Everything You Need To Know About A Career As A Registered Nurse in West Virginia

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This all-inclusive guide is designed for those interested in learning more about starting a career as a Registered Nurse, including information about the WVJC School of Nursing training program options. This guide also includes detailed information about the required testing, healthcare careers in West Virginia, frequently asked questions and more.

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About WVJC School of Nursing

West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) has been a trusted educator for the residents and employers of West Virginia and the surrounding states for over 130 years. The first WVJC brick-and-mortar campus was established in 1892 in Charleston, West Virginia, and has since expanded to Morgantown, West Virginia, in 1922 and Bridgeport, West Virginia, in 2002. 

In 2011, WVJC developed an online delivery method for several programs, known as WVJC Online. WVJC Online was created to provide students in rural areas of West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky with quality education from their homes. 

WVJC has refined its formula for hands-on training and career preparation to meet the needs of local employers. With current program offerings in nursing, allied health, and professional services, WVJC remains a trusted educator in providing students with the education they need to take advantage of growing industries.

WVJC’s mission is to provide students with high-quality career training taught by faculty who uphold our core values and purpose. By offering each student personalized support, WVJC applies its core values: Work Ethic, Exemplary, Caring, Accountability, Relationships, and Excellence (WE CARE). As a result, every person within the organization is held to these fundamental values, allowing WVJC to fulfill its purpose of empowering change by creating opportunity.

What you can expect to learn

• The Nursing Shortage in West Virginia
• WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health
• WVJC School of Nursing at CAMC
• WVJC School of Nursing at Raleigh General Hospital
• WVJC School of Nursing Affiliate Locations
• Online Nursing Program and Affiliate Locations
• Mobile Nursing Lab
• Residential Nursing Program
• Accreditation/Licensing & Approval
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam
• WVJC Online TEAS Prep Course
• National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN)*
• The WVJC Academic Process
• Registered Nursing and Beyond
• WVJC Online RN to BSN Program
• Working As A Registered Nurse
• Benefits of WVJC School of Nursing
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Nursing Shortage in West Virginia 

The need for nurses across the country is at an all-time high, according to The American Nurses Association. Nursing shortages result from multiple factors, including the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the baby boomer generation’s aging and increased need for medical care, and the retirement of the current nursing workforce.

Because healthcare workers are on the frontline of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting effects, the demand for qualified healthcare professionals has increased rapidly. Unfortunately, workforce shortages and intensified patient care needs have caused many nurses currently working in the field to experience prolonged periods of stress, which can lead to burnout. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company showed that 22% of working nurses have considered leaving their positions in the field due to feelings of burnout.

By offering the option to complete nursing training in only 18 months through an in-person or hybrid-online delivery, WVJC is continuously helping to fight the nursing shortage. In 2021, WVJC was awarded grant funding through the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program. The mission of this grant was to help address the healthcare shortage in West Virginia by attracting, training, and retaining nurses. Applying this additional funding has allowed WVJC the capacity to train nursing students across the state of West Virginia.

In addition, the WVJC School of Nursing designed a hybrid-online education model to allow students in Parkersburg, Martinsburg, Beckley, Huntington, Charleston, and Morgantown, West Virginia, the opportunity to complete didactic nursing courses online with increased flexibility, then complete labs and clinical rotations at local area medical facilities and in one of WVJC’s Mobile Nursing Labs (MNL).

WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health

In 2023, WVJC Morgantown and the Mon Health System Vandalia Health collaborated to create the WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health. This collaborative program was designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in nursing while acclimating to the Mon Health System culture through clinical rotations at one of the Mon Health System medical facilities or the Ron and Stephanie Stovach Mobile Nursing Lab (MNL). 

Because this program prepares nursing students to enter the workforce at a Mon Health System facility, students will become familiar with the staff, facility, and atmosphere of Mon Health. The Mon Health System also offers students scholarship opportunities* tied to employment commitments upon graduation.

*For those who qualify. See catalog for detailed eligibility requirements.

WVJC School of Nursing at Charleston Area Medical Center

In 2022, WVJC Charleston and the Charleston Area Medical Center Vandalia Health partnered to develop the WVJC School of Nursing at CAMC. This collaborative program is designed to acclimate nursing students to the CAMC work culture by completing labs, clinical rotations, and preceptorship requirements at a CAMC medical facility. Students in this program may also complete some lab requirements in one of WVJC’s Mobile Nursing Labs (MNL).

This program is structured as a pathway for students to become familiar with the culture, staff, and facilities of CAMC, with the ultimate goal of completing their education and becoming employed at a CAMC facility. Because of this, students in this program have the opportunity to receive tuition assistance* from CAMC in exchange for employment commitment.

*For those who qualify. See catalog for detailed eligibility requirements.

WVJC School of Nursing at Raleigh General Hospital

In 2022, WVJC Charleston and Raleigh General Hospital joined forced to create the WVJC School of Nursing at Raleigh General to offer Beckley area students the option to complete didactic requirements online, then complete labs, clinical rotations, and nursing preceptorship requirements at the Raleigh General Hospital. Students in this program may also complete some lab requirements in one of WVJC’s Mobile Nursing Labs (MNL). 

Because the WVJC School of Nursing program is structured as a pathway for students to become familiar with the staff, facility, and culture of Raleigh General Hospital, the ultimate goal of this program’s completion is to become employed at Raleigh General Hospital. To further support this, students in this program have the opportunity to receive tuition assistance* from Raleigh General Hospital in exchange for employment commitment.

*For those who qualify. See catalog for detailed eligibility requirements.

WVJC School of Nursing Affiliate Locations

In 2021, the WVJC School of Nursing expanded to develop a hybrid-online nursing program to serve students across West Virginia. This innovative program is structured to increase flexibility for students by taking nursing courses online, then completing lab and clinical rotations at the following affiliate hospitals in their regions:

• WVU Medicine’s Camden Clark Medical Center
• WVU Medicine’s Berkeley Medical Center
• Roane General Hospital
• Logan Regional Medical Center
• Greenbrier Valley Medical Center
• Davis Medical Center

Students will also utilize one of WVJC’s fully-equipped Mobile Nursing Labs to complete the hands-on component of the Nursing program. 

Hybrid-Online Nursing Program and Affiliate Locations

In 2019, WVJC was awarded grant funding to launch an innovative Online Nursing program to help address the nursing shortage in West Virginia. This program allows students in 19 select rural counties to complete didactic courses in an online format, then complete labs and clinical requirements at local affiliate medical facility locations and in one of WVJC’s high-fidelity Mobile Nursing Labs (MNL).

In order to provide students with the tools needed to complete the hands-on components of the program, WVJC has developed affiliations with hospitals and medical centers where students will have access to real-world lab facilities.

To learn more about WVJC School of Nursing affiliate locations, refer to pages 11-12 of our free downloadable guide by filling out this form! 

WVJC’s Mobile Nursing Lab

The WVJC Mobile Nursing Lab (MNL) is an innovative solution for students in rural areas of West Virginia. The WVJC MNL fleet includes three fully-functioning nursing training labs where students can practice hands-on clinical nursing skills. In addition, each RV is equipped with CAE Healthcare high-fidelity simulation mannequins for training in adult emergency care, pediatric care, and obstetric nursing. 

These RVs are the first of their kind in West Virginia and provide students in rural areas of the state the opportunity to complete the clinical requirements of a WVJC Nursing program.

Watch our Mobile Nursing Lab Tour video below to learn more about the innovative WVJC Mobile Nursing Lab!

Residential Nursing Program

Students who prefer to complete their nursing education in a traditional school setting can attend one of WVJC’s residential nursing programs at our Morgantown, Bridgeport, or Charleston campuses. Attending a residential program allows the student to complete nursing lecture courses and hands-on skill training on campus, then complete clinical experiences at area hospitals, including but not limited to WVU Medicine’s Ruby Memorial Hospital, United Hospital Center, Charleston Area Medical Center, Uniontown Hospital, and the Mon Health System.

Accreditation/Licensing and Approval

WVJC Morgantown

ABHES – West Virginia Junior College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools to award diplomas and associate’s degrees. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools contact information is 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730, North Bethesda, MD 20852, Phone (301) 291-7550.

West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses – The West Virginia Junior College Nursing program in Bridgeport has been granted full approval by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. 5001 MacCorkle Avenue, SW, South Charleston, WV 25309, Phone (304) 744-0900. In addition, the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses has granted provisional approval for the WVJC Parkersburg and Martinsburg hybrid online programs.

ACEN – The West Virginia Junior College Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. The most recent decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

Effective August 7, 2023, the baccalaureate RN-BSN nursing program at the West Virginia Junior College Morgantown campus is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on August 7, 2025.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp

NC-SARA – approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). For the most current list of NC-SARA member states and to determine if your state is a member state, visit the NC-SARA website.

WVJC Bridgeport

ABHES – West Virginia Junior College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools to award diplomas and associate’s degrees. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools contact information is 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730, North Bethesda, MD 20852, Phone (301) 291-7550.

West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses – The West Virginia Junior College Nursing program has been granted provisional by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. 5001 MacCorkle Avenue, SW, South Charleston, WV 25309, Phone (304) 744-0900.

ACEN – Effective May 13, 2022, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on May 13, 2024. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program at ACEN Candidates (acenursing.com).

NC-SARA – approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). For the most current list of NC-SARA member states and to determine if your state is a member state, visit the NC-SARA website.

WVJC Charleston

ABHES – West Virginia Junior College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools to award diplomas and associate’s degrees. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools contact information is 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730, North Bethesda, MD 20852, Phone (301) 291-7550.

West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses – The West Virginia Junior College Nursing program has been granted full approval by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. 5001 MacCorkle Avenue, SW, South Charleston, WV 25309, Phone (304) 744-0900. In addition, the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses has granted provisional approval for the WVJC Charleston, Beckley, and Huntington hybrid online programs.

ACEN –The associate degree nursing program at West Virginia Junior College at the Charleston campus located in Cross Lanes, WV, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org The most recent decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at www.acenursing.com

NC-SARA – approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). For the most current list of NC-SARA member states and to determine if your state is a member state, visit the NC-SARA website.

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam

The first step in the process of entering school to become a Registered Nurse is to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. Most institutions require this or some other standardized test for admission into a nursing program. The TEAS exam is designed by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) to evaluate a potential student’s readiness to enter a health science field. 

Candidates taking the TEAS exam are given three hours and twenty-nine minutes to complete a variety of 170 multiple-choice, ordered responses, fill-in-the-blank, multiple-select, or hot spot questions. The TEAS exam covers material in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage.

Students preparing to take the TEAS exam for entrance to the Registered Nursing program at WVJC School of Nursing have access to materials to help them study. There are also various online resources for students who desire extra support. For best results when taking the TEAS exam, ATI suggests preparing for the exam for at least six weeks before taking it.

WVJC Online TEAS Prep Course

Potential students who take the TEAS exam and require additional preparation can enter WVJC Online’s TEAS preparation course at no cost. This course is offered to students who have previously taken the TEAS exam and have not received passing scores for entry to a WVJC Nursing program. The course will focus on the individual student’s areas of struggle. 

Students will receive two weeks of preparation through online lectures, assignments, quizzes, and virtual study sessions with an instructor designed to help students improve their areas of shortfall. For example, if a student needs to improve their science score, they will only be required to complete the one-week science portion of the course.

The student’s first TEAS exam attempt will require the student to pay a $35 testing fee. Then, once the specific areas in which the students need improvement have been identified, their admissions team member will sign them up for the course. Next, the course proctor will assign them a username and password and be given access to enter the preparation course. The student will then have 14 days to complete the necessary portions of the course and attend at least one study session. Once these requirements have been fulfilled, the student can retake the TEAS exam at no additional cost. For more information on the WVJC Online TEAS preparation course, request information to speak with a WVJC School of Nursing admissions team member.

National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)*

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)* exam is the industry-standard test that reflects a nurse’s ability to work safely and competently in the field as a registered nurse. The exam tests a nurse’s competency in four areas of the nursing process: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. As the nursing industry evolves, the NCSBN Board of Directors reevaluates the exam every three years to ensure it complies with the most current practice standards.

The NCLEX exam requires future nurses to utilize a combination of critical thinking, decision-making, and nursing skills to answer questions that reflect situations they could encounter in the field. Candidates taking the exam are allotted five hours to answer a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 145 questions in the four categories mentioned above to prove their competency.

The test is administered using computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which evaluates the candidate’s ability to answer questions accurately. As the computer analyzes the completed questions, it continuously displays questions that determine whether the candidate has a 50% chance of answering correctly. Each exam will be individualized to determine the candidate’s true ability.

The NCLEX exam is graded on a pass-or-fail basis, and the results are determined immediately by one of the following three rules:

1. The 95% Confidence Interval Rule– This ruling occurs when the computer is 95% sure the candidate is above or below the passing standard.
2. The Maximum-Length Exam Rule– This ruling occurs when the candidate’s ability is extremely close to the passing standard and the computer cannot determine with 95% certainty if the candidate is above or below the standard. The computer will continue to display questions until the candidate has answered the maximum number of questions on the exam. 
3. The Run-Out-Of-Time Rule– This ruling occurs when the candidate runs out of time before reaching the maximum number of questions, and the computer is not 95% certain that the candidate is above or below the passing standard. The candidate will then be scored on the questions completed to determine if the result is a pass or a fail.

*Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.

The WVJC Academic Process

By developing an academic process that allows each student’s experience to be adjusted to fit their unique needs, WVJC provides students with extensive individualized training. Our process guides nursing students through their time at WVJC using the following five steps: Learn, Practice, Apply, Earn, and Start.

Step One: Learn

In step one, students will begin their nursing courses and gain classroom knowledge to learn the fundamental skills they need to be successful in their careers.

Step Two: Practice

Then, students will practice the skills they learn in the classroom during hands-on lab experiences conducted by nursing instructors.

Step Three: Apply

During step three, students will apply the combination of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom and lab to a real-world work environment during clinical rotations at medical facilities in their community.

Step Four: Earn

Students will then be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN* licensure exam to become Registered Nurses at the end of the WVJC Nursing program.

Step Five:

Upon completion of the program and obtaining their RN license, students will graduate and be ready to start their careers.

To begin the admissions process, start by Requesting Information to speak with a WVJC School of Nursing admissions team member. Students will be guided through the enrollment process, financial aid**, and more. 

*Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.

**Available for those who qualify.

Registered Nursing and Beyond

Because nursing is a rapidly-growing industry, future nurses have career options after graduation. WVJC School of Nursing students will earn their Specialized Associate Degree in Nursing, which prepares them to enter the field and begin working as a nurse immediately after graduation and passing the NCLEX-RN* exam.

WVJC’s comprehensive Nursing programs prepare students for their careers by providing the fundamental nursing knowledge and skills they need to work safely in the field while preparing them to sit for their nursing board exam. Because WVJC nursing training programs are completed in only 18 months at an accelerated pace, students can expect to feel challenged in their education.

Throughout their time as a WVJC nursing student and beyond, they will have ongoing access to the WVJC career management team for helpful services, including resume and cover letter writing assistance, career placement guidance, industry refresher courses at no additional tuition cost, and other services to help ensure their success. The WVJC career pledge allows our graduates to enter the workforce with the skills they need to be successful in the current industry but also return to WVJC for a refresher or brush-up training course as the nursing industry evolves. Alums also have continued access to the WVJC career management team for various professional services. 

*Passing the NCLEX-RN* exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.

WVJC Online RN to BSN Program

While earning an associate degree in nursing allows students to enter the nursing workforce without further education requirements, WVJC Online also offers students the opportunity to continue their education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Upon graduating from a WVJC nursing associate degree program, entering this online RN to BSN program can allow students to balance work, family, and continuing their education to earn their bachelor’s degree in less than three years.

This online RN to BSN program provides students with rural-focused simulations and a curriculum designed specifically to meet the needs of West Virginia hospitals. Completing the extra 12 months of schooling can provide them with additional employment opportunities, including nursing leadership roles, working beyond the confines of a hospital setting, becoming a nursing instructor, or continuing their education to become a nurse practitioner and beyond. 

Your WVJC nursing admissions team member can provide additional information on this RN to BSN program and its advantages to your career. 

Working As A Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses are equipped with a wide variety of skills they can apply to situations they may encounter in their careers, including both hands-on clinical skills and soft skills. Because of their broad skillsets, RNs are highly valued healthcare team members who can find positions in various medical settings, including hospitals, emergency rooms, health clinics, schools, travel agencies, telehealth facilities, and more. 

Regardless of where an RN chooses to work, they will be an essential part of the healthcare team. Registered nurses work closely with physicians, doctors, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare professionals to create and implement patient care plans. Registered Nurses can also provide the healthcare team with guidance on current medical best practices and news. 

Benefits of WVJC School of Nursing

WVJC’s unique approach to education allows students to complete their degrees and gain valuable hands-on skills they need to be successful while learning in an environment where they feel supported. The WVJC team understands that busy students must balance family and work with their education, so we put the student experience at the forefront of our education model.

The WVJC School of Nursing programs are direct admission, meaning students may save time and money by entering classes directly related to their nursing training soon after admission. As a result of the direct admission approach, students can complete their nursing education and be prepared to sit for their nursing licensure exam in only 18 months.

WVJC School of Nursing students can expect to learn fundamental nursing skills and concepts during classroom instruction, then put these skills into practice during hands-on lab experiences and clinical rotations where they work with patients in a real-world environment at medical facilities in their area. As a result of this compelling combination of conceptual and hands-on training, graduates will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN* licensure exam and enter the workforce in a matter of months, as opposed to spending up to four years or more at a traditional nursing school. 

In addition, students in a WVJC School of Nursing program have access to career and student support services during their time as students and beyond. The WVJC career management team provides students with academic and personal support, including resume assistance, interview preparation, tutoring, and more. WVJC alums also have continued access to career management support and refresher courses at no extra tuition cost. From the first time a student reaches out to the WVJC School of Nursing through graduation day and beyond, the WVJC staff and faculty work closely with students to ensure they are provided the right tools needed to be successful in their education and future careers.

*Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How long does it take to become a Registered Nurse?
A: Students enrolled in an associate degree in registered nursing program in West Virginia can expect to complete their training in two years or less. Students enrolled in a WVJC School of Nursing program will complete their nursing training program and be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN* exam in 18-19^ months.

Q: What does a Registered Nurse do?
A: Registered Nurses have the training to perform a variety of daily tasks, including, but not limited to, conducting direct-patient care, collaborating with doctors and other healthcare team members, implementing patient care plans, and educating the healthcare team on nursing news and best practices.

Q: Where can a Registered Nurse work?
A: The skills Registered Nurses develop during their education make them versatile assets in various healthcare settings, including, but not limited to, private or public clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, travel nursing agencies, telehealth facilities, and more.

Do you still have questions about Registered Nursing? Request Information to speak with a WVJC School of Nursing admissions team member!

*Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.

^Length of program is dependent on start date.

Start Your Nursing Journey to Become an RN with the WVJC School of Nursing!

Are you ready to begin the path to becoming a registered nurse? WVJC is here to help guide you through your educational journey as a nursing student. Contact our nursing admissions team by Requesting Information to get started today!