Academic Catalog - Practical Nursing Certificate
Certificate & Course Information
The Practical Nursing Certificate exit option is designed to provide education to prepare the student for practice as a licensed practical nurse after completion of the first two semesters of the ADN RN program. Upon admission to the nursing program the student may opt to take the optional Transition into Practical Nursing course and receive a Certificate of Practical Nursing. The curriculum follows the criteria for the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model and is specifically constructed to promote career mobility between Nursing educational levels.
Successful completion of the Practical Nursing Certificate requirements for graduation also entitles the graduate to submit an application to the State Board of Nursing for the State Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing.
Admission Procedure
- The student must apply for general college admission to Otero College. Applying to Otero is free and can be completed online. Student must be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate.
- Complete required pre-admission courses (Prerequisite Courses) with a grade of C or higher for each course and a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher for the required pre-admission courses listed below. A higher GPA will receive a higher admission score. The science courses must be completed within seven years of the application date of the program.
| Required Pre-Admission Courses (Prerequisite Courses) | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Credits |
| BIO 1010 - Biology Foundations OR BIO 1111 - General College Biology I/lab GT-SC1 Prerequisite: College Readiness in English and College Readiness in Quantitative Literacy Math | 2 5 |
| BIO 2101 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab: GT-SC1 Prerequisite: BIO 1111 or BIO 1010 | 4 |
| Required In-Program Courses (Prerequisite Courses & Electives | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credits |
| *BIO 2102 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab: GT-SC1 Prerequisite: BIO 2101 | 4 |
| **BIO 2116 Pathophysiology | 4 |
| HPR 1010 - Dietary Nutrition OR HWE 1050 - Human Nutrition | 1 3 |
| ***MAT 1120 - Math for Clinical Calculations Prerequisite: College Readiness in Career Math | 3 |
| ELECTIVE - Humanities OR Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
*BIO 2102 / Human Anatomy & Physiology II can be completed in first semester of your Nursing courses with prior approval and if not taking compressed BIO 2101/2102 course.
**Can be taken in the summer prior to the second year of the program, but the course MUST have been completed prior to the NUR 2006.
***If a higher math course has been completed, NUR 1001 can replace MAT 1120, also with a preference that it be completed prior to the program.
- Apply to the nursing program at Otero using the Online Application available here.
- Provide official transcripts confirming completion of prerequisite courses and GPA to the Otero Nursing Department. Transcripts can be emailed to otero-admissions@otero.edu OR sent physically to:
- Attention: Otero College Registrar
1802 Colorado Avenue
La Junta CO, 81050
- Attention: Otero College Registrar
- After the admission deadline, applicants who have completed all the admission criteria will be admitted from the top score down until all slots are filled. To fill any vacant slots, a second or even third deadline will be set and remaining, and newly qualified applicants will be considered and admitted from the top scores again until slots are filled. Admission deadlines are posted on the Otero website Nursing page.
- Once students have completed ALL of the required application materials, and transcripts have been received and reviewed, the student will be sent an email with directions on how and when to schedule their Kaplan exam.
- Complete the Kaplan Admission test. Please contact the Nursing Office to find out what the minimum required scores are.
- Evidence of other Healthcare Certification or honorable military service is not required but will receive points toward admission score.
- Attendance at a Pre-Nursing Orientation with the Nursing Office must be completed before classes begin.
- Evidence of permanent residence in the Otero Service area of Bent, Otero and Crowley counties is not required but will receive points toward admission.
- Once admitted students will need to provide a clear criminal background check and urine drug screen (information will be provided upon admission). See the Disqualifying Offenses document
| Program Required NUR Courses | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credits |
| NUR 1006 Med-Surg Nursing Concepts | 7 |
| NUR 1009 Fundamentals of Nursing | 6 |
| NUR 1012 Basic Concepts of Pharmacology | 2 |
| NUR 1050 Maternal – Child Nursing | 6 |
| NUR 1069 Transition to Practical Nursing (Taken in Summer) | 4 |
Graduation Requirements
- Students must fulfill all the requirements of the College to receive a certificate of completion.
- The graduate of nursing must pass all courses with a minimum grade of “C”
- Graduates must be competent in calculations of medications. Students are required to pass a medication proficiency examination at 100% mastery in order to progress to the summer semester of the program. (See the Nursing Student manual for further information).
For more information contact the Otero Nursing Department at 719-384-6898.
Before becoming licensed, students must answer the following questions:
- “Have you ever been convicted of a crime, or have you ever accepted a court plea of guilty or nolo contendre? Have you received a deferred judgment or deferred prosecution?”
- “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,” students need to meet with the director of the Nursing Department for counseling because the Colorado State Board of Nursing has specific requirements for licensure.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students are advised to review the information on the CCCS Professional Licensure Disclosure page; https://at.cccs.edu/professional-licensure-disclosure/ BEFORE beginning a program that leads to professional licensure with the intent to be licensed outside of the state of Colorado. Review the licensing information provided for the applicable program(s) below. While CCCS colleges endeavor to ensure this information is up to date, changes in licensure requirements of any state can change at any time. Contact the appropriate licensing agency in the U.S. states and territories where licensure is intended. This will enable you to obtain the most up-to-date information about licensure requirements and confirm the CCCS college program meets those requirements.