College of Southern Nevada Nursing Program Review
The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is the largest and one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in the state of Nevada. With more than 160 degrees and certificates offered, residents of Nevada can study the kind of course they want to pursue. The student to faculty ratio at the College of Southern Nevada remains 27 is to 1, ensuring that quality education is provided, allowing for more personalized teaching.
CSN is home to various nursing programs. The Department of Nursing educates and produces competent, caring, and compassionate nurses and nursing assistants who can meet the diverse healthcare needs of the community. Individuals enrolled in the institution will learn from the best instructors who utilize state-of-the-art classroom, laboratory, and clinical facilities. On top of this, most graduates pass the licensing exam successfully and are able to secure a stable job in the different healthcare facilities in Nevada.
Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and the Nevada State Board of Nursing. The program combines classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice in family health nursing, adult health nursing, and mental health nursing. Graduates will become eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and will be qualified to apply for various RN positions after passing the exam.
The AAS in Nursing is considered to be a Limited Entry Program. Therefore, interested applicants must submit their applications to the Limited Entry office before the specified deadline. All the prerequisite requirements should be completed to be considered for admission. Nonetheless, students aiming to gain entry into the Associate in Applied Science must go through an assessment testing through TEAS or Kaplan Exam. This should be taken no more than five years earlier, and individuals who received it from another state or institution must have their scores transferred officially to CSN before the application deadline.
Applicants accepted into the program will be required to present a proof of CPR certification, proof of a negative TB testing, immunization record on hepatitis B, mumps, measles, tetanus, rubella, and diphtheria, as well as health insurance.
The tuition cost of the AAS program is approximately $90 per credit. This does not include the costs of books, lab fees, uniforms, supplies, physical exam, CPR certification, urine drug screening, immunizations background check, medical insurance, and licensing fee. For non-residents, a cost of $3,322.50 per semester is added to the tuition and technology costs.
Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
The Practical Nursing program puts an emphasis on providing care to the ill and injured patients with supervision from a Registered Professional Nurse. Students who complete the program will become skilled and knowledgeable practical nurses ready and competent to challenge the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
The program is a combined classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training in adult or gerontological health nursing, mental health nursing, and family health nursing. Like the AAS degree, the Practical Nursing program is a Limited Entry Program. Prerequisite courses must be completed, and the application for admission should be given before the deadline. All applicants will be screened based on their eligibility to the program. Since there is a limited class size, aspiring Practical Nursing students must meet the admission requirements including the scores derived from a Kaplan Exam or TEAS.
Furthermore, students who gain admission to the Practical Nursing program will be required to present proof of CPR certification, valid health insurance, complete immunization record, and a negative TB skin test result. A physical examination will be completed before the start of the classes.
Upon completion of the Practical Nursing program, graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and eligibility to apply for state licensure. Individuals who desire a career mobility, can apply for an Associate Degree (RN) program in Nursing. However, they have to keep in mind the additional requirements needed for this advanced program.
Nursing Assistant Training Program
Nursing Assistants have an important role to play in the healthcare field. They are the healthcare professionals who perform basic nursing procedures and therapeutic services to patients and clients with different healthcare needs. Students enrolled in a Nursing Assistant training program can complete the course in one semester. The program has a total of 180 hours of classroom lectures, laboratory training, and hands-on clinical practice. If divided on a weekly basis, students will go through three hours of classroom lectures, three hours of laboratory training, and seven hours of clinical training.
The Nursing Assistant training program is an Open Entry program wherein an application for admission is not necessary. However, the College of Southern Nevada requires potential students to be at least 16 years old or above, in good physical health, of good moral character, and have ability to read and write English at an 8th-grade level. CSN will also require their students to undergo a criminal background check, drug screening, immunization, and physical examination before the start of the class.
The tuition of the Nursing Assistant training program is quite affordable relative to other nursing programs in CSN. Since the course is equivalent to 6 credits, a student need only pay $540 for the tuition or $90 per credit hour. This does not include other miscellaneous fees like a laboratory, books, uniforms, supplies, and many others. Overall, the approximate tuition fee of the program is $1,222, but it will be quite higher than the non-residents who pay a tuition fee of $93 per credit.
Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses: LPN to RN Bridge (AAS)
The Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses or the LPN to RN Bridge program is exclusively offered to students who have graduated from a state-approved Practical Nursing Program and who wish to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. This program can be completed in a short period of time because some prerequisite courses have already been completed. However, Licensed Practical Nurses who want to undergo this course must comply with the program requirements and have their transcripts evaluated.
Like any other nursing programs of the College of Southern Nevada, the LPN to RN bridging course is approved by the state Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. Graduates of the program can take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and will be qualified to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
The LPN to RN bridging program is also a Limited Entry Program. Students have to keep in mind that only a few applicants are accepted per program. Therefore, a candidate must submit the necessary requirements before the application deadline. It is important to know the process of transfering credits to CSN to be considered for the course.