Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Health Professions: Introduction to Nursing

Career Studies Certificate
Virginia Western Community College

Program description for the Academic Plan Table (shows in EAB): This career studies certificate provides a pathway for completing the prerequisite courses and general education requirements for the restricted admissions Nursing associate degree program. It also prepares students to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Did you know the average registered nurse in the Roanoke Valley makes $29.16 per hour? The AAS Nursing Program at Virginia Western Community College is a pre-licensure RN program that prepares you to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, schools, homecare, and doctor's offices. Check out our local job board for current opportunities. With a career in nursing, you can make a difference! Begin your journey today and earn a living while serving your community. This curriculum is designed to academically prepare students to apply for the restricted admissions AAS Nursing program and to gain a job ready skill in health professions. Students will either prepare to take the National Registry of EMT certification exam or prepare to work in a medical office. Students should be aware that completion of this program does not guarantee admission into the AAS Nursing program.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

There are many program specific requirements for admission to the Nursing Program at Virginia Western Community College. Students interested in applying to this program should consult their academic advisor for specific guidance on courses to take for this program.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses This curriculum is designed to academically prepare students to apply for the restricted admissions AAS Nursing program and to gain a job ready skill in health professions. Students will either prepare to take the National Registry of EMT certification exam or prepare to work in a medical office. Students should be aware that completion of this program does not guarantee admission into the AAS Nursing program. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college.
Doing More With Your Degree Faculty believe lifelong learning is required of all nurses who have stewardship in the care of our community. Students are encouraged to acquire a firm educational foundation for practice that continues throughout their careers from novice to expert nurses.
Program Successes & Highlights https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/
Program Credit Requirements
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What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Credit for Prior Learning Yes
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
1809
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the Virginia Community College System, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students in credit courses and more than 1,200 enrollments in accelerated career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing-TradAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance EducationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical NursesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeNursing, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Patrick & Henry Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Nursing AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science with a major in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science in Nursing DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Professional Nursing - Registered Nurse DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn - NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-1141.01Acute Care NursesProvide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1141.02Advanced Practice Psychiatric NursesAssess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1141.04Clinical Nurse SpecialistsDirect nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1141.03Critical Care NursesProvide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
25-1072.00Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDemonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
29-1141.00Registered NursesAssess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 26 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Career Studies Certificate in Health Professions: Introduction to Nursing at Virginia Western Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $170 Per Credit $4,420 $0 $4,420
Fees
Fees $15 Per Credit $390 0 $390
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.