Other Advanced Placement Options

International Nurses

Registered Nurses from outside the USA needing to fulfill California Board of Registered Nursing requirements.

* Please note: COD nursing courses are NOT structured as individual classes in a particular content area, such as Obstetrics or Mental Health. The various content areas are incorporated within the different semester groups.

Upon acceptance, students will be placed in the semester group that best meets their needs as defined by their letter from the Board of Registered Nursing.

Applications are available during the months of January and July. Applications for Fall admission are due January 31st. Applications for Spring admission are due July 29th.

To apply, send an email stating your request with the following items attached, to NursingCounselor@collegeofthedesert.edu

1. Transcripts

2. Course syllabi for all nursing courses taken at other schools

3. A letter from the Director of Nursing at any schools you took nursing courses at, stating that you are/were in good standing without any safety concerns during your coursework.

Transfer Students

"Transfer student" is defined as students who have already been enrolled in a BRN approved nursing program and are changing schools.

Applications are only available during the application period.

Admissions for transfer students are only considered based on space available and admission is not guaranteed.

Applications are available during the months of January and July. Applications for Fall admission are due January 31st. Applications for Spring admission are due July 29th.

To apply, send an email stating your request with the following items attached, to NursingCounselor@collegeofthedesert.edu

1. Transcripts

2. Course syllabi for all nursing courses taken at other schools

3. A letter from the Director of Nursing at any schools you took nursing courses at, stating that you are/were in good standing without any safety concerns during your coursework.

30-Unit Option

Applicants who are currently licensed Vocational Nurses in California and desire to complete courses required for RN licensure may select the 30-Unit Option. This is a non-degree option. 

Upon successful completion of this program of study, the student may apply to take the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure. The student will be licensed as a non-degree candidate. This option is recognized in California and there is no restriction to practice. However, states other than California may not recognize this educational track as preparation for licensure. Non-degree options are extremely limiting in regards to future employment and advancement. Non-degree nurses cannot obtain any further nursing degrees such as Bachelors or Masters degree and therefore are very limited in employment.

Application for 30-Unit Option: Schedule appointment with the Nursing Counselor. Space for 30-unit option applicants are last on the prioritization list for seat availability. 

Military Challenge Process

The College of the Desert’s Nursing program wants to provide military trained healthcare personnel with the opportunity to earn advanced placement in the nursing program. 

Individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, specifically: Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic), or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT 4NOX1C) may achieve advanced placement upon review and approval from the School of Nursing program Director. Documentation of education and experience qualifying them for the specific Military Health Care Occupation is required. Admission is contingent upon space available as well as successful completion of the challenge exam, dosage calculation exam, and skills competency evaluation.

• Applicants must meet all general entrance requirements of the Associates Degree Nursing program, including a minimal GPA of 2.5, completion of designated prerequisites and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 62%.
• Acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing program is contingent upon space availability, skills competency (determined after meeting with the Program Director), 75% or above on the Challenge Exam, and 100% on a dosage calculation quiz.
• Military Challenge students applying to the Associate Degree Nursing program after failure at another school will need a letter from the Program Director at the previous school indicating that the applicant was in good standing upon departure from that program.
• Applicant must submit DD214 with Application.

Interested candidates must request an appointment with the Program Director at least 8 weeks prior to the application period to discuss eligibility requirements for the Associates Degree Nursing Program. 

Challenge applicants applying for transfer credit must submit the following materials verifying education and experience:

• Official transcripts from appropriate education program(s) demonstrating satisfactory completion of coursework and clinical experience;
• At least one letter of recommendation, official transcripts, and DD214 form
• Documentation of work and educational experience
• After a review of the applicant’s documentation, and upon determination that the applicant has met the educational and experience requirements, as well as the additional nursing program admission requirements, the student will be required to take a written challenge examination, a competency skills evaluation, and a dosage calculation exam.
• The following materials will be available to the applicant once challenge confirmation is made:
  • Course syllabus, including course objectives
  • Content outline
  • Bibliography and textbook list
  • Example of style and format of examination
• Written and skills competency examinations for advanced placement challenge must be completed eight weeks prior to admission to the program, unless waived by the Director of the Nursing Program.
• Advanced Placement will be granted if applicant meets minimum requirements equivalent to those required of students enrolled in the actual course.