Nursing Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below the most frequently asked questions we receive for the Nursing program.
1. How do I get started?
Meet with a CCC Academic Advisor: Call 928-226-4323 or visit the advising page for a full advising appointment. Be prepared with your CCC @ID number.
Meeting with an advisor ensures you understand course criteria, the fingerprinting process, program admission process, LNA guidance, and GPA expectations. Nursing admission criteria are subject to change, so students are encouraged to see an advisor every term to make sure they are on track. Additionally, attending a Nursing Application Information Session or meeting with someone from the Nursing Department is mandatory for your nursing application.
2. How often are students admitted to the Nursing Program? How many students will be selected?
The nursing program admits up to 20 students to begin each Fall semester and 20 students to begin each Spring semester.
3. How long is the nursing program?
The nursing program is 4 semesters. Upon successful completion of the Nursing Program, a student will earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, which is the national licensure examination and apply for a Registered Nurse license.
4. What is considered as “ready to apply” to your nursing program?
The following courses must be completed prior to applying to the nursing program (prerequisite courses). A Pathway is available through advising to help you map out what courses are needed prior to applying to the nursing program.
- ENG 101, ENG 102, BIO 201 (pre-requisite to this class is BIO 181), BIO 202, MAT 140 (or higher), CHM 130.
- NUR 110/111 (co-requisite for these classes is AHS 131) must also be completed if the applicant does not have an Arizona LNA license.
PSY 240, BIO 205, BIO 218, and an Arts/Humanities elective are considered corequisites and are strongly encouraged to be completed prior to starting the nursing program. Please review the Nursing Tip Sheet on the Nursing Program Information page for more information.
5. Other than pre-requisite courses, are there other requirements to apply to the nursing program?
The following must be completed in order to apply to the nursing program:
- Completion of a nursing program application.
- Grade of “C” or higher in all required prerequisite courses.
- Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale or higher on prerequisite courses.
- Current Arizona Nursing Assistant (LNA) license.
- Arizona DPS fingerprint card.
- Completion of the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum score of 66.1%.
- Unofficial transcripts from the institutions that granted all prerequisites and corequisites.
- Attend a Live Nursing Application Information Session OR meet with the Nursing Department about application materials.
6. What semester will I need to be finished with all the admission criteria?
All prerequisite courses must be completed with final grades (reflected on your transcript) before submitting your application. No prerequisite courses are allowed to be “in progress” at the time of the application.
7. How do you determine acceptance to the nursing program?
Points are awarded based on the following 6 categories. The points are totaled and ranked from highest to lowest, and the top students will be accepted into the program (up to 20 students each application cycle). Entrance into the nursing program is competitive, and there is no waiting list. Applicants who are not selected must reapply for admission. Please see the Selection Criteria Grid on the Nursing Information page.
- GPA in pre-requisite courses
- ATI TEAS score.
- Five (5) or more credits taken at CCC.
- Total general education credits completed at the time of application.
- 40 hours of direct patient care (through employment or volunteer work) in the past six months.
- Qualified applicant the previous cycle
8. What is the ATI TEAS exam? Do I have to take this specific exam?
CCC’s nursing program requires that applicants take the ATI TEAS exam before applying to the nursing program.
The test will be offered in the months prior to the application deadline at CCC. Please see the Nursing Information Webpage for ATI TEAS testing dates. ATI TEAS scores from other institutions are also accepted with the nursing program application. Students can take the TEAS test as many times as they wish online in addition to/in lieu of the attempts on CCC campus.
However, this is a separate registration process through the ATI TEAS website and must be scheduled at the ATI Testing Webpage. Please visit the website for fees and more information.
Testing Fees: The test fee for ATI TEAS for the Spring 2024 Application period will be $85.
Test Prep: Materials are available to prepare for the exam. Those items can be found by visiting the ATI TEAS Test Prep Webpage .
To Register: Students can register for the test by selecting a date and paying the fee online. Registration links can be found in the Nursing Entrance Exam section.
Please contact the Nursing Department if there are any questions regarding TEAS testing.
9. How do to I obtain an Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card?
Visit the AZ DPS website. Select “Apply for a Card” and choose Online Application. Create a portal account, select the “services” link at the top, select “fingerprint clearance card”. Log back into your portal account and visit the message center. You will receive a message with instructions on the next step, which is obtaining your fingerprints. You must get your fingerprints completed for the application to be processed.
You need a non-IVP card.
10. What are the health requirements for nursing students?
Nursing students must be able to perform many physical activities in the clinical setting. Minimum standards have been established for mobility, dexterity, vision, hearing, and prevention of the spread of infectious disease. These standards are consistent with the healthcare facilities in which students will participate. Technical standards and functional abilities of CCC nursing students are available in the Nursing Student Handbook on the Nursing Program Information page, Appendix D.
Documentation of the following health requirements is required after acceptance to the nursing program. Immunization requirements are guided by the clinical facilities and are subject to change at any point. All health requirements must be kept up to date by the student and a copy provided to the nursing department.
- Confidential Medical History Form.
- Negative TB skin test (must be current for the entire academic year) or a chest X-ray/other testing if the skin test was positive.
- Evidence of two (2) measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines OR blood titer (must be read by physician), which shows immunity. *NOTE: rubella vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women.
- Evidence of two (2) varicella vaccines OR blood titer, which shows immunity (must be read by physician.)
- Hepatitis B vaccine series (3 shots) record or signature declining this vaccine (the program specialist can guide you to the declination form if you are accepted.)
- Tdap immunization within ten (10) years.
- Flu vaccine (annually by September 1st.)
- Evidence of full COVID Vaccination Status
- Please review the COVID vaccine statement on the Nursing Program Information page.
11. What is the time commitment for the nursing program?
It is important to understand that the nursing program is not a part-time commitment, but many students work part-time while in the program. Nursing students are in the classroom for up to 8 hours per week and up to 12 hours per week in skills/simulation lab and/or clinical. In addition, students can expect up to 16 hours per week of study preparation. Additional class and study time is needed if students have co-requisites to complete or enrolled in CEP (Concurrent Enrollment Program). Please ensure you are able to make this commitment.
12. Do clinicals require travel?
While most of the clinical facilities are located within Flagstaff, students may be required to travel to clinical sites outside Flagstaff. Expenses associated with travel are the student's responsibility, as they must provide their own transportation to clinical.
13. Do I need access to a computer and the Internet?
Yes, it is strongly encouraged to purchase a laptop computer for the nursing program, as textbooks and assignments are web-based. All communication with faculty and nursing administration is required through CCC email. Microsoft Office programs (Word and PowerPoint) as well as access to Google Drive are essential.
14. What is the Concurrent Enrollment Program?
CEP allows students to take Bachelor of Nursing courses online while attending CCC’s nursing program. This allows students to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing either at the same time or shortly after completion of CCC’s nursing program. Currently, students have the option of Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, or Grand Canyon University for CEP. For more information, please contact an advisor or attend a Nursing Application Session.
15. Is the COVID vaccine required for the nursing program?
Yes, evidence of full vaccination status must be provided prior to being accepted to the nursing program, as this is a requirement set forth by the clinical agencies. However, there is an exemption process that students may request directly through the nursing program’s clinical partners. This is the responsibility of the student. If an exemption is not permitted from the clinical partner, CCC’s nursing program cannot make other arrangements to satisfy the student’s clinical requirements.
Can't find the answer to your question here? Please contact the Program Specialist II of Nursing and Allied Health at 928-526-7640 or the main Fourth Street Campus at 928-526-7600.