Nursing is an exciting and challenging profession of responsibility, integrity, and personal growth. Nursing provides an essential service to others, involving the care of people, sick and well. As career professionals, nurses are dedicated individuals who have committed themselves to improving the quality of health care for others.

The information below contains the questions (and hopefully the answers) that prospective students most frequently ask.  We expect that you will take advantage of the information provided on these pages before calling with questions.  If you still have questions after reading through the materials below please feel free to contact either the COD General Counseling Office at (760) 773-2520 or the Health Sciences/Nursing Office at (760) 773-2578.  You can also attend one of the information sessions scheduled during the semester.

 

Changes at Desert ARC. Even though Desert ARC has closed its retail store, they are stilll continuing to provide the uniforms for COD Nursing students. The new address is 73255 Country Club Dr. in Palm Desert (in the 3rd building) very near to the former location. The new telephone number is (760) 346-1611.

 

Nursing Study Lounge:  Room N1, the study lounge, is now available for scheduling through Blackboard. If you have any questions, please contact the Skills Lab Coordinator, Betty Baluski.

 

LVN Transition to RN program information: See Advanced Placement link in above left column.

 

PROGRAM CHANGES:
Vocational Nursing has shifted its program calendar.  For 2013 the Application Period will be June 3rd through 20th. Please check back at that time for the application form/packet.  Students accepted into the program will begin coursework in the Fall semester.  Program completion / graduation will be at the end of the summer session.   See links in General Information section below for more details.

ON-BOARDING:
All nursing and allied health students participating in an acute care rotation will be medically screened, prior to the first day of clinical by the Employee Health Department of the assigned facility.  Screening may include a physical examination, TB testing, blood tests which show definitive immunity to communicable disease, and will include drug screening (including alcohol).  See Facilities Links (in column at left) for health screening and background clearance information for your clinical site. Students who do not clear the screening will be dropped from the program.

 

Nursing student ID Cards will be available at the ASCOD office at the beginning of each semester. Please note the ASCOD office staff will be strictly adhering to schedule. Please contact the School of Health Sciences and Education office if you have questions.

 

Want to know how COD students compare to other programs?  Check this link for California LVN pass rates on the NCLEX: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/education/vn_stats.shtml    Click on the date range under VN Programs

GENERAL INFORMATION: (Click on titles below)

Applicants are advised to not submit official transcripts to this division unless you are submitting an application packet. Official transcripts received separate from an application packet will not be retained by the division (they will be shredded). Please call if you have questions regarding this requirement.

• How To Get Started

• Application Req

• Program Prerequisites

  Application Process

  Selection Process

   Re-Entry-Transfer-Adv. Placement

  Core Performance Standards

  Additional Important Information

  Estimated Program Expenses

  Complete brochure (all of the above)

  LVN uniform info (Most other basic equipment is available at the COD Bookstore)

 

All students attending COD will obtain a COD email address upon registering. We strongly advise activating this as soon as possible since this address will be used for all official notifications.  Once activated, there is also an option to have emails automatically forwarded to another email address for your convenience.

Please check Blackboard and your instructor's web page for ongoing information and updates concerning class supplements, handouts, and announcements.

 

 

Group information sessions are offered periodically during the spring semester to provide an overview of the VN program and a 'question and answer' time. (Session availability is contingent upon nursing advisor availability.)  See below for dates as they become scheduled.

 

 

For all other counseling needs please call (760-773-2520) or visit the main Counseling Services office in the Administration building.