Nursing

Nursing - DTA-MRP - LPN to RN

The Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program at Bellingham Technical College located in Bellingham, WA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3390 Peachtree Rd. 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 Registered Nursing Program is Initial Accreditation.

If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in WA State and are interested in continuing your education to become a Registered Nurse (RN), then Bellingham Technical College’s Nursing Program LPN-RN option is for you!

Attend an online LPN to RN Information Session on February 10, 2022 to learn more about the BTC LPN-RN Nursing Program option and get information about the admissions process and requirements of our program.

The Bellingham Technical College Nursing Program is the largest nursing program in the region and has been educating nurses since 1954. The registered nursing program is nationally accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is a concept-based Associate Degree in Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway (DTA/MRP). Academic preparation includes core courses in arts and sciences and those focusing on basic nursing skills and knowledge.

There is one Nursing Program at BTC which has three program options, Registered Nursing (RN), LPN-RN, and Practical Nursing (PN). The two-year registered nurse associate degree is intended for students new to the nursing field and is a full-time option only. Advanced placement students who are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are admitted into the part-time, evening LPN-RN option to complete the DTA/MRP associate degree. Students who graduate from the two-year full-time RN and LPN-RN pathway are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). The third program option is the Practical Nursing Certificate.

The BTC LPN-RN Program is excited to be able to offer LPN-RN students the DTA/MRP associate degree. This degree was collaboratively developed by the Washington State community and technical colleges and four-year universities to create a streamlined pathway to the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Nursing Student Handbook 2021-2022

Please Note: BTC has not made a determination that the Nursing Program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.

The BTC Nursing Program is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC).

PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

www.doh.wa.gov

Nursing Video

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

91%¹ / 87%³ BTC graduate placement rate

$69,235 starting annual wage²
$82,199 average annual wage²
$99,394 potential annual wage²

Employment and Wage Data Sources

¹Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2016-17 and 2018-19. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

²Wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Washington State wage) and reflect 2015-2018 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50^th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

³Additional employment rates are provided for programs with faculty who maintain their own employment records of students who graduated between 2015-16 and 2017-18 and who were employed in their field of study within 9 months of graduation. These additional, faculty-provided rates are particularly important for programs that tend to have graduates employed outside of WA and OR. Note that due to lack of available data, rates may represent fewer than 3 years of graduates.

Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates

Program fees address distinct and specified costs such as lab assistants, supplies, materials, equipment, rentals, software licensing, replacement and upgrade, maintenance, and other operational costs.

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

Apply now for the LPN-RN Part-Time Evening Cohort!

All students interested in the Nursing Program should meet with the Nursing Student Navigator, to schedule an appointment contact Admissions & Advising at advsing@btc.edu or 360.752.8345.

The Nursing Program enters advanced placement LPN-RN applicants into cohorts utilizing a program-ready list (waitlist). Complete applications are placed on the waitlist in the order in which they are received.

LPN-RN DTA Program Admissions Checklist 21-22

LPN-RN Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The program longer enters LPNs into the second year of the full-time Nursing Program instead all advanced placement LPN students will apply to the part-time evening LPN-RN cohort. This cohort enters 10 students in every spring quarter. Next possible cohort start is April 2022.

The BTC Nursing Program looks forward to educating our students in-person again for the 21-22 academic year. Please be aware that this is not an online program.

Starting in Fall students will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. To be considered fully vaccinated, two weeks must have passed since the date of the second dose or first dose for the one-dose vaccine. The program’s clinical partner agencies will not accept any exemption to full COVID-19 vaccination.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Applicants must score at the "PROFICIENT" level or higher in each of the four areas on one transcript. See the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills handout for more information about this entrance assessment.

Students can take the TEAS through the BTC Assessment Center or remotely through ATI.

Registration Directions for TEAS at ATI

Healthcare Experience

LPN-RN applicants must have an active, unencumbered WA Sate LPN license and submit the Verification of Work Experience Form signed by their employer documenting 500 hours of worked as an LPN within the last five years. Proof of current LPN license is required to be included with LPN-RN admission application.

Verification of Work Experience as LPN Form (LPN-RN only)

Early Program Course Requirements

ALL COURSES MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 5 QUARTER CREDITS OR 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

The following courses must be completed with a B (3.0) or higher in each course:

Intro to Statistics (MATH& 146)
Human A & P 1 (BIOL& 241)
Human A & P 2 (BIOL& 242)
Microbiology (BIOL& 260)
Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161)
English Composition I (ENGL& 101)
Lifespan Psychology (PSYC& 200)

The following courses must be completed with a C (2.0) or higher in each course:

General Psychology (PSYC& 100)
General Biology with lab (BIOL& 160)
Five (5) credits of Communication Electives (CMST&210 Interpersonal Communications can no longer be accepted as a Communication elective)
Ten (10) credits of Humanities Electives (Only 5 credits of foreign language can be accepted)

30 credits of Practical Nursing - only required for students who completed Practical Nursing education at a college other than BTC

The transcript evaluation process must be complete before applying to the program.

LPN-RN Program Application

Program-ready applicants are invited to apply. Email application and proof of WA State LPN license to nursing@btc.edu.

LPN-RN Admission Application form

Physical Requirements

AFTER admissions acceptance into the program and prior to beginning program classes students must submit proof of all Clinical Placement Requirements.

Clinical Placement Requirement Info Sheet
This program requires a criminal history background check prior to attending the clinic practicum. Criminal History Background Check Information Sheet

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

Classes

Total Program Credits: 45

Quarter 1

NURS 210

Acute Health Concepts

5 CR

This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of the concepts of cellular regulation, digestion, fluids and electrolytes, immunity, infection, intracranial regulation, metabolism, perfusion, clinical decision making, collaboration, managing care, teaching and learning, informatics, quality improvement, hospitalized individual and advanced clinical skills.

Prerequisites:
NURS 130, NURS 135, NUTR 117, and PSYC 117 with a B- or higher OR acceptance into the LPN to RN to BSN DTA.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Harris	Openings: 0
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Harris	Openings: 20
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Harris	Openings: 20

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

NUTR 215

Nutrition in Healthcare IV

1 CR

PHIL 215

Ethics & Policy in Healthcare II

1 CR

NUTR 115

Nutrition in Healthcare I

1 CR

PHIL 115

Ethics and Policy in Healthcare I

1 CR

Quarter 2

NURS 215

Acute Health Concepts- Clinical Lab

6 CR

This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of fluid and electrolyte, acid base balance, elimination, oxygenation, metabolism, intracranial regulation, thermoregulation, perfusion, inflammation, tissue integrity, mobility, infection control, stress/coping, family, health/wellness/illness, hospitalized individual, communication, clinical decision making, advanced clinical skills, patient educator, collaboration, managing care, safety, advocacy, informatics , point of care documentation, clinical decision and support systems. These concepts are applied through on-campus theory, skills and simulation labs and off-campus clinical experiences at inpatient regional facilities with focus on adult medical surgical acute care, and assisted living.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 0
			Scott
			Scott
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY		Harris	Openings: 0
			Harris
			Harris
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 10
			Scott
			Scott
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022			Harris	Openings: 10
			Harris
			Harris
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 10
			Scott
			Scott
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY		Harris	Openings: 10
			Harris
			Harris

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

Quarter 3

NURS 220

Complex Health Concepts

4 CR

This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of acid base balance, perfusion, cognition, mood and affect, self, violence, reproduction, antepartum care, intrapartum care, postpartum care, newborn care, collaboration, and managing care.

Prerequisites:
NURS 210, NURS 215, NUTR 215, and PHIL 215 all with a B- or higher.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Davidson	Openings: 7
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY	4:00p-7:30p	Port	Openings: 2
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Davidson	Openings: 20
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY	12:30p-3:30p	Davidson	Openings: 20

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

NUTR 216

Nutrition in Healthcare V

1 CR

PSYC 215

Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare IV

1 CR

NUTR 116

Nutrition in Healthcare II

1 CR

NUTR 117

Nutrition in Healthcare III

1 CR

Quarter 4

NURS 225

Complex Health Concepts- Clinical Lab

6 CR

This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of acid base balance, newborn thermoregulation, perfusion, reproduction, development, cellular regulation and cancer, comfort, violence, communication, collaboration, managing care, ethics and mastering previously learned concepts. These concepts are applied through on-campus theory, skills and simulation labs and off-campus clinical experiences at inpatient regional facilities with focus on specialty nursing areas and assisted living.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY		Davidson	Openings: 2
			Davidson
			Davidson
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY		Carson	Openings: 5
			Carson
			Carson
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY		Davidson	Openings: 10
			Davidson
			Davidson
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY		Carson	Openings: 10
			Carson
			Carson
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022			Port	Openings: 10
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY		Davidson	Openings: 10
			Davidson
			Davidson
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY		Carson	Openings: 10
			Carson
			Carson

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

PSYC 117

Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare III

2 CR

Quarter 5

NURS 230

Professional Nursing Concepts

3 CR

This course is designed to assimilate the concepts within the three domains of individual, nursing and healthcare. Emphasis is placed on cellular regulation, comfort, infection, oxygenation, perfusion, tissue integrity, grief and loss, managing care, professional behaviors, teaching and learning, ethics, evidenced-based practice, healthcare systems, health policy, legal issues, and mastering previously learned concepts.

Prerequisites:
NURS 220, NURS 225, NUTR 216, and PSYC 215 all with a B- or higher.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY	8:30a-11:30a	Schuman	Openings: 3
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY	8:30a-11:30a	Schuman	Openings: 20
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY	8:30a-11:30a	Schuman	Openings: 20
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	F	4:00p-7:30p	Port	Openings: 10

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

PHIL 216

Ethics & Policy in Healthcare III

3 CR

PSYC 115

Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare I

1 CR

PSYC 116

Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare II

1 CR

Quarter 6

NURS 235

Professional Nursing Concepts- Clinical Lab

6 CR

This course is designed to assimilate the concepts within the three domains of individual, nursing and healthcare. Emphasis is placed on oxygenation, tissue integrity, clinical decision making, health policy, health care systems, legal issues, evidenced based practice and mastering previously learned concepts. These concepts are applied through on-campus theory, skills/simulation labs and off-campus clinical experiences. The opportunity to be mentored in professional nursing practice is provided through preceptor-guided experiences in a variety of community based and inpatient regional facilities as assigned.

Future Offerings:

Fall 2021-2022
	09/20/2021-12/09/2021	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 3
			Scott
			Scott
Winter 2021-2022
	01/04/2022-03/24/2022	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 20
			Scott
			Scott
Spring 2021-2022
	04/05/2022-06/22/2022	DAILY		Scott	Openings: 20
			Scott
			Scott

Icon Key

Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-Support

Definitions
Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.

Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

Program Outcomes

The BTC Associate Degree Nursing graduate will be able to:

Nursing Care: Integrate the nursing process to deliver individualized culturally competent care.
Self-Care Promotion: Formulate strategies to promote the health of self and others.
Professionalism: Model integrity through professional boundaries, ethical behaviors, and respectful communication.
Collaborative Leadership: Maximize positive health outcomes through the promotion of evidence-based clinical care within the interdisciplinary team.
Clinical Judgment: Model safe nursing care by integrating critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and prioritization.

BTC graduated the first cohort of LPN-RN DTA/MRP students August 2020

First Attempt NCLEX Pass Rates From NCQAC Quarterly Reports

2019-2020
1st Quarter - No graduates
2nd Quarter - No graduates
3rd Quarter - No graduates
4th Quarter – 95%

Summary of Annual Program Completion Data

Cohort (Grad month year) - 08/20
20 began, 19 graduated
95% Retention

Job Placement Summary (Academic Year and Job Placement)

2019-2020: 75% employed 9 months after graduation*

*15 of the 19 graduates responded to survey

Employment Outlook

Registered Nurses are the most advertised job online in Whatcom county. As the Baby Boomer population ages, the number of healthcare jobs in our community and beyond is rapidly growing. The demand for nursing program graduates is high: 97 percent of Bellingham Technical College Nursing Program students have jobs within nine months of graduating. The average annual wage in this field is $78,666, with an earning potential of about $96,658 per year.

BTC graduates are highly sought after by employers in our region and beyond. Graduates of BTC find top jobs in a variety of healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, skilled home care, hospice, clinics, day-surgery centers, schools, and public health.

Many of the Nursing Program graduates go on to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The DTA/MRP degree that BTC offers allows graduates to seamlessly transfer to WA State RN-BSN programs. A BTC Associate Degree in Nursing is the first step on a path to further career advancement towards a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctoral degree.

Faculty & Support

Rika Winquist

Shane Weg

Diana Davidson

Diana began as a nursing instructor at Bellingham Technical College in 2010. She has worked as a nurse in many settings in both Whatcom and Skagit County. Areas of experience include Acute Care, Long Term Care, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, Health Clinics, Camp Nurse, and School Nurse. Diana began her nursing education at Skagit Valley College, and completed her Master of Nursing degree at University of Washington Bothell. Her research and projects focus on improving the health of student nurses and clients by promoting exercise and a plant strong diet.

Tiffany Schuman

Tiffany began her nursing career as an LPN while immediately working toward her BSN. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005. She completed graduate school at Western Governor's University with a MSN-Ed in 2015 followed by earning her national certification as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) in 2016.

Jennifer Tachiyama

Nursing Support Specialist - Advising for all Nursing and Pre-Nursing Master of Education Bachelor of Science – Mathematics I am a dedicated, goal oriented, team player with eight years’ experience teaching and four years teaching Middle School Summer School, three years running an After School Homework Center, and four years as an Accounting Clerk. I have been a Site Team Chair, Mathematics Head Chair, and the Middle School and High School Curriculum Director for Mathematics. I like challenges and finding solutions to them. I thrive on providing excellence in all areas of my job. My undergraduate schooling was completed at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mathematics and was awarded one of four of the University’s top awards, the George S. Benson Citizenship Award for Outstanding Contribution in Academics and Athletics. I have completed my Master of Education Degree and Teaching Certification in Secondary Education at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington

Natasha Barrow

Natasha graduated with an associate degree in Nursing from Olympic College. She went on to complete her bachelor’s and Masters in Nursing from Washington State University. She is currently working on her PhD in Nursing at Washington State University. She has worked as an RN since 2015. During this time, she has worked on a medical-surgical unit and obtained her Medical-Surgical Nursing certification. She went on to work in the float pool covering units such as psych, med-surg, rehab, oncology, and neurology. Her most recent nursing experience has been with a Progressive Care Unit, where she obtained her progressive care certification.

Patrick Harris

Patrick Harris became a nursing instructor at Bellingham Technical College in 2021. He is currently the course lead for NURS 210/215. Prior to relocating to Washington, he worked for five years as a nursing instructor at Umpqua Community College (UCC) in Roseburg, Oregon. Patrick obtained his Associates of Applied Science in Nursing at Umpqua Community College in 2004 and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2006 at Kaplan University. He received his Master of Science in Nursing in 2017 through Western Governors University while working as a nursing instructor at UCC. Patrick has worked as a Registered Nurse since 2004, primarily in the emergency department with stints on the medical/surgical unit and in the cardiac cath lab. Patrick was a CNA and LPN prior to receiving his RN licensure. He worked in emergency departments in Oregon as both a traveling nurse as well as a full-time employee. He has worked in a variety of hospitals, ranging from a rural critical access hospital on the Oregon coast to a large hospital in Portland. He fulfilled a dream of his by working in Anchorage, Alaska as a traveling nurse prior to accepting a full time teaching job at UCC. He continued to work part time in the emergency department after becoming a nursing instructor.

Mary Curran

Mary Curran has experience in providing nursing care in a variety of settings. Mary began her pursuit in the field of nursing at Bellingham Technical College by completing the nursing assistant program in 1991 and practical nursing program in 1993. The solid nursing foundation gained at Bellingham Technical College laid the ground work for her journey in nursing. Working at each level Mary continued her nursing education: Associate's Degree in Nursing, Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, and Master's Degree in Nursing. Mary is dedicated to quality nursing care and education through role modeling.

Degrees and Credentials
M.N., Nursing, University of Washington - 2004
B.S., Nursing, University of Washington - 2004
WA Professional Technical Certification - 2004
A.T.A., Nursing, Skagit Valley College - 2004
Registered Nurse License, State of Washington - 2004

Holly Kennedy

Holly Kennedy has a Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Washington and a Certificate from the University of Washington in Nurse Educator Specialty Training. She has over 27 years of experience providing nursing care to patients in a variety of settings. Her background includes acute care hospitals, home health, home infusion, industry, Sara Lee Corporation, American Red Cross and medical office nursing. Holly Kennedy has over 9 years experience as a medical office nurse and clinic coordinator. She is committed to nursing education and facilitating the best experience possible for students in the clinical setting.

Degrees and Credentials
Registered Nurse License, State of Washington - 2004
WA Professional Technical Certification - 2004
Diploma Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing - 2004
Nurse Educator Specialist Training Certificate - 2004
B.S., Nursing, University of Victoria - 2004
M.N., Nursing, University of Washington - 2004
B.S., Industrial Technology, Central Connecticut State University - 2004

Nursing

Nursing

Nursing - DTA-MRP - LPN to RN

Employment Information

Estimated Program Costs

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Healthcare Experience

Early Program Course Requirements

LPN-RN Program Application

Physical Requirements

What are My Next Steps?

Classes

Total Program Credits: 45

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Quarter 5

Quarter 6

Program Outcomes

First Attempt NCLEX Pass Rates From NCQAC Quarterly Reports

Summary of Annual Program Completion Data

Job Placement Summary (Academic Year and Job Placement)

Employment Outlook

Faculty & Support

Rika Winquist

Shane Weg

Diana Davidson

Tiffany Schuman

Jennifer Tachiyama

Natasha Barrow

Patrick Harris

Mary Curran

Degrees and Credentials

Holly Kennedy

Degrees and Credentials