Washington County
Washington County | About
“Washington County, located in the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina, was formed in 1799 from Tyrrell County and named for President George Washington. It is partially bordered by the Albemarle Sound. Early inhabitants of the area included Algonquian Indians, followed by English settlers. Plymouth, the county seat, was incorporated in 1807 and named for Plymouth, Mass. Other Washington County communities include Roper, Creswell, Cherry, Scuppernong, Pleasant Grove, Westover, Hinson, and Wenona. Besides Albemarle Sound, notable bodies of water in the county include the Roanoke and Scuppernong Rivers, Phelps and Pungo Lakes, Beaver Dam and Kendrick Creeks, and East Dismal Swamp. The Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern corner of the county.
Washington County historic sites include Garrett’s Island Home, built in the mid-eighteenth century; Westover Plantation and Homestead Farm, both built in the mid-nineteenth century; and Somerset Place, built in the late eighteenth century and today a North Carolina State Historic Site. As a consequence of the Battle of Plymouth (1864), Confederate forces recaptured the town and reopened the Roanoke River. Cultural attractions include the Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum and the Washington County Arts Council. The county hosts festivals and annual events such as Riverfest, Civil War Living History Weekend, Somerset Homecoming, Indian Heritage Week, and Plymouth Farm-City Festival.
Washington County agricultural products include corn, soybeans, peanuts, tobacco, cotton, cabbage, sage, beans, potatoes, hogs, and poultry. Manufactured products include wood pulp, paper, plywood, lumber, pallets, clothing, rope, and processed peanuts. Washington County’s estimated population was 13,500 in 2004.”
- Population-13,014 (2006)- 12,012 (2016)
- Some College- 23.4%
- Associate’s Degree- 8.5%
- Bachelors- 6.5%
- Higher than Bachelor’s Degree- 3.3%
- Unemployed- 6.2%(2006)- 8.4% (2016)
- Number of people enrolled in UNC System School- 169, 0.1% of total enrollment.
- Public High School Seniors Applying to UNC System Schools- 80
(Sources: https://www.ncpedia.org, Http://wikipidia.org, )
Educational Resources
Beaufort Community College (BCCC) services Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. BCCC provides high-quality, public higher education resources to support a variety of career paths from skilled technical opportunities, to healthcare to business and beyond.
Beaufort Community College Videos
David Loope, Early College at BCCC
Beaufort Community College President David Loope explains the BCCC early college program where freshmen high school students can start taking college-level courses and then graduate in 5 years with both a high school diploma and an associates degree.
David Loope, Affordable Community College
Beaufort Community College President David Loope describes how very cost effective NC Community Colleges are. He explains that they have several scholarships and other financial services support solutions available for area students. The financial support offered enables students to earn credentials that lead to well-paying jobs without incurring a significant financial hardship.
David Loope, Beaufort’s Four Aspirations
David Loope, President of Beaufort County Community College describes how they hope to social and economic mobility in BCCCs service area:
1. Break the cycle of poverty.
2. Grow the middle class.
3. Reduce dependence on external aid.
4. Improve the residents’ quality of life.
East Carolina University Online
East Carolina University offers online classes, degrees and graduate certificates. Dr. Regis Gilman describes the program and touts the 1,000 courses, 16 undergraduate majors and 56 graduate certificates offerec by ECU through their online program.
East Carolina University Delivers a Great ROI
East Carolina University is proud of the many graduates they have in rural North Carolina. They believe that ECU makes such an impact that if it did not exist, NC would have to build it right away.
Beaufort County Jobs
Please explore the following list of jobs:
Nurse Aide Level I/II (Beaufort Community College)
- Nurse Aide Level I: This course consists of theory, lab and clinical experiences, which prepares the student to provide personal care and basic nursing skills. Course content includes but is not limited to: role of the nurse aide, infection control, communication, and resident’s rights. Upon satisfactory completion of course, student is eligible to apply for North Carolina State Certification Examination. Successful completion of state exam is required to be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry
- Nurse Aide Level II: This course consists of theory, lab and clinical experiences, which prepares the student to provide complex nursing skills for patients or residents. Upon satisfactory completion of course, student is eligible for listing as a NAII with the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Prerequisite: Current Nurse Aide I license and a high school diploma or equivalency
Associates in Applied Sciences (Beaufort Community College)
- The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. Employment opportunities are vast within the global health care system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community health care facilities.
Health Care Practitioner: Nursing Assistant II -Central Staffing (Vidant Health, Washington, NC)
- Course Requirements: Nurse Aide Level II
- Courses to take at BCCC: Nurse Aide Level I/II
- Average Salary: $45,820
- Additional Training/Certification: Active NAI listing with the North Carolina Division of Facility Services is required, Active NAII listing with North Carolina Board of Nursing is required, Current American Heart Association HeartSaver certification is required, High School or Equivalent (GED) or higher.
Health Care Practitioner: Nursing Assistant II – ICU (Vidant Health, Washington, NC)
- Course Requirements: Nurse Aide Level II
- Courses to take at BCCC: Nurse Aide Level I/II
- Average Salary: $45,820
- Additional Training/Certification: Active NAI listing with the North Carolina Division of Facility Services is required, Active NAII listing with North Carolina Board of Nursing is required, Current American Heart Association HeartSaver certification is required, High School or Equivalent (GED) or higher.
Education: EC General Curriculum Teacher (Beaufort County Schools)
- Course Requirements: Associate’s in General Education
- Average Salary: $41,194
- Additional Training/Certification: Professional Educators Licensure
Support Resources
Want to go earn your higher education credentials and get a better paying job, but need additional support resources to make it happen? Please see the list of support resources below that are available in your county:
Transportation
The Beaufort Area Transit System (BATS) has a mission “to provide safe, reliable publice transportation in a respectful manner for the citizens of Beaufort County”. The cost depends on the geography of the trip’s origin and destination. Visit their website to learn more.
Child Care - Child Development Services
“The mission of the Child Development Services, (CDC) is to provide an inclusive setting (serving children with and without disabilities) that promotes acceptance of differences, a healthy expression of strengths and needs, and supports to parents for the growth and proper development of their children by providing opportunities for independence, readiness, interactions, and challenges.”
Click to visit their website and learn more.
Child Care - Start Right Learning Center
Their mission as caregivers and educators is “to provide a safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment, which fosters a child’s natural desire to explore, discover, create, and become a lifelong learner”.
Click to visit their website to learn more.
Scholarship and Financial Assistance
Beaufort County Community College has a foundation that helps students with scholarships and other financial aid. “The BCCC Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1984 to provide community-based support for the college in achieving its educational and workforce development goals. Through the Foundation, generous donors provide support for scholarships, institutional programs, faculty and staff development and facility improvements.”
Click to visit the website and learn more.
Testimonials
Please explore the following testimonials:
Marcel Bowser – Criminal Justice Student
Some of Marcel’s friends and Relatives believe that getting a degree is not necessary because they can “just work”. Marcel shares why he disagrees and explains how getting a degree will help him to succeed in his chosen field of study.