Welcome
We are pleased that you have chosen to study nursing and are delighted to have the opportunity to assist in achieving the academic and personal goals of each student. This is an exciting and challenging time to prepare for entry into the practice of nursing. Students are encouraged to work diligently toward their goals to find personal and career fulfillment.
The Nursing program at DACC affords students the opportunity to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Nurses (RN), and members of a respected and rewarding profession. Nursing is a dynamic and exciting discipline offering not only the rewarding experience of helping others achieve their healthcare goals but also enabling the nurse to become a part of the rapidly advancing health delivery system of the future.
All DACC nursing classes are held either at the Espina Campus or at the Sunland Park Center. Once you are accepted into the program and assigned a campus, you will complete all trimesters at that campus.
We are a Hy-flex program. All Check-offs, Simulations, Exams, and Success meetings will be in person at your assigned campus and clinical rotations will be every week on-site at facilities in Las Cruces or El Paso.
All classes are held Mon-Thurs from 8 am to 5 pm. Clinical Rotations are any time between 6 am to 6 pm on Thursdays and/or Fridays. There may be additional times required on weekends and at night depending on the course. You will be assigned a clinical location based on the class you are taking and the level you are in.
Special Requirements
Physical Requirements
Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require students to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program-specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the Student Accessibility Services for more information.
Criminal Background
Students are required to undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers criminal history screening. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.
Other Compliance Requirements
Students are required to undergo a routine 10-panel drug screen, provide documentation of current immunizations and proof of positive titers, and have a current Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (CPR) certificate, N95 mask fit test, and other training prior to beginning the program. These are verified through CastleBranch.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites. (Clinical courses at healthcare facilities, hospitals, externships, etc.)
The DACC nursing program, faculty, and staff are committed to a culture of integrity, respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.
Our program meets the requirements of the New Mexico Board of Nursing. Our graduates are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Graduates of the ADN program can then complete a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing which is offered at the University level.
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at Dona Ana Community College is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
The DACC Nursing program is on trimester scheduling. The Nursing Program schedule is slightly different than the DACC/NMSU college semesters schedule. All DACC nursing program students will be on a trimester schedule (spring, summer and fall), there is no break for summer. (See trimester schedule in sidebar)
Note that the DACC and NMSU college’s will not be on trimester scheduling, and courses offered at both of these locations e.g. English, Math will still follow the traditional 15 instructional week semester.
DACC financial aid is aware of trimester implementation, and there shouldn’t be any problems with financial aid awards. You can contact financial aide services to set up appointment to discuss further at https://dacc.nmsu.edu/fa/
We look forward to expanding and growing the nursing program, as the trimester scheduling will allow an additional cohort of students admitted every year.
If trimester scheduling changes due to COVID or other issues outside of our control, we will let you know as soon as possible.
Espina Campus
