Student’s College Decision Made With Head & Heart
Morganton, NC—For Jimmy Merriman, going to college was a decision made with his head and his heart. Now a first year Nursing student at Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC), Jimmy knew he had the natural inclination toward science and biology. He enjoyed his high school senior project with a local cardiologist who suggested he consider a career as a nurse anesthetist. Pursuing a career in medicine made good sense in terms of stability and reliability too, he thought. But his heart also compelled him to consider a medical career because of his close relationship with his aunt.
“My aunt was the first in my family to graduate from college,” said Jimmy. “She had been a mentor and a role model to me throughout my life and when she became a Registered Nurse, I was really inspired to follow her into a professional career in Nursing.”
Upon further investigation, Jimmy decided that he would pursue the specialized nursing education needed to become a nurse anesthetist. He also learned that course of education at four-year universities is expensive.
“Honestly, I lacked the money to begin at a four-year school,” he explained. “So I found another option by beginning school at WPCC through the RIBN program.”
The Hickory RIBN, a four-year Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, is a competitive dual admittance program that enrolls students to both Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) and WPCC. The program provides a seamless associate to baccalaureate nursing education for top academic students. Jimmy’s first three years of study will be at WPCC along with one course per semester at LRU in Hickory. Upon successful completion of his first three years, Jimmy will take his fourth year at LRU.
With a plan to receive his associate degree in Nursing from WPCC in 2016, Jimmy intends to complete his BSN degree from LRU in 2018. To continue to his goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist, he expects to work as an RN at least 18 months in a local hospital’s intensive care unit, a requirement for admission into a master’s degree program that will lead to becoming a nurse anesthetist. Jimmy plans to attend East Carolina University for that last leg of his education.
“WPCC has given me the opportunity to gain quality education at a very reasonable cost,” Jimmy said. “I’ve also made many close bonds with fellow students here.”
WPCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination. Employment opportunities are vast within the global health care system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community health care facilities. WPCC’s nursing program is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. To learn more about the Nursing program at WPCC or the RIBN program, contact Cathy Freeman, Nursing department head/Nursing director, at (828) 448-3535 or cfreeman@wpcc.edu.
Western Piedmont Community College is situated in the picturesque rolling foothills of Morganton, North Carolina and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964. Each year, more than 10,700 students pursue personal enrichment, new skills for a job or career, high school diplomas, college degrees, and transfer pathways. Registration for the Spring 2015 semester will be Wednesday, Jan. 7, Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. Apply online or visit the Western Piedmont Campus to apply in person.