Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses

RIBN will admit and enroll students at Haywood Community College (HCC) and Western Carolina University (WCU) and provide them with a seamless four-year associate-to-baccalaureate nursing education. Students will have the opportunity to begin working as a registered nurse at the end of the third year in this option, and pay mostly community college tuition rates.

RIBN makes both an associate's and a bachelor’s degree in nursing affordable and accessible. The first three years of RIBN are hosted on HCC’s campus, with one class completed through WCU each third semester, years 1 through 3. Upon successful completion of the first three years in the RIBN curriculum, students will finish their fourth year of classes through WCU online.

Students applying to RIBN must meet dual admission requirements set forth collaboratively by HCC and WCU. All HCC RIBN applicants must meet the HCC Nursing Associate Degree Nursing-ADN requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

The priority deadline for RIBN and traditional ADN applicants is February 15. All application steps listed below must be completed by February 15 for consideration.

• Apply to the Region A Nursing Consortium at Haywood Community College
• Submit an intent to enroll in the nursing program at HCC
• Submit official high school transcripts or official scores for the High School Equivalency Diploma
• Evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale. The most recent transcript with 6 credit hours will be used for those students attending more than one college.
• Completion of the following courses with a grade “C” or better
  • BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II
  • ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry
  • MAT 171 Precalculus algebra
• Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as an Emergency Medical Technician with Basic or Advanced certification, Medical Assistant certification, Paramedic certification, or Nurse Aide I (NA I). A copy of the current listing is required by February 15.
• Completion of the (Test of Essential Academic Skills VII) exam with a minimum allowable TEAS score of 70 for admission into RIBN by February 15.
  • Students may purchase the TEAS exam at the campus of the scheduled testing. The cost of the TEAS exam will be made public to the students when scheduling the exam.
  • A TEAS score is valid for three years from the date taken and must be active through the February 15th deadline.
  • The highest total score in the three-year period will be used. Official scores must be requested, purchased, and sent to the Office of Enrollment Management.
• Additionally, students must meet the following WCU requirements:
• General acceptance to Western Carolina University: Students applying to WNC RIBN must meet dual admission requirements set forth collaboratively by Haywood Community College and Western Carolina University. Meeting the institutions' minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
  • Applicants coming directly from High School
    • Minimum unweighted cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in high school courses.
  • Applicants who have completed 20 hours or more of college credit (100 level or higher) would be considered regular Transfer Students
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all college courses.
  • ACT – minimum score 19 required. This requirement is waived if the RIBN applicant has 20 or more college credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • All applicants must complete an HCC RIBN application and meet with an HCC RIBN Advisor before February 15th of the year they desire fall entry into the program.
  • Those individuals who are notified of provisional acceptance to the program must attend a mandatory orientation session and have HCC/RANC health forms completed by the appropriate medical personnel, indicating the candidate is mentally and physically capable of performing the job duties required by this profession.