VN Nursing Student Information

Start saving your money. The first semester will cost you approximately $2582.00 The remainder of the program will cost approximately $2287.00 over the remaining 2 semesters. 

Our programs are very rigorous, so it's important to organize your personal and home life for maximum efficiency. Plan to dedicate at least 8 hours per day to the program (including classes, studying, and clinical).

We highly recommend reducing your work hours once the program begins. Based on success statistics, we suggest working no more than 12 hours per week. Additionally, night shifts are not permitted before any days of class.

Activate and check your mycod email daily. This will be the only means of official communication from the department during the program. For students experiencing issues with their MYCOD Student Portal and accessing their student email please contact Nursing Admissions.

When emailing any department or individual at College of the Desert please be sure to include your full name, student ID number and compose your message in a professional manner.

Whether students require financial aid or not, please complete the FAFSA. Consideration for some scholarships will require FAFSA on record.

The nursing department is strongly supported by our community in many ways, one being scholarships for our nursing students. In order to be eligible, all you have to do is apply and be a nursing student. Please visit the COD Financial Aid webpage for information and the application. We strongly urge ALL nursing students to apply.

Confirmation of the student's intent to accept a seat in the nursing program is required. Acceptance will only be valid through the official offer letter; emails sent directly by students to accept the offer will not be accepted as a substitute.

Students must submit their response by Thursday, June 12th by 11:59PM.

Required uniforms for the program take approximately two-three months from order date to arrival. Students will come to campus to try on and order their uniforms. 

Students will be required to schedule an appointment for their uniform fitting between June 23rd and June 26th.

Availability:

June 23rd & 24th: 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
June 25th & 26th: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Location- BNC 37, Palm Desert Campus

sign up here

The Nursing Department uses eValue, an onboarding software, to store required facility documents for clearance to begin clinicals. Students will be expected to log in with their first and last name with both camera and audio active for the duration of the training. Additionally, students are required to RSVP for one of the following training sessions through SignUp Genius:

Date 1	Date 2
June 25th 5:30PM - 7:00PM In-person N8	June 26th 9:00AM -10:30AM Zoom

 

There are two steps to this process: 1. complete the form and submit; The vendor will send a lab slip for the drug screen usually within 48-72 hours. 2. go to a lab for the urine drug screen. There are timelines for both step 1 and 2. 

 

Please use this form to order your Background Screening and/or drug screen. The completion of these items must be on the date given, not before, not after. Failure to complete them in the time frame listed will result in forfeiture of your seat. Upload your results of both your background check and drug screen to evalue, when you receive them.

**Please note that the dates for the background and drug screen.  This will ensure that the timing of your drug screen will be within the timeframe allotted by the clinical facilities. Failure to follow these instructions may require double payment.** Do not "pre-order", submit the request during the timeframe below.

All students must submit order form and drug screen on Monday, July 7th, 2025. 

Students must upload all required health documentation to eValue by Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 by 12:00pm.

Details about the required health documentation will be provided during the eValue training in June.

Students are required to schedule an appointment with a counselor to assist in preparing for the program. Appointments can be made by emailing nursingcounselor@collegeofthedesert.edu or calling 760-773-2579. Include the following information in your email.

• Full name
• Student ID
• Phone number
• Preference: in-person or online via Zoom
• Your availability

The Nursing program requires incoming students to have an iPad for classroom and clinical use.  Each student will be required to have the iPad for the 1-year program.

Who: 

All Nursing students

What: 

Each newly registered nursing student will need to have an iPad and a "book bundle" that includes electronic (e-book) access for the 1 or 2 years of the program for all the books used in the core nursing program. 

The iPad package will include: 

• 10.9-inch iPad Air Wi-Fi 64GB - Space Gray
• 2-Year AppleCare+ for Schools - iPad / iPad Air / iPad mini
• Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
• Keyboard/Cover for iPad Air (5th generation)

Book bundle:

• Access codes for all required course materials including textbooks and software

Students that have their own iPad, that meets specifications, can purchase the books and software separately from the COD bookstore. 

Payment/Cost:

The book bundle cost is listed below by course. 

For cohorts entering in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Fall 2025, we are happy to announce that iPads have been funded by the High Roads Training Program (HRTP) Grant.

COD Nursing department will loan an iPad package to each student for the duration of the program. Any damage, loss, or theft will require the student to pay for the cost of the items.  The iPads will remain COD property and managed by the college. Students are still required to purchase the Textbook/software packages.

All items and access codes must be loaded, registered and ready to use during New Student Orientation in August.

Course	Textbook Costs
VN 10 Textbook/software package	$404.99

 

When/Where:

Bookstore Hours Of Operation

Monday - Thursday 8:00AM - 4:00PM

How: 

Students will be responsible for the cost of all required materials. 

Why/Purpose: 

To meet student success goals, address the needs of local employers, and provide one-stop shopping options for all required elements of the nursing program. 

Student Success Goals: 

• Increase digital literacy and technical skills in preparation for the workplace.
• Increase documentation skills in preparation for the workplace.
• Decrease program textbook costs.
• Decrease weight of textbooks and potential injury to students.
• Increase student engagement in the classroom thus leading to increased success.
• Ensure all students have a device that is compatible with the required software for the program.
• Increase self-awareness using video capture applications during simulation and role-play scenarios. 

FAQs

Q: Does it have to be an iPad, or can I use another device?

A: It must be an iPad. Other devices will not run the software necessary for the program. 

Q: Can I use my own iPad if I already have one? 

A: Absolutely if it meets system requirements. Currently, the highest requirements are for ExamSoft. 

Q: What happens if I damage or break my iPad?

A: There is an $80 fee if repair is needed, and all costs are covered. 

Q: What if I lose my iPad?

A: You will be responsible for replacing the iPad to maintain access to the items necessary for the program. 

Q: Can I purchase the items elsewhere? 

A: We cannot force you to purchase from the bookstore, however, we HIGHLY recommend you purchase from the bookstore to avoid having to purchase duplicate items due to errors. If you choose to purchase separately and outside this program, you are responsible for purchasing the correct items. COD is not responsible for any errors made by circumventing the bookstore.

Q: Does it matter which size iPad I buy?

A: iPad will include the iPad Air (5th generation). It also includes the Apple Pencil which will be required. If you choose to purchase the iPad on your own, you can use a different size, but we feel the iPad Air is the most appropriate size based on what activities you will be using the device for. 

Q: When do I need to have the iPad by? 

A: The iPad and access codes must be loaded, registered, and ready for use at the New Student Orientation.

Who: All nursing students opting into the iPad program

When: Monday, August 11th & Tuesday, August 12th

Where: Palm Desert Campus, BNC Lobby

How: Use the link below to choose your date and time for pickup.

Signup Genius

All provisionally accepted students are required to attend all New Student Orientation (NSO) days. These days have been planned to introduce students to the program, requirements, orientation to the department, and familiarity with policies and procedures. At NSO you will meet your instructors, fellow students, and get set up for success. 

Dates: August 19th and 20th (both days are required)

Times: 9:00AM- 3:00PM

Location: Pollock Theater, College of the Desert

Click here for a campus map.

You will be registered for theory and clinical by the nursing department. Pay for registration and malpractice insurance at the Bursar's office. Malpractice insurance is NOT covered by financial aid. This must be completed prior to the first day of class

Frequently Asked Questions when completing Onboarding documentation:

• What is "onboarding"? The process of being cleared by the hospitals and facilities in order to do clinical rotations as a part of your class. The process requires several lab tests, vaccinations, paperwork, background/drug screen, etc.
• Where will I submit all of this paperwork? Through Evalue, for information on evalue training, see above.
• Who do I contact if I have questions? Cece Yamaguchi cyamaguchi@collegeofthedesert.edu
• What semester student am I? Brand new students are considered an "LVN 010" student.
• What is a titer? Titers are labs that show whether or not you have immunity or antibodies to specific diseases. Titers will require you to have a lab order from your doctor and then get blood drawn.
• What if my titer results come back indicating I am not immune? If you are not fully immune to the diseases on the list, you will need a "booster" shot.
• Who is my teacher? Ms. Hernandez will be your "lead teacher".
• When do I register for my classes? The nursing department will register you for all nursing courses.  Should you need additional courses, you are responsible for that registration.
• What is the "nursing skills kit" on my registration fees? For each course in the nursing program, you will get a "kit" that has equipment for skills practice. The fee is automatically added to your account when you are registered. The fee for the kits vary each semester.
• What is the HS-300 class on my Self-Service registration? All nursing students are registered for HS-300 each Fall and Spring. Being registered in this course gives you access to use our computer lab and skills lab for practice outside of class, on your own time. The course is non-credit and therefore there is no charge. The only requirement for credit for the course, is that you use the lab for at least 1 hour during the term.
• How do I make an appointment with the counselor? Call 760-773-2579 to make an appointment with the nursing counselor, or stop by the front desk in the Barker Nursing Complex.