Wake Tech Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Martha Mann Smith School of Nursing at Wake Technical Community College runs practical nursing, a standard Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and an LPN-to-RN advanced placement track, with simulation labs and clinicals across the Raleigh region. Figures below come from waketech.edu cost tables and school-reported outcomes; confirm every data point with the college and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Nursing at Wake Tech is anchored at the Perry Health Sciences Campus next to WakeMed in Raleigh, with simulation labs and rotations that may extend beyond Wake County. The Martha Mann Smith School publishes transparent cost tables and cohort NCLEX outcomes on waketech.edu—use them alongside NCBON pass-rate publications when you compare programs.
Overview & Why Students Choose Wake Tech
Wake Technical Community College is one of North Carolina’s largest public two-year colleges, based in Raleigh with multiple campuses. Its Martha Mann Smith School of Nursing houses practical nursing, a traditional Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that leads to the NCLEX-RN, and an LPN-to-RN advanced placement track that starts each summer for licensed practical nurses, as described on the official nursing program pages.
Wake Tech does not award a BSN in the nursing hub reviewed for this guide; graduates who need a bachelor’s typically complete the statewide RN-to-BSN articulation pathway at a university after licensure. Nursing is a limited-enrollment, competitively ranked program—plan prerequisites, Nurse Aide registry, and TEAS timing carefully using the current Wake Tech catalog.
According to Wake Technical Community College’s Nursing Program Outcomes table, recent Associate Degree Nursing graduating classes include a 98% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the December 2024 cohort and 97% for May 2024, with national and North Carolina comparison columns printed on the same page (for example, 91% national and 82% state NCLEX-RN figures shown alongside the December 2024 row—use only as context for that disclosure layout). For regulator-published calendar-year rates, see the North Carolina Board of Nursing NCLEX pass-rate publications. Confirm the latest cohort with Wake Tech and the Board.
Reasons students choose Wake Tech
Raleigh & WakeMed adjacency
The Perry Health Sciences Campus sits next to WakeMed’s flagship hospital—convenient for labs, simulation, and many clinical partnerships in a growing capital-city market.
Stacked pathways
Students can progress PN → LPN-to-RN bridge → NCLEX-RN within the Martha Mann Smith School instead of switching institutions between credentials.
Published outcomes & costs
Wake Tech publishes cohort NCLEX tables and line-item program cost estimates (including TEAS, clinical fees, and immunizations) on waketech.edu.
Simulation-heavy skills prep
Official copy highlights simulation lab work before students transition to variable day, evening, night, or weekend clinical shifts—sometimes outside Wake County.
Competitive transparency
Admissions uses a point-based competitive process (not a waitlist) with clear prerequisite science timelines; students who plan early can track BIO and math recency rules.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below are summarized from the Associate Degree Nursing overview, Practical Nursing pages, and related degree links on waketech.edu. Wake Tech also offers other health sciences credentials; this guide focuses on the Martha Mann Smith School nursing pathways that lead to NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN.
Pre-licensure — Licensed Practical Nurse
Practical Nursing (diploma)
The Practical Nursing diploma prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN. Wake Tech states the curriculum spans skills needed in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care. See the practical nursing admissions page for requirements separate from the ADN track.
Pre-licensure — Registered Nurse (ADN)
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The standard Associate Degree Nursing track awards an Associate in Applied Science and eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. Wake Tech states the program is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN.
Associate Degree Nursing — Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement option is for licensed practical nurses who want to complete the ADN; it begins once a year in the summer semester and builds on prior practical nursing education per the program description.
Post-licensure & graduate
Wake Tech does not list MSN or DNP programs in the nursing pages reviewed for this guide. After RN licensure, students typically pursue RN-to-BSN completion at a university using North Carolina’s statewide articulation resources linked from the nursing admissions hub.
Course titles, competitive cutoffs, and clinical policies change—verify the Wake Tech catalog, nursing admissions, and practical nursing admissions pages before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Wake Technical Community College publishes cohort-level first-time NCLEX-RN percentages for Associate Degree Nursing and for the LPN-to-ADN bridge on its Nursing Program Outcomes page, alongside national and North Carolina comparison columns for the same rows. Example ADN rows shown at publication included 98% (December 2024 class) and 97% (May 2024 class); the bridge table row for May 2024 lists reported 100% for that cohort. Confirm the latest graduating class with Wake Tech and compare with NCBON annual RN pass-rate publications.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (ADN, Dec 2024 class, school-reported) | 98% per Wake Tech Nursing Program Outcomes table. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time (ADN, May 2024 class, school-reported) | 97% per the same outcomes table. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time (LPN-to-ADN bridge, May 2024, school-reported) | Reported 100% for that cohort on the bridge section of the outcomes page. Confirm methodology and the next cohort with the college and NCBON. |
| Source | Wake Tech Nursing Program Outcomes; North Carolina Board of Nursing NCLEX pass rates. |
NCLEX-PN (practical nursing)
Practical Nursing Program Outcomes lists first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates by graduating class (for example, reported 100% for December 2024, December 2023, and December 2022 rows at publication), with national and state comparison columns on the same table.
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 Wake Technical Community College 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 Wake Technical Community College’s admissions and international office (if applicable) and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Wake Tech’s Associate Degree Nursing program is limited-enrollment: acceptance uses a competitive point system (not a waitlist), ranking applicants on grades in required general education classes such as ENG-111, PSY-150, and BIO-168, with a grade of C or better in all program-related courses per the nursing admissions page. All BIO courses must include labs, be completed within five years of the first NUR class, and math proficiency must fall within 10 years.
Application timeline (ADN)
| Entry Term | Deadline window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall start | October 1 – January 31 | Submit nursing program application, active North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry listing (must remain current through first day of NUR-111), and official TEAS scores by the deadline per Wake Tech nursing admissions. |
| Spring start | April 1 – July 31 | Same materials as fall cycle; confirm each year on nursing admissions. |
| Information session | Required step | Complete the college’s nursing information session before applying. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed. |
| Nurse Aide requirement (ADN) | Active listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry required for the ADN application process. |
| TEAS (ADN) | Required. Have ATI send official TEAS scores to Wake Tech by the deadline; composite 59+ on TEAS V or higher within three years; maximum two tests per calendar year with 30 days between attempts per nursing admissions. See TEAS testing. The ADN cost sheet lists a TEAS fee. |
| Clinical clearance | Expect criminal background checks, drug screens, immunizations, liability insurance, and health documentation per nursing costs and clinical requirements. |
Practical nursing uses a separate application and TEAS guidance on the practical nursing admissions page—confirm fees and thresholds there.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Wake Technical Community College publishes separate line-item estimates for Associate Degree Nursing costs and Practical Nursing costs. Both pages state figures are estimates as of April 2025 (ADN page) or estimates subject to change (PN page) and that tuition is set by state authorities. Budget add-ons include fees, textbooks, clinical supplies, immunizations, insurance, and licensure exam fees listed on those pages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| ADN program tuition (from college table) | In-state: $5,472; out-of-state: $19,296. |
| Practical Nursing tuition (44 credit hours, three semesters) | In-state: $3,344; out-of-state: $11,792 per the practical nursing costs page. |
| Other required costs (examples from ADN costs page) | Student activity fee $35/semester; campus access $85/semester; computer/technology $3/credit hour; TEAS $120; NCLEX registration $200 (line items on nursing costs page—confirm updates). |
| Financial aid | See Wake Tech Financial Aid and the Cost of Attendance 2025–26 PDF for institution-wide context. |
| Source | Wake Tech Nursing Program Costs; Wake Tech Practical Nursing Costs. Confirm current amounts with the college. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use the following figures only as school-reported snapshots from Wake Tech’s outcomes tables; confirm survey methods, response rates, and the latest graduating classes with the college.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (recent ADN cohorts) | Examples from Nursing Program Outcomes: 98% (December 2024 class) and 97% (May 2024 class). Earlier rows vary; confirm calendar-year regulator data via NCBON. |
| NCLEX-PN first-time (recent PN cohorts) | Practical Nursing Outcomes lists cohort pass rates (for example, reported 100% for December 2024, 2023, and 2022 rows at publication). |
| RN job placement 12 months after graduation (school-reported) | The ADN outcomes table includes placement columns by class; for example, the December 2023 row lists reported 100% RN job placement at 12 months. Confirm definitions with Wake Tech. |
| Source | Wake Tech Nursing Program Outcomes; Wake Tech Practical Nursing Outcomes; NCBON NCLEX publications. |
Wake Tech hosts Lightcast career widgets on program pages with aggregate labor-market estimates; treat them as planning tools, not hiring guarantees, and verify salaries locally.
Is Wake Technical Community College the Right Fit for You?
Wake Tech fits students who want NCCCS tuition, can meet Nurse Aide registry and TEAS expectations for ADN, and plan for variable clinical hours—including possible assignments outside Wake County.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want PN and ADN pathways (including an LPN-to-RN summer start) within one school.
- Prefer a capital-city clinical market anchored by WakeMed, UNC Rex, Duke Raleigh, and other Triangle partners.
- Appreciate published cost workbooks and cohort outcome tables for planning.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a BSN at the same community college—plan university RN-to-BSN completion after licensure.
- Cannot supply their own reliable transportation for dispersed clinical sites.
- Expect a non-competitive entry process—ADN admission is limited and point-ranked.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Raleigh and the broader Research Triangle combine state government, major research universities, and rapidly growing suburban communities. Flagship anchors for clinical training include WakeMed (adjacent to the Perry Health Sciences Campus), UNC Health facilities such as UNC Rex, Duke Health locations in Raleigh and Durham, and numerous city and county public-health operations. Wake Tech states explicitly that clinical assignments may occur outside Wake County and can span day, evening, night, or weekend shifts.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute & specialty | Large nonprofit systems and community hospitals across Wake County and neighboring counties supply high-acuity experiences. |
| Community & long-term care | Clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care, and home-health partners commonly host PN and ADN rotations. |
| Demand | Population growth in the Triangle supports ongoing hiring, but vacancies and pay vary—confirm with recruiters and NC workforce data. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students spend significant time at the Perry Health Sciences Campus on Holston Lane, where Wake Tech highlights simulation suites that mirror hospital environments before students transition to live patient care.
Beyond clinical gear, Wake Tech offers the typical community-college support network: academic advising, libraries, and student engagement offices described throughout waketech.edu. Ask nursing faculty about student organizations or honor-society opportunities active in a given semester.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Raleigh, NC (Perry Health Sciences Campus — nursing and health sciences)
- Address
- 2901 Holston Lane, Raleigh, NC 27610, US
- Telephone
- 919-866-5420 (Perry Health Sciences Advising — nursing contacts listed on program pages)
- Contact email
- Use the contact options on waketech.edu nursing admissions for current nursing program email routing.
- Website
- waketech.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Wake Tech Associate Degree Nursing page and download the nursing checklist PDF.
- Compare your transcripts to prerequisite science and English/psychology requirements, including five-year BIO and 10-year math rules.
- Register for or retake the TEAS following Wake Tech TEAS rules (59+ composite for ADN; confirm practical nursing thresholds separately).
- Complete the mandatory nursing information session before submitting your program application.
- Verify your North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry status is active through the first day of NUR-111 if you are applying to ADN.
- Build a budget from the ADN and/or PN cost tables and file FAFSA if needed.
- Review NCBON NCLEX publications for regulator context alongside Wake Tech outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wake Technical Community College offer a BSN on campus?
No pre-licensure BSN is listed in the Martha Mann Smith RN pages reviewed for this guide. RN preparation is through the Associate Degree in Nursing; graduates typically pursue RN-to-BSN at a university using North Carolina articulation resources linked from Wake Tech’s nursing admissions page.
What nursing programs does Wake Tech offer?
Official pages list a Practical Nursing diploma (NCLEX-PN), a standard ADN track (NCLEX-RN), and an LPN-to-RN advanced placement ADN option with summer entry. Confirm codes and titles in the Wake Tech catalog.
What first-time NCLEX-RN rates does Wake Tech report for ADN?
According to Nursing Program Outcomes, recent rows include 98% for the December 2024 ADN class and 97% for May 2024, with national and North Carolina comparison columns on the same table. Use NCBON reports for regulator calendar-year views.
What NCLEX-PN outcomes does Wake Tech publish?
Practical Nursing Outcomes lists cohort first-time NCLEX-PN rates—for example, reported 100% for the December 2024, 2023, and 2022 classes in the table reviewed for this guide.
Does Wake Tech ADN require the TEAS?
Yes. Nursing admissions requires official TEAS scores by the deadline, composite 59+ on TEAS V or higher within three years, and limits tests to two per calendar year with 30 days between attempts. See the TEAS page and confirm practical nursing rules separately.
What tuition totals does Wake Tech list for nursing?
The Nursing Program Costs page (estimates as of April 2025) shows $5,472 in-state and $19,296 out-of-state tuition for the ADN scenario, plus many fee lines. Practical nursing lists $3,344 in-state and $11,792 out-of-state tuition for 44 credits. Confirm updates annually.
When are Wake Tech ADN application windows?
Nursing admissions lists October 1–January 31 for fall entry and April 1–July 31 for spring entry, with the nursing program application, Nurse Aide registry, and TEAS scores due in that window.
Where are Wake Tech nursing labs and clinicals?
Overview copy highlights simulation labs on campus and clinical rotations that may include day, evening, night, or weekend shifts and sites outside Wake County; learners need their own transportation.
Is Wake Tech nursing accredited?
Wake Tech states ADN is approved by NCBON and accredited by ACEN. Practical nursing outcomes pages also reference ACEN contact information. Confirm current status with each agency.
References
- Wake Technical Community College — Associate Degree Nursinghttps://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/nursing
- Wake Technical Community College — Nursing admissionshttps://www.waketech.edu/admissions-aid/credit/health-sciences/nursing
- Wake Technical Community College — Nursing Program Outcomeshttps://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/nursing/outcomes
- Wake Technical Community College — Nursing Program Costshttps://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/nursing/costs
- Wake Technical Community College — Practical Nursinghttps://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/practical-nursing
- Wake Technical Community College — Practical Nursing Outcomeshttps://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/practical-nursing/outcomes
- Wake Technical Community College — Perry Health Sciences Campushttps://www.waketech.edu/about-wake-tech/campuses-centers/health-sciences-campus
- North Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rateshttps://www.ncbon.com/nclex-pass-rates
- North Carolina Community Colleges — RN-to-BSN articulationNC RN-to-BSN uniform articulation
- 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 of program scope (PN, ADN, LPN-RN bridge), TEAS and application windows on waketech.edu, tuition figures from Wake Technical Community College’s published nursing and practical nursing cost tables (April 2025 estimates where stated), and school-reported NCLEX tables dated through December 2024 cohorts.
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