The WNC Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) Program will dually admit and enroll you at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ and at a partner community college. Currently the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSchool of Nursing has a RIBN partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical, Blue Ridge, Isothermal, Southwestern and Surry community colleges. The RIBN Program provides you with a four year, seamless associate to baccalaureate nursing education. Unlike in a traditional BSN program, you will have the opportunity to begin working as an RN at the start of your fourth year.
The RIBN option makes a bachelor’s degree in nursing both affordable and accessible. The first three years will be hosted on the community college's campus, with one class taken each year online through Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵas advised by their community college advisor. Upon successful completion of the first three years, students finish their fourth year online through Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵand at the Biltmore Park instructional site.
See what students have to say about the .
Students applying to RIBN for Fall must meet admission requirements for both the community college and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ.
Admission is based on the following criteria:
Students must apply first through the Community College RIBN Program. For more details, please contact one of the RIBN Student Success Advocates listed under Contact Information below.
Once you have been admitted by your supporting community college, you will then complete the University application and secondary application process within the .
The curriculum plan will vary depending on the community college you are attending. Throughout the first three years students will complete 4 courses through Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵwhile enrolled at their Community College.
Students are required to complete all courses with a "C" or higher while maintaining no less than a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
The current total estimated cost of attendance for the RIBN Program is $19,350. The
cost may vary based on Community College expenses and when Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵcourses are taken during
the program.
RIBN ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE
This is made possible through the State of North Carolina's NC Promise program. Please note that this applies only to the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵtuition and not the costs of the community college partner.
Partnering Community College Contacts:
RIBN Program
Linda Deeb | E: l_deeb@southwesterncc.edu | P: 828.339.4367
RIBN Program
Dr. Amy Szoka | E: a.szoka@blueridge.edu | P: 828.694.1841
Katie Edwards | E: kedwards@isothermal.edu | P: 828.395.1606
RIBN Program
Amy Jo Parker | E: amyjparker@abtech.edu | P: 828.398.7534
RIBN Program
Yvonne Johnson | E: johnsony@surry.edu | P: 336.386.3368
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Contact:
Interim Program Director:
Ramona Whichello, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Core Faculty:
Kia Countess, DNP, RN, CNE
Sheila Price, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Tamra Shea, PhD, MSN, RN
Francine Sheppard, PhD, RN, CNE
For information about RIBN at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵplease email: WCUnursing@wcu.edu