I would like to welcome you to the Nursing Program at Rio Salado College. Rio Salado College is one of ten community colleges within the Maricopa Community College District that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Rio's program is designed for individuals for both Block 1 and advanced placement students. The nursing program is offered in partnership with health care organizations. One hundred percent of the didactic courses are online and the clinical courses are completed with the health care partnerships.

Rio Salado College offers much of the content through an online format. Students interested in this option need to have a "reliable" Internet service provider and computer capability to access on-line courses. Clinical laboratory courses will meet the same requirements as those offered at other MCCDNP programs. Every pre-requisite, co- requisite and nursing course is offered through Rio Salado College. Student enrollment advisors are available to assist you with transcript evaluation and course enrollment.

All Block 1 students must take the NET test prior to admission. All Advanced Placement students interested in the Rio Salado program must take the HESI-PN test. The HESI-PN measures a nurse's ability to apply basic nursing skills using principles of safe effective care and will determine placement into the nursing program. Note that a fingerprint clearance card is required and takes approximately 5 weeks to obtain. Your receipt is not enough. We need a copy (front and back) of your actual clearance card.

The Nursing Faculty at Rio Salado College are Registered Nurses with advanced degrees (BS, MS or PhD) and have been involved with the creation of an on-line format for the MCCDNP curriculum. The Nursing Program at Rio Salado College is designed to be completed in 4 consecutive semesters. Successful students will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The estimated cost to complete the in-state program is $4,500, and out-of-state is $8500. Costs include tuition, test fees, textbooks, uniforms, health physical, graduation fee, and nursing pin.

To get started, contact student enrollment services academic.advisement@mail.riosalado.edu