REGISTERED NURSE (ADN)
We are pleased that you are interested in the Registered Nursing Program at College of the Desert. The program is approved by the California State Board of Nursing.
If you still have questions after reading through the materials below please feel free to contact either the Health Sciences/Nursing Office at (760) 773-2578 or the Nursing counselor, Ana Stockwell, 760-776-7380 or email her at astockwell@collegeofthedesert.edu
For specific questions about financial aid, FAFSA, BOG waivers, etc., please check with the Financial Aid Office at (760) 773-2532.
You are also encouraged to attend one of the information sessions scheduled during the semester.
NURSING INFORMATION SESSIONS:
Group information sessions are offered periodically throughout the year which provide an overview of the nursing programs and a 'question and answer' time.
Session availability is contingent upon nursing advisor availability.
Come and Find Out....
Upcoming 2017 Nursing Info Sessions:
No appointment necessary.
Tuesday, August 29th @ 5:00PM, Main campus, Nursing room 4
Saturday, September 9th @ 3:00PM, Main campus, Nursing room 4
Wednesday, September 13th @ 5:30 TBA (Indio campus)
Tuesday, September 19th @12:00 (Noon) Nursing room 7
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
The Application Periods for the RN Program are March 1-21 and September 12-30. The links to the packet including the application are only live during the Application Periods. The four prerequisite courses must be completed and grades reported on your official transcripts before applying.
Please see Application Requirements and Eligibility Worksheets and review the other RN information links for further details and instructions. Currently there is no weekend or evening program.
When submitting transcripts with an application, make sure that ALL colleges attended other than COD are included. Missing transcripts will result in non-acceptance to the program, and if discovered after program entry could potentially delay or jeopardize your graduation. Official transcripts received separate from an application packet will not be retained by the division (they will be shredded). Please call if you have questions regarding this requirement.
RN Application Packet: Applications for Spring 2018 will be available in September.
See above for scheduled information sessions.
Prospective students not already enrolled at College of the Desert DO NOT need to apply to the college until AFTER they have been accepted into a Nursing Program.
Successful TEAS completion is necessary Successful TEAS completion is necessary to enter the program.
Sign up for TEAS at the PaCE office in the Westfield Mall or call 760-776-7420.
RN ADMISSION CRITERIA:
The admission criteria to the ADN program uses a multi-criteria screening and ranking process. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements (GPA of at least 2.5 in the prerequisite science courses and a TEAS score of 62% or higher) before being considered for multiple criteria. Students are ranked using the following multi-criteria screening:
To see the multi- criteria and the point system, click on the following link:
Multi-criteria Selection Process
The RN program will be accepting applications twice a year.
March 1-21 for the fall semester and September 12-30 for the following spring semester.
All nursing and allied health students participating in a clinical rotation are required to have a background check through HireRight. Background checks can be paid for at the COD Bursar's Office and the receipt brought to the nursing office for processing. All students will also be medically screened, prior to the first day of clinical by the Employee Health Department of the assigned facility. Screening will include a physical examination, TB testing, flu shot, blood tests (titers) which show definitive immunity to communicable disease, and drug and alcohol screening. Students who do not clear the screenings will be dropped from the program. Students are responsible for all associated fees.
International Students and Students with foreign transcripts:
Reinstatement (link for continuation/reentry) students:
View the most current guidelines/directions for submitting a request form for reinstatement (aka 'continuation'/'reentry') to the RN program. Please only use the most current form.
Available only during the last 3-4 weeks of the semester. LVN's will also use this form to request admission into the next level of the RN Program.
If above link is not active please continue to monitor this webpage. Forms are only available as noted above.
For LVN Transition to RN program or 30-Unit Option information, please see the Advanced Placement page noted in the column (above left).
Important information regarding EMAIL addresses
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.
Want to know how COD Nursing students compare to other programs?
View the pass rates of the California NCLEX exam
INFORMATION FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
RN students accepted into the program will be automatically registered for their Nursing courses. Students will need to register for any other courses according to their assigned Priority Level.
Please keep in mind that all clinical sections for the RN program are assigned.
Remember to contact the Counseling or Admissions if you need to check on outstanding issues that could be a barrier to getting registered for your class.
Please pay for COD Student ID Cards at the Bursar's Office, and pickup completed ID cards at the ASCOD office (Student Life).
Please check your instructor's web page for ongoing information and updates concerning class supplements, handouts, and announcements.
CURRENT RN HANDBOOK: CURRENT RN HANDBOOK: 2016-17 Student Hand Book final.pdf
Spring 2017 On-Boarding:
Packet information and required forms for medical / security clearance at each facility can be found under the Facilities Links page listed in the upper left column of this page.
Onboarding is normally conducted in the two weeks prior to the clinical rotation. Students MUST be available during that time. Missing onboarding may result in being dropped from the program. Every semester of the nursing program students are required to have a new attestation form filled out by the RN program Assistant.
DRMC - Onboarding
Returning student/employees need not attend but must have a new Students Background Information Sheet (found in the DRMC packet under Hospital facility links) fax to 760-323-6772. You must also ensure your health screening requirements are up to date, including your CPR card. You MUST HAVE a new attestation form filled out by the RN Program Asst. EVERY semester.
New to DRMC students must complete the DRMC packet, if you do not have a Background check from HireRight then please notify the Nursing Programs Office. Please insure your compliance folders are up to date.
2017 Spring Onboarding date is To Be Determined. Please be in your scrubs and bring your compliance folders with originals of your drivers license, SSN card, and CPR card.
JFK - Onboarding
Returning student/employees need not attend but must ensure their health screening requirements are up to date. Including your CPR card.
New to JFK students, if you do not have a Background check from HireRight then please notify the Nursing Programs Office. Make sure you have a completed JFK packet for your onboarding date. Please insure your compliance folders are up to date.
EMC - Onboarding
Returning student/employees need not attend but must ensure their health screening requirements are up to date. Including your CPR card.
New to EMC students must complete the EMC student packet. If you do not have a Background check from HireRight or My backgroundcheck.com or applied for one, then please notify the Nursing Programs Office. Please insure your compliance folders are up to date.
2017 Spring Onboarding will be held (TBD), you will need to wear your scrubs. I will be sending more information via e-mail to those who need to attend.
If you have not left the program your titers, drug screen, HireRight background check and Hep screens do not need to be repeated.
If you have further questions you may call 760-773-2579. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs.