Nursing Associate Degree

Earn Your Nursing License!

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a program designed to prepare students for professional nursing practice while providing a knowledge base for career mobility and further academic study. The program is committed to providing accessible, high-quality nursing education to meet the diverse and changing health-care needs of the community and beyond. Clinical nursing experiences are offered under faculty supervision at Appalachian Behavioral Health, Camden-Clark Medical Center, Charleston Area Medical Center, Marietta Memorial Health Systems, Selby General Hospital, area nursing homes and other selected community agencies.

Completion of the nursing courses, general education degree requirements and subsequent posting of the degree provides eligibility for students to apply for licensure as registered nurses. Licensing requirements are the exclusive responsibility of the State Boards of Nursing. Admission to, and graduation from, the nursing program does not guarantee that the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses will endorse the graduate as a candidate to sit for the licensure examination. The Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses may deny testing to any applicant proven guilty of certain infractions such as, but not limited to, fraud, felony or moral misconduct. (West Virginia Code §30-7-11.)

The associate nursing program at West Virginia University at Parkersburg at the main campus located in Parkersburg, WV is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.
Phone (404)-975-5000 | Website www.acenursing.org.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program here.

 

Application to Program

Our Nursing and Health Sciences programs have limited enrollment and a selective review process. Applicants requesting admission to the nursing program must first meet the requirements for general admission to the college and be admitted to the college. In addition to meeting all general admission criteria for the college, students must complete a separate Nursing and Health Sciences application, provide an official copy of their high school transcript and any prior college transcripts and complete the pre-nursing admission exam. Applications will be accepted year round. Application forms are available in the Nursing and Health Sciences Division office or click here.

Additionally, the applicant must be able to engage in educational and training activities in a manner that does not endanger themselves or others. The curricula leading to a degree in nursing from WVU Parkersburg requires students to engage in diverse and complex experiences directed at the acquisition and practice of essential nursing skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and social abilities are required to perform these functions satisfactorily. In addition to being essential to the successful completion of the requirements of a nursing degree, these skills and functions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow students, faculty and other health care providers.

Technical standards that describe the non-academic qualifications required in addition to academic qualifications that the college considers essential for entrance to, continuation in and graduation from its nursing degree program can be found in the Student Nurse Handbook. Candidates for a nursing degree must be able to meet these minimum standards with or without reasonable accommodation for successful completion of degree requirements.

It is important to note that completion of the application process does not imply that the applicant will be admitted to the nursing program.

Admission Limitations: Due to space limitations, qualified applicants are ranked according to pre-nursing admission entrance test scores, and cumulative grade point averages.

The highest-ranked students who meet the admission requirements by March 15 for fall admission or September 15 for spring admission are admitted first; other qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The first day of class the waiting list is deleted. Because of competition for space, it is possible qualified applicants may not be selected for admission.

Updates to Applications: Students interested in pursuing admission in the next cycle must resubmit a completed application to the Nursing and Health Sciences Division. It is the responsibility of the student to provide appropriate documentation of changes in his/her personal and/or academic record.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the nursing program must be eligible to meet the requirements for licensure in the state of West Virginia as stated in West Virginia Code §30-7-6. These conditions include:
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Requirements for admission include:
1. High school graduate or equivalent (USA GED)
2. English proficiency
3. 2.0 GPA from high school or college courses
4. Earn a minimum composite score of 75 on the Health Education Systems, Incorporated (HESI) A2 admission exam. HESI A2 composite scores must be within the last two (2) years. Pre-nursing admission exams may be completed two times per semester for a maximum of four times each year for consideration for admission. Each attempt must be at least 45 days apart. Further information about the exam can be found online here.
5. Completion of MATH 120 with a C or higher.
*All required general education courses are pre-requisites of N244 and N245.
**Biologies must be within the last 5 years.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete 60 credit hours as outlined in the program of study.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Complete all courses in the curriculum with a grade of C or better.
• Completion of the HESI Nursing Live Review.
• Complete at least 15 credit hours at WVU Parkersburg.
• Complete and file the graduation application, in OLSIS, within the stated deadlines.

Testing: Health Education Systems, Inc. Exam (HESI)

Required testing for nursing 

All nursing applicants must pass the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admission assessment exam with a score of 75 or higher. This examination measures general aptitude for nursing. HESI A2 composite scores must be within the last two (2) years. The HESI admission exam may be completed twice per admission cycle. The attemps must be a minimum of 45 days apart. The exam may be taken four times in a 12-month period.

TESTING DATES & TIMES

Tests will be offered before each deadline date scheduled as needed.

Applicants may register for two attempts to pass the HESI A2 exam; twice per admission cycle. Each attempt must be a minimum of 45 days apart.

Dates:

  • October 17, 20, 24, and 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • February 6, 9, 13, and 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • April 2, 5, 9, and 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you wish to learn more about the HESI Exam and are an LPN to RN program student or are interested in the program, please contact kathy.frum@wvup.edu or 304-424-8300.

Effective February 19, 2019,  it is the expectation that the HESI Admission Exam is taken on the date that you register. Failure to attend the registered test date will result in forfeiture of the testing fee. The student must pay the test fee to reschedule an exam.

Cost 
The testing fee of $45 must be paid in the Business Office prior to registering for the exam and is non-refundable. The cost of the exam will be assumed by the applicant. You must bring your receipt to the Nursing and Health Sciences Division office to register for the exam. Seating is limited and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Where
All tests will be conducted in the nursing computer lab, room 2318 or 2332.

What to Bring
A photo ID is required for admission to the test.

Other Details
A study guide is available in the WVU Parkersburg bookstore. Contact the Nursing and Health Sciences Division at 304-424-8300 with any questions.

Associate

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

The nursing program prepares students for professional nursing practice while providing a knowledge base for career mobility and further academic study. Completion of the program of study provides eligibility to apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

COURSE LISTING

What can I do with this degree?

Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

Potential Careers

Surgical Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Nurse

Patient Care Technician

TUITION


Estimated rates for the 2023-2024 academic year. Additional course fees may apply and rates are subject to change.

WV & OH Residents
Per Credit Hour$180 - $249
Per Semester$2,160 - $2,988
Fall & Spring Semesters$4,320 - $5,976
Non-Residents
Per Credit Hour$376 - $401
Per Semester$4,512 - $4,812
Fall & Spring Semesters$9,024 - $9,624
High School Students
Per Credit Hour$50
Per Semester$600
Fall & Spring Semesters$1,200

Estimated Costs of Attendance


Estimated total costs of attendance for students, varied based on residential status and living situation.

WV & Ohio Residents Living with Parents
Room & Board$3,600
Transportation$1,500
Tuition & Fees$5,040
Books & Supplies$1,500
Miscellaneous$2,000

Total

$13,640

WV & Ohio Residents NOT Living with Parents
Room & Board$7,200
Transportation$1,500
Tuition & Fees$5,040
Books & Supplies$1,500
Miscellaneous$2,000

Total

$17,240

Non-Residents Living with Parents
Room & Board$3,600
Transportation$1,500
Tuition & Fees$9,792
Books & Supplies$1,500
Miscellaneous$2,000

Total

$18,392

Non-Residents NOT Living with Parents
Room & Board$7,200
Transportation$1,500
Tuition & Fees$9,792
Books & Supplies$1,500
Miscellaneous$2,000

Total

$21,992

Background Checks

Criminal background checks are required for all students entering Nursing and Health Sciences Division programs. The cost associated with the state and federal criminal history checks will be the responsibility of the student. A clinical facility has the right to refuse student access to clinical experiences based on the results of the criminal background check, which may prevent progression in the program. The Nursing and Health Sciences Division reserves the right to nullify a student’s admission based on the results of his or her background check.

Providing false information and/or failure to disclose background information on the application to the program is grounds for immediate dismissal.

Once you have been admitted into the nursing program, you must be fingerprinted by the WVU Parkersburg Security Office in Room 1405 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You must bring your driver’s license. After being fingerprinted, take the fingerprint card, cover letter and a money order in the amount of $18 (made payable to the Treasury of the United States) to the Nursing and Health Sciences Division office.

Kathy Frum

Dean

Nursing & Health Science Division

Room 2322

304-424-8326

kathy.frum@wvup.edu

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