Nursing

Diverse nursing students

Nursing holds a special place in today’s U.S. healthcare system. Nurses are taking on expanded roles to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex needs and various health conditions. Nurses make a real difference in their patients' lives, helping them heal and recover while putting their families at ease.

Our nursing program is approved by:

  • The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs/Board of Nursing
    PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909-8170
  • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 

ACEN accreditation is a peer-review process that enhances quality improvement in nursing education. It also provides valuable career and education decision-making information and makes students eligible for federal, state, and foundation agency funding.

Nursing Mission Statement

“The mission of the Nursing Program is aligned with the mission of the college. We educate, prepare, and empower student nurses to become competent health professionals who deliver safe patient care in a state-of-the-art health care environment with interdisciplinary teams, and to promote health and wellness to individuals, families, and communities in our culturally diverse society.”

End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply professional accountability congruent with the roles, responsibilities, and values associated with nursing practice. 
  2. Integrate evidence-based principles as a foundation for nursing practice. 
  3. Demonstrate effective patient-centered care to diverse populations in a variety of care environments. 
  4. Examine care standards with continuous scrutiny for the betterment of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to complete a national exam through the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The exam measures the WCCCD nursing graduates competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as an entry-level graduate nurse. Successful completion of the exam is a requirement for employment as an RN. The table below identifies the three-year pass rates for nursing graduates.

Year Number of First Time Test Takers Total Number of First Time Test Takers Aggregate Pass Rate Aggregate Program Completion Rate 100% Job Placement Rate
2022 Spring: 27/42
Fall: 46/79
73/121 60.33% 11.65% 97%
2023 Spring: 25/33
Fall: 21/25
46/58 79.31% 21.36% 100%
2024 Spring: 27/27
Fall: 8/8
35/35 100%        Pending Spring: 93% Fall: Pending

What’s the Job Outlook for Nurses?

The employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

As of May 2023, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $86,070.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, June 2024, Registered Nurses
WCCCD Nursing Program is fully approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing (MBON)

Three nursing students

Nursing Program Application

A nursing career is a promising opportunity to build a healthcare career that supports you and your community.

What’s Required to Complete the Nursing Program?

Prospective students are required to take a combination of prerequisite courses and nursing classes. When you enroll in Wayne County Community College District’s Nursing Program you will not have to make guesses about what your academic timeline will look like.

An Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree (AAS) at WCCCD requires 69 total credits and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (grade C or better) upon completion. 

We have articulation agreements with Eastern Michigan University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and University of Michigan-Flint for those students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

How Do I Get into the Nursing Program?

Admission to WCCCD’s Nursing degree program is competitive. We admit students twice a year for the spring and fall semesters. To qualify, you must meet all WCCCD admission requirements and also:

  • Provide your high school transcript, high school diploma, or certified GED scores showing completion dates
  • Provide official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have  attended, including WCCCD
  • Take and pass the HESI exam at WCCCD within two years before applying to the nursing program
  • Submit one personal reference letter and one employer reference letter signed and dated within 60 days of application (letters from family members or WCCCD faculty/staff will not be accepted)
  • Complete a background check via www.castlebranch.com upon acceptance to the nursing program

    What Will I Learn as a Nursing Student?

    You will learn the role of a professional Registered Nurse to meet the bio-psychosocial needs of culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities. Our program focuses on best-practice standards that promote health and wellness.

    Once you complete the program, you’ll be prepared to:

    • Take the National Counsel Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN)
    • Apply evidence-based practice when making patient care decisions
    • Care for diverse patients in multiple care  settings

    Recommended course sequencing

    Where is WCCCD’s Nursing Program Offered?

    As a WCCCD student, you can take prerequisite courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.

    Other Programs offered at WCCCD:

    • Nurse Assistant Training
      • A 2-semester or 4-week certificate program prepares students to become nurse aides and assist health professionals with patient care.
    • Allied Health Programs
      • Anesthesia Technology
      • Dental Hygiene
      • Pharmacy Technology
      • Phlebotomy

    Nursing Handbook

    Nursing Information Packet

    Care Coordination and Transition Management

    This 20-credit, two-semester certificate prepares nurses for the Care Coordination and Transition Management Certification Exam.

    Nursing Assistant Training

    This 2-semester or 4-week certificate prepares students to become nurse aides and assist health professionals in patient care. Please see course offerings and Nursing Administration.

    Allied Health Programs

    WCCCD also offers programs in anesthesia technology, dental hygiene, pharmacy technology, phlebotomy, and more.

    It is the policy of WCCCD that no person, based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, or political affiliation or belief, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment or in any program or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.

    More Information