Apply to WCC

How to enter

Fall 2027 applications will be accepted beginning March 1, 2027 and are due by May 13, 2027 for best consideration.

Students planning to apply to the nursing program should start the hepatitis B immunization series and obtain an American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certificate.

Contact Advising (advise@whatcom.edu) for any advising needs or Shannon Dunn (sdunn@whatcom.edu) for questions about the application process.

Admission to the program (student selection)

Admission to the program is through a competitive application process. The nursing program selection committee will accept students based on the number of available seats. The selection committee consists of the nursing program director and program faculty. Applicants can earn a maximum of 164 points. Points are awarded as follows:

1. For each of the seven prerequisite classes completed at WCC. 10 points
The prerequisite classes (ENGL& 101 English Composition I, MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics, CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry, BIOL& 260 Microbiology, BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2, PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology).

2. Grade point average (GPA) from seven of the prerequisite classes (ENGL& 101 English Composition I, MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics, CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry, BIOL& 260 Microbiology, BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2, PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology). To remove the influence of courses taken at semester, trimester, or quarter programs, the credit value of the course will not be included in the calculation. Course grades reported as letters will be changed to the equivalent score on the 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0). The seven course grade scores are added together and then divided by 7 to determine the GPA. The GPA is multiplied by 70 (maximum points available) and divided by 4 (maximum course grade is 4.0) to award point value for the individual student. A mock scoring grid can be viewed here. 70 points maximum

3. Current, unencumbered healthcare licensure in Washington state with 500 hours documented work experience, 10 points.

 4. Current, unencumbered healthcare licensure in Washington state with 1000 hours documented work experience, 15 points.

5. Honorably discharged veteran. 5 points

6. Previous degree. 5 points

7. Any course substitutions must be approved by WCC *prior* to application and completed course substitution forms included in application packet. Please seek advising for forms and instructions. advise@whatcom.edu or 360.383.3080

Applicants with a degree from outside the US may also be awarded points. Applicants must submit documentation - official or unofficial copies - from an international transcript evaluation such as AACRAO confirming the degree is equivalent to a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the US.

Applicants will be notified of their status (accepted, alternate, or not accepted) six to eight weeks after the application deadline via their WCC email. The personal statement, scored by the committee, is used to break any ranking ties.

Whatcom Community College welcomes applicants with disabilities.  If you are an applicant with a disability who requires accommodations to complete this application , please contact Access and Disability Services.  360.383.3139 or ADS@whatcom.edu

 Technical Standards for Admission, Progression, and Graduation

 Essential Functional Abilities

• 1. Observation (Sensory Abilities)The student must be able to:
  Accurately observe and assess patients, environments, and clinical data to support safe nursing care

• Recognize changes in patient status, including physical, behavioral, and environmental indicators
• Interpret information from a variety of sources, including:
• Direct observation
• Monitoring equipment and technology
• Diagnostic data
• Identify nonverbal cues and contextual indicators relevant to patient care

(These outcomes may be achieved using assistive devices or alternative methods.)

2. Communication

The student must be able to:

• Communicate effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team
• Exchange information through verbal, written, and/or alternative communication methods
• Document patient care clearly and accurately in written or electronic formats
• Adapt communication to meet the needs of individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, social, and cognitive backgrounds
• Utilize interpreters or communication technologies when appropriate  

3. Motor Function and Mobility

The student must be able to:

• Perform or assist with patient care activities safely and effectively, including mobility, positioning, and therapeutic interventions
• Execute fine and gross motor tasks necessary for clinical procedures and operation of equipment
• Maintain sufficient physical endurance, balance, coordination, and strength to sustain clinical performance
• Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to emergent situations
• Safely handle and operate equipment, supplies, and technology used in patient care

(Tasks may be performed independently or with reasonable accommodations such as assistive devices or team support, provided patient safety is maintained.)

4. Cognitive and Critical Thinking Abilities

The student must be able to:

• Acquire, process, and integrate information from multiple sources
• Apply clinical reasoning and critical thinking to make safe and ethical nursing judgments
• Prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately for medication administration and clinical decision-making
• Use technology and information systems to obtain, document, and communicate patient data
• Adapt to dynamic and changing clinical environments

5. Behavioral and Interpersonal Attributes

The student must be able to:

• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with patients, families, faculty, and healthcare team members
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and ethical behavior
• Provide care with respect, compassion, empathy, and cultural sensitivity
• Function effectively independently and as part of a team
• Respond appropriately to stress, uncertainty, and rapidly changing conditions
• Demonstrate emotional stability and appropriate judgment in clinical situations

6. Environmental and Situational Awareness

The student must be able to:

• Recognize and respond to clinical and environmental conditions that may impact patient safety
• Identify potential hazards and changes in patient or environmental status
• Take appropriate action to maintain a safe clinical environment

(These abilities may be achieved through various sensory or technological means.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a selective entry program. Applicants who were previously accepted into the nursing program and declined acceptance or withdrew after the program started need to reapply and are not guaranteed priority consideration.

Questions?

You can also contact Shannon Dunn by email at sdunn@whatcom.edu or leave a message at 360.383.3211 with any questions or concerns about your application to Whatcom’s nursing program.

**Please note that communication regarding your application will be emailed to your WCC email account.

Application steps

You must complete the following steps by the nursing program application deadline to be considered for program acceptance.