ADVANCED PLACEMENT
The nursing department offers advanced placement opportunities that permit students with equivalent learning to pursue College of the Desert’s (COD) registered nursing program at an accelerated rate. Advanced placement is defined as entering the program at a level beyond the first semester. Potential students include Licensed Vocational nurses and other healthcare worker related category students who wish to apply for advanced placement (challenge) as a way to continue their education to become registered nurses. Please view current policy information in the college catalog.
NOTE: Current enrollment numbers in the RN program have made placement in the 30-Unit Option track and accommodation of transfer students difficult. Please continue to monitor the Nursing website for updated information.
All students attending COD will obtain a COD email address upon registering. We strongly advise activating this as soon as possible since this address will be used for all official notifications. Once activated, there is also an option to have emails automatically forwarded to another email address for your convenience.
International RNs needing to fulfilll California Board of Registered Nursing requirements. Please use this application form:
International RN application to N3 Applications should be sent to: International RN Application Fall 2012, Nursing Program, College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
LVN-RN Transition Course - Nursing 55 (Degree Option)
Applicants who are currently licensed California LVN's desiring to complete courses required for California RN licensure must also meet same application criteria as for Nursing 001. Transcripts for college classes and course catalog descriptions for prerequisite courses (other than at COD) must accompany application. Hand delivered applications will not be evaluated for completeness at the window. It is applicant's responsibility to submit all necessary paperwork.
- Application for Nursing 55 (previously HS 55) [Applications available Oct. 1st to 21st if course is scheduled. Check back here for updates.]
- See Facilities Links (in column at left) for health screening and background clearance information for your clinical site.
Thirty-Unit Option (Non-Degree Option)
Applicants who are currently licensed California LVN's desiring to complete courses required for California RN licensure. Note: This is a non-degree option. Pre-requisite coursework requirements are the same as for the Associate Degree. States other than California may not recognize this educational track as a valid preparation for licensure.
Hand delivered applications will not be evaluated for completeness at the window. It is applicant's responsibility to submit all necessary paperwork.
Application for 30-Unit Option: Schedule appointment with the Director of Nursing, who will then provide application form after meeting with applicant.
Transfer Students from another Registered Nurse Program
Transfer applicants are students with previous nursing education from a Board of Registered Nursing approved registered nurse program.
Fall 2012 Transfer Application. (Applications will be accepted only beginning April 9. Last day to submit for Fall 2012 will be May, 18th by 2:00 pm.) Send or deliver to: Director of Nursing - BNC 2, College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
All nursing and allied health students participating in an acute care rotation will be medically screened, prior to the first day of clinical by the Employee Health Department of the assigned facility. Screening may include a physical examination, TB testing, blood tests which show definitive immunity to communicable disease, and will include drug screening.
Students who do not clear the screening will be dropped from the program.
