How to become a licensed registered nurse (RN)

• Associate Degree Nursing Option 
  This Associate Degree Nursing Option is a five semester program that awards an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree. Completion qualifies you to take the licensure exam that is required for practice as a registered nurse. This program is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602, (919)-782-3211, www.ncbon.com.
• Associate Degree Nursing Advanced Placement Option
  This Associate Degree Nursing Advanced Placement Option provides an Advanced Placement option for LPNs. This option will not be offered during academic year 2011-2012. The option is expected to be offered in the future. This program is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602, (919)-782-3211, www.ncbon.com.
• Associate Degree Nursing WNC Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses(RIBN) Option
  This Associate Degree Nursing WNC Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) Option is a four year program that awards dual degrees and is offered in collaboration with Western Carolina University. An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is awarded at the end of the third year from AB Tech and a Baccalaureate in Nursing from Western Carolina University at the end of year four. This program is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602, (919)-782-3211, www.ncbon.com.

How to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)

• Practical Nursing Option
  This program option qualifies you to take the licensure exam to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This is a one year or three semester diploma program. This program is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602, (919)-782-3211, www.ncbon.com.

Allied Health Programs Admissions Overview

Nursing's Mission Statement

As a community college nursing department, nursing faculty are dedicated to student success and committed to providing accessible, high-quality nursing education to meet the diverse and changing health-care needs of our community.

Your selection of Nursing as a program of study carries with it several important responsibilities.

• The nursing student must be committed to the profession. Being a nurse requires self-discipline, physical, mental, and emotional stamina. As you give to others, you must often give a little of your own self. Therefore, commit yourself to learning of this field and do not be reluctant to give, for you often receive much more in return.
• The nursing student must strive for excellence. The importance of providing good health care is paramount. When we as health care providers fail in our performance, the patient becomes the loser. Therefore, strive for excellence, for our patients deserve our best.
• Begin even now to plan for your continuing educational growth. Nursing is an ever-changing science. Advances in the field require new learning and a plan for your educational growth. Therefore, learn now what you can, but never expect to reach the summit of all knowledge in this field.
• The nursing student should not become so overpowered by the technologies and complexities of nursing that he or she forgets the focus of the profession--quality health care for the patient. It is in giving of yourself to your patients and to your profession, that you will reap the fullest pleasure from your practice. Numerous and varied opportunities await the nurse as a health-care provider, making personal goals almost unlimited. Enjoy the time you spend with each patient now as a student, and later as you practice as a nurse. Allow them to be the highlight of your day.
• The responsibilities of the program and the profession may appear great at times, but the rewards outnumber all challenges you may encounter by tenfold.

For information on Nursing Assistant I registration, where and when classes are offered by AB Tech, call 254-1921, ext. 7600.

For information on Associate Degree and Practical Nursing, contact 254-1921, ext. 7610.

For information on Associate Degree Nursing RIBN Option, contact 254-1921, ext. 7534.

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