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Nursing Admission Information

Thank you for your interest in the Trinidad State College Nursing Program. The associate nursing program is fully accredited nationally:
Trinidad State College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Nursing Program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Colorado Community College System.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
PH: 404-975-5000 
https://www.acenursing.org/ 

PROGRAM OPTIONS

  • ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING (ADN)
    The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program combines coursework in nursing and general education with clinical experiences in regional health care facilities under the supervision of college faculty members. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.

  • LPN TO ADN
    Licensed Practical Nurses may come back to complete their ADN through TSC.  Admission testing is completed in the Fall semester.  The transition course (NUR1089) is completed in the Spring semester.  The student is then assimilated in to the second level cohort of the respective campus.

  • DUAL ENROLLMENT TOWARDS BSN
    Graduates are encouraged to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing, through our dual enrollment options or other avenues. TSC has an online RN-BSN program that is nationally accredited through Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).  After the successful completion of the first semester in the nursing program, students are allowed to start taking BSN level classes while taking their ADN classes. Please work with the advisor on these courses.

  • PRACTICAL NURSING (PN CERTIFICATE)
    Students have the option to receive a certificate and take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses after the first year of the professional phase of nursing which must include NUR 1069—Transition into Practical Nursing.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Admissions Application
(Must have a GED/High school Diploma/18 years or older)
Apply online to Trinidad State and fill out the online nursing application (more details on checklist after submission).

Student Information
Provide previous educational information to TSC including:

  • Transcripts - high school
  • 18 years old or older
  • ACT/SAT scores
  • Previous College
  • Immunization Records
  • Health Insurance
  • CPR card
  • Applicants are required to submit transcripts from all previous college course work including any previous nursing courses. TSC will not admit students who have failed or withdrawn from two NUR courses from TSC or any other college within three years of dismissal. TSC will not admit students who have been dismissed from TSC or any other college for disciplinary actions.

Colorado Opportunity Fund
Colorado residents are eligible for the COF which decreases your tuition.
Visit https://cof.college-assist.org

Scholarships
Looking for scholarships?
Visit this page.

Admission to the nursing program is based on a point system criterion. Students may submit an online application when they are complete or in the last semester of mandatory prerequisite courses. HESI testing dates along with a full checklist will appear after submitting the online application.

Admission requires a high school diploma or the equivalent, satisfactory performance on the HESI Nursing Admission test and completion of any required foundations courses. TSC Nursing Department reserves the right to decline admission to any student based upon disqualifying offenses, GPA and/or poor transcript history. More than one grade of W, D or F in any of the prerequisite BIO courses will be viewed as poor transcript history.

Students are granted points for:

  • 3.0 GPA on mandatory prerequisite courses and cumulative 2.5 GPA
  • Additional courses completed
  • Scores for Admission Assessment Examination

The required three pre-requisite courses for nursing are:

  • ENG 1021 English Composition
  • PSY 2440 Human Growth and Development
  • BIO 2101 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Full Acceptance and Registration

  1. Students are encouraged to apply in January for acceptance in August.
  2. The three prereqs must be completed prior to nursing enrolling in nursing classes in August. When in question, please go ahead and apply, so that an advisory can get in touch with you and you can review the checklist after clicking the submit button on the online nursing application.
  3. Students who have met all requirements with appropriate admission scores will receive an acceptance letter via email and be required to complete the additional requirements such as immunizations and a physical prior to the mandatory orientation.
  4. If a student does not attend Fall orientation, then they void their spot in the nursing program. Orientation takes place one week prior to Fall classes starting.
  5. If there are more applicants than space available, students with higher scores will be admitted first.
  6. Students who are denied admittance may reapply the next year following the same process. Students who have been fully accepted but decline admission may reapply to the program following the same process. TSC Nursing Department does not maintain a waitlist or allow deferments.
    • Nursing courses are open only to students with approval from the nursing department.
    • Each nursing course is designed to incorporate content from the support courses in the curriculum. As the courses progress, content becomes more complex and the student’s time commitment increases. Students are discouraged from working during their time in the nursing program.
    • Upon completion of the program, the Colorado Board of Nursing reserves the right to determine the eligibility for licensure of any student with a history of substance abuse or criminal offenses.

LPN to ADN ADMISSION

Students requesting admission into the third and fourth semesters must:

  • Supply current active United States licensure
  • Present official transcripts from all previous colleges
  • Meet all prerequisite requirements
  • Students obtaining and practicing LPN past three years or did not graduate from Trinidad State must complete NUR 1089 Transition from LPN to ADN (Bridging Course).
  • The student is required to supply information necessary for clinical placement, including but not limited to: Background Check, drug screening, immunizations and CPR certification.
  • Students who have failed or withdrawn from two nursing courses from TSC or any other college are not eligible for admission.
  • Students who do not have an active license or who have not practiced within three years are required to begin as a new nursing student.

Transferring Credits
Transfer credits must be submitted, reviewed and recorded before being accepted in the professional nursing program. Transcripts must be official in an official sealed envelope from previous institution. Students may need to provide a course description and syllabus for courses. Students with transfer credits may submit them to:
Official Electronic transcripts may be sent to:

Trinidad State Admissions and Records Office
ATTN: Christy Holden or Lori Rae Hamilton
600 Prospect Street
Trinidad, CO 81082
christy.holden@trinidadstate.edu

E-Transcripts are accepted from Script Save or Parchment companies only, at this time.

Readmission Requests due a W, D F OR due to sitting out a semester or more
A dated letter by June 1 must be received via mail or email to lorirae.hamilton@trinidadstate.edu . Include the student’s current contact information, mailing and CCCS system email address, and telephone number requesting readmission to the nursing program.  Letters must be formal and typed with proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  Students must identify the problems that caused the failure and present a solution for each area. Completion of current admission requirements, such as admission testing and meeting selection criteria could be required. Re-entering students may also be required to complete additional requirements (course work or work experience) based on current curriculum and program requirements.
Any student who has received a D, W, F or Unsatisfactory grade in any two nursing courses, has failed two nursing courses, or withdraws failing from a second nursing course will not be readmitted to the Nursing Program for a period of at least three years. A withdrawal with a failing average at the time of withdrawal will be considered as a course failure for the nursing program.

The Nursing Director will consider readmission requests based on first come first serve and prior history related to the following:

  1. Cumulative pre-requisite and nursing course GPA of 2.5 or higher
  2. Admission test scores in reading comprehension, writing, math, and anatomy & physiology
  3. Plan for success and actions toward remediation
  4. Resource utilization
  5. Clinical space available
  6. Required documents submitted by the deadline
  7. Academic Standing
  8. Violation of any nursing policy or procedure
  9. Obtaining a N.A. Certificate or LPN Licensure

Students will be officially notified by letter of the Nursing Director’s decision prior to the semester in which readmission is requested.

All students are responsible for their education and in knowing what courses are required. Students should consult with an advisor or dean over health sciences to ensure they are fully prepared for entrance into the professional nursing program. If you have further questions, please contact advising on the respective campus or Lori Rae Hamilton at 719-846-5524, lorirae.hamilton@trinidadstate.edu.

Nursing Background Check Disqualifying Offenses
http://cccs.castlebranch.com/disqualifying-offenses.pdf

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 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any offense involving unlawful sexual behavior in the 7 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.
Approved CCCS 6/8/2007 Reviewed and Re-approved 04/12/2012 Reviewed and amended 6/15/15

Approximate Costs for TSC Nursing Program
All costs are approximate and are subject to change. Costs were itemized from college bookstore and business office. Costs listed do not include any taxes that may apply.
These costs apply each semester
All prices are approximate and are subject to differences.

Drug Screen $25.00 once for two years
Standardized Testing $500.00 throughout the two years
Nursing Lab Kit $145.00 charged when student registers
Malpractice Ins. $16.00 once a year
Clinical Exchange fee $36.50 paid for NUR 150 OB/Peds
NCLEX-RN testing fee $200.00 paid in last semester
Campus Fees $1.34 per credit
Student Activity Fee $3.47 per credit
Registration Fee $12.55
Program Fee $57.95 per credit hour
Tuition per credit
First Semester includes additional supplies.
Stethoscope $58.00
Blood Pressure Cuff $26.00
Bandage Scissors $3.00
Hemostats $5.50
Gait Belt $9.00
Penlight $2.50
Sharpie Pen $0.99
Mini Stapler $2.99
Black Ink Pens $1.65
8 Digit Calculator $2.50
Nursing Polo $20.99
2 Sets Scrubs $50.00

Second Semester includes additional supplies.

  • iPad or some type of smart phone    $223.00

Third Semester includes additional supplies.

  • 2 Sets Scrubs    $50.00

Additional costs that may apply include

  • admission testing
  • criminal background check
  • drug screening
  • medical examination
  • immunizations
  • liability insurance
  • travel expenses
  • meals
  • child care (some days will need to be cared for 13 hours)

TRINIDAD STATE NURSING PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR MINIMUM FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES
Individuals enrolled in the nursing program must be able to perform essential skills. If a student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations, the nursing program must determine, on an individual basis, whether a reasonable accommodation can be made.

Functional Ability Standard Examples Of Required Activities
Motor Abilities Physical abilities and mobility sufficient to execute gross motor skills, physical endurance, and strength, to provide patient care. Mobility sufficient to carry out patient care procedures such as assisting with ambulation of clients, administering CPR, assisting with turning and lifting patients, providing care in confined spaces such as treatment room or operating suite.
Manual Dexterity Demonstrate fine motor skills sufficient for providing safe nursing care. Motor skills sufficient to handle small equipment such as insulin syringe and administer medications by all routes, perform tracheotomy suctioning, insert urinary catheter.
Perceptual/Sensory Ability Sensory/perceptual ability to monitor and assess clients. Sensory abilities sufficient to hear alarms, auscultatory sounds, cries for help, etc.
Visual acuity to read calibrations on 1 mL syringe, assess color (cyanosis, pallor, etc.)
Tactile ability to feel pulses, temperature, palpates veins, etc.
Olfactory ability to detect smoke or noxious odor, etc.
Behavioral/Interpersonal/Emotional Ability to relate to colleagues, staff and patients with honesty, integrity and nondiscrimination.
Capacity for development of mature, sensitive and effective therapeutic relationships.
Interpersonal abilities sufficient for interaction with individuals, families and groups from various social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Ability to work constructively in stressful and changing environments with the ability to modify behavior in response to constructive criticism.
Capacity to demonstrate ethical behavior, including adherence to the professional nursing and student honor codes.		 Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues.
Work with teams and workgroups.
Emotional skills sufficient to remain calm in an emergency situation.
Behavioral skills sufficient to demonstrate the exercise of good judgment and prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of clients.
Adapt rapidly to environmental changes and multiple task demands.
Maintain behavioral decorum in stressful situations.
Safe environment for patients, families and co-workers Ability to effectively communicate with other caregivers.
Ability to administer medications safely and accurately.
Ability to operate equipment safely in the clinical area.
Ability to recognize and minimize hazards that could increase healthcare associated infections.
Ability to recognize and minimize accident hazards in the clinical setting including hazards that contribute to patient, family and co-worker falls.		 Prioritizes tasks to ensure patient safety and standard of care.
Maintains adequate concentration and attention in patient care settings.
Seeks assistance when clinical situation requires a higher level or expertise/experience.
Responds to monitor alarms, emergency signals, call bells from patients, and orders in a rapid and effective manner. Ability to accurately identify patients.
Communication Ability to communicate in English with accuracy, clarity and efficiency with patients, their families and other members of the health care team (including spoken and non-verbal communication, such as interpretation of facial expressions, affect and body language).

Required communication abilities, including speech, hearing, reading, writing, language skills and computer literacy.		 Gives verbal directions to or follows verbal directions from other members of the healthcare team and participates in health care team discussions of patient care.

Elicits and records information about health history, current health state and responses to treatment from patients or family members.

Conveys information to clients and others as necessary to teach, direct and counsel individuals in an accurate, effective and timely manner.

Establish and maintain effective working relations with patients and co-workers.

Recognizes and reports critical patient information to other caregivers.
Cognitive/Conceptual/Quantitative Abilities Ability to read and understand written documents in English and solve problems involving measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis.
Ability to gather data, to develop a plan of action, establish priorities and monitor and evaluate treatment plans and modalities.
Ability to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.
Ability to react effectively in an emergency situation.		 Calculates appropriate medication dosage
given specific patient parameters.
Analyzes and synthesize data and develop an
appropriate plan of care.
Collects data, prioritize needs and anticipate reactions.
Comprehend spatial relationships adequate to properly administer injections, start intravenous lines or assess wounds of varying depths.
Recognizes an emergency situation and responds effectively to safeguard the patient and other caregivers.
Transfers knowledge from one situation to another.
Accurately processes information on medication container, physicians’ orders, and monitor and equipment calibrations, printed documents, flow sheets, graphic sheets, medication administration records, other medical records and policy and procedure manuals.
Punctuality/work habits Ability to adhere to TSNP policies, procedures and requirements as described in the Student Nurse Manual, college catalog and student handbook and course syllabus.
Ability to complete classroom and clinical assignments and submit assignments at the required time.
Ability to adhere to classroom and clinical schedules.		 Attends class and clinical assignments punctually.
Reads, understands and adheres to all policies related to classroom and clinical experiences.
Contact instructor in advance of any absence or late arrival.
Understand and complete classroom and clinical assignments by due date and time.

Trinidad State Nursing Graduation Requirements

  1. The graduate must fulfill all requirements of the College for graduation.
  2. The graduate of nursing must pass all program courses with a minimum grade of “C” per the requirements and scales as addressed in the syllabi of each nursing course.
  3. The graduate must be competent in all critical nursing skills pertaining to the scope of practice for a registered nurse.
  4. The graduate must be competent in calculations of medications. The student is required to pass a medication administration proficiency examination each semester at 100 percent mastery in order to progress to the next semester of the ADN program. (See the Nursing Student Manual for further information).
  5. The graduate must comply will all requirements as stated in the Student Nursing manual.
  6. A student that has failed or withdrawn in two or more NUR courses from TS is not allowed to transfer 15 or less NUR credits back into TS and attain their Associates of Applied Science Degree in Nursing.

Legal Requirements for Nursing Licensure
During application for licensure, the student must answer the following questions:

  1. “Have you ever been convicted of a crime or have you ever accepted a court plea of guilty or nolo contender? Have you received a deferred judgment or deferred prosecution?”
  2. “Are you now, or were you for the 12 months preceding the date of this application, addicted to any controlled substance; a regular user of any controlled substance without a prescription; and/or habitually intemperate in the use of intoxicating liquor?” If any question is answered “yes,” the student needs to meet with the director of the Nursing Department for counseling as the Colorado State Board of Nursing has specific requirements for licensure.

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