Allied Health: Nursing Education Programs

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Location:

Allied Health and Sciences Building

Associate Dean and Director of Nursing Education Programs:

Nina Kirk, MS, RN, 970.339.6622

Nurse Aide/Med Prep Coordinator:

Heather Brown, AAS, RN, EMT-P, 970.339.6281

Faculty:

Ana Maria Angel-Anderson, BA, LPN, 970.339.6285

Mary Beshears, BSN, RN, 970.339.6428

Mindy Geraets, MSN, RN, 970.339.6451

Erika Greenberg, MSN, RN, 970.339.6647

Lisa Hansen, MS, RN, 970.339.6568

Missy Korb, PhD, RN, 970.339.6214

Laurel Lalicker, MSN, RN, 970.339.6410

Jennifer Sears, MSN, RN, 970.339.6604

Advisors:

Kellie Richardson, MEL, 970.339.6570

Janet Chase, MA, 970.339.6284

Degrees/Certificates offered:

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

Program Description: The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program provides students with the opportunity to learn skills to care for patients of all ages in a variety of healthcare settings. In addition to learning technical skills used in providing care, major emphasis is placed on the development of the attributes of critical thinking and professionalism. This rigorous program offers theoretical and applied instruction in classrooms, simulated laboratories, and clinical settings. The ability to synthesize information and then coherently and succinctly communicate the information in written assignments is critical for program success. After successfully completing all degree requirements, students will receive an Associate of 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 Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful performance on the NCLEX-RN awards state licensure and qualifies graduates for the title of Registered Nurse (RN). Interested applicants for the program must complete a mandatory online orientation. See the college website for information on the mandatory orientation.

All applicants to the program must meet published “Standards for Admission” for the academic year for which the applicant is seeking entry into the program. Current “Standards for Admission” are posted on the Associate Degree Nursing page on the college website. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) seeking entry into the final year of the Associate Degree Nursing program must also complete the mandatory online orientation (see website for information on mandatory orientation) and meet the published “Standards for Admission” for the academic year in which the applicant is seeking admission.

Aims Community College Nursing Program has adopted “Technical Standards” for progression and graduation of all Nursing Program students in clinical courses involving direct patient care. Candidates for the ADN degree must be able to meet these minimum standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, for successful completion of program requirements. Please refer to the “Technical Standards” on the nursing website at www.aims.edu/nursing under the Prospective Students tab.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is partnered with the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) School of Nursing. Applicants to the ADN program who are also eligible and interested in dual or concurrent enrollment in the UNC School of Nursing should contact the Nursing Office at 970.339.6424 for information on the application process. Interested applicants must complete the mandatory online orientation and meet published “Standards of Admission” to the ADN program, as well as meet admission criteria for the UNC School of Nursing.

An applicant who is provisionally admitted to the ADN program must submit to a designated annual background check and drug screen. The applicant must successfully clear the background check (no evidence of disqualifying offenses) and drug screen in order to begin and/or continue in the program. Additional background checks, drug screens, and/or fingerprinting may be required by clinical agencies. The clinical sites retain the right to deny a student access to their facilities based on the results of required background checks, drug screens, and/or fingerprinting. In the event a student is denied access to a clinical site, the student may be unable to complete the program requirements. In addition, applicants who are provisionally admitted to the ADN program must also comply with clinical agencies health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations/titers, screenings, and American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification.

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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN website address is http://acenursing.org.

Practical Nursing Exit Option (Certificate)

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

Nurse Aide (Certificate)

Program Description: Intended for the individual desiring to be a certified nursing assistant 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 background check and drug screen are 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 is not covered in tuition.) The program content and successfully passing the state nurse aide certification examination will satisfy the requirement for application to the Aims and UNC nursing programs.

Aims Community College Nursing Aide Program has adopted “Technical Standards” for progression and completion of the Nurse Aide Program. Interested students for the Nurse Aide Program must be able to meet these minimum standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, for successful completion of program requirements. The “Technical Standards” will be provided during on-campus mandatory orientation sessions.

Program Length: 110 clock hours. A variety of scheduling options are offered, including online-hybrid.

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 other health care careers. Employment opportunities require current State of Colorado Nurse Aide Certification.

Registration Requirements: All students interested in taking this program must attend a nurse aide orientation, have met the reading assessment requirement, and have an advisor’s signature on the course registration before registering. Students must meet agency health requirements including immunizations/titers and screenings.  

Release of Confidential Information

A student enrolled in programs requiring clinical or experiential rotations in allied health fields are required to sign a “Release of Confidential Information” form so that if the student engages in misconduct, the information and records relating to the misconduct can be shared with regulatory agencies responsible for licensure in that program area.

Notice of Protocol for Students Banned from Clinical Sites

Please be advised that if you currently are or previously have been enrolled in a program with a clinical component and have been expelled from one of our clinical affiliates, you are expelled from all programs at the college with a clinical component. Any attempt to seek entry, enrollment, or matriculation into these programs after such a dismissal is at your own risk. You will be removed from the program at the time that the expulsion is discovered and all tuition and fees paid to that point shall be forfeited by you. If you have any questions about this particular issue, you are encouraged to contact the program chair prior to enrolling.   

Nursing Advisory Committee

Ruth Burns-Branscum, RN, Education Coordinator, Life Care Center of Greeley

Kristin Cazer, Student Placement Coordinator, Banner Health

Melissa Dellinger, RN, Staff Nurse, North Colorado Medical Center

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

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

Marla Trujillo, RN, Nurse Education, Fairacres Manor

Med Prep Advisory Committee

Steve Alkire, CTE Coordinator, Greeley School District 6

Lavonne Boersma, Nurse Aide, Gracepoint

Ruth Burns-Branscum, Education Coordinator, Life Care Center of Greeley

Michael Sena, Fort Lupton High School

Markee Swank, Science/Career pathway instructor, Greeley School District 6

Carey Williams, Weld Central High School

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