Registered Nurse, Associate Degree

RTC’s Registered Nursing program staff and college officials continue to work with the state Nursing Commission to reopen admissions to our program. We will let prospective students know as soon as we have a confirmed enrollment date. We understand this uncertainty affects your plans, so please consider applying to programs at other colleges. Check this page for updates, or sign up to receive the latest news.

Pre-Nursing Info Sessions

Learn about pathways to becoming an RN, financial aid, and more at monthly Zoom information sessions.

Program Map: Guide to program costs, careers, and classes.


Enrollment Point: TBA

Nursing students in the classroom

Certificate of Completion
N/A
N/A
Associate of Applied Science
N/A
N/A
AAS - Transfer
6 Quarters
116 Credits
Bachelor of Applied Science
N/A
N/A

All program lengths are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.

Median Salary
$66,600
Projected Growth
19%
Annual Job Openings
105,260

These amounts are based on median entry level wages, they are estimates and are not guarantees. For more information, visit careerinfo.net

Tuition

At Renton Technical College, tuition is affordable and competitive.

Financial Aid

Federal aid is available for most students to help pay for school. Fill out your FAFSA now to get started.

Scholarships

The RTC Foundation offers scholarships to help pay the costs of attending school.


All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.

Please see the online class schedule for day & time information.


Dr. Yasmin Ali, Samuel Woldemariam


Entry Requirements

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:

Date/Time (click to join) Meeting ID Phone
TBA  881 7315 3582 253 215 8782

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/.

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.


Course Information

Course # Course Title Crs
NURS 103 Bridge to Nursing 3
NURS 105 Reproductive Health 4
NURS 107 Reproductive Health / Mental Health Nursing Clinical Practice 3
NURS 108 Foundations of Nursing Practice 4
NURS 109 Foundations of Nursing Practice Laboratory 3
NURS 112 Mental Health in the Multicultural Community 4
NURS 114 Health and Wellness 2
NURS 117 Alterations in Health Care Needs 5
NURS 118 Alterations in Health Care Needs Laboratory 3
NURS 119 Reproductive Health Laboratory 1
NURS 195 Foundations of Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum 4
NURS 198 Alterations in Health Care Needs Clinical Practicum 4
NURS 203 Major Chronic Alterations in Health Care Needs 5
NURS 207 Major Chronic Alterations in Health Care Needs Laboratory 2
NURS 208 Major Acute Alterations in Health Care Needs 5
NURS 209 Major Acute Alterations in Health Care Needs Laboratory 3
NURS 210 Complex Multi-Systems Acute Alterations in Health Care Needs 5
NURS 281 Leadership and Management 2
NURS 294 Major Chronic Alterations Clinical 5
NURS 295 Major Acute Alterations Clinical 5
NURS 296 Complex Multi-Systems Alterations Preceptorship 4
BIOL& 160 General Biology 5
BIOL& 241 Anatomy & Physiology I 5
BIOL& 242 Anatomy & Physiology II 5
BIOL& 260 Microbiology 5
CHEM& 121 General Chemistry 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition 5
MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics 5
PSYC& 200 Developmental Psychology 5
  Total 116

Program Outcomes

The goals of the RTC Nursing Program are:

  1. Facilitate student success through practice, structure, and policy.
  2. Prepare graduates to provide safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care that reflects critical thinking and reasoning with inter-professional collaboration.
  3. Improve the quality of the nursing program by utilizing a concept-based andragogy.
  4. Prepare nursing graduates to deliver culturally sensitive care to diverse populations across the life-span.
  5. Prepare self-directed, life-long learners, capable of initiating change and adapting to rapidly changing healthcare environments and technology.

Accreditation

The Nursing Program at Renton Technical College is currently conditionally approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. The Nursing Program is not nationally accredited. The program’s 2019 NCLEX pass rate was 87.1%.

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