Yes, the following must be submitted to the nursing program on or before the first day of class of entry year and then continuously updated.

1. Evidence of a negative TB status.
2. Proof of current immunity against rubella, measles, mumps, diphtheria tetanus, varicella, and hepatitis-B.
3. Current CPR/healthcare provider.
4. Proof of major medical insurance.

Yes, background checks, finger prints and drug screens are a requirement of some clinical facilities with which TMCC has a contract for nursing student clinical experience. If a student declines or if the background check or drug screen is unsatisfactory to the facility, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical portion of the program. Current and prospective students are advised that they will be withdrawn from the program if clinical requirements are not able to be met for any reason. TMCC will not be responsible for obtaining background checks or drug screens and will not receive the results of any background investigations.

Yes, students should apply for scholarships prior to being admitted to the nursing program as the scholarship deadline is March 1. Many scholarships are earmarked for nursing students only and are available through the TMCC financial aid and foundation offices. Apply through TMCC's financial aid office.

Contact the biology department for information on waivers.

Yes, General education support courses should be taken prior to acceptance into the program if at all possible. Students may benefit by completing support courses prior to entering the program, as the time requirements of the program are considerable. The course schedule outlining both nursing and non-nursing courses is located in the TMCC course catalog.

Please contact the nursing program or attend a free TMCC nursing program orientation. Dates are posted on the college's online calendar

The program is accredited through the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The accrediting agency for NLN, maintains information on TMCC's nursing program with regard to tuition, fees and length. NLNAC's contact information is 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta GA 30326. Telephone: 404-975-5000. Students may contact NLNAC directly.

Accepted students must attend a mandatory orientation session prior to the start of the semester of entry into the program. Students will be notified of the date, time and location of the session.

The traditional nursing program spans four semesters, beginning in the fall of each year.

The year-round nursing program spans four semesters beginning when the previous year-round class ends and includes summer semester. Students who are successful graduate in four continuous semesters. Students who apply for the fast-track program must have a degree from an accredited college.

There is no difference between the content and courses in the traditional program and fast track program.

F-1 (and other) Non-immigrant Students

The associate of applied science nursing program at TMCC is a competitive program. A student must have a minimum grade point average overall, have completed all pre-requisite courses before applying, and have a minimum grade point average in the pre-requisite science courses to apply. Even if a student meets the minimum requirements, the nursing program only accepts a portion of the students who apply each year and depending on the competition in any given year, a student may not be accepted to the nursing program. Therefore, all F-1 students who wish to come to TMCC to work toward admission to the nursing program must first be enrolled in an associate of arts or associate of science degree program. If the student is accepted to nursing and wishes to have F-1 visa status, new financial documentation must be presented for the nursing program and a new I-20 document must be issued for that program. However, the initial F-1 document (I-20) at TMCC will show associate of arts or associate of science as the degree program and if the F-1 student is not accepted to nursing, the student must continue to work toward an associate of arts or associate of science degree, in order to maintain legal F-1 status.

All requirements for the regular nursing program must be completed by published deadlines each year for admission to the class beginning spring, summer or fall semester. If accepted, the student must show new financial documentation to the international student services, based on the estimated costs of the nursing program in that academic year, in order to receive a new visa document and to maintain F-1 status. The student will then begin the nursing program at the scheduled date. The estimated expenses are higher for the nursing program because nursing involves additional fees, and textbooks that are considerably more expensive. Therefore, immigration regulations for F-1 students require that proof of ability to finance this program be presented to the international student advisor prior to beginning the program.

For general information on the nursing program, students should attend one of the nursing orientations that are offered each month.

If an F-1 international student is accepted to nursing and completes the program, the student must have a social security number in order to take the nursing licensing exam for the State of Nevada. There are certain visa categories (e.g. F-2, H-4, B-2) that can never qualify for a social security number. As of Sept. 1, 2004, an F-1 student can only qualify for a social security number if he or she has had an on-campus job prior to graduation, or if he or she has already received a work permit. Therefore, some F-1 students may have to wait to take the licensing exam until he or she applies for, and receives an optional practical training work permit and then applies for, and receives, a social security number. In addition, an F-1 student with a social security number can only work in the field of nursing after graduation for the 12-month period allowed on an Optional Practical Training work permit (OPT). A student may ONLY apply for F-1 practical training at the associate's level if the following is true:

• The student must be in F-1 status and have maintained F-1 status, and completed all requirements for the nursing degree.
• The application must be submitted to immigration before the date of graduation and no earlier than 90 days prior to graduation.
• The student must NOT have used practical training for any other associates degree program, as practical training can only be used ONE time for each degree level.

Students who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the U.S. should be aware of the following restrictions, based on current immigration law:

• As of June 2005, there is no special visa status for nurses in the U.S. Therefore, there is no longer any special work visa that can be obtained on the basis of receiving a nursing degree.
• Non-immigrant students cannot change to a long-term professional work visa (the H-1B status) UNLESS they have a minimum of a bachelors degree from an American or foreign university. Therefore, F-1 students who graduate high school, go directly into the nursing program at TMCC and receive an associate's degree will only be eligible for one year of work in the U.S. based on this degree. After that one year, the F-1 student must either transfer to the university or return home.
• Other non-immigrant students may not have any options for changing to a work status with an associate's level degree in nursing.
• Under current laws, the only way a non-immigrant student can change status to have a long-term work visa for nursing is to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing. Therefore, non-immigrant students who have an interest in a long-term career in nursing in the U.S. (or any other field) should make an appointment with the international student advisor to discuss completing a university transfer degree program at TMCC, rather than going into the TMCC nursing program, because an associate's degree will not lead to long-term employment.
• Legal non-immigrants in the U.S. in certain visa categories such as H-4 or F-2 may not qualify for a Social Security Number. Unfortunately, a student must have a legal Social Security Number in order to take the State of Nevada nursing licensing exam. In addition, if a non-immigrant student would like to be employed in the U.S. as a nurse using the long-term H-1B work visa status, a non-immigrant student should also consider that a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required to qualify to change to a long-term work visa at this time.

In summary: immigration laws and regulations are complex and change frequently. Any non-immigrant student who wishes to go into the nursing program should make an appointment with the international student advisor, to discuss his or her long-term options as they relate to legal employment in the U.S., as well as options related to obtaining a Social Security Number.

For more information, please contact the International Student Services.

Nursing program graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in the state of their choice. Each state has specific criteria for licensure eligibility requirements. It is the student's responsibility to contact the state of their choice to ascertain eligibility requirements. Graduation from an accredited program is only one of the requirements and does not mean automatic licensure as a nurse. Graduates should be aware that the State of Nevada licensure application contains five questions, which may impact their ability to obtain licensure in Nevada. These five questions have to do with:

1. revocation, denial or suspension of a license or certificate;
2. conviction of a criminal offense;
3. problems with drug or alcohol use;
4. treatment for mental illness; and
5. physical disability which could impair ability to practice nursing.

For further clarification, students/graduates should contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

On completion of the associate of applied science in nursing degree requirements contained in the current course catalog, the student will be eligible to apply to take the state licensure examination leading to practice as a registered nurse.

1. Take BIOL 190 and 190L, BIOL 223, BIOL 224 and BIOL 251 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology) and MATH 120. These must be completed prior to application. An equivalent course from another college is acceptable, but must be approved with a course substitution. Biology courses must have been completed within the previous five years. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required for BIOL 223, 224, 251.
2. Submit official transcripts of all previous college work.
3. Grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 system on all lower division level college courses.

Students enrolled in the nursing program follow the fee schedule and refund policy described in the current TMCC course catalog. These costs are approximate and subject to change. The approximate cost of the nursing program is posted on the nursing program cost webpage. Current fees are posted on the admissions and records website.

Please view the college's course catalog for the complete list in the program worksheet. The worksheet is available online from the TMCC course catalog.

TMCC students may also wish to discuss career options with an academic advisor, counselor or career advisor. These free student services are available at four of the college's sites: the Dandini Campus, 7000 Dandini Blvd, in the V. James Eardley Student Services Center; the TMCC Meadowood Center, 5270 Neil Rd.; the TMCC IGT Applied Technology Center, 475 Edison Way; and the TMCC High Tech Center at Redfield at 18600 Wedge Parkway, Building B.