Nursing
The nursing curriculum of Southeast New Mexico College prepares students for beginning nursing practice in a variety of health care settings. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing, and the Applied Associate Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Questions regarding accreditation should be directed to ACEN to:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
Fax (404) 975-5020
email: info@acenursing.org
Upon completion of the Certificate for Practical Nursing, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN) which leads to licensure as a Practical Nurse. Upon completion of the Applied Associate Degree in Nursing, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCELX-RN) that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Please note that certain felonious convictions may prohibit graduates from writing the NCLEX-RN in New Mexico. Students considering application to the nursing program who have any prior felony convictions should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing through which they intend to seek licensure prior to making application to this program. Graduates licensed as registered nurses in New Mexico do not meet licensure requirements in North Dakota.
Graduation Requirements
ENGL 1110G Composition I with a C- or higher; placement into college-level math and reading courses or completion of developmental courses with a C- or higher; cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. A minimum of 15 of the 60 credits for the associate’s degree must be completed at SENMC. A minimum of 12 credits earned toward the certificate must be completed at SENMC.
Program Entrance Requirements
- BIOL 2210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences
- CHEM 1120G Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors).
- NA 101 Nursing Assistant Theory and Lab
- Completion of developmental studies English, math and reading as indicated by the student’s placement test results if needed
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in courses applicable to the nursing curriculum
- HESI A2 composite score of 75% and 60% in each subject area: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, and Anatomy & Physiology
- Submission of a program application packet by May 15. Packets are available in the Nursing Administration Office in the Allied Health Building and online at senmc.edu
- Science courses repeated more than twice will not be considered for admission requirements.
Courses from other nursing programs are evaluated by the Nursing Program Director; call (575) 234-9300 to inquire. Evaluation of non-nursing credits are processed by the registrar’s office.
Curriculum Notes
- All courses that are part of the nursing curriculum must be completed with a C- or higher.
- Students must be formally accepted into the nursing program to enroll in courses listed under “Nursing Program Requirements.”
- CHEM 1120G Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) may not be used to fulfill elective credit. Note that CHEM 1120G Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) is required for the BSN degree at NMSU Las Cruces.
- NURS 210 Pharmacological Requisites of the Childbearing Family is not required for the LPN option. However, if this course is not taken and the student decides not to exit at the LPN level and wants to continue in the associate degree, the student must take NURS 210 Pharmacological Requisites of the Childbearing Family (offered only in the spring) before progressing to the second year of nursing.
- Some out of state travel is required for certain clinical experiences.
Essential Eligibility Requirements
The following essential requirements and examples of necessary activities (not all inclusive) should be used to assist each applicant in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary.
| Essential Function | Example of Necessary Activities |
|---|---|
| Critical thinking abilities sufficient for clinical judgment. | Identify cause/effect relationships in clinical situation; develop nursing care plans. |
| Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | Establish rapport with patients/families and colleagues. |
| Communication abilities sufficient for interactions with others in verbal and written form. | Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses. |
| Abilities sufficient to move from room to room and to maneuver in small places. | Move around in patients’ rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas, and administer cardio-pulmonary procedures. |
| Abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. | Calibrate and use equipment; position patients/clients. |
| Abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds and cries for help. |
| Abilities sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. | Observe patient/client responses. |
| Abilities sufficient for physical assessment. | Perform palpation, functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention, e.g. insertion of a catheter. |
| Ability to operate under stressful situations. | Perform within a crisis situation providing care to meet physical, emotional, or psychosocial needs of the patient/client. |
ADA Guidelines apply to all qualified disabled persons. A qualified disabled person is a person with a disability who, with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, and with the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services, or the participation in the programs or activities provided by a public entity and who can perform the “essential functions” of the position. Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the appropriate program chair as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should be prepared to present a disability verification form from their physician.