REGISTERED NURSE REFRESHER
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
A Skill Set is issued by an academic division upon successful completion of a combination of approved courses that provide specific skills. Application for a Skill Set may be made within the division upon completion of the coursework.
Program Description
This distance learning/classroom course offers students updates in all major areas of nursing practice and includes 88 hours of clinical time.
Career and Advancement Opportunities
Graduates of this course have job opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics and with home health and hospice providers.
- Special Requirements
Students must have successfully completed State Board Examinations (NCLEX) and have held a valid license to practice nursing. A physical exam, PPD, current immunizations (including MMR, DTP and Varicella) and current professional (BLS) CPR certification are required to start clinical practicum. Students may be required to undergo routine drug screening and a criminal background check prior to beginning their clinical experience. 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.
Students interested in certain Health, Wellness and 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 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.
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 courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned.
A white uniform, shoes and a stethoscope are required for clinicals. A $25 program fee covers the cost of supplies and preventative lab tests in case of needle stick exposure. There are additional fees payable to the New Mexico State Board of Nursing for licensure endorsement and reinstatement if nursing license has expired. Students enrolled in this program may not be eligible to receive financial aid or Veterans Administration benefits.
Graduation Policy
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division 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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Information about this skill set is available from the chair, Rene Kagan at (505) 224-4112, rbarronkagan@cnm.edu, or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-4321
