Applications for West Hills Lemoore nursing programs being accepted

The application period for the NATP ends on Dec. 15 while the application for the ADN and LVN-ADN program closes on Feb. 2. Information sessions for all of WHCL’s health career programs will be held on Nov. 30 from noon to 1 p.m., on Dec. 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. All will be held in room 821 at WHCL.

“Health care is a growing field with an increasing demand for nurses in our area,” said Kathryn DeFede, West Hills Community College District interim director of health careers.  “If considering a career in health care, our programs are an excellent way to receive a certification, be able to be employed and use this certification and experience for advancement in health care.”

The two-year ADN program qualifies students to take the RN NCLEX exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Students must be at least 18 and have completed all prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5 and with a grade of C or better in each course.

The LVN-ADN bridge program is a one-year program that qualifies students who already hold a vocational nursing license to take the RN NCLEX exam for licensure as a registered nurse. In addition to meeting the same requirements as for the ADN program, students must also hold a CPR card and have received a minimum score of 62 percent on the Assessment Technologies Institute of Essential Academic Skills test.

The NATP program prepares students to take the state certification exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant over the course of 63 classroom hours and 135 hours of clinical experience and begins on Jan. 16. It runs until May 25 and is offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Students must enroll as a WHCL student, be at least 17, and go through a physical exam, TB test, drug test and criminal background check. They should also hold a CPR card.

DeFede added that the programs prepare students to go into a field that is in need of new employees.

“In the Central Valley, the health care industry is short 400 registered nurses each graduation year,” she said.

For more information or an application packet for any of these programs, visit www.westhillscollege.com/lemoore/academics/health or call the Health Careers Office at 559-924-3490.