NURSING
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
• Associate of Science in Nursing (Associate Degree in Nursing – A.D.N.)
• Certificate in Practical Nursing (P.N.)
Program Descriptions
Nursing is an exciting and rewarding field that requires highly ethical individuals who have the ability to problem-solve and think critically in a rapidly changing environment. Nursing is a science as well as an art because it is essential that the nurse combine scientific knowledge and technical skills with a compassionate and creative heart. To be successful, nurses must have the physical, mental, emotional and ethical ability to meet the needs of patients in a safe and effective manner. Applicants are encouraged to request a copy of “Admission Eligibility” from the Nursing/Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division office since it outlines the functional abilities and attributes required for effective performance in the nursing programs. Students with concerns about disabilities that may interfere with their ability to complete either nursing program are encouraged to discuss these concerns with the nursing programs director before they begin taking prerequisite courses. The A.D.N. and P.N. programs begin in the fall, spring and summer. Information Sessions: Information sessions are scheduled regularly for both programs. For dates and times, applicants may call the Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division information line at (505) 224-4161. These sessions review levels of nursing, the petition process for enrollment, program requirements and curriculum changes. Individuals interested in either nursing program must attend one of these sessions and continuing students are encouraged to attend at least one session a year. Students may declare their major in practical nursing or associate degree nursing at any time; however, when ready to enter clinical courses, students must petition for selection into a specific program.
There are two programs available: associate degree nursing (leading to eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse) and practical nursing (leading to eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse). Both programs are approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing and are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). For further information on accreditation of either program, the NLNAC may be contacted at (800) 669-1656, extension 153 or mail to 61 Broadway-33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006.
Licensure: All new applicants for licensure in New Mexico are required to submit fingerprints for a federal criminal background check. In addition, it is essential that prospective students be informed that the New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) may deny, revoke or suspend any license held or applied for under the Nursing Practice Act, upon grounds that the licensee or applicant has been involved in any of the following actions:
1. is guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license or certificate of registration;
2. is convicted of a felony;
3. is unfit or incompetent;
4. is intemperate or is addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs;
5. is mentally incompetent;
6. is guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined by the rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to the Nursing Practice Act [Chapter 61, Article 3 NMSA 1978].
7. has willfully or repeatedly violated any provisions of the Nursing Practice Act [Chapter 61, Article 3 NMSA 1978] including any rule or regulation adopted by the board pursuant to that act; or
8. was licensed to practice nursing in any jurisdiction, territory or possession of the United States or another country and was the subject of disciplinary action as a licensee for acts described in the subsection. A certified copy of the record of the jurisdiction, territory or possession of the United Stated or another country taking the disciplinary action is conclusive evidence of the action.
Career Advancement Opportunities
NURSING (Associate Degree in Nursing)
The associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.) program prepares nurses to provide nursing care to individuals in inpatient and outpatient healthcare facilities. Graduates are experiencing 100% placement in a wide variety of healthcare settings where they provide and manage client care, teach clients and promote communication while participating as members of the nursing profession.
Advanced Placement: To apply for advanced standing in the A.D.N. program, individuals must meet the enrollment requirements for the program. Official transcripts of all vocational/college courses must be sent to CNM. All advanced placement students must take NURS 190C or 202C prior to enrollment in the Nursing courses. Advanced placement may be granted in three ways:
1) Transfer: from an approved associate degree or baccalaureate nursing program with equivalent courses. Nursing courses are only valid for three years from the date of the application. For specific information, students should contact the nursing programs.
2) Challenge Exam: for former nursing students with credits too old, military medics, corpsmen or performance of basic nursing skills during employment in an in-patient setting within the last three years. Individuals interested in challenge must make an appointment with the director of the A.D.N. program.
3) LPN Mobility: is designed to enroll qualified licensed practical nurses into the third term of the A.D.N. program who meet the following requirements:
• meet all enrollment criteria for the A.D.N. program including official transcripts of previous education in a vocational school or college;
• provide proof of current licensure as an LPN and a minimum of 1,000 documented hours of work as an LPN;
• provide proof of completion of all required arts & science courses with a minimum
grade of C (anatomy and physiology and microbiology courses must be taken within
five years from the date of application to the nursing program). Students must also have completed NURS 115 and NURS 202C. Priority is given to those who have also completed NURS 231.
Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisites and notifying the nursing chair of their readiness to enter advanced placement four months prior to the term when they want to enter.
Students are notified by mail when they are selected to enter the clinical courses.
PRACTICAL NURSING (P.N. Certificate)
The P.N. certificate program prepares practical nurses to care for patients in a variety of healthcare facilities under the supervision of registered nurses, physicians or dentists. Following licensure, LPN’s have been finding 100% placement in long-term care facilities, physician offices and other healthcare agencies. The Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) School of Practical Nursing was started in 1956 at Presbyterian Hospital. In 1965, CNM assumed administrative responsibility for the school. Presbyterian continues to support the school by providing clinical facilities for patient care experiences. Advanced placement may be given in two ways to Practical Nurse applicants: credit granted for equivalent coursework and/or successful completion of a challenge exam. For additional information, applicants may contact the nursing programs at (505) 224-4141.
Special Program Requirements (for both the A.D.N. and P.N. programs)
Petitioning: Petitions for selection to the clinical courses are accepted early in the spring, summer and fall terms for both programs. Applicants may contact the Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division Office for the dates and times when petitions are accepted. To be eligible to petition a student must meet the following prerequisites: high school graduate or equivalent, a minimum score of 85% on the (Nursing/MLT) Basic Math test within 12 months prior to petitioning and a cumulative CNM GPA of 2.0 or higher. anatomy, physiology and microbiology course must be taken within five years from the date of petition to the nursing program. Note: anatomy and physiology courses have general biology (BIO 123/124L) and chemistry (CHEM 111/112L) prerequisites. These prerequisites may be met by a passing score on the biology placement exam. Permission to enroll is provided by the biology faculty.
Once all criteria are fulfilled, students must petition for enrollment into the first clinical course in either nursing program. Should there be more petitioners than available spaces, the date of declaration of A.D.N. or P.N. as a major will be used as the final selection criterion. Should there be more than one person with the same declaration date competing for the same slot, the date of completion of all required arts & sciences courses will be used as the final selection criterion. The date of completion will be the last day of the term in which the course was successfully completed. Because of the high demand for these programs, it may take more than one year after petitioning to begin the nursing core coursework.
Requirements for entering clinical courses: AFTER SELECTION into the first clinical course, students must submit
- demonstrated competence in “Basic Patient Care Skills.” This requirement may be met by either demonstrating the skills at a “Competency Check-off Session” (a passing score is good for one year) or completing the CNM NA or NAHA courses no more than 18 months prior to beginning the nursing program. See website or attend information session for more details.
- Students interested in certain Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division programs must be in good physical and psychological health. Some programs require documentation of a recent health screening from a licensed healthcare provider confirming the ability to safely perform program specific activities and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information. Students must have completed physical examination and health forms with evidence of current immunizations (tetanus, rubella, Rubeola, hepatitis B, Varicella) and PPD before beginning clinical courses. Students are required to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that they can safely lift a minimum of 50 lbs. prior to beginning their clinical experience.
- evidence of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health professionals before beginning clinical courses; certification must be kept current throughout the program.
- Students with a criminal background may have limited employment opportunities in healthcare and public service. Those who have a felony conviction should refer to the relevant New Mexico legislation (NMSA, Section 29-17-5 for healthcare employees available at http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/final/HB0627.pdf). Students should also contact appropriate credentialing or licensing agencies and local or regional industry for hiring and employment practices. Contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information. Note: Students may be required to undergo routine drug screening and a criminal background check prior to beginning and throughout their clinical experience.
Students must arrange for their own transportation to all classes, observations and clinical experiences. There may be some required evening and weekend clinical hours as well as daytime hours.
The first term has a program fee which includes the required uniforms, stethoscope, transfer belt, safety goggles, bandage scissors, name tags and preventive lab tests in case of needle stick or other exposure to bodily fluids. Students are responsible for the expenses of the physical examination, immunizations, a watch with a second hand, pen light, uniform shoes, graduation pin, textbooks and licensing exam fees. In addition, courses have program fees for standardized testing and hospital parking permits. Graduation requirements:
All Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned.
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division nursing students must graduate under the current catalog.
- Pre- and corequisites are listed in course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the pre- and/or corequisites in effect for the term in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or corequisites are not met.
- Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalogs will be accommodated. Contact the division at (505) 224-4111 for more information. In addition, competency in dosage calculations, as tested by clinical calculation exams, must be maintained for progress in either program.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Information about the nursing programs is available from the administrative support specialist, Jennifer Cooke at jcooke1@cnm.edu, (505) 224-4141, or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-4321.
