Colby Community College Nursing Program Review

On its main campus in Colby, Kansas, as well as on twenty-four different extension sites, Colby Community College (CCC) offers classes to the residents of northwest Kansas. The school, founded in 1964, offers a variety of two-year associate degree programs, as well as shorter certificate programs and programs designed for transfer to a four-year school.

Among the programs at CCC are several in the field of nursing, which are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

Practical Nursing Certificate Program

Studying full-time, a student can complete the Practical Nursing Certificate program in just one year. The program begins with a four-credit introductory nursing class in the summer semester. During this summer semester, a student can also complete the four prerequisites, if she has not already done so. The four prerequisites for the Practical Nursing program are medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology, and basic nutrition. After completing the summer semester, a student transitions into an intense, two-semester nursing curriculum. She also has the option of completing the program on a part-time basis, over the course of six semesters (including two summer semesters).

The part-time option is available in the evening. Over the course of the program, she will earn forty-six credits (including credits for the prerequisite courses). She will graduate in the spring, and receive a certificate in practical nursing. This makes her eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). At this point, she has two choices. She can begin working immediately as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or she can continue on to the second level of the nursing program at CCC, which culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree. CCC offers the practical nursing program in three different locations: on the main campus in Colby, at the Norton Annex in Norton (available in the evenings), and in Wakeeney (available in the evenings).

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – LPN to RN

After completing a Practical Nursing program, either at CCC or at another college, a student can transition into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) program. The ADN program is not open to students who have not earned the required forty-six credits through a Practical Nursing program. The ADN curriculum begins in the fall and wraps up in the following spring. Students also have the option of enrolling in a part-time, evening program that takes four semesters to complete.

In total, a student must earn twenty-nine credits over the course of the program. This includes credits for general education classes (ethics, microbiology, general psychology, English composition, oral communications) and nursing classes. After completing the ADN program, a student may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and start his career as a Registered Nurse (RN). The program is available in Colby, Wakeeney, and Goodland.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – RRT/MICT to RN

A Mobile Intensive Care Technician (MICT) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) can complete the ADN program after completing several bridge classes. Each summer, CCC offers the required three bridge classes (worth eight credits) on its main campus in Colby. After taking these classes, and RRT/MICT can complete the remainder of the two-semester ADN course sequence along with the traditional ADN students.

Associate of Arts – Pre-Nursing

While CCC does not offer a bachelor’s program in nursing, it does offer students the option of completing an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in pre-nursing. On this track, students can complete all the necessary nursing prerequisites and general education courses at CCC, in preparation for transferring into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at a four-year school. After earning an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in pre-nursing, a student should be able to complete a BSN degree in just two years.

Contact:
Colby Community College
1255 South Range Avenue,
Colby, KS 67701