Nursing AAS

Work Force Ready Degrees

NURSING - ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

The Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Nursing is designed to provide education to prepare the student for practice as a registered nurse. The curriculum follows the criteria for the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model and is specifically constructed to promote career mobility between nursing educational levels. Upon satisfactory completion of the associate degree sequence with a minimum of “C” in each course of the prescribed curriculum, the student will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. Successful completion of the Otero nursing program requirements for graduation will also entitle the graduate to submit an application to the State Board of Nursing for the State Licensure Examination.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Nursing is designed to be completed in two (2) years of full-time course work, plus a series of prerequisite courses prior to application to the program.

Otero Nursing Admission Procedure

1. The student must apply for general college admission to Otero College. Applying to Otero is free and can be completed online at: www.otero.edu/apply_ojc.aspx . Student must be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate.

2. Complete required pre-admission courses (Pre-requisite Courses) with a grade of C or higher for each course and a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher for the required pre-admission courses listed below. A higher GPA will receive a higher admission score. The science courses must be completed within seven years of the application date of the program.

Required Pre-Admission Courses (Pre-requisite Courses)

English Composition I (3 credits)

Human Growth & Development (3 credits)

Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)

Co-requisite Courses

Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits) *

*BIO 2102 / Human Anatomy & Physiology II can be completed in first semester of your Nursing courses with prior approval and if not taking compressed BIO 2101/2102 course.

3. Apply to the nursing program at Otero using the Online Application available here.

4. Provide official transcripts confirming completion of Pre-requisite courses and GPA to the Otero Nursing Department.

5. Complete the Accuplacer Reading and Math tests within six months of application to the Nursing Program. The minimum Reading score is 80. Minimum Math score is Elementary Algebra (EA) 61. Higher scores on each test will receive a higher admission score. To schedule contact the Student Services Office at 719-384-6831.

6. Evidence of permanent residence in the Otero Service area of Bent, Otero and Crowley counties is not required but will receive points toward admission.

7. A clear criminal background check and urine drug screen (information will be provided upon application). See the Disqualifying Offenses document

8. Evidence of State Nurse Aide Certification or honorable military service is not required but will receive points toward admission score.

9. Attendance at a Pre-Nursing Information session with the Nursing Office. Call 719-384-6898 to schedule.

10. All admission criteria must be submitted to Otero or the Nursing Office by the Nursing admission deadlines. For the full admission criteria and admission deadlines go to www.otero.edu/AssociateNursing.aspx.

11. A deadline will be set and students who have completed all of the admission criteria will be admitted from the top score down until all slots are filled. To fill any vacant slots, a second and third deadline will be set and remaining and newly qualified applicants will be considered and admitted from the top scores again until slots are filled. Admission deadlines are posted on the Otero website at www.otero.edu/AssociateNursing.aspx.

For LPNs entering the second year of the ADN Program

1 Complete steps 1-4 on the previous pages.

2. Complete Pathophysiology (BIO 216) with a grade of C or higher prior to enrolling in the ADN program.

3. Provide a copy of your LPN license.

4. Provide official transcripts of your LPN program courses. If your Practical Nursing (PN) program was completed more than ten years prior to application additional testing may be required.

5. A clear criminal background check and urine drug screen (information will be provided upon application). See the Disqualifying Offenses document

6. Complete the NUR 189 LPN to RN Transition course with a grade of C or higher if LPN was completed prior to April 2007. Contact the Otero Nursing Office for the dates of the next scheduled NUR 189 course.

7. All admission criteria must be submitted to Otero or the Nursing Office by the Nursing admission deadlines. For the full admission criteria and admission deadlines go to www.otero.edu/academics/academicprograms/associatenursing.aspx .

8. A deadline will be set and students who have completed all of the admission criteria will be admitted from the top score down until all slots are filled. To fill any vacant slots, a second and third deadline will be set and remaining and newly qualified applicants will be considered and admitted from the top scores again until slots are filled. Admission deadlines are posted on the Otero website at www.otero.edu/academics/academicprograms/associatenursing.aspx .

Contact the Otero Nursing Department for further details at 719-384-6898.

Otero Nursing Graduation Requirements

A. The graduate must fulfill all requirements of the College for graduation.

B. The graduate of nursing must pass all program courses with a minimum grade of “C.”

C. The graduate must be competent in all critical nursing skills pertaining to the scope of practice for a registered nurse.

D. The graduate must be competent in calculations of medications. The student is required to pass a medication administration proficiency examination each semester at 100 percent mastery in order to progress to the next semester of the ADN program. (See the Nursing Student Manual for further information.)

Legal Requirements for Registered Nursing Licensure

During application for licensure, the student must answer the following questions:

A. “Have you ever been convicted of a crime or have you ever accepted a court plea of guilty or nolo contrendre? Have you received a deferred judgment or deferred prosecution?”

B. “Are you now, or were you for the 12 months preceding the date of this application, addicted to any controlled substance; a regular user of any controlled substance without a prescription; and/or habitually intemperate in the use of intoxicating liquor?”

If any question is answered “yes,” the student needs to meet with the director of the Nursing Department for counseling because the Colorado State Board of Nursing has specific requirements for licensure.

Associate Degree Nursing Curriculum (Traditional)

Subject to change without notification. Contact the Otero Nursing Dept. office for the most current information.
Comment: BIO 201 (exclude BIO 111 as pre-requisite for Nursing students only)

Freshman Year - (Students without previous nursing education)

Admission Requirements		Credits
BIO 201 BIO 202 ENG 121 PSY 235	Anatomy and Physiology I Anatomy and Physiology II English Composition I Human Growth and Development (All with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.)	4 4 3 3

First Semester
NUR 109 NUR 112 HWE 100 MAT 103	Fundamentals of Nursing Basics Concepts of Pharmacology Human Nutrition Math for Clinical Calculations	6 2 3 3
Second Semester
NUR 106 NUR 150 BIO 216	Med-Surg Nursing Concepts Maternal - Child Nursing Pathophysiology	7 6 4
Third Semester
NUR 206 NUR 212 NUR 211	Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I Pharmacology II Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing	6.5 2 4
Fourth Semester
NUR 216 NUR 230 Elective:	Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II Transition to Professional Nursing GTE Humanities or Social Behavioral Science	5 4 3
Other
NUR 169 NUR 189	Transition into Practical Nursing Transition from LPN to AD/RN	4 3

Recommended Courses
The following courses are recommended to complement the required nursing program courses. Students are encouraged to register for these courses as their schedule will allow:
CHE 101 CIS 118 ENG 122 HPR 178 PSY 101 PSY 102 SOC 101 COM 115	Intro to Chemistry Intro to PC Applications English Composition II Medical Terminology General Psychology I General Psychology II Introduction to Sociology I Public Speaking	5 3 3 2 3 3 3 3

Nursing Curriculum for Evening and Weekend Schedule