Nursing

 

Notice:

All nursing certificate and degree programs participate in a selective admissions process. Please read How to Apply for details. 

 

Announcement:

ADN and PN applications for Fall 2024 admission will be open March 1, 2024 - May 19, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. All documents must be uploaded on the application site for consideration.

 

For advising purposes:

Students applying to the Nursing program for Fall 2025 will need to take MAT 1120 Clinical Calculations plus BIO 1010 Biology Foundations OR BIO 1111 General College Biology for admissions into Nursing programs. Nurse Aide classes or license is no longer a requirement for admission. Please see Application Process – 2025 Admissions for more information.

Why PCC?

Our faculty members are experienced professionals who provide quality education to our students. The diverse backgrounds of our faculty members include specialization in obstetrics, pediatrics, critical care, mental health and primary care.

The department offers an array of learning tools and cutting-edge technology to enhance your experiences and overall education, including learning labs with low- and high-tech manikins and a simulation center at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center. These experiences make it possible for you to practice in different real-life scenarios.

Our collaborative relationships with local hospitals allow us to provide you the clinical experiences necessary to accomplish graduate competencies and acquire work-ready skills.

What will I learn?

Our nursing program offers a wide-variety of pathways into the nursing profession and support students and professionals with advancing their careers in nursing. 

The Practical Nursing certificate program teaches you skills of direct patient care in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. It offers theoretical and applied instruction in classrooms, simulated laboratories, and clinical settings. It integrates education in adult, gerontological, obstetric, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. Your clinical learning will take place in diverse types of institutions After successfully completing the first two semesters of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the Practical Nursing National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Successful performance on the NCLEX-PN will award you state licensure and qualify you for the title of Registered Nurse (RN).

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program expands on the Practical Nursing program through the further development of clinical skills and clinical judgment for independent management of patients.  Students will develop advanced critical thinking skills vital to the safe management of stable to critical-care patients. Entry-level courses prepare students to develop communication and leadership skills to enable you to direct and supervise ancillary personnel and work effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare team members. Students who have completed the first year of the ADN program are eligible to "exit out" of the program and pursue their Practical Nursing certificate if unable to complete the ADN program. After completing all requirements, you will receive the AAS degree. Successful performance on the NCLEX-RN will award you state licensure and qualify you for the title of Registered Nurse (RN).

Our nursing program offers Licensed Paramedics and Licensed Practical Nurses the opportunity to complete their training to become Registered Nurses by entering our Bridge Program and completing transitionary and second-year nursing courses. 

The RN-BSN Bachelor's program is designed for Registered Nurses to prepare them for leadership and advanced roles in the healthcare industry. The BSN program prepares RNs to navigate the competitive nursing work arena through the integration of current knowledge, research, and information literacy, application of information management technology, demonstration of leadership skills, and advocacy at local, state, national and global levels for patients and for the nursing profession with regard to healthcare policy. BSN prepared nurses are able to meet the increasing professional challenges of healthcare in all settings.

Existing ADN students are eligible for dual-enrollment into the RN-BSN program after completing their first-year of courses and meeting eligibility requirements. This fast-track option enables students to graduate with their bachelor's degree in a fraction of the time and cost compared to attending multiple programs to complete your career training.

Through these stackable certificate and degree options, the nursing program supports the demands of the healthcare industry and delivers high-quality education opportunities for students and professionals to advance their careers.

 

Accreditation

All nursing programs are approved by the Higher Learning Commission and the State Board of Nursing.


The Associate Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).


The RN-BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).


The Practical-Nursing program will be seeking initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in 2024. Pending national accreditation, practical nursing graduates' future educational options and career opportunities may be limited.  


To learn more about the Colorado State Board of Nursing (CSBON) or to contact this governing body, they may be reached at:
COLORADO STATE BOARD OF NURSING 
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7800 


To learn more about the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or to contact this accrediting body with questions or feedback, their contact information has been provided below: 
ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR EDUCATION IN NURSING 
3343 Peachtree Rd NE 
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000


To learn more about the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or to contact this governing body, they may be reached at:
COMMISSION ON COLLEGIATE NURSING EDUCATION
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington DC, 20001
(202) 887-6791

 

Marijuana Policy

THC (marijuana) is part of the required 10-panel drug screen prior to admittance into any Health Professions or Public Safety program at PCC. The passage of Amendment 64 in the State of Colorado, does not overrule Federal law, which states this is still an illegal substance. Students testing positive for THC (marijuana, including prescription marijuana) will not be allowed entrance or re-entrance into a Health or Public Safety program. 

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The licensure requirements for nurses differ between all 50 states and U.S. territories. Pueblo Community College (PCC) recommends each student visit the National Council of State Board of Nursing website to identify the nursing requirements for the state in which you plan to live and practice. PCC can only guarantee that the requirements for the state of Colorado are met with our programs. State-by-state information is available on the Nursing License Map.

This program meets the applicable state prerequisites for certification in Colorado as listed below:

Colorado State Board of Nursing

PCC has not determined if the Associate Degree Nursing Program meets applicable state requirements for the following states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Degree & Certificate Offerings in Nursing:

Associate Degree Nursing

Award/Program Credits
71

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Award/Program Credits
120

Nursing, LPN to ADN, AAS

Award/Program Credits
71

Paramedic to Associate Degree Nursing

Award/Program Credits
71

PN Opt-out Certificate

Award/Program Credits
54

Practical Nursing (PN)

Award/Program Credits
43