Western Piedmont Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Morganton Pathways (2026)
Western Piedmont Community College serves Burke County from Morganton with a nursing department on South Sterling Street and broader campus resources on Burkemont Avenue. The college teaches an Associate Degree Nursing (A.A.S.) track, a Practical Nursing diploma (NCLEX-PN), and a Paramedic-to-RN bridge—each with its own deadlines and TEAS rules on wpcc.edu/nursing/ and the 2025–26 catalog. Published ADN program costs (Fall 2025 PDF) line up in-state per-credit tuition with fees and supplies. NCLEX-RN outcomes for the ADN appear in North Carolina Board of Nursing annual tables—verify each year.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
WPCC combines foothills clinical access, a published ADN cost worksheet, and multiple entry paths (standard ADN, accelerated paramedic bridge, and practical nursing). Nursing leadership also references a Burke Middle College health pathway link on the public nursing page for eligible high-school partners. Read the ADN FAQ PDF alongside the Nursing Student Policy Manual before you apply.
Overview & Why Students Choose Western Piedmont Community College
Western Piedmont Community College is a public North Carolina Community College System college headquartered at 1001 Burkemont Avenue in Morganton, with nursing leadership and advisement also listed on South Sterling Street. The 2025–26 catalog Nursing section groups three credit programs: Associate Degree Nursing (A.A.S.), Paramedic to RN Bridge, and Practical Nursing Diploma.
WPCC does not award a BSN on campus; graduates move to RN-to-BSN completion at four-year partners after licensure if they choose a bachelor’s. Standard ADN admission is selective, requires Nurse Aide I (DSHR-listed) or medical assisting certification, and uses a May 31 deadline for Fall entry in the checklist published on the public nursing page.
WPCC states on wpcc.edu/nursing/ that its nursing program is accredited by ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and references Board of Nursing approval. Confirm the current accreditation cycle with WPCC, ACEN, and the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Clinical agencies may require background checks and drug screening; students denied access for clearance issues can be dismissed from the program per WPCC’s published policy language.
According to the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates (ADN table), Western Piedmont Community College recorded a 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for calendar year 2024. The same publication cites a 95% aggregate for North Carolina ADN programs and 91% for national ADN first-time testers in 2024—WPCC’s listed rate therefore matched the statewide ADN aggregate and remained above the national ADN benchmark in that report. Separately, the college’s nursing page “WPCC Nursing Data” block lists a 97.5% NCLEX first-time figure; confirm definitions and cohort years with the program. Always verify the newest tables on ncbon.com/nclex-pass-rates.
Reasons students choose WPCC
Multiple nursing entry points
Beyond the traditional ADN, WPCC teaches a Paramedic-to-RN bridge (certified paramedics) and a Practical Nursing diploma for students targeting NCLEX-PN.
Published ADN cost worksheet
The Fall 2025 ADN Nursing Program Costs PDF breaks tuition, ATI/lab fees, books, uniforms, CastleBranch, and NCLEX expenses into line items.
Regional clinical variety
WPCC tells students to expect clinical experiences across many facilities in western North Carolina and to plan for transportation and uniform costs.
Clear TEAS expectations
The nursing site documents ATI TEAS minimums, in-person testing requirements, and retake spacing—important for applicants preparing early.
Public-college value
Per-credit tuition on the published cost sheet ($76 in-state for Fall 2025) keeps total program estimates far below most private nursing pathways before financial aid.
Nursing Programs Offered
Use the catalog Nursing hub for official curriculum codes. This page summarizes the three published pathways; confirm prerequisites, sequencing, and course substitutions with the nursing department or advisor.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, A45110)
Leads to an Associate in Applied Science and eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-RN. Standard admission requires completing WPCC requirements 1–8 by May 31 (including TEAS proficient ≥63, GPA 2.5 on post-secondary work, biology, ENG/MAT readiness, transcripts, and Nurse Aide I or medical assisting certification) per the public nursing checklist.
Paramedic to RN Bridge (A45110P)
For North Carolina or National Registry paramedics with two years of certification who complete prerequisite general-education courses and NUR 215; Nurse Aide certification is waived when paramedic credentials apply. Follow the catalog’s bridge sequencing into the sophomore ADN cohort.
Pre-licensure (LPN)
Practical Nursing Diploma (D45660)
44 semester hours covering NUR 101–103 plus support courses; graduates may apply for NCLEX-PN. Fall applicants select Practical Nursing as a major by July 31, maintain GPA 2.0 (or hold a bachelor’s), complete ACA 115, and score TEAS ≥57 (unrounded) per catalog admission language.
Post-licensure & graduate
WPCC does not list MSN, DNP, or an RN-to-BSN completion degree in the 2025–26 Nursing catalog section reviewed for this guide. Licensed graduates typically transfer to RN-to-BSN programs at universities after passing NCLEX.
Nursing courses must follow the published sequence, grades of C or better are required in nursing, sciences, English, psychology, and humanities courses, and re-admission policies appear in the Nursing Student Policy Manual. CastleBranch onboarding (immunizations, CPR, drug screen, background check) is required once admitted.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the North Carolina Board of Nursing 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates (community-college ADN table), Western Piedmont Community College recorded a 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for calendar year 2024. The same PDF cites a 95% aggregate for North Carolina ADN programs and 91% for the national ADN cohort in 2024—benchmarks drawn from that single publication only.
WPCC’s public nursing page also lists 97.5% under “NCLEX – First Time Pass Rate” inside the WPCC Nursing Data summary; the page does not spell out cohort size or methodology there, so treat it as a school-reported snapshot and reconcile it with Board data when you compare programs.
For NCLEX-PN outcomes tied to the Practical Nursing diploma, consult the Board of Nursing’s published practical-nursing pass-rate tables on ncbon.com/nclex-pass-rates. New calendar-year PDFs (for example 2025 data) post as they are released.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024, NCBON) | 95% for WPCC ADN, per the NCBON 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates PDF. |
| NC / national ADN aggregates (same 2024 report) | 95% NC ADN; 91% national ADN (summary rows in the NCBON PDF). |
| NCLEX snapshot (school page) | WPCC lists 97.5% NCLEX first-time in its nursing page Nursing Data block—confirm period and cohort with the college. |
| Source | North Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates; Western Piedmont Community College Nursing. Confirm the latest cohort with the Board and WPCC. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Western Piedmont Community College (Enrollment/International Services) and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- North Carolina Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Western Piedmont Community College and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
WPCC nursing admission is selective and checklist-driven. Standard ADN applicants must satisfy items 1–8 on wpcc.edu/nursing/ by May 31 for Fall entry, including college admission with Nursing as the major, transcripts, GPA 2.5 on post-secondary coursework, readiness for ENG 111 and MAT 143 without co-requisites, high-school or college biology with C or better, Nurse Aide I (DSHR) or medical assisting certification, and ATI TEAS proficient ≥63 (in-person, valid three years, with retake limits). Practical Nursing applicants follow catalog rules (July 31 application target, TEAS ≥57, ACA 115, GPA 2.0 or bachelor’s). Paramedic bridge applicants must document two years of paramedic certification plus bridge prerequisites and NUR 215 success.
Application timeline (typical)
| Milestone | Date / window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADN checklist deadline | May 31 | All requirements due the same year you seek Fall entry; director sends acceptance/letters of intent March–May. |
| Letter of intent cutoff | July 19 | Final emailed letter-of-intent acceptance date per wpcc.edu/nursing/. |
| PN application target | July 31 | Catalog deadline for Fall practical nursing admission with PN as major. |
| CFNC / major selection | Per college instructions | Nursing page walks through CFNC application, RDS residency, and selecting Fall semester + Nursing major. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed. |
| TEAS (ADN) | Required; proficient category ≥63 unrounded; in-person; up to four attempts per 12 months with 30-day spacing (per nursing site). |
| TEAS (PN) | Required; ≥57 unrounded per catalog admission list. |
| Clinical clearance | CastleBranch uploads for health forms, immunizations, CPR, drug screen, criminal background check—budget per policy manual and nursing site. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
WPCC’s ADN Nursing program cost — Fall 2025 PDF itemizes textbooks (F.A. Davis bundle listed at $583.49), per-credit tuition, ATI lab fees ($2,750 in the table), combined technology/campus/insurance/student-activity fees ($505), uniforms, CastleBranch, NCLEX, CPR, pinning, and optional technology—arriving at a total estimated range of about $10,770–$11,559 with a footnote that ExamSoft was covered by the college at publication time (minus $153.10 in the summary line).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition (67 credits, PDF) | $76/credit × 67 = $5,016 (Fall 2025 cost sheet). |
| Tuition + fees subtotal (PDF) | Table lists tuition + ATI + bundled fees = $8,271 before supplies/miscellaneous line items. |
| Out-of-state tuition | Not broken out on the Fall 2025 ADN PDF—confirm non-resident rates via WPCC Student Services or the college tuition schedule. |
| Financial aid | Submit the FAFSA and work with WPCC Financial Aid for grants, loans, and scholarships. |
| Source | ADN Nursing program cost (Fall 2025 PDF); Financial Aid. Confirm current amounts with the college. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair regulatory NCLEX data from the North Carolina Board of Nursing with college disclosures on wpcc.edu. The nursing homepage currently embeds a compact outcomes block—validate definitions before comparing schools.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (NCBON, 2024) | 95% per the 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates PDF. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time (school page) | 97.5% listed in the WPCC Nursing Data summary; confirm cohort scope with the department. |
| Completion rate (school page) | 59.3% listed beside the same Nursing Data block—ask WPCC how completion is defined. |
| Job placement (school page, attributed) | WPCC’s Nursing Data block states job placement at 100%; confirm time window, survey response rate, and whether the figure reflects all graduates or respondents only. |
| Source | NCBON NCLEX pass rates; WPCC Nursing. |
Is Western Piedmont Community College the Right Fit for You?
WPCC fits learners who want affordable public nursing education in the western Piedmont foothills, can meet Nurse Aide / TEAS prerequisites for the ADN, and are ready to travel to variable clinical sites around the region.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value transparent cost worksheets and clearly posted TEAS and CastleBranch requirements.
- Need either a traditional ADN, a Paramedic-to-RN bridge, or a PN diploma under one college banner.
- Plan to work locally in Burke County or neighboring communities after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a guaranteed BSN on the same campus—WPCC focuses on pre-licensure diplomas/degrees.
- Cannot meet in-person TEAS or clinical clearance timelines.
- Require a fully online pre-licensure pathway (on-ground clinicals are required).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Morganton is the Burke County seat and a hub for foothills healthcare delivery connecting to Charlotte, Asheville, and Hickory labor markets. WPCC tells nursing students to expect clinicals at many partner facilities across western North Carolina; assignments rotate by cohort, so confirm semester-specific sites with the department rather than assuming a single hospital brand.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical partners | WPCC states clinical experiences occur at many facilities; verify your placement list each term. |
| Regional employers | Graduates often pursue roles in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health serving mountain-adjacent communities. |
| Demand | North Carolina continues to recruit nurses statewide; research employers, shift differentials, and tuition assistance directly. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students complete sequencing-intensive courses, skills laboratories, and community clinical experiences while maintaining CastleBranch compliance (immunizations, CPR, drug screen, background check). Budget time for travel—the college reminds students they are responsible for transportation and uniforms.
Student life blends general campus services—library, advising, financial aid—with nursing-specific policies outlined in the Nursing Student Policy Manual. Organizations may include broader WPCC clubs; confirm active nursing student groups with the department.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Morganton, NC
- Mail / main campus
- 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC 28655, US
- Nursing department
- Listed at 2128 South Sterling Street, Morganton, NC 28655 (per wpcc.edu/nursing/)
- Telephone (general)
- 828-448-3500
- Nursing department
- 828-448-3529 (Department Head office line on nursing page)
- Website
- wpcc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the ADN FAQ PDF and skim the Nursing Student Policy Manual.
- Confirm whether you are applying for ADN, Practical Nursing, or the Paramedic bridge—each pathway has different deadlines and TEAS cutoffs.
- Finish Nurse Aide I (DSHR-listed) or eligible medical assisting certification if you are pursuing the standard ADN checklist.
- Register for an in-person TEAS that satisfies WPCC’s retake spacing rules before your program deadline.
- Submit CFNC / WPCC applications with the correct major and Fall term per the nursing “Steps to Apply” list.
- Budget for CastleBranch, uniforms, ATI fees, and travel using the Fall 2025 cost PDF.
- Bookmark the NCBON NCLEX hub to verify the next published cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Western Piedmont Community College offer a BSN on campus?
No. WPCC lists ADN, Paramedic-to-RN bridge, and Practical Nursing diploma pathways. Bachelor’s nursing courses require transfer after partnership agreements or RN licensure. See wpcc.edu/nursing/ and the 2025–26 catalog Nursing section.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Western Piedmont Community College?
The North Carolina Board of Nursing’s 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates PDF lists Western Piedmont Community College at 95% first-time for calendar year 2024 alongside NC ADN (95%) and national ADN (91%) aggregates. WPCC’s nursing page separately shows 97.5% under Nursing Data—confirm how that figure is calculated. Always verify the newest Board tables.
What TEAS score does Western Piedmont require for nursing?
The ADN requires TEAS scores in the proficient category with an unrounded 63 or higher (in-person exam, three-year validity, limited retakes). Practical Nursing requires a 57 or higher per the catalog. Confirm current ATI rules on wpcc.edu/nursing/ before scheduling.
How much does the Western Piedmont ADN cost?
The Fall 2025 ADN cost PDF shows $76 per credit for 67 credits ($5,016 in-state tuition) plus ATI/lab fees, bundled student fees, books, uniforms, CastleBranch, NCLEX, and miscellaneous expenses totaling roughly $10,770–$11,559 before aid. Out-of-state tuition is not itemized in that PDF—ask WPCC for residency pricing.
When are Western Piedmont nursing applications due?
Standard ADN materials are due by May 31 for Fall entry (letters of intent accepted through July 19). Practical Nursing applicants target July 31 for Fall per the catalog. Paramedic bridge applicants follow the supplemental bridge application outlined in the catalog.
Does Western Piedmont offer LPN training?
Yes. The Practical Nursing Diploma (D45660) prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. It is separate from the ADN track and uses different GPA and TEAS thresholds.
What is the Paramedic-to-RN option at Western Piedmont?
Certified paramedics who meet experience, GPA, TEAS, prerequisite course, and NUR 215 requirements can bridge into the sophomore ADN sequence; Nurse Aide certification is waived when paramedic credentials qualify. Slots are limited—read A45110P carefully.
Is Western Piedmont nursing ACEN accredited?
WPCC states ACEN accreditation on its public nursing page with full agency contact data. Confirm the active accreditation status with ACEN and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
What job placement does Western Piedmont report?
The nursing page’s WPCC Nursing Data block lists job placement at 100% next to completion and NCLEX figures. Ask the department for the survey methodology, response rate, and time window behind that percentage.
References
- Western Piedmont Community College — Nursingwpcc.edu/nursing/
- Western Piedmont Community College — Nursing admission requirementsNursing admission requirements
- Western Piedmont Community College — ADN program costs (PDF, Fall 2025)ADN Nursing program cost PDF
- Western Piedmont Community College — 2025–26 Catalog (Nursing)Catalog Nursing hub
- Western Piedmont Community College — ADN FAQ (PDF)ADN-Nursing-FAQ.pdf
- Western Piedmont Community College — Nursing Student Policy Manual (PDF)2025-26 Nursing Student Policy Manual
- Western Piedmont Community College — ContactContact WPCC
- North Carolina Board of Nursing — 2024 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates (PDF)ncbon.com PDF (2024)
- North Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass ratesncbon.com/nclex-pass-rates
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)acenursing.org
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment between program lists and the WPCC 2025–26 catalog, Fall 2025 ADN cost PDF figures, NCBON 2024 NCLEX-RN table citations, and ACEN statements on wpcc.edu/nursing/.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-30 · Last reviewed: March 30, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy