately.

Special notes
Students who are already Licensed Practical Nurses may be able to transfer directly into the fourth quarter of Pierce's associate's degree program through a special "bridge" option. However, these students must take the LPN articulation course (NURS 218) the week prior to the start of fall quarter.

To download application packets and more nursing information please visit the Nursing department website.

Becky Piper, RN, MN
Interim Nursing Director
(253) 864-3111

Eustania Kasjan, M.A.
Allied Health Program Manager
(253) 840-8355

Cindy Porn
Nursing Office Assistant
(253) 864-3272

Glenine Collins, RN, MSN
Full-Time Nursing Faculty
(253) 840-3182

Ronda Durano, R.N.,M.N.
Full-Time Nursing Faculty
(253) 840-8379

Elizabeth Webber RN, MSN
Nursing Faculty
(253) 840-8375

 

National Accreditation

This nursing program is accredited by:

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
(NLNAC)
3343 Peachtree Rd. NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.nlnac.org