Description

Luna Community College Department of Nursing Curriculum is taught using the NMNEC State Wide Curriculum Model. All required elements of the program are taught using a concept based delivery method. Blackboard and Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) are used to support the curriculum delivery.

In order for the graduate to become a Registered Nurse they will need to take and pass the NCLEX exam.

If you plan to practice outside the state of New Mexico, please be aware that some states may have different or additional requirements for licensure.

End of Program Objectives

• Engage in professional nursing practice that is patient-centered and culturally appropriate for individuals, families, and communities.
  
• Integrate principles of quality improvement and safety into nursing practice within healthcare organizations and systems.
  
• Deliver nursing care that is evidence-based across the lifespan.
  
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors through the application of policies that apply to healthcare delivery.
  
• Engage in effective interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of healthcare for quality patient outcomes.
  
• Utilize technologies for the management of information and in the delivery of patient care.
  

Program requirements: Successful completion of all courses and clinicals in each level with a 77% or better is required in each course in order to progress to the next level. Courses must be taken sequentially.

Degree Requirements

Minimum of 71 Credit Hours

Program Information Links

Admission Packet Fall 2025
NMNEC Curriculum Student Handbook 2024-2025
Nursing Academic Map with Prerequisites 2023-2024
Nursing Program Estimated Costs 2024-2025

Program Accreditation and Approvals

The Luna Community College Nursing Program is on full approval with warning by the New Mexico State Board of Nursing.

6301 Indian School NE, Suite 710
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Ph:  (505) 841-8340
Fax:  (505) 841-8347
https://www.bon.nm.gov

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Luna Community College located in Las Vegas, NM is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is: continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

http://www.acenursing.org

Admission and Selection Criteria

The TEAS admission exam is being offered on campus. Dates are available now until the first Friday in June.
Please contact Vanessa Torres to sign up at vatorres@luna.edu

Admission to the nursing program at LCC provides for equal opportunities, rights, privileges and responsibilities. However, it is important to recognize that as a nursing student, one must also abide by requirements and accept responsibilities required by the nursing profession. The faculty of the department has an established commitment to provide students with direction, instruction and advisement. However, the student must make a commitment to contribute to his/her own learning process.

1. Student must be at least 18 years of age
   

2. Student must apply for admission to LCC through admissions office
   

3. Student should then meet with an advisor for information regarding the nursing program
   

4. Student must obtain a nursing packet/application from the nursing department (in person, by mail or Luna website) and complete and submit by the application deadline (please contact the nursing department for the application due date).
   

5. Student must have taken and passed the ATI-TEAS entrance exam (based on the criteria below) prior to the established due date and within one academic year of applying to the nursing program. Note that only three attempts are allowed per academic year.
   

6. Student must have completed all prerequisite coursework by the end of the spring semester prior to fall admission to the nursing program. All prerequisite courses (including supporting courses) must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. All science courses must be taken within seven years of application
   

7. Student must submit official high school and college/university transcripts to LCC prior to the application deadline. This is required if student is requesting that credit be given for classes taken at other institutions. Transfer credit may be granted after a review of transcripts by the LCC registrar and the LCC director of nursing. A grade of “C” or higher is required for transfer of any credit(s) from each course.
   

8. The selection process for the nursing program begins after receipt of the student’s application to the nursing department. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the nursing department of any change of address, telephone number or other information affecting the student’s application.
   

9. Nursing student candidate selection will be made approximately two weeks after the application deadline, unless otherwise specified. Students selected for admission will be notified by mail. No information regarding selection status will be given by telephone or e-mail, nor will any such information be posted prior to the release of admission status for all applicants.
   

10. The following chart outlines the selection process followed by the LCC Nursing Department, in alignment with the NMNEC Admissions Guidelines:

    Criteria Weight	AAS Admission Criteria	Criteria Requirement
    40 points possible	Prerequisite GPA	Prerequisite GPA of 2.75 or higher on the following five courses: 1. BIOL2210 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2. One of the following Basic Lab Sciences (BIOL1110, BIOL1140, CHEM1120, or CHEM1215) 3. ENGL1110 Composition I 4. PSYC1110 Introduction to Psychology 5. PSYC2120 Developmental Psychology
    50 points possible	ATI Test of Essential Skills (TEAS)	Overall score 58.7 or higher
    4 points all or nothing	500 or more documented and verified hours of health care work experience within the last three years	Applicant will provide documentation of experience from employer on organizations’ letterhead.
    6 points possible	Completion of the following additional courses and passing with a B or higher: Medical Terminology (AH113), 2 points Nutrition (NUTR2110), 2 points Microbiology (BIOL2305), 2 points	Courses must be completed prior to application.

11. Achieving all of the above criteria does not guarantee admission to the program.

12. Students shall be selected for admission based upon their ranking using the point distribution described in the table above. Selection is competitive, with students selected in order of ranking, beginning with highest scores.

13. The selection committee will consist of five non-nursing faculty and staff who will make the final selection for admission.

14. The selection committee’s decision is final.

If you have any questions on the above admission criteria please contact the nursing advisor at 505-454-2525 or vtorres@luna.edu.

Transfer Policy

A student in a NMNEC nursing program wishing to transfer into the LCC nursing program while in progress must do the following:

1. Apply for admittance to LCC online or in person through the admissions office.
   
2. Request high school transcripts be sent to LCC admissions office.
   
3. Request all transcripts from previous colleges/universities be sent to the LCC registrar. Transfer credit will be granted after approval by the LCC registrar and director of nursing. (A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required for transfer of credit into any course, and the expiration time for science courses is waived).
   
4. Submit a letter of intent to the LCC director of nursing.
   
5. Obtain a letter of recommendation from the director of their former program.
   
6. Upon acceptance, submit all documents as required.
   
7. Attend student orientation on the date specified by the nursing department.
   
   

A student who has failed more than one NMNEC course within two years must appeal in writing, and in person, to a nursing faculty committee appointed by the LCC director of nursing. Student must obtain a letter from the director of their former program verifying that the issues were academic and not behavioral.

For purposes of transfer credit, NMNEC core nursing courses expire after two years.

A student transferring to LCC in the fourth semester of the NMNEC nursing program will be allowed to waive up to five credits for degree residency. This will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the nursing department.

LPN Mobility Policy

This policy provides a pathway for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to enter the NMNEC Associate Degree in Nursing curriculum and receive credit for prior learning.

1. Obtain advisement from nursing student success coach Vanessa Torres (505-454-2525).
   
   
2. Apply for admission to LCC (see LCC website for application), forward high school transcript and all college transcripts.
   
   
3. Meet the NMNEC curricular prerequisite criteria. (Expiration time for science is waived.)
   
   
4. Meet with LPN mobility faculty
   
   
5. Complete the ATI Fundamentals Exam and score Level 2 or higher in two attempts.
   
   
6. Fill out Credit by Exam request form and pay for the following classes prior to beginning the course work: Introduction to Nursing Concepts NMNC 1110 and Principles of Nursing NMNC 1135. Note that there is a fee associated with receiving course credit.
   
   
7. Receive credit for Principles of Nursing NMNC 1135 by demonstration of skills, including medication administration, dosage calculation, medical asepsis, and making an occupied bed.
   
   
8. Receive credit for Introduction to Nursing Concepts NMNC 1110 by completing NMNEC Introduction to Nursing Concepts credit-for-prior-learning online module with a score of 77% or higher in one attempt.
   
   
9. Upon meeting the admission criteria, stated above, the student will receive credit-for prior-learning for NMNEC Level 1 courses, Principles of Nursing Practice (NMNC 1135/4cr) and Introduction to Nursing Concepts (NMNC 1110/3cr) and enter into Level 2 of the NMNEC ADN degree program based upon available space in Level 2.
   
   
10. In the event that the LPN meets all admission criteria, but does not pass the NMNEC Introduction to Concepts module, she/he will receive credit-for-prior-learning for Principles of Nursing Practice (NMNC1135/4cr) and will enter into NMNEC ADN Level 1 program and take Introduction to Nursing Concepts (NMNC 1110/3cr) based on available space in the program in Level 1.
    
    
11. If the LPN chooses to complete Level 1 in its entirety, the TEAS admission exam, and the science course expiration, and the ATI Fundamentals Exam will be waived. All prerequisite courses must be taken and passed with a “C” or better prior to entry into Level 1.
    
    

The acceptance of repeat students, LPN mobility students, and transfer students will take place in the following order:

1. LCC nursing students needing to repeat a level will be given first precedence, and will be ranked according to their GPA for the five GPA-weighted admission courses.
   
   
2. LPN’s entering the program to complete an associate degree in nursing will be given second precedence, and ranked according to their GPA for the five GPA-weighted admission courses.
   
   
3. Transfer students entering the LCC nursing program will be given third precedence, and will be ranked according to their GPA for the five GPA-weighted admission courses.
   
   

Repeat students, LPN mobility students and transfer students need to submit a letter of intent to the LCC director of nursing by August 1 of each academic year for consideration.

Students with Disabilities

Nursing is a profession in which members must be licensed to provide care for patients. Therefore, it is necessary that candidates for such professional licensure demonstrate certain levels of academic knowledge and physical competency. A number of nursing activities require varying levels of physical stamina for handling and assisting clients. It is imperative that the safety of the clients and students be maintained.

If you are a student with a documented disability in need of ADA accommodations, it is your responsibility to declare your disability with the Accessibility Office in the Student Success Center. You will need to provide appropriate documentation from a licensed educational diagnostician, medical physician or mental health provider.

The nursing department will make every attempt to make reasonable accommodations to the student with documented disabilities processed through the Student Success Center.

Student Achievement Data