Program Overview

Program Overview

The nursing curriculum of NMSU Carlsbad prepares students for beginning nursing practice in a variety of health care settings. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing, and the Associate Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Program Details

Upon completion of the Certificate for Practical Nursing, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN) which leads to licensure as a Practical Nurse. Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Graduation Requirements

• ENGL 111G Rhetoric and Composition with a C or higher
• Placement into college-level math and reading courses or completion of developmental courses with a C or higher
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• The last 15 credits taken at NMSU

Program Entrance Requirements

• BIOL 225 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• CHEM 110G Principles and Applications of Chemistry, or one semester of high school chemistry with a C or higher
• COLL 101 College/Life Success
• NA 101 Nursing Assistant Theory and Lab
• Completion of developmental studies English, math, and reading as indicated by the student's placement test results if needed
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in courses applicable to the nursing curriculum
• HESI A2 composite score of 75% and 60% in each subject area:
  • Math
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary and General Knowledge
  • Grammar
  • Anatomy & Physiology
• Submission of a program application packet by May 15

Curriculum Notes

• All courses that are part of the nursing curriculum must be completed with a C or higher
• Students must be formally accepted into the nursing program to enroll in courses listed under "Nursing Program Requirements"
• CHEM 110G Principles and Applications of Chemistry may not be used to fulfill elective credit
• Note that CHEM 110G Principles and Applications of Chemistry is required for the BSN degree at NMSU Las Cruces
• BIOL 226 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, C EP 110G Human Growth and Behavior, ENGL 111G Rhetoric and Composition, PSY 201G Introduction to Psychology, and SOC 101G Introductory Sociology must be completed by the second year of nursing

Essential Eligibility Requirements

The following essential requirements and examples of necessary activities should be used to assist each applicant in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary.

• Critical thinking abilities sufficient for clinical judgment
• Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
• Communication abilities sufficient for interactions with others in verbal and written form
• Abilities sufficient to move from room to room and to maneuver in small places
• Abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care
• Abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
• Abilities sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care
• Abilities sufficient for physical assessment
• Ability to operate under stressful situations

ADA Guidelines

ADA Guidelines apply to all qualified disabled persons. A qualified disabled person is a person with a disability who, with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, and with the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services, or the participation in the programs or activities provided by a public entity and who can perform the "essential functions" of the position. Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the appropriate program chair as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should be prepared to present a disability verification form from their physician.