REGISTERED NURSE (ADN)
We are pleased that you are interested in the Registered Nursing Program at Desert Community College District. The program is approved by the California State Board of Nursing.
The information below contains the questions (and hopefully the answers) that prospective students most frequently ask. We expect that you will take advantage of the information provided on these pages before calling with questions. If you still have questions after reading through the materials below please feel free to contact either the COD General Counseling Office at (760) 773-2520 or the Health Sciences/Nursing Office at (760) 773-2578. You can also attend one of the information sessions scheduled during the semester.
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Beginning in 2014 the Application Period for the RN Program is in the month of March only. Applicants accepted into the program will be assigned to begin either in the fall group or the spring group. The links to the packet including the application are only live during the Application Period. The four prerequisite courses must be completed and grades reported on your official transcripts before applying. See Application Requirements and Eligibility Worksheets and review the other RN information links below for further details and instructions. Currently there is no weekend or evening program.
Applicants are advised to not submit official transcripts to this division unless you are submitting an application packet. 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.
International Students and Students with foreign transcripts
For LVN Transition to RN program or 30-Unit Option information, please see the Advanced Placement page noted in the column (above left).
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.
CURRENT ITEMS OF INTEREST.
2-1-2013: Upcoming changes in the RN Admission Criteria
Dues to a change in legislation and the Education Code, the admission criteria to the ADN program are being changed to a multi-criteria screening and ranking process. This will not take effect until the class entering the program in the Fall of 2014. The first application period under the new criteria format will in March, 2014.
To see the new criteria and the point system, click on the following link:
Multi-criteria Selection Process
Be advised that beginning during the Spring 2014 application period, applications for the RN program will be once a year for acceptance into the program the following two semesters; there will no longer be an August application period after 2013. For example, those applying during the Spring 2014 application period will be assigned to either Fall 2014 or Spring 2015 once they have been accepted into the program.
Changes at Desert ARC. Even though Desert ARC has closed its retail store, they are stilll continuing to provide the uniforms for COD Nursing students. The new address is 73-255 Country Club Dr., in Palm Desert very near to the former location. The new telephone number is (760) 346-1611. Hours are 9:30 AM-2:30 PM.
Nursing Study Lounge: Room N1, the study lounge, is now available for scheduling on Blackboard. If you have any questions, please contact the Skills Lab Coordinator, Betty Baluski.
Registration Change Notice
The following policy change became effective as of Fall 2011:
All clinical sections for the RN program are assigned.
Remember - being on probation, owing money, or not being a student last semester are some examples of what could prevent you from registering. Contact Counseling or Admissions if you need to check on outstanding issues that could be a barrier to getting the class you need.
ON-BOARDING:
Packet information and required forms for medical /security clearance at each facility can now be found under the Facilities Links page listed in the upper left column of this page. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semester students will need to contact facilities for their clinical section and provide necessary documentation a minimum of two weeks before the first clinical meeting. 1st semester students have until the end of the third week of the new semester. Students going to JFK for the first time must pay for background checks at the COD Bursar's Office at least a week before going to on-boarding.
Current Cost of Background Check: $38.00 (price subject to change). Cost of health, drug, and immunization screenings may vary.
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 and alcohol screening. Students who do not clear the screening will be dropped from the program.
Current Semester Student ID Card Payment/Pickup Information:
Student ID Cards will be available at the ASCOD office at the beginning of each semester. Please note the ASCOD office staff will be strictly adhering to this schedule. Please contact the School of Health Sciences and Education office if you have questions.
Please check Blackboard and your instructor's web page for ongoing information and updates concerning class supplements, handouts, and announcements.
REINSTATEMENT ('CONTINUATION/REENTRY') INFORMATION:
Click on this link to view the most current guidelines/directions for submitting a request form for reinstatement (aka 'continuation'/'reentry') to the RN program. USE ONLY THE MOST CURRENT FORM.
Available only during the last 3-4 weeks of the semester.
The form letter for reacceptance (aka 'continuation'/'reentry') in the RN Program is available during the last 3-4 weeks of each semester. See current form for current submission deadlines. If above link is not active please continue to monitor this webpage. Forms are only available as noted above.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING INFORMATION SESSIONS:
Group information sessions are offered periodically throughout the year which provide an overview of the RN program and a 'question and answer' time. Session availability is contingent upon nursing advisor availability.
Come and Find Out....
- What prerequisite courses are needed
- How to apply
- Program particulars
- Job particulars
- Bring your questions!
Upcoming 2014 Info Sessions:
No sessions currently scheduled. Please check back.