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Nursing Education Career Ladder

Nursing image

 

LPN-AAS Applicants
on 8/31/10 the decision was made that you DO NOT need
to take the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam

 

Walk-in advising for Practical Nurse and LPN-AAS programs:

Beginning August 31st

Tuesday's from 12:00 - 2:00

(No advising on October 19th & November 23rd)

Mesa State College offers a unique opportunity for students that are interested in progressing through various levels of nursing licensure. Mesa State College is the only program in the state of Colorado that encourages the student to obtain an entry level license, enter the work field, and then return to further their education.

Completion of the Practical Nurse certificate allows students to progress on to the second year of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree or apply for advanced placement in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Graduates from the Mesa State College Practical Nurse program have a three year window of opportunity to move into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program without reapplying. Be advised the only Practical Nurse Program that ensures automatic progression through the career ladder is the Mesa State College program. LPN’s from other programs must apply for admission to the LPN-AAS program.

Our Mesa State College-Montrose campus also offers the LPN to AAS option. The Montrose campus offers more rural health clinical opportunities and is designed to expose students to health care in a small town atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical Nurse

This program is designed for students interested in becoming a Practical Nurse as an entry into the nursing career ladder program.

The Practical Nursing program prepares the student to be a direct care giver in hospitals, long-term facilities, and ambulatory care-clinic settings. The potential student must demonstrate college-level proficiency in reading and writing in order to be admitted to this program. This program has selective admission requirements and requirements may change from year to year. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the current admission requirements.

The application deadline is March 1 of every year. Classes begin in August and the student completes the program in May and is eligible to take the State Board examination (NCLEX) for LPN Licensure.

LPN-AAS (RN)

This program is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses to achieve an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (RN) Degree, opening up greater employment opportunities, increased compensation, and more job security. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program prepares the graduate as a generalist to provide competent nursing care in a variety of health care settings.

Students will develop nursing skills in caring for a diverse population in today's health care settings. They will utilize data related to the client's biological, psychological, socio-spiritual, cultural and developmental needs to promote, maintain, and restore health.

The application deadline is October 1 of every year. Applications received October 1 will be considered on a space availability basis only. Classes begin in January and the student completes the program in December and is eligible to take the State Board examination (NCLEX) for RN Licensure.

RN-BSN

Mesa State College offers an online RN-BSN program, which allows registered nurses with an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing to advance their degree. Registered nurses can continue their employment with this flexible program by completing:

  • Nursing classes on a part-time basis over two years
  • Nursing classes on a full-time basis over one year
  • Take nursing courses online or in a classroom setting on the MSC campus
  • Pre-requisites program requirements and general education coursework through local community colleges or MSC online as needed

As hospitals increase educational expectations for staff to meet Magnet status guidelines, we anticipate a continuing growth in the RN-BSN program.

Contact an advisor today for transcripts evaluation of your prior educational coursework.