Program Information Menu

Nursing Program Options

PPCC offers the following nursing program options:

• Nursing Assistant (NUA) Certificate Program Flyer
• Registered Nurse (RN) Associate of Applied Science Degree - LPN Exit Option Program Flyer
• RN Associate of Applied Science Degree - LPN to RN Program Flyer

Nursing Assistant (NUA) Certificate

Nursing Assistant classes are offered in the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters with many scheduling options, including evening and weekends.  There are no prerequisites.  The coursework takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks to complete.  The program offers experiences in lab, nursing homes, and/or hospital settings.  Students learn to become direct caregivers as a part of a team.

Students are eligible to take the State certification exam for Nurse Aide after completion of NUA 101, 170, and 171.  They will also be eligible to receive a certificate from PPCC.

For more information please review the program degree & requirements information in the catalog.

Registered Nurse (RN) Associate of Applied Science Degree - LPN Exit Option

The Fall 2012 Application Deadline Date has been extended to April 30, 2012, 4:30 pm 

Fall 2012 Application

Applicants to the Registered Nurse Program must complete all prerequisite courses, the CNA coursework (or have a CNA license), and the TEAS entrance exam prior to submitting an application.  Acceptance into the program is competitive and points are awarded based on a student's GPA in the prerequisite courses, in addition to a previously awarded accredited degree and relevant work experience.  

Upon successful completion of the first year of the Nursing Program, and the Summer Session course NUR 169 Transition Into Practical Nursing, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN State certification exam and become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

The RN program is a two year program and upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN State certification exam.

For more information please review the program degree & requirements information in the catalog.

RN Associate of Applied Science Degree - LPN to RN

The Summer 2012 LPN to RN Application Deadline Date has been extended to April 6, 2012, 4:30 pm

LPN to RN Application

Applicants to the LPN to RN Program must hold an active Colorado/Compact LPN License.  Students must have completed the prerequisite courses and the TEAS entrance exam before submitting an application.  Prior to entrance, students must also complete MAT 103, BIO 216, and one of the Nutrition classes: HPR 108 or HWE 100.  The program begins in the Summer Session with NUR 189 LPN to RN Bridge course and then joins the 2nd year of the Nursing Program.  

Upon successful completion of NUR 189 and the second year of the Nursing Program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN State certification exam and become a Registered Nurse.

For more information please review the program degree & requirements information in the catalog.

Nursing Program Costs

The following tuition rates are 2011-2012 On Campus rates, and are subject to change. This does not include the tuition and fees for the pre-requisite courses. Book prices are estimated and are also subject to change. This is not an all-inclusive supply list; some of the costs are estimated and subject to change without notice. (Numbers rounded up to nearest dollar).*

Please refer to current tuition and fees on our website.

Tuition Costs

Nursing Application Process

Students interested in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and the LPN Exit Option will need to complete all of the following steps to be considered for admission.

(For the LPN to RN Application, please go here.)

Fall 2012 Application

* - Steps 1 & 2 are for NEW students.  If you are already enrolled at PPCC, you do not need to re-enroll, or re-submit transcripts if already submitted.

*Step 1 - Fill out Pikes Peak Community College Admission Form in the Admissions office at one of the four campuses, or athttp://www.ppcc.edu/prospective-students/application/.  If you are already a student, you do not need to repeat this step.

*Step 2 - Request copies of official transcripts (including high school and any colleges attended other than Pikes Peak Community College) be sent to:

RECORDS OFFICE
Pikes Peak Community College
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 502-3000

Verify that transcripts have been received by the Records office.  If you have already submitted your transcripts to PPCC, you do not need to repeat this step.

PLEASE NOTE: You will still need to include UNOFFICIAL copies of your transcripts (including PPCC) with your application.

Step 3 - Attend a Nursing Information Session. Dates are located on the Nursing Department webpage.

Step 4 - Complete, with a C or better, the following prerequisite courses.   The 5 courses should have a minimum combined GPA of 2.5.  ALL PREREQUISITES must be completed before applying. Applications with prerequisite coursework still in progress will not be considered.

• ENG 121 English Composition
• PSY 235 Human Growth and Development
• BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIO 204 Microbiology

No more than one prior grade of D or F allowed in any of the prerequisite BIO courses in the past seven years.

Step 5 - Complete the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) coursework, OR have an active Colorado CNA certificate. (If the coursework is taken through a private company or unaccredited institution, student must obtain Colorado CNA certificate).  These classes must also be completed before application:

• NUA 101 Certified Nurse Aid Health Care Skills
• NUA 170 Nurse Assistant Clinical Experience
• NUA 171 Advanced Nurse Aide Clinical

Step 6 - Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Version 5 pre-nursing examination by making an appointment at the PPCC Testing Center, (719) 502-3370. If you are not in Colorado Springs, the test can be taken at other educational institutions. The test takes approximately 3.5 hours and costs $40. A study guide is available in the PPCC bookstore and at the test website. Additional information can be found at http://www.atitesting.com.

A composite score of 70 (with a minimum sub score of 80 in reading) is required. Applicants can take the exam a maximum of twice in the 12 months prior to application.

Step 7 - Purchase FBI Fingerprinting package at http://www.healthcareex.com/ (Pkg 4). Bring receipt in to Nursing office to obtain fingerprinting card. You will take fingerprinting card to either PPCC Public Safety or any police station and then mail the card per the instructions.  Do not purchase the CBI and drug testing package until you are instructed to do so.

Step 8 - Complete ADN application form (Application will be released and due back approx. 6 months prior to the start of the semester.  See nursing site for details and application.)  Application must be returned to the Nursing Office located at the Rampart Range campus in room E213.

Applicants are required to submit unofficial transcripts from ALL previous college course work, including Pikes Peak Community College.

If student has been enrolled in another nursing program there can be no prior NUR course failures in the past 5 years.

Hand delivery recommended. The Nursing Department is not responsible for misplaced application materials or failed delivery of application materials.

Next Steps

Applicants who have completed steps 1 to 8 will have their file reviewed by the ADN Admissions Committee. The Nursing Department will not accept any additional application materials after the deadline. Notification letters will be sent after the Admissions Committee has reviewed all applications. Please note that inquiries about the status of an application before the scheduled notification date will only slow down the process.

Competitive Ranking

Provisional admission is based on a merit evaluation. Applicants meeting all admission criteria will be ranked on a point system. A maximum of 45 points will be awarded on the following criteria:

1. GPA from prerequisites, a minimum of 2.5 (25-40 points)
2. A previously awarded accredited degree (5 points)

Nursing Background Check Disqualifying Offenses

The Colorado Community College System (“CCCS”) and the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education authorize the nursing programs to conduct a background investigation of all student applicants. The clinical sites used in the nursing programs require background checks of all potential interns. The purpose is to maintain a safe and productive educational and clinical environment. New students who refuse to comply with the background investigation will not be allowed to enter a CCCS Nursing Program.

An applicant will be disqualified from a CCCS nursing program based on the following guidelines:

• Any violent felony convictions of homicide. (No time limit)
• Crimes of violence (assault, sexual offenses, arson, kidnapping, any crime against an at-risk adult or juvenile, etc.) as defined in section 18-1.3-406 C.R.S. in the 10 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any offense involving unlawful sexual behavior in the 10 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime, the underlying basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime of child abuse, as defined in section 18-6-401 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime related to the sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any felony theft crimes in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any misdemeanor theft crimes in the 5 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any offense of sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, as defined in section 18-3-405.5 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Crimes of moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.) in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Registered Sex Offenders. (No time limit)
• Any offense in another state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the above offenses.
• More than one (1) D.U.I. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.

If the investigation reveals information that could be relevant to the application, the designated individual responsible for background checks may request additional information from the applicant. The offense shall be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Students who have successfully completed the terms of a deferred adjudication agreement will not be disqualified.

If any applicant feels the criminal background check is inaccurate, they may appeal the decision and request a review with the specific community college applied at. It is the applicant’s burden to produce substantial evidence that proves the crimes charged are incorrect.

Nursing Scholarships

Kaiser Nursing Scholarships are available by application.  Applications for the Summer 2012 Bridge Class will be released early in 2012.

Please read the application thoroughly, as there are very specific requirements for the Kaiser Scholarships, including work requirements.

Please note: All Nursing Scholars must complete 4000 hours of paid employment or 2000 hours of volunteer work in a Safety Net Clinic. Failure to complete the coursework and program requirements, work and/or volunteer obligation will result in repayment of the full value of the scholarship. Any individual that fails to meet the contractual-obligation and fails to repay will be subject to a formal collections process.

Please return the application materials to one of the following options:

DROP OFF:
PPCC Nursing Department 
Rampart Range Campus, Room E213
11195 Highway 83
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

MAIL OR DROP OFF:
PPCC Foundation Office, Box C-11
Centennial Campus, Room A-324
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO  80906-5498

Questions?

Contact Jenny Stafford at jenny.stafford@ppcc.edu or 719.494.7185