VN Nursing Student Information
Welcome to your future in the Nursing Profession. Below you will find information necessary to complete your provisional admission status. Please check this page frequently for updated information and dates. Once you have started your first nursing course, you will no longer need to visit this page.
Completing these items will help you prepare for starting the nursing program. The nursing program is unlike any other courses you have taken. It is extremely rigorous and demanding. We believe that good quality preparation sets you up for success.
Click on the subject below for more information
Provisional Admission Checklist
Please use the information below to guide you in the requirements for a successful start to the nursing program. This information is also listed below. Please note that no late submissions will be accepted. Any submissions not completed on time will result in forfeiture of your seat.
Confirmation of the student's desire to accept a seat in the nursing program is required. Due dates for the Fall 2022 cohorts are listed by program.
If you are not currently a COD student, complete your COD application here. Please complete this ASAP, we cannot register you for nursing courses until this is processed.
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:
Times: 9am-2pm
Location: Pollock Theater, College of the Desert
Click here for a campus map.
Required uniforms for the program take approximately two-three months from order date to arrival. Students may come to campus to try on and order their uniforms. This must be done on either Monday 11/9/21 or 11/15/21 from 9am-6pm in the Barker Nursing Complex (BNC) room 40.
The nursing department uses Evalue, onboarding software, to house requied facility documents for clearance to begin clinicals. You will be required to attend one of the following trainings:
| Program | Date 1 | Date 2 |
| Traditional RN/ADN |
12/06/21 9am-10:30am |
12/07/21 6pm-7:30pm |
| LVN to RN Program |
11/10/21 9am-10:30am |
11/11/21 6pm-7:30pm |
Please use this form to order your Background Screening and/or drug screen. Due dates for these items are determined based on what course you are registered for. Please see the due dates below. The completion of these items must be within the dates given, not before, not after. Failure to complete them in the timeframe listed will result in forfeiture of your seat.
| Program | Background Check | Drug Screen |
| Traditional RN/ADN | 12/15/21-12/31/21 | 01/07/22-01/14/22 |
| LVN to RN Program | ASAP | 12/07/21 - 12/10/21 |
All students in any nursing program at College of the Desert will be required to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement has been set by our clinical partners, no exceptions or waivers are being accepted. The entire series must be completed by the dates below. COD offers free vaccinations to students. Click here for details.
Traditional RN/ADN - Series complete by 12/31/21
LVN to RN Program - Series complete by 12/01/21
Whether students require financial aid or not, please complete the FAFSA. Consideration for some scholarships will require FAFSA on record.
If you have not already met with the nursing counselor, please make an appointment to meet with them prior to the start of the semester. Email NursingCounselor@collegeofthedesert.edu or call 760-776-7415.
Start saving your money. The first semester will cost you approximately $2500. The remainder of the program will cost approximately $2500 over the remaining 3 semesters.
Our programs are very rigorous. You will want to get your personal and home life organizaed for maximum efficiency. Plan to schedule at least 8 hours per day to the program (classes, studying, clinical).
We highly recommend that you request a reduction of work hours once the program starts. We recommend, based on success statistics, you work no more than 12 hours per week. Additionally, nigh shifts are not permitted prior to any days of class.
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.
Activate and check your mycod email daily. This will be the only means of official communication from the department during the program. For those students without COD email, once you have obtained a "mycod" email account, please notify NursingInfo@collegeofthedesert.edu so we can update your records. It is imperative that we have the updated email address as soon as it is available.
Despite our efforts to reduce costs to students, the cost of textbooks is high. Textbooks purchased during your first term will be used throughout the program.
Electronic Resources
Computer, Camera, and Microphone for Online Class and Test taking
