Associate of Applied Science Nursing Program

Registered Nurse

Application Procedure
AAS Degree Nursing Curriculum

The Associate of Applied Science degree program in nurisng is designed to provide education to prepare the student for practice as a registered nurse.  The curriculum follows the criteria for the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model and is specifically constructed to promote career mobility between nursing educational levels.

The Nursing Program is designed to provide education to prepare the student at two levels of instruction: Practical Nursing Certificate and Associate of Applied Science Degree.

The number of students admitted to the nursing program is limited. There are usually more applicants than available spaces.

Admission to the program is based upon successful completion of admission requirements on a space available basis.

  • A list of students meeting admission criteria will be maintained in the order in which applications with verification of admission criteria are received.
  • Students will be admitted into the program based upon their position on this list.
  • A waiting list will be maintained if there are more appplicants meeting admission criteria than available space in the class.

Two Career Paths

Students admitted to the nursing program may choose between two different career paths. Upon successful completion of all nursing courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each course during the first two semesters and a one credit hour summer course, students may elect to "opt out" of the second year of courses and receive the Practical Nursing Certificate. This allows the student to take the NCLEX examination for practical nurse licensure in Colorado. Students may also elect to continue in the program for two additional semesters.

Upon successful completion of all first and second level courses with a minimum grade of "C", students will receive the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree. This allows the graduates to take the NCLEX examination for Registered Nurse licensure in Colorado.

In addition to applicants applying to the first year of the program, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with a current Colorado nursing license may apply for advanced placement in the second level of the nursing program.

Course work includes classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. This generally requires additional expense related to assigned courses, eg. medical examinations, liability insurance, uniforms, meals, and travel to clinical sites. All expenses are the students' responsibility.

For LPNs entering the second year of the ADN Program


  1. Complete steps 1-4 above.

  2. Select the RN to ADN part-time or full-time program on the CCCS admission web site.

  3. Priority for second year slots will be given to students progressing from year one first and then on a first come first served basis for returning students and articulated LPN students who meet the admission requirements.


Graduation Requirements


  1. The graduate must fulfill all requirements of the College for graduation.

  2. The graduate of nursing must pass all courses with a minimum grade of C.

  3. The graduate must be competent in all critical nursing skills pertaining to the scope of practice for a registered nurse.

  4. The graduate must be competent in calculations of medications. The student is required to pass a medication administration proficiency examination at 100 percent mastery in order to progress to the spring semester of the ADN program. (See the Nursing Student Manual for further information.)


Legal Requirements for Registered Nursing Licensure


During application for licensure, the student must answer the following questions:


  1. “Have you ever been convicted of a crime or have you ever had accepted by a court a plea of guilty or nolo contrendre? Have you received a deferred judgment or deferred prosecution?”

  2. “Are you now, or were you for the 12 months preceding the date of this application, addicted to any controlled substance; a regular user of any controlled substance without a prescription; and/or habitually intemperate in the use of intoxicating liquor?”


If any question is answered “yes,” the student needs to meet with the Chair of the Nursing Department for counseling because the Colorado State Board of Nursing has specific requirements for licensure.

 
 
 
 
Trinidad State Junior College, Valley Campus: 1011 Main St., Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: Local: (719) 589-7000 Toll Number (800) 411-8382 Fax: (719) 589-7000
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Colorado Community College System