Crowder nursing program now taking applications

Applications are available at the Nevada Campus of Crowder College for the second class of the school's fledgling registered nursing program. Applications must be completed and returned to the Nevada Campus by April 1. Those wanting application packets may contact the Nevada Campus at (417) 667-0518.

The Crowder College Associate of Science in Nursing opened at Nevada in August of 2007 with 25 total students in the first year's program. It will be expanded to a total of up to 50 students starting in August 2008. It includes a Level I program for those students who are not already a Licensed Practical Nurse. The Level I program encompasses four semesters with no classes the first summer. The Nevada program also includes a Level II (bridge) program for those students who are already a LPN and it is a two semester course of study and clinical experience. In addition to the nursing curriculum, all nursing students must complete additional "core" courses with a C or better grade in each. This includes: English, speech, algebra, psychology or sociology, U.S. history or political science, a humanity, biology, microbiology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology. Starting in the fall of 2008, the science requirement will change to microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology I, and anatomy and physiology II. Level I students must have already completed or be able to complete by the start of August classes biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology I. They must be able to complete anatomy and physiology II by the end of their first semester of classes. However, most nursing students try to complete most or all of their prerequisite courses prior to applying to or starting the program. Level II students must have completed with a "C" or better grade, a minimum of biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology I, and psychology or sociology prior to applying to or starting the program. They must also provide proof of their LPN licensure, be Missouri IV certified, and be able to sit for the state RN licensure test. Again, most of the nursing students applying for this program try to have all of their prerequisite courses completed prior to starting the program each August.

Other requirements for the nursing programs at Nevada include:

* Meet application deadline of April 1. Applications may be picked up and returned to the Nevada campus at 600 West Edwards Place, Nevada, Mo. There is a $25 nursing application fee that must be paid at the time the application is submitted.

* Students must be at least 19 years of age.

* Students must have high school diploma or GED.

* Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on all general education courses.

* Students must have a minimum ACT composite score of 19.

* All students must be eligible to sit for the Missouri Licensure exam.

The nursing degree program continues to be supported by area healthcare facilities which include: Nevada Regional Medical Center, Bates County Regional Medical Center, Cedar County Hospital, Barton County Hospital, Heartland Hospital, and the Barone Center and Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada.

"We are excited about the May graduation of the first class of RNs from the Nevada Campus. Our students have been in a clinical rotation at most of our sponsoring healthcare facilities and we think they'll be great assets to local hospitals. We're also looking forward to having an increased number of nursing students on our campus this fall as the program expands," said Nevada Crowder College Director Donna Thomas. Anyone desiring additional information about the program at Nevada or the application process, should call the Nevada Campus at (417) 667-0518.

For those area residents who want start taking the general education classes needed for the nursing program, enrollment for summer and fall 2008 classes will begin in mid-April. The Nevada campus staff can provide assistance with financial aid and admission's procedures and they encourage potential students to make appointments and start the process.