Registered Nurse, Associate Degree

Learn more at our Nursing Program Application Information Sessions!

This session will provide information specific to the application process for the Nursing (Registered Nurse) program.

If you have questions regarding the application process virtual, please contact Colleen Bassham at cbassham@rtc.edu. 

Virtual Nursing Program Application Information Sessions Available via Zoom:

ADMISSION POLICY

In order to be admitted to the Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing, a prospective student must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum age: 18 years (at time of clinical placement)
• Communication involving patient care in the clinical setting is critical to patient safety. All students shall be fluent in the English language, including verbal and written.
• Hold an active and unencumbered healthcare license for the State of Washington, for example, Nursing Assistant Certificate, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Certificate, and several other options. Certificates must be licensed with the state of Washington and up to date.

• COMPLETION OF PREREQUISITE COURSES: (Courses required prior to admission into the nursing program)

  • BIOL& 160; General Biology – 5 Credits (prerequisite to Anatomy/Physiology BIOL& 241)
  • BIOL& 241; Anatomy and Physiology I – 5 Credits (prerequisite to Anatomy/Physiology BIOL& 242)
  • BIOL& 242; Anatomy and Physiology II – 5 Credits
  • BIOL& 260; Microbiology – 5 Credits
  • ENGL& 101; English Composition – 5 Credits
  • MATH& 146; Statistics – 5 Credits
  • PSYC& 200; Developmental Psychology – 5 Credits
  • CHEM& 121; Chemistry – 5 Credits

1. Applicants must earn a minimum grade of 2.5 in mathematics and psychology prerequisite courses. Additionally, for all other prerequisite courses, a minimum grade of “B” equal to 3.0 is required.
2. Applicants may retake the course to meet the minimum grade requirement. However, no more than three attempts to take the course will be accepted per course as meeting the minimum requirement for acceptance to the program.
3. Applicants will work with the Renton Technical College Academic/Career Counselor, Colleen Bassham at cbassham@rtc.edu.

​ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

Applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) prior to admission to the nursing program.

• Completion of the TEAS Examination. This is an examination to measure basic academic knowledge. There are four test topics as part of the TEAS examination: Reading, Math, Science, English, and Language Usage.
• Applicant is required to have a 70.0% cumulative examination score.
• Applicant is required to earn a minimum of 60.0% score on the Topics of Reading, Science, and English and Language Usage.
• It is recommended that students study to prepare for this examination in order to earn a competitive score.
• An admission period is the year prior to application.
• Applicant may take the TEAS entrance examination no more than two times during any admission period in order to earn a competitive score.
• Applicant may not take the TEAS entrance examination more than four times at any time in order to earn a competitive score. Scores from the first four attempts will be accepted.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Required prior to admission to the nursing program:

• Applicants will successfully complete and pass a comprehensive background check. Renton Technical College has hired a third-party vendor to complete this service for the nursing program. Applicants will be able to complete the background check requirements through the CastleBranch web site.
• The background check will include the following: Social Security Administration (SSA) identity validation; criminal history for seven years; Fraud and Abuse Control Information Systems (FACIS); Office of Inspector General (OIG); General Services Administration (GSA); warrants, arrests; sex offender; child kidnapper registry; Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); and State of Washington background verification.
• The Washington Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations defines “passing a background check” to include “no criminal convictions.” If you have a history of criminal convictions, please speak to a counselor prior to admission.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applicant will apply to the program.
   • Applications will be accepted during open enrollment periods.
   • Dates for open enrollment periods will be published on the RTC nursing website. Download the application form here.
2. Applicants will establish an account and will maintain compliance with immunizations through Castle Branch (http://portal.castlebranch.com/rr63 (use package codeRr75nur). Compliance is required for entry into the program and for the duration of the program. 
3. Complete the volunteer experience verification form.
4. Complete the employment verification form.

SCREENING AND TRACKING REQUIREMENTS

Students must meet vaccination and program-specific health requirements per the Immunization Timeline Table:

• Annual tuberculosis skin testing (initial 2-step followed by annual 1-step)
• Annual seasonal influenza vaccine
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers
• Background check through CastleBranch for Registered Nurse Programs
• Unencumbered Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nurse license in Washington State
• Personal health insurance upon entry and for the duration of the nursing program
• Hepatitis B vaccine (series of 3 vaccines and immunity titer)
• Measles, mumps and rubella (2 vaccines or proof of immunity titer)
• Varicella (2 vaccines or proof of immunity titer)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) within the last 10 years

ADMISSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS

Though not required, additional points toward admission will be granted for documented:

1. Work Experience (Minimum of 100 hours in the last 3 years.)
   • Healthcare-related work (For instance CNA, MA, LPN, EMT)
   • Non-healthcare-related work
2. Volunteer Experience (Any community-based volunteer experience)
   • Points weighted for 50-100 hours or more than 100 hours
3. Military Service
   • Honorable discharge
   • Current service
4. Previous degrees (e.g. Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree)

Candidate application packets will be reviewed by Renton Technical College Nursing faculty and staff.

Candidates must allow adequate time to complete application requirements. The following is a timeline suggestion to ensure all requirements are completed in a timely fashion.

1. Transfer in credits – if you took any prerequisites at an institution other than Renton Technical College (RTC), you must have official transcripts sent to RTC and you must have a student account through RTC. You must be registered with RTC to receive transfer credits. This process typically takes 3-4 weeks when ordering from another institution for transcripts to be sent and another 3-4 weeks for evaluation once transcripts arrive at RTC. You may apply to the college through online student services web admissions - https://wa270.ctclink.us/.
   • For credits to be evaluated, you must submit a “transcript Evaluation Request Form” found in Student Forms Library - https://www.rtc.edu/student-forms-library. This form must be submitted to our credit evaluator at jnicholas@rtc.edu. 

UPDATE: All healthcare students who have clinical rotations, externships and internships must follow the vaccination requirements of the healthcare institution where they will be working-i.e., must be fully vaccinated or have an exemption prior to their clinical rotation, externship or internship experience. Read the latest COVID-19 Allied Health Policy.