Nursing: Education Options in Nursing

Nursing: Education Options in Nursing

The North Carolina Community College System provides pre-licensure education to most of our State’s first-time test-takers for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and Practical Nurses (NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN). The NCCCS has multiple educational options for entry into Nursing and seamless transitions into furthering your Nursing Education. 

*For questions regarding Nursing Programs, contact Dr. Lori Byrd via email or at (919) 807-7118.

Degree Options in Nursing

Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN)

  • Dual admission to the community college and the university;
  • The first three years of study are completed at the community college. General education courses are taken in year one and nursing courses are taken in years two and three. In addition, some of the Regional Collaboratives may require the student to take one university course per semester during those years.
  • At the end of the year three, graduates receive their Associate Degree in Nursing. After successfully passing the NCLEX-RN, the student is eligible to progress into year four of the program; 
  • Complete year four at the university with emphasis on gerontological and community health nursing, use of evidenced-based nursing knowledge, and leadership development to complete the BSN degree.
  • During the 4th year, RIBN students have the option to work as a Registered Nurse while completing their BSN degree.


Associate in General Education (AGE) in Nursing (A1030N)

The Associate in General Education (AGE)-Nursing is designed for students who wish to begin their study toward the Associate in Nursing degree and a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing as based on Blocks 1 through 3 of the Five Block Degree Plan in the Uniform Articulation Agreement between:

  • The University of North Carolina Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs and the North Carolina Community College Associate Degree Nursing Programs which was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges and the UNC Board of Governors in February 2015.
  • North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) RN to BSN programs and the North Carolina Community College Associate Degree Nursing Programs which was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges and the signatory NCICU in February 2018.

RN to BSN Uniform Articulation Agreements

RN to BSN Uniform Articulation Agreement - Intro

The RN to BSN Uniform Articulation Agreement promotes educational advancement opportunities for registered nurses moving between North Carolina community colleges and the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and the signatory campuses of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) to complete BSN degrees. It is a Five Block Degree Plan that includes required general education and nursing prerequisite courses. Students who follow this Five Block Degree Plan will meet the entrance requirements at all of the North Carolina public RN to BSN programs and the signatory NCICU programs.



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Career and College Promise for Nursing

The Career and College Promise (CCP) ADN Pathway is designed for high school juniors and seniors who wish to begin their educational studies toward the Associate in Nursing degree and a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing.  The Pathway contains the ACA 122 course and 23 semester hours of credit from Block 1 of the Five Block Degree Plan in the Uniform Articulation Agreement between:

  • The University of North Carolina Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs and the North Carolina Community College Associate Degree Nursing Programs which was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges and the UNC Board of Governors in February 2015.
  • North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) RN to BSN programs and the North Carolina Community College Associate Degree Nursing Programs which was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges and the signatory NCICU in February 2018.

Competency Based Education: A Pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Competency Based Education: A pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A competency-based educational program is outcome-based and organizes a student's learning around content proficiency, rather than the length of time spent in the classroom.

For additional information, please refer to the link at Winston-Salem State University's RN-BSN Competency Based Education (CBE) page.

Information on how to apply to Winston-Salem State University's RN to BSN Competency-Based Education (CBE) program can be found by accessing WSSU's admission's page.