Watts School of Nursing, in Durham, NC, was organized in 1895 and was then a part of Watts Hospital. This fine accredited establishment has the sole purpose of providing an excellent nursing education for those who are interested in entering the nursing field. Watts became partners with Mount Olive College in 2004. Both schools are now offering a five-semester program. Prerequisite courses are completed during semester one at Mount Olive, with four semesters of nursing then taking place at Watts. Upon completion of studies, a diploma in nursing will be achieved through Watts and an Associate of Science Degree in the field of Health Science will be obtained through Mount Olive College.
If you are interested in a career in nursing, Watts School of Nursing will provide you with a quality education. One hundred percent of 2009-2010 students who were surveyed upon graduation were found to be very happy with the program.
What can you expect as a student? Graduates of Watts will have received a clinical and academic education. The prerequisite courses that must first be taken at Mount Olive will include an introduction to Psychology and Sociology, Anatomy, Physiology, Human Growth and Development, English, History, Math and Religion. The courses provided by Watts will include an introduction to basic health care needs, holistic care, management of health issues of an acute and chronic nature, and management of complex and life-threatening health issues.
The final four semesters of study at Watts School of Nursing will provide students with all of the necessary skills they will need to handle various healthcare issues throughout the lifespan of patients. Each semester of study advances the nursing education to a higher level, helping students to obtain the proper understanding of healthcare issues and patients’ needs. Students will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in various clinical settings, from the beginning of semester one right up to graduation at the end of the last semester.
Watts also provides a number of student organizations to enrich the student experience on campus. These organizations include the Association of Nursing Students, the Student Government Association and Nursing Christian Fellowship.
The Association of Nursing Students provides an opportunity for students to voice their opinions and ideas to educators and medical professionals. Members of the Association will be encouraged to attend various activities on a local, state and national level, such as student conferences and projects involving community service.
The Student Government Association sponsors a variety of activities within the community of the school. Through this Association, leadership skills within the student body will be established, and interactions between students and faculty members are enriched. Students will have the opportunity to take part in various community activities, including mentoring and community projects, such as the Coalition for Battered Women.
Nursing Christian Fellowship is a ministry for nurses that encourage Bible discussion and prayer meetings.
Watts School of Nursing also offers the Santa Filomena Honor Society, comprised of upperclassmen that have shown great leadership skills and have made contributions to the school and to nursing that have resulted in the betterment of both. Honor Society members have a certain grade point average and have shown a commitment to nursing standards of a high quality.
Attendance at Watts will provide students with an excellent education and enriching experiences with fellow students and the school community. Nursing is a very rewarding career. It also comes with a number of challenges. Upon graduation from Watts School of Nursing, you will be prepared for all of the challenges that will be presented to you, and you will deserve all of the rewards.