
Nursing AAS (RN)
The ACC Nursing AAS program admissions / application process has changed. Read the information below carefully and attend an information session in-person, via Zoom or watch the video.
ACC offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. This program is nationally approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).
The program prepares ACC graduates to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and for employment as a registered nurse. You will develop entry level skills to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation units and clinical settings in the areas of Medical/Surgical, Obstetric & Pediatric, and Psychiatric Nursing. The ACC Nursing Program consistently maintains high pass rates on the NCLEX and works closely with an Advisory Committee that provides feedback on nursing/health care industry graduate standards, requirements and desired new graduate outcomes.
While in the Nursing program at ACC, you will benefit from:
- High professional standards
- Superior reputation in the community and excellent rate of hire
- Seamless progression to earn both your AAS and BSN degrees at ACC
- Active learning in the classroom, labs and supervised clinical experiences
- Simulation experiences state-of-the-art labs
- NCLEX high pass rates
- Accessible faculty and staff
- Competitive application process
ACC Nursing AAS Information Sessions
Attending a Nursing Program Information Session is one of the application requirements for the Nursing AAS degree. Attend an in-person or Zoom session or view our online information session video as soon as you begin planning for eventual admission to the nursing program. You will gain valuable information about the program, and important details about the application process will be explained. Please contact the nursing program office at nursing [at] arapahoe [dot] edu for more information.
Nursing AAS Admission / Application Process
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree (AAS) program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Colorado Community College System. You will develop skills to work in hospitals and clinical settings in the areas of Obstetric and Pediatric, Medical/Surgical, and Psychiatric Nursing, and prepares you to take the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse.
If you do not have a Nursing AAS, associate degree, or diploma, you should select "Health" as your Area of Interest and "Nursing (Pre-admitted Program)" as your degree when you apply to ACC even if you intend to continue on to earn your BSN. You will then need to complete the Nursing AAS application and view a Nursing AAS information session.
Application Deadlines
FALL Semester:
- Applications for fall semester open April 17, 2022 and are due April 29, 2022 by 5pm. *If you need to take the HESI A2 exam please sign up ASAP as the space is limited due to social distancing guidelines.
SPRING Semester (January) Starts:
- Applications for spring semester are November 6 - 18, 2022. Check back soon.
To get started on your journey to become a Registered Nurse, complete the Nursing Program Application.
LPN to ADN Program option
The LPN to ADN program is for students who possess a License as a Practical Nurse and wish to complete the ADN program. The LPN to ADN Program at ACC is temporarily closed to new applicants at this time.
Before Submitting Your Application
- HESI Pre-Registration Information - HESI A2 Exam (required). You need to take the A2 also called the RN Admission Assessment. Subjects required:
(Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocabulary and General Knowledge go into the English Language Composite Score)- Reading Comprehension
- Meaning - word use
- Conclusions
- Implications
- Understanding
- Grammar
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Attend a required Nursing Program Information Session in-person, via Zoom, or watch the Information Session video within 6 months of applying.
- Prepare for the Information Session by reading these Nursing FAQs and the Nursing Student Handbook.
- Familiarize yourself with the Associate of Applied Science - Nursing degree requirements.
- Review the list of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses that would prevent your admission to the Nursing Program. You will need to undergo a criminal background check as part of the admissions process.
Admission into our Nursing program is competitive and selective, based on a point system based on the following criteria after meeting the minimum requirements. Applicants will be ranked starting with the highest point value first. Random selection is used when applicants have been awarded the same number of points.
How to Apply
If you are an ACC student already, login to your ACC application account. Start a new application with “Nursing, Associate of Applied Science” as the major and select the semester for program start. Once you complete the new application, you will get follow-up emails about the supplemental items and further instructions. If you are new to ACC and have all of your appropriate prerequisite coursework nearing completion, login to or begin the ACC application. Start a new application with “Nursing, Associate of Applied Science” as the major and select starting semester. View the video tutorial.
Nursing Application Process Checklist
This checklist is provided to assist you in gathering all the necessary information prior to completing our online application. This is for your reference only and is not to be included in the application. Please review all online instructions.
*Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. No materials will be accepted after the application cycle deadline.
- Information Session Verification Document (required). Either a form obtained at an in-person session dated within the last year, or the confirmation email received after watching the online version and completing the quiz.
- ACC Transcript (required). Upload an unofficial ACC transcript that shows your grade for each of the following classes: ENG 1021 (121), PSY 2440 (235), BIO 2101 (201), HPR 1010 (108) or HWE 1050 (100). Transcripts must have a minimum combined GPA of 3.0 and each course must have a grade of C or higher. All prerequisite BIO courses must be completed within ten years of the application.
-
If pre-requisite courses are in progress, you must upload a letter from your instructor that states what your projected grade will be upon completion of the course. All letters must be on letterhead, signed by the instructor, and submitted with your application.
- Final grades will be verified prior to ranking your completed application
-
Transfer Students: If you have taken your prerequisites at another institution you need to have those credits evaluated by ACC after you are contingently accepted into the nursing program, so that they appear on your unofficial ACC transcript. ACC only accepts official transcripts sent to the Records and Enrollment Services Office from the issuing institution. You will have to have your official transcripts evaluated by ACC by a specified date that will be emailed to you if you are accepted into the program.
Records will accept official transcripts electronically or by mail, but only if they are sent directly to ACC Records & Enrollment. Transcripts issued to the student, hand-carried, or faxed cannot be accepted.
- Colleges using electronic transcripts should send transcripts to: records [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.
- Colleges using paper transcript should mail them to:
Arapahoe Community College
Attn: Records & Enrollment Services - Transcript Evaluator
5900 S. Santa Fe Drive
Littleton, CO 80160
*How to view your unofficial ACC transcript online:
- Log in to myACC
- Click on the Student tab
- Locate the Degree Requirements information in the center column
- Click the Unofficial Transcript link
- Print and upload with your application
- Health Care Employment (optional). Any employment within the last 5 years that had direct interaction with patients in any way. Upload a completed Employment Verification form for each employer. If you have none then check “not applicable”. (Please review the Ranking Table to determine points allotted for number of hours worked).
- Volunteer Hours (optional). Any volunteer hours of at least 40 hours within 5 years. Upload the Volunteer Hours Verification Form. May submit up to 120 hours = 3 points
- Health Care National Certification or State License (optional). Upload a copy of each. Please do not include your CNA license in this category. If you have none then check “not applicable”. Here are examples of accepted certifications and licenses. This list is not all-inclusive and each submission will be reviewed by the admissions team.
- Veterinary Technician
- Q-Map
- Phlebotomist
- Medical Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapist
- Wilderness/First Aid Certification
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Massage Therapist
- HESI Exam (required). You need to take the A2 also called the RN Admission Assessment. Subjects required:
(Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocabulary and General Knowledge go into the English Language Composite Score)- Reading Comprehension
- Meaning - word use
- Conclusions
- Implications
- Understanding
- Grammar
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Upload your test summary that shows at least 70% English Composite Score and at least 70% Math Score. You may take the exam a maximum of two times in the 12 months prior to submitting your application. Only one summary page is allowed; you cannot combine different tests.
- CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) License (required). Upload a copy of your active CNA license from Colorado DORA (Department of Regulatory Agencies).
- Eligibility to register for MAT 1120 (103) (required). Check the box to verify eligibility, which is met by one of:
- Prerequisite course of MAT 0250 (050) or higher
- Next Generation Arithmetic Accuplacer score of at least 265 OR Next Generation QAS score of at least 230
- CCPT BAAD score of 106 or higher, PADI score of 80 or higher, and IADI score
- ACT score of 19 or higher (within the last 5 years)
- Completion of MAT 1120 (103) within one year of application
Immunizations, health insurance, BLS card, background check and random drug screening will be required upon acceptance. Any acceptance will be contingent upon completion of these requirements. We recommend you do BLS class and get your TB test after July 1 for a fall start and between December 5 and January 5 for a spring start. This is so that your BLS is good for the entire 2 years and your TB is good for a full 2 semesters. You will be asked for the following immunization records:
- COVID-19 vaccine - one dose of J&J or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna and any future boosters required by clinical sites. No titers will be accepted at this time.
- TB Test – PPD test or chest x-ray is accepted.
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella – two doses or lab documentation of positive titer.
- Hepatitis B – three doses or lab documentation of positive titer.
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – two doses or lab documentation of positive titer.
- TDAP – proof of inoculation, within the last 10 years.
- Influenza Immunization – Required annually.
*Note that students may apply for religious exemptions through the college. However, many of our clinical sites that are required for program completion will not allow student vaccine exemptions. Therefore, unless you have a documented medical reason for not receiving a specific vaccine, all the above vaccines and/or testing will be required.
Ranking Criteria
Criteria Points
Prerequisite GPA
Maximum Point Award is 4.00
GPA calculated based on prerequisite classes ONLY:
- ENG 1021 (3 credits) or ENG 1022 (3 credits) - higher grade of the 2 courses is considered
- PSY 2440 (3 credits)
- BIO 2101 (4 credits)
- HPR 1010 (1 credit)
- HWE 1050 (3 credits)
A = 4, B = 3, C = 2. Multiply grade value by number of credits for each class. Divide by the total number of credits for GPA. (Must have a combined GPA of 3.0)
Healthcare Employment
Maximum of 10 points (CNA, LPN) - may be adjusted for type of work, other roles. Must be within the past 5 years.
- 500-999 hours = 1 point
- 1000-1499 hours = 2 points
- 1500-1999 hours = 3 points
- 2000-2499 hours = 5 points
- 2500-2999 hours = 6 points
- 3000-3499 hours = 7 points
- 3500-3999 hours = 8 points
- 4000 and over hours = 10 points
Volunteerism
Maximum Points = 3
Volunteer / Service Learning Hours: 40 hours within 5 years = 1 point; max 120 hours = 3 points
Completed Co-Requisites
Maximum Points = 6
Each course with a grade of "C" or better gets (2) points
- BIO 2102
- BIO 2104
- BIO 2116
HESI Exam - Science Portion
Maximum Point Award is 5
Biology:
- 70%-80% = 1 point
- 81%-90% = 1.5 points
- 91%-100% = 2.5 points
Plus:
Anatomy & Physiology:
- 70%-80% = 1 point
- 81%-90% = 1.5 points
- 91% to 100% = 2.5 points
Or:
Composite:
- 70%-80% = 1 point
- 81% to 90% = 3 points
- 91% to 100% = 5 points
Healthcare related National certification or State License
Maximum Point Award = 2 points (1 point / certification or license). Does not include CNA or BLS.
Here are examples of accepted certifications and licenses. This list is not all-inclusive and each submission will be reviewed by the admissions team.
- Veterinary Technician
- Q-Map
- Phlebotomist
- Medical Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapist
- Wilderness/First Aid Certification
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Massage Therapist
Criteria Total Points
Maximum = 30 points
HESI - Add English Composite and Math Scores, divide by 2, multiply by .50
Maximum = 50 points
Total Score (add criteria total points and HESI average)
Maximum = 80 points
Nursing AAS Course Sequence Guide
5 Semester Plan
1st Semester (prior to admission into program)
- BIO 2101 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 credits
- ENG 1021 | English Composition I | 3 credits
- HPR 1010* | Nutrition | 1 credit or HWE 1050 | Human Nutrition | 3 credits
- PSY 1001* | General Psychology | 3 credits
- PSY 2440 | Human Growth and Development | 3 credits
* Any Arts & Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science may be substituted for PSY 1001
2nd Semester (once admitted into program)
Must be admitted into the Nursing Program to take NUR courses.
- BIO 2102 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 credits
- MAT 1120 | Math for Clinical Calculations | 3 credits
- NUR 1009 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 6 credits
- NUR 1012 | Basic Concepts of Pharmacology | 2 credits
3rd Semester
- BIO 2104 | Microbiology | 4 credits or BIO 2108 | General College Microbiology | 5 credits
- NUR 1006 | Med-Surg Nursing Concepts | 7 credits
- NUR 1050 | Maternal Child Nursing | 6 credits
4th Semester
- BIO 2116 | Pathophysiology | 4 credits
- NUR 2006 | Advanced Concepts of Med/Surg Nursing I | 6.5 credits
- NUR 2011 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing | 4 credits
- NUR 2012 | Pharmacology II | 2 credits
5th Semester
- NUR 2016 | Advanced Concepts of Med/Surg Nursing II | 5 credits
- NUR 2030 | Transition to Professional Nursing | 4 credits
Program Data
NCLEX Pass Rates - 1st Time Test Takers (CO Board of Nursing)
Year | ACC NCLEX-RN Pass Rates | National NCLEX-RN Pass Rates for Associate Degree |
---|---|---|
2020 | 100.00% | 82.8% |
2019 | 98.48% | 85.17% |
2018 | 94.20% | 85.11% |
Programs Graduate Job Placement Rates
Graduation Date | Employment Rate 12 Months After Graduation |
---|---|
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 | 100% |
Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 | 92.3% |
Fall 2015 - Spring 2017 | 94.4% |
Program Completion Rates
Admission Date | Percentage of Students Completing Program Within 3 Years |
---|---|
Fall 2018 | 85.7% |
Spring 2018 | 85.3% |
Fall 2017 | 94.3% |
Spring 2017 | 91.4% |
Fall 2016 | 94.3% |
Spring 2016 | 97.4% |
Nursing Program Outcomes
- ACC’s most recent annual licensure examination pass rate will be at least 80% for all first time test takers.
- 80% of graduates will have employment as an RN within twelve months of graduation.
- 80% of graduates who respond will agree they are satisfied with Arapahoe Community College Nursing Program on the Graduate Employment and Follow-up Survey. 80% of qualitative data will be of a positive nature.
- 80% of students will complete their program within 12 months of the projected completion date.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse client populations across the lifespan.
- Engage in critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make client centered care decision.
- Implement quality measures to improve client care.
- Participate in collaborative relationships with members of the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the client’s support persons.
- Use information management principles, techniques, and systems, and client care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
- Provide leadership in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse client populations.
- Assimilate professional, legal, and ethical guidelines in practice as a professional nurse.
- Promote a culture of caring to provide holistic, compassionate, culturally-competent care.
PN to RN Program option
The PN to RN program is for students who possess a License as a Practical Nurse and wish to complete the RN program. If you are interested in this program option for Fall 2022, please email nursing [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.
ACC Nursing Degrees:
Partner BSN Tracks
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado
- University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Nursing AAS Academic Plans
ACC Nursing AAS Application
The ACC Nursing AAS program application for Spring 2023 will be open November 6-18, 2022.
Contact
Admissions Information
Accreditation Information
The Associate Degree nursing program at Arapahoe Community College located in Littleton, Colorado is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm