Allied Health: Nursing

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Location:

Allied Health Building

Associate Dean and Director of Nursing Education Programs:

Nina Kirk, RN, MS, 970.339.6622

Nurse Aide Coordinator:

Heather Brown, RN, AAS, 970.339.6281

Faculty:

Mindy Geraets, RN, MSN, 970.339.6451

Erika Greenberg, RN, MSN 970.339.6647

Missy Korb, RN, PhD, 970.339.6214

Laurel Lalicker, RN, MSN, 970.339.6410

Christy Nibbelink, RN, MSN 970.339.6568

Jennifer Sears, RN, MSN, 970.339.6604

Advisors:

Kellie Richardson, 970.339.6570

Janet Chase, 970.339.6284

Degrees/Certificates offered:

Associate Degree Nursing (A.A.S. Degree)

Program Description: The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program teaches students the skills of direct patient care that can be applied in any healthcare setting. The program offers theoretical and applied instruction in classrooms, simulated laboratories, and clinical settings. After successfully completing all degree requirements, students will receive an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with a nursing major. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Successful performance on the NCLEX-RN awards state licensure and qualifies graduates for the title of Registered Nurse (RN). The program allows a practical nursing exit point (certificate). After successfully completing the first two semesters of the program and taking an additional transition course during the summer, students are eligible to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX- PN).

Interested applicants for the program must attend an informational orientation. The orientation is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, May through January, at 12 and 5:30 PM. Please call the Allied Health Advising Office at 970.339.6251 for additional information. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) interested in entering the 2nd year of the program to complete the ADN need to contact the Allied Health Advising Office at 970.339.6251 to begin the application process. Potential applicants who graduated more than 10 years ago from a PN program must follow the current regulations of the Colorado Articulation Model related to testing, experience and licensure prior to entering the ADN program. Applicants must hold a current CNA certificate or LPN license, current Healthcare Provider CPR, current TB/PPD, and the following immunizations or titers: MMR, HBV, Varicella (chicken pox), and Tetanus, prior to starting the program. Other immunizations or proof of immunity may be required by specific clinical placement sites. Evidence of background check and drug screen without disqualifying offenses is required prior to entry into the program. A drug screen and HHS/OIG re-screening is required annually. Additional fingerprinting, drug screens, and/or background checks, etc. may be required by clinical sites. Clinical sites retain the right to deny a student access to their facility based on the results of required fingerprinting, drug screens, and/or background checks. In the event a student is denied access to a clinical site, the student may be unable to complete the course requirements.

The Aims Community College Nursing Program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing (SBON). The SBON website address is http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/.
 

The Aims Community College Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The NLNAC website address is http://www.nlnac.org/home.htm.
 

Nurse Aide (Certificate)

Program Description: Intended for the individual desiring to be a nurse aide focusing on care for the adult or disabled patient/client/resident living at home or in a health care facility. Methods of learning include classroom activities, skills practice and simulations, and clinical practice giving actual patient care. The program meets all relevant federal and state requirements. A criminal background check and drug screen will be required. Upon successful completion, the program graduate is eligible to apply to take the State of Colorado Nurse Aide Certificate examination. The program graduate must also meet the State eligibility requirements when applying to take the certification exam. (Cost of examination not covered in tuition.) This program content and passing the nurse aide certification examination will satisfy the requirement for application to the Aims and UNC nursing programs.

Program Length: 110 clock hours, usually scheduled over 4 weeks.

Potential Opportunities: Plentiful employment opportunities exist for the state-certified nursing assistant in long term care, home health care, and residential care. Local opportunities also exist for employment in hospitals. Also useful for persons wanting wage-earning ability while preparing for nursing or health care careers. Employment opportunities require current State of Colorado Nurse Aide Certification.

Registration Requirements: All students interested in taking this program must attend an orientation and have an advisor’s signature on the course registration before registering. Students must meet agency health requirements including the following immunizations or titers: MMR and HBV. Negative Tb skin tests or chest x-ray is also required.
 

Practical Nursing Option (Certificate)

After successfully completing the first two semesters of the program and taking an additional transition course during the summer, students are eligible to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX- PN). See the information about Associate Degree Nursing (above) for program information and requirements. 

 

Nursing  Advisory Committee

Heather Brown, RN, AAS, Nurse Aide Coordinator, Faculty, Aims Community College

Crystal Day, RN, CEO, Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association

Stephanie Drobny, Student Placement Coordinator, Banner Health

Katrina Einhellig, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor, RN-BSN Program Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado

Mindy Geraets, RN, MSN, Faculty, Aims Community College

Erika Greenberg, RN, MSN, Faculty, Aims Community College

Sally Henry, RN, Education Coordinator, Centennial Area Health Education Center

Nina Kirk, RN, MS, Associate Dean & Director, Nursing Education Programs, Aims Community College

Missy Korb, RN, PhD, Faculty, Aims Community College

Laurel Lalicker, RN, MSN, Faculty, Aims Community College

Jennifer Malinski, MM, Academic Program Coordinator, Aims Community College

Victoria Maloney, Clinical Site Coordinator, Aims Community College

Christy Nibbelink, RN, MSN, Faculty, Aims Community College

Barb Oschner, RN, Education Coordinator, Medical Center of the Rockies

Brenda Rask, Associate Dean, Career and Technical Education, Aims Community College

Kellie Richardson, Advisor, Aims Community College

Jennifer Sears, RN MSN, Faculty, Aims Community College

Donna Souther, MA, JD, Executive Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Aims Community College

Marla Trujillo, RN, Nurse Education, Fairacres Manor

Student Representative

Return to: Degree and Certificate Requirements