Nursing Program FAQ

Once your application is accepted, the advisor/admission officer will enter your application into the placement database.

• Program options change each semester.
• Applicants will be asked to update their selections each semester.
• Select only the choices you are willing to accept.
• Normally, only one deferral is permitted.
  • For extenuating circumstances, please notify the nursing hotline and the MaricopaNursing Administrator will make a determination for a second deferral.
  • Clinical experiences may occur during the day, evening, or night hours and may be scheduled on weekends.
  • Clinical days are NOT guaranteed and a weekend only or a weekday-only clinical rotation is not always possible even in the evening or weekend programs due to clinical site requirements.
  • Evening program classes are usually scheduled for 2 – 3 evenings per week, approximately 5 – 10 p.m.
  • Admission information will contain:
    • dates of the nursing student orientation
    • registration information
    • directions for completing program requirements such as Certified Profile and other items as designated by the college.

    Is the admission process for the Nursing Program competitive? How long does it usually take to be placed into the program?

    • The MaricopaNursing Program does not have a competitive acceptance process.
      • Once a student meets the admission requirements and the application is accepted, the student information is entered into the nursing database.
      • However, because this is a placement process, there is no way to tell applicants exactly when they can expect admission.
      • The wait depends on the choices made by all applicants and the student capacity of each nursing program in any given placement cycle.

      What is available for a Nursing student while waiting for placement into one of the colleges?

      • The applicants waiting for placement should check one of the RN to BSN continuing education opportunities.
      • Applicants can begin taking the additional courses necessary for transferring to the universities.
      • All pre-nursing students are eligible to sign up for the ASU/MCCD Nursing Pathway Program for specific assistance in completing the necessary courses for the BSN degree.

      How will a student know if the MaricopaNursing program will accept courses taken at colleges and universities other than through the Maricopa Community Colleges?

      There is a two-step process to determine whether college courses will transfer:

      1. Have the college(s) attended send official transcripts directly to one of the eight Maricopa Community Colleges listed in the Admission Information and Application Packet.
         • You should choose the college that you will submit your nursing application to as your college of first choice and forward transcripts to that campus.
      2. Contact the Admissions and Records office at that college to request an evaluation of your transcripts.
         • The Admissions and Records Office will determine which of the courses transfer in as course requirements or electives.
         • Maricopa Community Colleges accept all eligible courses regardless of the age of the course.

      Are advisement sessions available via email/telephone?

      • Please check the nursing website for information pertaining to the program and locations and contact information within the Maricopa Community Colleges.
      • Nursing advisors will work with students via email/telephone.

      Can the HESI-A2 assessment be taken at a location outside of Maricopa Community Colleges?

      An applicant may take the HESI-A2 assessment at a location outside of the Maricopa Community Colleges only if the scores are sent directly from the administering school or agency to the testing office at one of the colleges.

      Where do students do their clinicals?

      • Maricopa nursing students attend over 100 different clinical agencies.
      • You will receive information about your clinical assignment once you begin the nursing classes and the sites are confirmed by the individual hospitals.

      Once admitted, can I transfer to another MCCCD college?

      The nursing students have the ability to transfer to another college site or a different type of program according to the guidelines in the Nursing Student Handbook.

      • Nursing students will receive the most current version of this handbook during their orientation to the nursing program.

      When placed at a college other than where the Nursing application was submitted, what is the procedure for financial aid and other pertinent records?

      • The financial aid office on the Maricopa campus the Nursing application was submitted should be able to provide information on transferring financial aid records to the college at which the student was placed.
      • In regards to other pertinent records (i.e. Nursing Program application), records will be transferred upon receipt of student Confirmation of Intent letter, indicating acceptance of placement.

      How will attending a partnership program, accelerated option or part-time option affect my financial aid?

      • Partnership programs do not generally affect financial aid awards.
      • The accelerated program is 16 to 18 months and this is equivalent to three semesters, not 4.
        • Students in accelerated programs generally receive 3 semesters of financial aid.

        I have a disability and need academic accommodations. What should I do?

        • Contact the Office of Disability Services for more information.

        If a potential Nursing student has a criminal record, will it affect their admission into the nursing program? Will it affect their ability to get a license?

        The nursing program does not answer specific questions about criminal records.

        • MaricopaNursing requires that each applicant demonstrates they have a current Level 1 fingerprint card from the AZ Department of Public Safety.
          • Once the student has received their Level 1 fingerprint clearance card and it is current and valid, they will meet this requirement of the nursing program.

          The nursing program cannot answer specific licensing questions.

          • Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of the State Board of Nursing.
          • Students must satisfy the requirements of the Nurse Practice Act: Statutes, Rules, and Regulations, independently of any college or school requirements for graduation.
          • See the RN LPN Exam Packet or Page 1 of the application for LPN and RN Licensing Exam for information on the Felony Bar.

          An additional barrier to admission may be the OIG Exclusion list.

          • All applicants must prove clearance upon admission and during enrollment in the nursing program.
          • The Office of Inspector General (OIG) was established in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in the Department's programs and to promote efficiency and economy in Departmental operations.
          • Students can check their OIG status.

          All students attending the nursing program are tested for drugs and will undergo a background check.

          • Any student unable or unwilling to provide clearance according to the health and safety guidelines will not be permitted to continue in any nursing class.

          When transferring to the university to complete a BSN, does the student need to take CHM130 and CHM130LL even if they were exempt due to having taken a high school course?

          • Many MaricopaNursing graduates go on to complete their BSN.
          • The requirements differ for each of the many colleges/universities accepting students into the RN to BSN program.
          • Some of the universities require that you take a college level chemistry and some do not.