Allied Health: Nursing Education Programs

Return to: Degrees and Certificates

Location:

Allied Health and Sciences Building

Interim Director of Nursing Education Programs:

Erika Greenberg, MSN, RN, 970.339.6647

Nursing Education Programs Accreditation Specialist

Nina Kirk, MS, RN, 970.339.6622

Nurse Aide/Med Prep Coordinator:

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

Faculty:

Mary Beshears, BSN, RN, 970.339.6428

Carolyn Bottone-Post, MSN, RN, CNM, 970-339-6568

Jeanette Fraser, MSN, APN, RN, CNS-BC, 970,339.6269

Elisabeth Koehler, BSN, RN, 970.339.6451

Missy Korb, PhD, RN, 970.339.6214

Laurel Lalicker, MSN, RN, 970.339.6410

Jennifer Sears, MSN, RN, 970.339.6604

Jeannie Thellman, MSN, RN, 970.339.6285

Advisors:

Kellie Richardson, M.Ed., 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 communication, 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 and apply critical thinking skills in the clinical setting is critical for program success.

After successfully completing all degree requirements, students will earn 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 the “Mandatory Online Orientation for Admission Consideration.” See the nursing website for information on the mandatory orientation at www.aims.edu/academics/health/nursing. The “Mandatory Online Orientation for Admission Consideration” may be accessed under the Prospective Students tab.

All applicants to the program must complete all steps of the application process for the academic year for which the applicant is seeking entry into the program.  The current application process is discussed in the “Mandatory Online Orientation for Admission Consideration” on the nursing website.  At this time Aims does not offer an LPN to ADN option.

Aims Community College Nursing Program has adopted “Technical Standards” for progression and graduation of all Nursing Program students. Candidates for the ADN degree must be able to meet these minimum standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, for successful completion of program requirements. The “Technical Standards” may be found on the nursing website 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 enrollment in the UNC School of Nursing should contact the Nursing Office at 970-339-6424 for information. Interested applicants must complete the Aims Nursing Program “Mandatory Online Orientation for Admission Consideration” and be “Provisionally Admitted” to the ADN program, as well as meet additional prerequisite requirements for UNC.

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.  Clinical sites retain the right to deny a student access to their facilities based on the results of required backgrounds 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 Associate Degree 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 Associate Degree Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN website address is http://www.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 Education Programs Advisory Committee

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

Kristin Cazer, Student Placement Coordinator, Banner Health

Donnie DeCamp, MSN, RN, University of Colorado Health, MCR

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

Ande Guzik, Student Placement Coordinator, Banner Health

Laurie Hamit, BSN, MS-NL, RN, Health Careers Program Manager, Career Transition Program Manager, Banner Health

Marla Trujillo, RN, Nurse Education, Fairacres Manor

Med Prep Advisory Committee

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

Paul Francisco, CTE Coordinator, Greeley School District 6

Scott Graham, Fort Lupton High School

Withrow Palmer, Columbine Health

Deborah Schutz, Nurse Aide, Grace Pointe

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