New Mexico State University Carlsbad Nursing School Review

New Mexico State University (NMSU-Carlsbad, NMSU-C, NMSUC) prides to be oldest community college in the state. It was started in 1950 as Carlsbad Instructional Center before acquiring the current name in 1960. It is a branch of NMSU-Las Cruces and offers only 2-year associate degree programs, non-credit programs, personal development, continuing education and adult basic education programs. Most of the 2-years programs have been designed to offer transfer opportunities to the Las Cruces campus for interested students.  In addition, the college also offers some selected upper division and graduate programs from Las Cruces onsite.

Nursing Programs at NMSU-Carlsbad

The nursing department at Carlsbad offers a career mobility associate degree program that enables students to begin nursing practice at various points. The program is designed with two exits options such that after completion of the first level, students can take the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed practical nurses. Students can also continue with the second level of the program to become prepared for the NLCEX-RN exam and become registered nurses (RN). It is also an approving agency for continuing education units for RN through mandate from AACN.  Through NMSU-Las Cruces distance learning, graduates of the RN program can complete an online Bachelor or Master of Science in nursing degree right at Carlsbad.

Certificate in Practical Nursing

This program is part of NMSU-Carlsbad nursing career mobility program. Candidates must have completed a Certified Nurse Assistant course to be eligible to apply. The program is the first portion of the associate of applied science program.

Upon admission, students take 18 credits in the general education and supporting courses curriculum and 23 credits for the nursing program curriculum. These are usually designed to be completed in the first two semesters of the associate track. After completing the total 41 credits for this section, students can choose to exit and take the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed Practical nurses besides earning the certificate of completion.

Associate Degree in Nursing

This registered nurse program picks from the first section of the LPN option. Since students had already completed 18 general education and 23 nursing credits, they only need to add an extra 29 credits to bring it to a total of 70 for the associate degree. This package is taken in the 3rd and 4th semester of the sophomore year. Students become eligible for the NLCEX-RN exam for initial licensure as registered nurses. In addition, the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degree; a transferable degree is also awarded.

NMSU Distance Education

The distance education nursing programs are offered by the main campus New Mexico State University-Las Cruces. Graduates of all NMSU branches become eligible to take the distance learning program at their local sites. In this case, NMSU Carlsbad ADN graduates can apply to complete the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN) in Eddy County. The RN to BSN program is offered 100% online by faculty of Las Cruces. BSN graduates can also choose the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) which is also offered online. Both distansce education nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Contact:
New Mexico State University Carlsbad
1500 University Drive, Carlsbad
NM 88220