Wenatchee Valley College one step closer to first bachelor's degree

Media Contact: Jenny Capelo, nursing administrator and dean of allied health, 509.682.6662, or Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

The Washington State Nursing Commission has given permission for Wenatchee Valley College to seek a full-time nursing programs administrator to lead the nursing programs, which would include the new RN-to-BSN degree. Hiring of the administrator is the next step toward the college receiving final approval for its first bachelor's degree, the RN-to-BSN, from the commission.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities have already approved WVC's proposal to add an RN-to-BSN degree to its nursing degree options. The RN-to-BSN, or RNB degree, would add a fourth year of courses for those students who have already graduated with their associate nursing degree.

Jenny Capelo, WVC Dean of Allied Health and Nursing, said that the college hopes to have conducted interviews by March. Once hired, the new nursing programs administrator will resubmit the RN-to-BSN curriculum and syllabi to the Washington State Nursing Commission for approval. Three months after approval has been received, WVC may begin the new program.

Capelo said that, once those processes have been completed, she hopes to have the first cohort in place for fall quarter 2015.

The proposed first cohort will be made up of 25 students. The one-year (four quarter) program includes an 80 percent online component and a 20 percent face-to-face component. Students who apply must have their RN license, though provisional admission may be given for graduates who have earned their associate degree in nursing but still need to successfully pass their NCLEX exam.

To meet Washington Administrative Code requirements, the nursing programs administrator must have a master's degree in nursing and a doctorate, preferably in nursing, in addition to at least five years of experience as a registered nurse, with at least two years of experience in nursing education at the baccalaureate level.

The nursing programs administrator will develop course and faculty schedules for both the associate nursing degree and the RN-to-BSN degree; recruit, select and advise students; lead in the hiring of faculty; mentor and advise program faculty; analyze and evaluate the program curriculum and services; develop and manage the nursing program operating budget; and prepare state, national, federal and other related reports to ensure compliance with the accreditation commissions.

The nursing administrator position will remain open until filled. For more information about the position, visit www.wvc.edu/jobs, e-mail jobs@wvc.edu or call 509.682.6440.