Crowder RN program application deadline is extended to May 1

The nursing program at Crowder College's Nevada campus has extended the deadline for application for the fall class. Originally set for April 1, the program will now accept applications until May 1. Applications may be picked up at the Nevada campus at 600 West Edwards Place, just west of the Osage Prairie YMCA.

"We've had some great applicants for the next class, which will start in August, but we decided to extend the deadline for getting paperwork submitted. A number of students have scheduled ACT tests for April and since ACT scores are a big part of their admission process, this will give students some additional time to complete their applications," said Nevada campus Director Donna Thomas.

The Nevada registered nursing program started in August 2007 and will have its first graduation of registered nurses in May 2008. The class is made up of students who are already licensed practical nurses who "bridged" into the program as Level II students. In addition to being and LPN, students have 39 hours of core studies to complete before the end of their RN program. This includes 20 hours of science, English, speech, algebra, a humanities course, U.S. history or political science, and psychology or sociology. The bridge program can be completed in one year.

Those students who are not already LPNs, were admitted to the two-year program and those who satisfactorily complete the first year of studies will be moving up to the second year of their studies. "Since we are allowed to have up to 50 students in the combined Level I and Level II programs, we'll be taking new students into both levels," Thomas reported.

She went on to say, "We're excited about receiving a portion of the $1.4 million Community Based Job Training grant that Crowder received to promote allied health careers. It could allow us to add a computer lab for the nursing students, hire another instructor for the expanding program, add a teaching coach or tutor for those getting ready to take their NCLEX (state licensure test) and other things that it might have taken several more years to add to the program. We've had a great support from the main campus a Neosho and from our nursing program partners. Each of these partners can submit employees to fill their designated seats in the program, as long as those employees meet the admissions criteria of a minimum ACT composite score of 19 and a GPA of at least 2.75. Obviously, the higher the GPA and ACT scores, the better chance they will have of being admitted to the program."

Nursing program partners included Nevada Regional Medial Center, Bates County hospital, Cedar County hospital, Barton County hospital, Heartland hospital and Moore-Few Care Center/Barone Alzheimer's Care Center.

Those interested in the program should contact the Crowder College Nevada campus at (417) 667-0518, or stop by the campus.