Ten Quarter Option 

Special Notice:
The Nursing Program Application will re-open for Fall 2008 entry to the 10-Quarter Option ONLY beginning Monday, May 19, 2008 and closing at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008.  If you have any questions please contact the Nursing Program Office at (206) 546-4743.

1.  When can I apply to the ten quarter option? 

Applications will be accepted for the Fall 08 quarter.  The online application is available from January 15 through April 3, 2008. You complete application must be in the Nursing Program Office no later than 4:30 PM on April 3, 2008 to be considered.  The application will ask you to identify to which program you wish to apply (the ten quarter program or the traditional traditional six quarter program).  The ten quarter program will admit students no more than once per year. 

2.  How does the ten quarter program option differ from the traditional six quarter option? 

Students in the traditional six quarter program carry approximately 12 credits per quarter.  Students in the ten quarter program will carry between 3 and 10 credits with an average of 7-8 credits per quarter. There are no summer classes in the traditional six quarter option.  Students enrolled in the ten quarter program will have classes scheduled during the summer.  The traditional six quarter program observes the traditional college calendar.  The ten quarter program will include planned breaks, but classes may begin and end at different times that the traditional college quarters.  Students entering the ten quarter program in Fall 2008 should complete the program approximately 6 months after students entering the traditional six quarter program the same quarter. The sequence of classes in the ten quarter program will be different from that in the traditional six quarter program.  However, the same content will be included in both programs. 

3.  What schedule can I expect? 

The Nursing Program consists of theory (lecture/discussion) classes; skills lab where students learn and practice skills in a practice lab; and clinical experience in acute and long-term care settings, working with clients and patients.  In the ten quarter program the theory and skills lab classes will be scheduled during the late afternoon and evening hours.  The clinical experiences may be scheduled as early ad 6:30 AM or as late as 10:30 PM.  Students should expect to have classes scheduled 2-3 days per week throughout the program. 

4.  Where will the clinical experiences be scheduled? 

The clinical sites used in the ten quarter program will be similar to those used in the traditional six quarter program.  Students will be placed in long-term care settings, in school settings, and in acute care hospitals and clinics.  

5.  Is it possible to transfer between the traditional six quarter and the ten quarter program? 

Changing between programs would only be permitted on a space available basis.  Because the ten quarter program admits no more than once per year, there could be a long delay before the appropriate quarter was available if the ten quarter program to permit this type of transfer.  It would be more likely, but not guaranteed, that there would be space available to permit a student to transfer from the ten quarter option to the traditional six quarter option.  There would have to be a documented student need to permit consideration of this type of transfer. 

6.  Who would benefit most from the ten quarter program? 

All types of nursing programs are very rigorous.  The program was designed to meet the needs of individuals who have life demands that make it impossible for them to enroll in a more traditional full-time nursing program.  The program may also benefit individuals who have found a full-time load challenging in the past, and who learn best with a slightly slower pace.