Applying Theory to Practice
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Denver-2021-2022-Catalog1.pdf
Catalog 2021-2022
DENVER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Effective Date: October 1, 2021 Volume 1 Version 1
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Table of Contents
Denver College of Nursing Core Values.............................................................................. 2
Vision, Mission, Purpose, and Philosophy ........................................................................... 2
Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................ 4
Associations and Memberships ............................................................................................ 6
Accreditations and Approvals .............................................................................................. 7
History & Ownership of Denver College of Nursing .......................................................... 9
The Campus........................................................................................................................ 10
Academic Programs ........................................................................................................... 13
Associate Degree in Nursing Program ............................................................................... 18
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option .......................................................... 24
Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN - BSN Option ............................................................ 25
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Full Degree Program ....................................................... 27
Master of Science in Nursing Program .............................................................................. 30
Admission Policies and Procedures ................................................................................... 32
Additional Admission Requirements ................................................................................. 38
Academic Expectations and Policies.................................................................................. 39
Student Services ................................................................................................................. 54
Financial Aid ...................................................................................................................... 57
Tuition, Books and Refund Policies ................................................................................... 67
Student Policies .................................................................................................................. 70
Additional Policies ............................................................................................................. 83
Course Descriptions ........................................................................................................... 90
Cover photograph purchased from Chad Zellner Photography
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Denver College of Nursing Core Values
Integrity We educate our students and operate our
college with uncompromised integrity and
transparency.
Student Focused Outcomes All decisions align with our students’ best
interests regarding their education and
careers. We continually strive to too be
innovative leaders in our industry.
Commitment We are a passionate and driven team focused
on outstanding results.
Service Excellence
We are service driven and respectful of
all stakeholders (students, employees,
employers, investors, and community).
Respect We are a diverse organization and
respect every individual within our
organization and our community.
Vision, Mission, Purpose, and Philosophy
The Denver College of Nursing Board of Trustees has adopted statements of vision, mission,
values, goals, and philosophy to guide the operation of the institution.
Vision The vision of Denver College of Nursing is
to prepare excellent health care providers
and leaders to transform the lives of
persons and communities through
innovative education and health care.
Mission Denver College of Nursing is a private
institution of higher education dedicated
exclusively to educating students for the
diverse opportunities offered by careers in
nursing and other health care fields.
Purpose Denver College of Nursing serves students,
the nursing profession, health care
organizations, clients receiving care, and
the increasing needs of society for qualified
nurses by offering programs for students
who seek careers in nursing and other
health care fields.
Denver College of Nursing devotes its resources to maintaining quality nursing programs in
an environment that focuses on clinical competence across all scopes of practice, and that help
develop the technical and thinking skills needed to foster successful careers and a lifetime of
continued professional learning.
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The programs build on foundations of general education common to nursing education, and all
programs meet or exceed common standards for nursing education programs in Colorado.
The nursing programs explore a differentiated practice model that teaches students to
maximize their own role development and seek the opportunity to learn and collaborate
effectively with other nurses of differing educational preparations. The programs integrate
holistic health care values with traditional health care values so students can explore the
understanding of “whole body wellness” in client care.
Programs are offered to adult students from the economically and ethnically diverse regional
communities served.
Philosophy
The philosophy of Denver College of Nursing
flows from the mission of the college and
supports the concepts of clinical competence,
excellence in education, holistic care,
professionalism, evidence-based practice, and
lifelong learning.
The philosophy incorporates the conceptual
framework that was developed by faculty to
provide direction for the selection and
organization of learning experiences to
achieve program outcomes. The conceptual
framework serves to unite these four
constructs:
Nursing Nursing is both art and science that identifies,
mobilizes, and develops strengths of the client
through acquired skill, professionalism,
knowledge, and competence supported by
evidence-based practice.
Person
Person is a unique, physical, psychosocial,
spiritual, cultural, and holistic being or
community with value, dignity, and worth
possessing the capacity for growth,
change, and choices for which they bear
responsibility.
Environment Environment is the dynamic subtotal of
internal and external elements that impact
an individual’s perception of, and
adaptation to, the community in which
they exist.
Wellness Wellness is defined as the individual’s
perception of his/her quality of life
throughout the lifespan and his/her ability
to adapt to restrictions of environment,
disease, or disability.
The Denver College of Nursing core Values, Mission, Vision, Purpose, and Philosophy are
revisited periodically for currency and relevance through various planning processes.
Recommendations for changes or edits are then reviewed / approved by various stakeholders
and sent to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
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Conceptual Framework Denver College of Nursing faculty have developed and implemented a framework that
integrates the four theoretical concepts of nursing, person, environment and wellness into each
program’s curriculum by incorporating the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
competencies into program student learning outcomes, course objectives and content. The
QSEN competencies include patient centered care, teamwork & collaboration, evidence-based
practice, quality improvement, safety and informatics. The nursing process, framed by the
American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional
Performance along with the National League for Nursing (NLN) Competencies for Nursing
Education, is also utilized throughout each program. Furthermore, each program’s Student
Learning Outcomes (SLOs) incorporates accreditation standards into their respective curricula.
Specifically, the Associate Degree in Nursing program is guided by the ANA Standards and
the NLN Competencies; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is guided by the
Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Practice (BSN Essentials) and the
Master of Science in Nursing program is guided by the Essentials of Master’s Education in
Nursing (Master’s Essentials). The goal of each program at DCN is to facilitate student
achievement of the DCN graduate competencies of patient advocate, caregiver, educator,
change agent, and leader (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Denver College of Nursing Conceptual Framework
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Goals The following goals are integral to the mission of Denver College of Nursing:
• To offer sound degree programs.
• To develop each student’s individual
and professional growth, including
written and interpersonal
communication, critical thinking, and
problem-solving competencies.
• To minimize economic disadvantages
as a barrier to postsecondary
education by providing financial aid
services and by accepting students
without regard to age, sex, religion,
race, physical challenges, or
economic or social background.
• To attract and retain qualified faculty
who are effective in the classroom
and familiar with appropriate current
medical and/or technical practices.
• To maintain a dynamic
organization that is responsible and
responsive to its constituencies.
• To develop in students a
professional attitude and an
awareness of contemporary career
practices through exposure to
pragmatic course content and to
faculty currently engaged in
enterprise.
• To assist graduates in finding
positions for which they are trained.
• To select faculty with professional
experience who have the ability to
motivate and develop students.
• To promote self-discipline and
motivation so that students may
enjoy success on the job and in
society.
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Associations and Memberships
The institution holds membership in, or participates in, activities of many associations and groups including:
American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers
(AACRAO)
Alliance for Clinical Education (ACE)
American Library Association (ALA)
American Nurses Association (ANA) Area
Health Education Center (AHEC)
Colorado Association of Colleges of
Nursing (CACN)
Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL)
Colorado Council of Nurse Educators
(CCNE)
Colorado Department of Higher Education
(CDHE)
Colorado Department of Human Services
Colorado Nurses Association (CNA)
Colorado Organization of Associate
Degree Nursing (COADN)
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
(DMCC)
Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP)
International Nursing Association for
Clinical Simulation and Learning
(INACSL)
Library Society of the World Medical
Library Association (MLA)
Mountain States Employers Council
(MSEC)
National Council for State
Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
(NC-SARA)
National League for Nursing (NLN)
National Network of Libraries of
Medicine (NNLM)
National Students Nurses’ Association
(NSNA)
Organization of Associate Degree
Nursing (OADN)
Rocky Mountain Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers RMACRAO)
Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI)
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Accreditations and Approvals
Students may receive a copy of the College’s accreditation, licensure, or other approvals by
submitting a written request to the President of Denver College of Nursing.
Colorado State Board of Nursing (CBON)
The CBON has granted Full Approval for
both the ADN and BSN programs.
Approval allows graduates to apply to
take the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN®)
required for professional practice.
Colorado State Board of Nursing 1560
Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 894-2430 (303) 894-2821 (fax) http://www.dora.state.co.us/NURSING/
Colorado Department of Higher
Education (CDHE)
This approval grants the College the
authority to award Associate and Bachelor
degrees.
State of Colorado, Department of
Education Colorado Commission on
Higher Education (CCHE) 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 866-2723
(303) 866-4266 (fax)
http://highered.colorado.gov
State Authorization Reciprocity
Agreements (SARA)
National Council of State Authorization
Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
approval is maintained by the Colorado
Department of Higher Education. This
approval grants the College the ability to
offer online programs and courses in
SARA member states.
State of Colorado, Department of
Education Colorado Commission on
Higher Education 1560 Broadway,
Suite 1600 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 866-2723 (303) 866-4266 (fax) http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions
The Higher Learning Commission
(HLC)
The College is accredited by the HLC.
The Higher Learning Commission 230
LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, Illinois 60604 (312) 263-0456 (312) 263-7432 (fax) https://hlcommission.org
Accreditation Commission for
Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The college’s ADN and BSN programs
are accredited by ACEN. The
Commission is recognized as an
accrediting body for all types of
nursing education programs by the
U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation Commission for
Education in Nursing 3343 Peachtree
Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404) 975-5000 (404) 975-5020 (fax) http://www.acenursing.org
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Colorado Department of Veterans
Affairs (DVA) Eastern Division
The Colorado DVA has approved the ADN
and BSN programs to qualified Veterans
for benefits.
Colorado Department of Veteran’s Affairs
1355 South Colorado Boulevard, Building
C, Room 113 Denver, Colorado 80222 (303) 284-6077
https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/
Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accredited 2019
Master of Science in Nursing
Candidacy Status 2019
Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 463-6930
http://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
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History & Ownership of Denver College of Nursing
Professional Education Corporation, doing business as the Denver School of Nursing (DSN),
was incorporated in Colorado on July 1, 2003. On October 23, 2003, the institution was granted
a license to operate by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Division of Private
Occupational Schools (DPOS).
In May 2004, the Colorado State Board of Nursing granted Phase I, II, and III approval for a
Practical Nursing program, an Associate Degree program, and an Upper Division
Baccalaureate program. Based on the Colorado State Board of Nursing approvals, these
programs were also approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Division of
Private Occupational Schools. In November 2004, the Colorado Commission on Higher
Education, under the Colorado Degree Authorization Act, granted the School authority to
award the Associate and Bachelor degrees.
Classes began in Practical Nursing in July 2004, in the Upper Division Baccalaureate program
in September 2004, and in the Associate Degree program in July 2005. The first students
graduated from the Practical Nursing program in July 2005, from the Upper Division
Baccalaureate program in June 2006, and from the Associate Degree program in March 2006.
The Practical Nursing program was discontinued in 2006.
In July 2007, Education Affiliates, Inc. took ownership of Professional Education Corporation.
Since July 2007, significant changes have been made which have greatly improved the learning
environment for students and faculty, and the workplace environment for administrative staff.
Changes include the addition of a Learning Resource Center (LRC) with a full-time librarian;
an upgraded computer laboratory; added classrooms, anatomy and physiology laboratory; new
faculty offices and resource room; a remodeled skills laboratory, and pediatric simulation
laboratory. In mid-2010, Denver School of Nursing added an annex located at 1875 Lawrence
Street (approximately two blocks from the main campus).
In January 2015, the College was approved to offer courses online, and launched its first
program in October 2015. In July 2017, the College officially changed its name to Denver
College of Nursing. In January 2018, the College began offering the Master of Science in
Nursing program.
Professional Education Corporation, d/b/a Denver College of Nursing, is a wholly owned
entity of Education Affiliates, Inc., a private institution of higher education providing career
education through a variety of certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Education Affiliates,
Inc. is located at 5026-D Campbell Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21236, phone: 410-633-
2929 and fax: 410-633-1844. Duncan Anderson is the President/Chief Executive Officer, and
Stephen Budosh is the Chief Financial Officer of Education Affiliates.
Denver College of Nursing is controlled by its governing board. A list of the Board of
Trustees members and Denver College of Nursing administration, faculty, and staff are
included in the catalog addenda.
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The Campus The Denver College of Nursing campus is located at 19th Street and Market Streets with an
annex at 19th Street and Lawrence Street. The campus buildings are two blocks apart in the
“Lodo” area of downtown Denver, Colorado. Parking is available on the street and in
surrounding lots. Classroom and laboratory activities are located in the main building; clinical
simulation is in the annex, and other clinical activities occur at facilities primarily in the Denver
metropolitan area. Public transportation, major shopping, an assortment of restaurants, and
other services are conveniently located within a few blocks of the campus.
Facilities and Equipment Denver College of Nursing’s main building occupies a 24,000 square foot facility located at
1401 19th Street Denver, CO 80202. A Learning Resource Center is available with high-speed
Internet access, computer workstations, printers, web-based resources, reference books, and
periodicals. Nursing laboratories are equipped with microscopes, blood pressure cuffs, patient
hospital beds, and injection arms/skins. Wireless Internet access is provided throughout the
college for student use and testing. The lecture rooms have Internet connectivity, instructional
podiums, projectors, and in-wall speakers to enhance the lectures with access to specialized
medical/educational web sites and use of web-based materials. There is a student lounge with
vending machines and microwaves. Faculty work areas and Administrative offices include
student services, financial aid, registrar, and admissions.
Denver College of Nursing’s annex is located at 1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 450, in downtown
Denver, two blocks from the main campus. The 7,611 square foot annex space includes a
simulation laboratory with high fidelity simulation models, medication administration
equipment, modern supplies, and electronic medical record software. The annex also includes
the business office, career services, a computer laboratory, debriefing rooms, additional staff
offices, and a student break area. The simulation laboratory accommodates 6-8 nursing
students in each of the 6 patient rooms.
The facility is accessible.
Building/Campus Access Main Building
The office hours at the main building are between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The main building is locked at 6:00 p.m. and is accessible on Saturday only by special
arrangement; it is closed on Sunday. Entry to the building is not allowed after 6:00 p.m. except
by arrangement. If classes run after 6:00 p.m., students are required to exit the building within
one hour after classes have ended.
Annex
The office hours of operation at the annex are between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday. The annex is locked at 6:00 p.m. and is accessible on Saturday only by special
arrangement; it is closed on Sunday.
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Parking and Personal Property There is public transportation and paid parking available throughout the downtown area.
Students are not permitted to park in the Denver College of Nursing visitor parking lot adjacent
to the building. Denver College of Nursing provides a locked bicycle and scooter cage as well
as student lockers but does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to a student’s personal
property on or near the campus.
Library/Learning Resource Center and Reading Room Denver College of Nursing’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) includes a quiet study area,
computers, and current collection of books, reference, print journals, and multimedia holdings
that support all areas of the curriculum. The Reading Room is an additional study space and
meeting room available to students. In addition to online resource access, the LRC is open
Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Virtual Library provides additional
resources online 24/7/365. See the Student Handbook for more information.
Campus Class Times On-ground classes may be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday,
from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and other times as necessary.
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to cancel or reschedule classes. Requests for
particular sections, groups, clinical or specific faculty members are not allowed. Faculty
assignments may change at the discretion of the college.
Online courses are asynchronous and are accessible 24/7 during the term as specified in each
course syllabus (except in periods of necessary maintenance).
Clinical Rotations Clinical requirements vary per course and may include offsite placement rotations and
simulation learning experiences. An offsite clinical rotation may include nights, weekends,
holidays, and may be scheduled during the two-week break between terms. Student schedules
may change unexpectedly due to the requirements of clinical agencies.
On-Ground and Online Programs Denver College of Nursing offers both on-ground and online programs. The difference
between these program types is highlighted below.
Denver College of Nursing offers learning in a traditional on campus classroom setting for its
pre-licensure programs at the associate degree and baccalaureate degree level. On-ground
programs are supported by a learning management system that facilitates additional as
asynchronous interactions and communications between and among students and faculty.
Select courses may be offered in an online environment.
Denver College of Nursing offers asynchronous, internet accessible, online courses for its fully
online program options. Asynchronous learning involves communication exchanges which
occur in elapsed time between two or more people. Examples are email, online discussion
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forums, message boards, blogs, podcasts, etc. Experiential learning is embedded in each
program. Only post-licensure programs are offered fully online at Denver College of Nursing.
State Authorization Disclosure for Online Students The following information is applicable to any prospective or current Denver College of
Nursing Online student. Denver College of Nursing reviews admissions applications and may
enroll students from certain U.S. states and territories. Denver College of Nursing does not
accept international students in its online programs.
If while enrolled in a Denver College of Nursing online program, a student moves, they must
notify Denver College of Nursing. Denver College of Nursing cannot guarantee the student’s
new home state/territory will allow them to complete their Denver College of Nursing
program. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the College of their relocation as far in
advance as possible. Students are referred to the Catalog addendum for a current list of states
in which Denver College of Nursing is authorized to enroll students.
Denver College of Nursing operations (as performed currently) are regulated by certain state
education authorities. Denver College of Nursing monitors state laws to ensure that it is
authorized in states in which it enrolls students, and that require such authorization. In the
event that a change in Denver College of Nursing operations or changes in State regulations
necessitate authorization, Denver College of Nursing will attempt to obtain such additional
authorization, licensure or approval. Some states either do not regulate Denver College of
Nursing activities or regulate its activities but exempt it from obtaining authorization due to its
regional accreditation or the lack of a physical presence.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Denver College of Nursing is an Equal Opportunity Educational institution and does not
discriminate in the recruitment and admission of students with respect to race, color, creed,
sex, age, handicap, disability, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Applicants, prospective, or current students with disabilities who require academic adjustments
and/or auxiliary aids in connection with the admissions process, the admissions test and/or
their program of study, should contact the Campus President. The Campus President in
consultation with the Vice President of Education at Education Affiliates, Inc., will work with
the applicant and/or prospective student to identify reasonable accommodations/adjustments
necessary to enable him or her to fully participate in the admissions and educational processes.
Questions about this process may be directed to the Vice President of Education, at
[email protected] or 443-678-2143 (voice)/410-633-1844 (fax).
If a student wishes to file a complaint regarding any disability discrimination, the student
should notify the Vice President of Education at Education Affiliates, Inc. in writing within
ten days of the alleged discriminatory act. A hearing will be scheduled within five business
days of the notification at which time the student has the right to present further evidence and
bring witnesses, if desired, to support their position.
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Academic Programs
Programs and Services Denver College of Nursing offers on-ground and online programs and services to support and
fulfill its mission by providing:
• Programs that prepare nursing
students to apply to take the
national nursing licensing
examination as applicable.
• Degrees at the associate’s,
bachelor’s, and master’s levels that
build on prior education or (as is
the case with the undergraduate
programs) support a student
entering postsecondary education
for the first time.
• At the pre-licensure level,
expertise and services are
provided to support the student
who is pursuing their goal to
become a registered nurse (RN).
• Post-licensure Registered Nurse to
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(RN-BSN) and Master of Science
in Nursing (MSN) programs are
offered to further one’s career.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing
Occupational and Academic Outcomes Applicants should review the programs closely before making a program choice. If a student
has earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, it is recommended
that the student consider the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program first to see if it
meets his/her education goals.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) pre-
licensure nursing degree programs are designed to prepare the student to apply and take the
licensing examination required for practice as a registered nurse (RN). The Colorado State
Board of Nursing (CBON) expects that the programs show academic differences in breadth
and depth of content. Moreover, the American Nurses Association (ANA) also notes
differences and identifies the BSN as the professional entry into practice and the ADN as the
standard entry into practice. Denver College of Nursing teaches a differentiated practice model
in which the BSN students are provided additional training regarding the role of the BSN nurse
vs. that of the ADN nurse.
Academically, the BSN professional entry nurse is expected to have knowledge beyond the
standard entry level. Those areas include:
• Research & Evidence-Based
Practice • Quality Improvement • Collaboration • Education • Professional Practice Evaluation
• Collegiality • Ethics • Computer Informatics • Leadership • Teambuilding
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The BSN student generally has more experience with reading, critiquing, and using current
evidence-based practice research as they enter practice.
The ADN student is prepared for direct bedside patient care with fundamental
medical/surgical, childbearing, and mental health concepts. The ADN program takes less time
to complete as it has fewer required general education courses than the BSN program demands.
ADN graduates who plan to enhance their career mobility can obtain their BSN degree by
completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, RN-BSN option.
Through the RN-BSN option, registered nurses will expand their knowledge and skills in
evidence-based practice, patient safety, teamwork and collaboration, quality improvement,
leadership, technology integration, and healthcare systems and policies.
Master of Science Degree in Nursing Occupational and Academic
Outcomes The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program prepares graduates for leadership in
nursing education. The education focus in this program prepares students for leadership roles
in health care education. Courses focus on leadership development, teaching and learning
strategies, curriculum development, and evaluation methods.
Nursing Program Outcomes Denver College of Nursing has established the following program outcomes for all
undergraduate and graduate programs at the College:
Undergraduate Program Outcomes:
• NCLEX pass rates (for pre-licensure program options)
• Program completion • Graduate program satisfaction
• Employer program satisfaction (for pre-licensure program options)
• Job placement/career development
Graduate Program Outcomes:
• Program Completion • Graduate program satisfaction • Job placement /career development
General Education Philosophy General education provides a foundation of knowledge, skills and attitudes that every lifelong
learner should possess. This broad perspective is especially important when dealing with the
diverse, multi-cultural, and individual aspects of how human beings think and feel.
General education also provides a framework for dealing with the human aspects of health as
well as helping students acquire the skills essential to assess information critically. Framing
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and delivering reasoned and persuasive arguments both orally and in writing and acquiring
information that will be utilized to solve problems is critical in the nursing profession. Nursing
students are required to successfully complete a number of general education courses and learn
to appropriately apply the concepts embedded in most nursing courses.
General Education Curriculum The general education curriculum course offerings provide a level of general knowledge across
disciplines, and an awareness of multiculturalism, diversity, and ethics that we believe every
graduate of Denver College of Nursing needs for lifelong learning. These attributes and skills
will provide an opportunity for ethical practices, successful careers, and effective citizenship.
The following areas of concentration are the core in the general education curriculum:
• English/Communication/
Language • Mathematics
• Social Science
• Human Growth & Development • Humanities/Psychology • Science
General Education Outcomes
Students achieve general education outcomes as they:
Develop creative and critical analytical skills across a wide range of clinical and human
knowledge situations.
• Develop creative and critical
analytical skills across a wide
range of clinical and human
knowledge situations.
• Develop skills in written,
technical, and oral
communications.
• Function ethically and meet
professional standards with
integrity.
• Demonstrate evidence of and caring
for a diverse and multicultural
society.
• Develop skills for independent
decision making and leadership.
Denver College of Nursing Online Courses Many courses are delivered fully online and some are offered partially online and partially on
campus as a hybrid or blended course. The mode of course delivery is subject to change
according to public health requirements. At Denver College of Nursing, any student enrolled
in an online course must meet the admissions requirements for his/her desired program as
outlined in this College Catalog. Any pre-requisite requirements for courses at Denver College
of Nursing (online or otherwise) are noted in the Course Descriptions in the College Catalog.
Online courses in the undergraduate programs adhere to the same grading scale as on- campus
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courses at Denver College of Nursing. The MSN program has a different grading scale. Please
refer to the MSN program section of this catalog for more detail.
Students enrolled in an online course are expected to adhere to the same standards for student
conduct and meet all program requirements as outlined in the College Catalog and Student
Handbook. Students enrolled in online courses have access to all resources available to
students (e.g., Learning Resource Center, copiers, computer lab, student groups, etc.). Students
may access the college’s virtual learning resources by visiting www.mydsn.net.
Each course syllabus explains expectations for participation, assignments, and learning
outcomes, along with other assessments for the course as well as general standards of behavior.
In order to graduate from Denver College of Nursing’s programs, all students must meet the
graduation requirements outlined in the College Catalog.
Denver College of Nursing uses a Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver online
courses. There are many tools within the LMS for student interaction and support. Additional
information regarding online student verification, including identity verification, student
responsibilities, and a statement of authenticity is included in the Student Handbook.
Technology Requirements In order to participate in courses at Denver College of Nursing, students need daily access to a
computer and web camera (webcam) with an internet connection. For Windows and Mac users,
DCN’s LMS recommends the use of the Firefox web browser. To complete certain
assignments and be able to upload them to the LMS, students will need standard Microsoft
Office or comparable software products (e.g. Microsoft Word).
Any student without the standard equipment listed above is invited to use the equipment
available at the Denver College of Nursing campus (e.g. computer lab, printers, Learning
Resource Center) during regular campus hours. For LMS related questions, please contact
Academic Support at [email protected], or by visiting the Technical Support tab
located on the LMS student landing page. For other technical questions, please contact the
Denver College of Nursing Help Desk at [email protected].
A computer with a current version of MS Office or comparable software (e.g. Microsoft Word),
webcam and a sufficient internet connection is the basic equipment needed for online
programs.
Students enrolled in a Denver College of Nursing Online program may choose, prior to the
start of the academic program, to purchase a laptop computer that can be included in the tuition
costs.
Global Health Perspectives Global Health Perspectives (GHP) program is a cross-cultural, inclusive outreach program for
students that are focused on student development in global health settings in Denver and
around the world.
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GHP combines classroom training with in-field service-learning internships and is integrated
throughout the Denver College of Nursing curriculum path. Students are invited to participate
in GHP from their first quarter of enrollment, through their coursework, and even as Denver
College of Nursing alumni.
Student membership in GHP requires attendance at global development symposiums and
service-learning volunteer hours at multiple community-based organizations. After successful
completion of GHP membership for a minimum of two quarters and completion of Advanced
Medical/Surgical nursing course students are eligible to apply for a GHP Service-Learning
Internship.
Denver College of Nursing’s faculty mentor and precept GHP students in both domestic and
international internship locations. Upon successful completion of GHP internships students
may earn clinical credit for their work where eligible and more profoundly gain the tools and
experiences to broaden their perspectives in global health care.
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Associate Degree in Nursing Program For students transferring in general education courses from other accredited institutions, this
option consists of six quarters of nursing courses with both didactic and clinical components
built on these foundational courses.
Graduates are prepared to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination-
Registered Nurse (NCLEX- RN®) and earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. The full-time
completion program takes one year and six months.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of Denver College of Nursing’s Associate Degree program, a student should
be able to:
• Apply clinical competence in the
provision of patient centered care.
• Demonstrate an ability to use
effective communication and
collaboration skills with patients,
families, and colleagues.
• Use effective decision-making
skills to manage and coordinate
nursing care, ensuring continued
quality and safety.
• Demonstrate accountability for the
ethical, legal, and professional
responsibilities related to the use of
technology/ informatics in nursing.
• Integrate current nursing knowledge,
theory, and research into the care of
all patients, including diverse and
vulnerable populations.
NOTE: See General Education Outcomes on page 11
Holistic Admissions Requirements
Applicants must transfer in or successfully complete 24 quarter credits of post-secondary
coursework, with a GPA of 2.0 or better and with grades of C or above (C- or below are not
acceptable) for the courses noted below:
Course Semester Hours Quarter Hours
Anatomy & Physiology with Lab 8 12
Human Growth & Development 3 4
Introduction to Algebra 3 4
English Composition 3 4
56 24
NOTE: See Academic Expectations & Policies for additional requirements on page 32.
General Requirements
Applicants who have completed courses that are different from, but are the equivalent to, those
required for holistic admission should submit official transcripts and course descriptions to
their admission representative for review by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or
designee. In addition:
19
• Applicants that have not already graduated from an accredited college with a
bachelor’s degree have two opportunities to obtain a minimum of 75% on the
HESI A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary,
and Grammar) and on the Math Subscale; and take the HESI A2 components
utilized in the advising program.
• Applicants that have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited college do not have to take the HESI A2 entrance exam.
• Anatomy and Physiology courses cannot have been completed more than seven
years prior to the applicant’s Denver College of Nursing start date.
NOTE: Applicants must meet additional requirements detailed in the Holistic Admissions Policies and
Procedures section of this catalog.
20
Associate Degree in Nursing Program
Course No.
Quarter 1 BIO 209
Course Name
Pathophysiology
Qtr. Credits
5
BIO 115 Basic Nutrition 3
NUR 210 Health Assessment with Skills Laboratory 5
NUR 200 Differentiated Practice 3
Quarter 2
16
NUR 220 Foundations of Nursing Arts & Skills with 12
NUR 228
Skills Laboratory & Clinical Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations with
6
Laboratory
Quarter 3
18
NUR 230 Basic Medical Surgical Concepts with Skills Laboratory & Clinical
13
Quarter 4
13
NUR 240 Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts 9
NUR 245
with Clinical Nursing Concepts in Mental Health with Clinical
6
Quarter 5
15
NUR 250 Nursing Concepts for the Multigenerational 6
NUR 255
Childbearing Family with Clinical Nursing Concepts of Children with Clinical
6
NUR 260 Role Transition 3
Quarter 6
15
NUR 285 RN Leadership and Capstone Clinical 9
9
BIO Quarter Credits 8
Nursing Quarter Credits 78
General Education Transfer Quarter Credits 24
Total Quarter Credits for the ADN Program 110
Note: A minimum of 75% of the Denver College of Nursing program courses must be earned at
Denver College of Nursing.
21
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option Applicants to the BSN Completion Option are often professionals in other disciplines who
elect to make a career change after completing a BA, BS or Associate Degree. Other applicants
are inspired to pursue a nursing career by building on the competencies gained in post-
secondary courses. For students transferring in general education courses from other accredited
institutions, this option provides a focused nursing curriculum with didactic and clinical
components built on the general education courses. Graduates are prepared to apply to take the
National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX- RN®) and earn a BSN
degree. This option consists of seven quarters of nursing courses with both didactic and clinical
components built on foundational courses and are generally completed in 21 months (1 year,
9 months) of full-time study.
Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion, a student should be prepared to:
• Synthesize knowledge from
nursing and the arts and sciences
in the holistic practice of
professional nursing.
• Design, manage, and coordinate
nursing care to ensure quality and
safety
• Base practice on current
knowledge, theory, and research.
• Integrate effective inter-professional
collaboration practice to enhance
the health of all patients, including
diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Use patient care technologies and
clinical information systems to
facilitate decision making necessary
for delivery of safe care.
NOTE: See General Education Outcomes on page 11.
General Holistic Admission Requirements
• Submit official transcripts and course descriptions to their admissions representative
for review by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or designee.
• Applicants that have not already graduated from an accredited college with a
Bachelor degree have two opportunities to obtain a minimum of 75% on the HESI
A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and
Grammar) and on the Math Subscale; and take the HESI A2 components utilized in
the advising program.
• Applicants that have already graduated with a Bachelor degree from an accredited
college do not have to take the HESI A2 entrance exam. • Provide a background check and drug screen that meets licensure requirements.
• Microbiology and A&P courses cannot have been completed more than seven years
prior to the applicants Denver College of Nursing start date.
• Applicants to the BSN Completion Option must show satisfactory completion of 56
22
semester credits or 80 quarter credits from an accredited institution with a GPA of
2.0 or better and with grades of C or above
(C- or below are not acceptable) for all listed prerequisite courses.
NOTE: Meet additional requirements detailed in the Holistic Admissions Policies and Procedures
section of this catalog.
Catalog Credit Conversion According to the Carnegie method of calculating credit conversions, 1 semester credit hour =
1.5 quarter credit hours. The charts below reflect the credit conversion used by Denver College
of Nursing.
Applicants without a Baccalaureate Degree Applicants to the BSN Completion Option without a prior baccalaureate degree must show
completion of an Associate Degree or a minimum of 56 semester credits or 80 quarter credits
of post- secondary coursework from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.0 or better and
with grades of C or above (C- or below are not acceptable) for the courses noted below.
Course Semester Hours Quarter Hours
Microbiology with Lab 4 6
Anatomy & Physiology with Labs 8 12
Sciences (2 courses; 1 with lab) 7 10
Algebra (or higher math level) 3 4
Statistics 3 4
Psychology 3 4
Human Growth & Development 3 4
Nutrition 3 4
English Coursework 6 9
English Coursework 16 23
General Education 56 80
NOTE: Microbiology and Anatomy &Physiology courses cannot have been completed more than 7 years prior to the Denver College of Nursing applicants start date.
23
Applicants with a Baccalaureate Degree
Applicants to the BSN Completion Option, who already possess a baccalaureate degree from
an accredited institution, must show satisfactory completion of 55 semester credits or 80
quarter credits from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.0 or better and with grades of C
or above (C- or below are not acceptable) for the courses noted below.
Course Semester Hours Quarter Hours
Microbiology with Lab 4 6
Anatomy & Physiology with Labs 8 12
Statistics 3 4
Human Growth & Development 3 4
Nutrition 3 4
General Education 35 50
56 80
NOTE: Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology courses cannot have been completed more than
seven years prior to the applicants Denver College of Nursing start date. See Academic Expectations
& Policies for additional requirements on page 32.
Requirements Relevant to All Programs Applicants who have completed courses that are different from, but are the equivalent of, those
required for admission, should submit transcripts and course descriptions to their admissions
representative for review by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or designee.
NOTE: General education courses must be from three different disciplines such as Humanities, Arts,
Communication, Social Sciences, History, etc.
24
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option
Course No. Course Name Qtr. Credits
Quarter 1 BIO 309
Pathophysiology
6
NUR 310 Health Assessment with Skills Laboratory 6
NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing Practice 3
Quarter 2
15
NUR 320 Foundations of Nursing with Skills Laboratory & Clinical 10
NUR 328 Pharmacology with Calculations Laboratory 6
Quarter 3
16
HIT 410 Healthcare Informatics 3
NUR 330 Medical Surgical Nursing I with Skills Laboratory & Clinical 10
Quarter 4
13
NUR 420 Mental Health Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 440 Medical Surgical Nursing II with Clinical 9
Quarter 5
15
NUR 340 Pediatric Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 350 Obstetrical Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 338 Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3
Quarter 6
15
NUR 450 Community and Public Health Nursing with Clinical 7
NUR 460 Transition to Professional Practice 3
NUR 470 Leadership and Management 3
Quarter 7
13
SOC 321 Life Transitions: Death and Dying 4
NUR 485 Senior Integrative Seminar and Capstone Clinical 9
13
Program Quarter Credits
100
Transfer Credits 80
Total Quarter Credits for the BSN Program 180
NOTE: A minimum of 75% of the Denver College of Nursing program courses must be earned at Denver College of Nursing.
25
Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN - BSN Option The Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN option provides general education and
nursing courses to meet the needs of the registered nurse who desires to continue education in
nursing at the bachelor’s degree level. This program option is delivered through distance
education (online). This option consists of a minimum of five quarters of courses with both
didactic and experiential learning assignments in specific courses and can be completed in as
little as 15 months of study. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree.
Students entering the RN to BSN option build on their basic nursing knowledge as they acquire
the general education component of the baccalaureate program. This will provide a foundation
and breadth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes every college-educated individual should
possess. This broad perspective is especially important in the field of nursing when dealing
with diverse cultures and individuals with health-related problems. Through the RN to BSN
program option, registered nurses will expand their knowledge and skills in evidence- based
practice, patient safety, teamwork and collaboration, quality improvement, leadership,
technology integration, and healthcare systems and policies.
Student Learning Outcomes Registered nurses returning to obtain the bachelor’s degree should be able to:
• Synthesize knowledge from
nursing and the arts and
sciences in the holistic
practice of professional
nursing.
• Design, manage, and
coordinate nursing care
to ensure quality and
safety.
• Base practice on current
knowledge, theory, and
research.
• Integrate effective inter-
professional collaboration
practice to enhance the
health of all patients,
including diverse and
vulnerable populations.
• Use patient care
technologies and clinical
information systems to
facilitate decision making
necessary for delivery of
safe care.
NOTE: See General Education Outcomes.
Admissions Requirements Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Submit an official transcript to the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or
designee indicating graduation from an accredited Associate Degree in
Nursing program or RN Diploma Program recognized by the U.S. Department
of Education.
26
• Hold an unencumbered state license as a registered nurse.
NOTES: Meet additional requirements as appropriate for post-licensure students as detailed in the
Admissions Policies and Procedures section of this Catalog. Applicants who graduated from an RN diploma
program have additional requirements. These applicants should contact an Online Admissions Representative
for more information.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN - BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN option provides general education and
nursing courses to meet the needs of the registered nurse who desires to continue education in
nursing at the bachelor’s degree level. This program option is delivered through distance
education (online). This program option consists of a minimum of 5 quarters of courses with
both didactic and clinical experiential learning assignments in specific courses and may be
completed in as little as 15 months. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree.
Course No.
Course Name
Qtr. Credits
COM/ENG Communications or English Composition II 4
HUM/PHI Any Humanities/ Ethics Course 8
MAT/SCI College level Mathematics/ Science 8
PSY Any Psychology Course except introductory level 4
SOC Any Sociology Course 4
28 credits
HIT 420 Healthcare Informatics 5
NUR 300 Professional Issues in Nursing 5
NUR 309 Pathophysiology for the Registered Nurse 6
NUR 325 Healthcare Delivery Systems 5
NUR 335 Health Promotion in Nursing 5
NUR 370 Cultural Dimensions in Nursing 5
NUR 400 Research and Evidence Based Practice 6
NUR 415 Policy, Finance, and Quality in Nursing and Healthcare 6
NUR 425 Population-Based Nursing 6
NUR 435 Leadership and Management in Nursing 6
NUR 445 Capstone 7 62 credits
General Education Quarter Credits 28
Nursing Quarter Credits 62
RN to BSN Option Total Quarter Credits 90
Quarter Credits Awarded for Prior Degree 90
Total Quarter Credits for the BSN Degree 180
NOTE: A minimum of 25% of the Denver College of Nursing program courses must be earned at Denver
College of Nursing.
27
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Full Degree Program
Following successful completion of the BSN pre-licensure curriculum, graduates apply to take
the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®). Graduates
earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This program is 21 months in length for full-
time students after pre-requisites are completed.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, a student should be prepared to:
• Synthesize knowledge from
nursing and the arts and sciences
in the holistic practice of
professional nursing.
• Design, manage, and coordinate
nursing care to ensure quality
and safety.
• Base practice on current
knowledge, theory, and research.
• Integrate effective inter-
professional collaboration practice
to enhance the health of all
patients, including diverse and
vulnerable populations.
• Use patient care technologies and
clinical information systems to
facilitate decision making
necessary for delivery of safe care.
NOTE: See General Education Outcomes on page 11.
Admission Requirements
Pre-Nursing (Quarter 1-6)
Students are admitted into the pre-nursing component if they meet or exceed the following
requirements:
• Obtain a minimum of 871 on the English component and a minimum of 855
on the math component of the General Assessment of Instructional Needs
(GAIN) entrance exam.
• Provide verification of education at or above the high school level with a
GPA of 2.0 or better and with grades of C or above (C- or below are not
acceptable) for the courses noted below.
• Provide proof of high school graduation, unless the applicant has earned a
post-secondary degree.
NOTE: Meet additional requirements detailed in the Admissions Policies and Procedures section of this
catalog. This program is not being currently offered at the College.
Nursing Program (Quarter 7 and beyond) Students are admitted into the nursing component if they meet or exceed the following progression requirements:
• Attain a 2.5 CGPA.
28
• Students have two opportunities to achieve a minimum of 75% on the
HESI A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension,
Vocabulary, and Grammar) and on the Math Subscale; and take the HESI
A2 components utilized in the advising program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Full Degree Program
Pre-Nursing Courses*
Course No. Course Name Qtr. Credits
Quarter 1 ENG 121
English Composition 1
4
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology 6
MAT 101 Introduction to Algebra 4
Quarter 2
14
APH 216 Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory 6 SCI 115 Basic Nutrition 4
ENG 221 English Composition II 4
Quarter 3
14
SOC 115 Sociology 4
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSY 278 Human Growth and Development 4
Quarter 4
12
BIO 205 Microbiology with Laboratory 6 ETH 210 Ethics 4
APH 217 Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory 6
Quarter 5
16
COM 245 Interpersonal Communications 3
PSY 321 Building Emotional Intelligence 3
CHM 107 General Chemistry 6
Quarter 6
12
MAT 137 Statistics 4
HUM 320 Creating Solutions & Critical Thinking 4
SOC 431 Sociology of Health and Medicine 4
12
* Courses may not be currently offered. Most students transfer in the pre-nursing courses.
NOTE: Students admitted into the nursing component (which begins in Quarter 7) must meet or exceed the
progression requirements outlined in the admissions requirements. This program is not being currently offered
at the College.
29
Nursing Component
Course No. Course Name Qtr. Credits
Quarter 7 BIO 309
Pathophysiology
6
NUR 310 Health Assessment with Skills Laboratory 6
NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing Practice 3
Quarter 8
15
NUR 320 Foundations of Nursing with Skills Laboratory & Clinical 10
NUR 328 Pharmacology with Calculations Laboratory 6
Quarter 9
16
HIT 410 Healthcare Informatics 3
NUR 330 Medical Surgical Nursing I with Skills Laboratory & Clinical
10
Quarter 10
13
NUR 420 Mental Health Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 440 Medical Surgical Nursing II with Clinical 9
Quarter 11
15
NUR 340 Pediatric Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 350 Obstetrical Nursing with Clinical 6
NUR 338 Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3
Quarter 12
15
NUR 450 Community and Public Health Nursing with Clinical 7
NUR 460 Transition to Professional Practice 3
NUR 470 Leadership and Management 3
Quarter 13
13
SOC 321 Life Transitions: Death and Dying 4
NUR 485 Senior Integrative Seminar and Capstone Clinical 9
13
Program Quarter Credits
100
Transfer Credits 80
Total Quarter Credits for the BSN Program 180
NOTE: A minimum of 75% of the Denver College of Nursing program course credits must be earned at Denver
College of Nursing. This program is not being currently offered at the College.
30
Master of Science in Nursing Program
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Program is designed to prepare graduates for
positions in nursing education and leadership. Graduates earn a Master of Science in Nursing
degree. This program is 15-18 months in length for most students.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, a student should be prepared to:
Apply research methods to evaluate current knowledge from nursing theory, nursing science
and related disciplines to inform and/or initiate change in practice.
• Demonstrate the use of scholarship
inquiry to inform ethical practice
decisions.
• Synthesize relevant education
theories; evidence-based research of
teaching and learning; and
instructive and evaluative
methodologies to facilitate learning
by individuals and groups.
• Analyze the effect of health policy,
finance, technology, and
organizational context on the
development and implementation of
quality programs.
• Utilize inter-professional
communication to improve practice
outcomes.
• Integrate advances in technology into
practice.
• Evaluate the use of adaptive
curriculum design and teaching
strategies to meet the education
needs of diverse populations.
NOTE: See General Education Outcomes on page 11.
Admissions Requirements
• Official college transcripts (electronic secured or sealed unopened paper copy) must
be submitted to the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or designee indicating
graduation from an accredited bachelor’s degree in nursing program recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education. The bachelor’s degree in nursing program must
be accredited by one of the following agencies: the Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
(ACEN) or the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).A
minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Current unencumbered (no restrictions, sanctions/disciplines - actual or pending)
license to practice as a registered nurse in your current state of residency.
Additional information regarding admission to this program is located in the Admissions
Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
31
Master’s Degree in Nursing – Online Program
Course No. Course Name Qtr. Credits
Quarter 1
NUR 600 Advanced Health Assessment 5
NUR 610 Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology 5
10
Quarter 2 NUR 620 Global Healthcare 5
NUR 630 Pharmacology 5
10
Quarter 3 NUR 640 Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice for
Nursing 5
NUR 650 Advanced Theory, Leadership, and Management 5
10
Quarter 4 NUR 660 Student Centered Learning 5
NUR 670 Teaching Strategies and Technology for the Nurse Educator
5
10
Quarter 5 NUR 680 Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation 5
NUR 690 The Nurse Educator: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships
5
10
Quarter 6 NUR 695 Capstone 6
6
Core Courses 30
Specialty Courses for Nursing Education Credits 26
Total Quarter Credits for the MSN Degree 56
32
Admission Policies and Procedures
General Admission Requirements
The applicant must be a high school graduate or possess the recognized equivalent of a high
school certificate. The applicant must provide documentation of graduation from high school
or college in the form of a valid high school certificate or an earned college degree higher than
a diploma that is completed. Acceptable documentation includes an official transcript of
official documentation which confirms that the student meets or exceeds the academic
achievement equivalent to a high school diploma in the USA. It is expected that all official
documentation be in place before the start of the program. Any exceptions must be cleared by
the admissions committee. All documents from foreign countries must also be translated into
English and evaluated to be found equivalent or higher than a USA high school certificate by
a credential evaluation service, which is a member agency of the National Association of
Credential Evaluation Services (NACS), and subject to the approval of Denver College of
Nursing. Each applicant for admission is assigned an admissions representative who directs
the applicant through the steps of the admissions process; provides information on curriculum,
policies, procedures, and services; and assists the applicant in setting necessary appointments
and interviews in person, virtually, or by phone as appropriate.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss their career goals, applicable experience, and
education background during the admissions interview.
Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s fulfillment of these requirements, a review
of the applicant’s previous educational records, and a review of the applicant’s career interests.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that Denver College of Nursing receives all
required documentation. All records received become the property of Denver College of
Nursing.
Candidates for all programs must:
• Be 18 years of age or older at the time he/she starts his/her program of study. • Complete an application.
• Interview with an admissions representative and/or other administrative staff
(online students conduct interviews by phone). • Meet all financial obligations.
• Submit to and a pass a criminal background check administered by the school
prior to starting the program or being readmitted following a withdrawal period
of 90 days. The conviction or charge for certain criminal offenses may bar an
applicant from participating in certain externship training experiences, eligibility
to acquire professional certification/licensure required to function in professional
career fields and obtaining employment. This includes, but is not limited to, any
felony or misdemeanor identified on an applicant’s background report that may
prevent the applicant’s completion of the program, acceptance to
externship/clinical training facilities, achievement of professional
certification/licensure, and attainment of employment in a particular field. • Accepted applicants must agree to and sign the Enrollment Agreement along with
any other required admissions documents.
33
Any candidate who has an adverse result on his/her background report is encouraged to seek
approval from the certifying bodies of any applicable program to establish eligibility for
certification/licensure and employment in that specific field. If an applicant with an adverse
occurrence on his/her background chooses to participate in a program that requires a clear
background for admission to externship/clinical sites, eligibility to acquire professional
certification/licensure required for employment in specific career fields and obtaining
employment, he/she will be required to sign a disclosure document accepting full responsibility
for any and all costs associated with attending the career program, and does not hold the
institution and its associates liable for being denied program completion, entrance to any and
all externship/clinical training facilities necessary for the completion of the program, ability to
achieve certification/licensure, or gain employment in the field of study.
Students must report to the Dean of Education/Nursing in writing, any change in their criminal
background or current status within 24 hours of occurrence (includes new citations and/or
charges regardless of the pending or final adjudication). Students who fail to report any new
citation or charge may be dismissed from the program. Specific information and details are
provided by the Admissions Representative.
NOTE: Enrollment in nursing courses requires enrollment in one of the college’s nursing programs.
Pre-licensure (on-ground) students are required to continue and maintain annual updates of
immunizations, health insurance, CPR Certification, and negative drug screen. Students are to
immediately inform the College if there are items that might show on a background check that could
create a barrier to clinical practice experience, placement, or licensure. Please refer to the section on
Additional Clinical Requirements for On-ground Students.
Post-licensure (online) students may be required to provide proof of current immunizations,
certifications, or health coverage to Denver College of Nursing if needed for experiential
learning assignments.
MSN Admission Criteria
All applications for admission to MSN degree program require a completed application form
and may include a non-refundable application fee. Admission to the MSN degree program is
based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admissions
requirements:
• A nursing degree from a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited program. • A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. • A grade of “B” or better in all undergraduate nursing courses.
• Evidence of current unrestricted or unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure.
Applicants may be conditionally accepted pending licensure to be obtained prior
to the end of the first quarter of study.
Admission on Probation
Students who show promise for the program, but do not meet all admission criteria, may be
admitted on a probationary basis. Under the probationary status, students must attain a grade
of “B” or better in the first 10 quarter credit hours of Master of Science degree in nursing
course work. Successful completion of the first 10 quarter credit hours of course work with a
34
3.0 cumulative grade point average removes the probationary status and entitles students to
good academic standing.
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to students who are awaiting receipt of admission
materials. In the RN to BSN and MSN programs, this includes first quarter students awaiting
a sit date for NCLEX testing. Registered nurse licensure must be obtained prior to the end of
the first quarter of study. Unlicensed individuals will not be permitted to progress into the
second quarter of the program.
High School or GED
Unless otherwise noted, all applicants for admission must be high school graduates recognized
by the U.S. Department of Education or hold a GED. For more information on obtaining a
GED, please go to www.acenet.edu and select GED Testing Services or contact the local Board
of Education or our Admissions Office.
Transfer Credits
Denver College of Nursing Credit Transfer to Another Institution – Credits earned at
Denver College of Nursing are transferable only at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Denver College of Nursing does not guarantee that its credits will transfer to any other
institution. A Veterans Administration (VA) funded student enrolling at Denver College of
Nursing with prior credit from another school or military education or skills training will be
evaluated according to the Transfer Credit Policy for all students. Previous transfer credit
evaluation for VA students is not an option, all veterans and other students eligible for VA
funding must apply for credit for previously completed training. The College will evaluate and
grant credit, if appropriate. Training time will be adjusted appropriately, and tuition reduced
proportionately if credit is granted for previous training. The VA and the student will be
notified in writing of the outcome of previous transfer credit evaluation. Fortis Institute must
receive and evaluate official transcripts from all postsecondary school(s) previously attended
by a Veteran and the Veteran’s military transcripts before enrollment can be certified. It is the
Veteran’s responsibility to request all transcripts and pay any fees assessed by the previously
attended school(s).
Credit Transfer to Denver College of Nursing – Denver College of Nursing generally does
not accept nursing courses from another nursing program, unless the transfer is related to the
Colorado Nursing Articulation Model or other approved articulation agreement. Requests for
transfer will be reviewed by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or his/her designee on a
course-by-course basis. Any nursing courses approved for transfer must have been completed
within three (3) years of start date at a state board of nursing approved program (note: this
particular requirement is not relevant to the RN- BSN or MSN programs). Denver College of
Nursing accepts transfer credits if the credits meet the following requirements:
• Previous institution was either accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation,
or the college determines that the postsecondary institution has equivalent
35
accreditation standing as a foreign institution. • The content of the course is similar in scope. • The unit of credit is comparable.
• A GPA of 2.0 or better and with grades of C or above (C- or below are not
acceptable) for all listed prerequisite courses. • Listed prerequisites must be from an accredited institution. • Credits are from an U.S. institution.
• Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology courses cannot have been completed
more than 7 years prior to the applicants Denver College of Nursing start date.
Transfer credits are recorded as hours earned toward the program without counting toward a
student’s Grade Point Average (GPA). General education credits are transferred if they meet
“general education” standards as defined by Denver College of Nursing. No transfer credits
will be accepted after the first quarter. Denver College of Nursing does not guarantee the
transferability of its credits to any other educational institution. All questions about the
transferability of credits should be directed to the receiving institution.
A minimum of 75% of the pre-licensure Denver College of Nursing program courses must
be taken at Denver College of Nursing. A minimum of 25% of the program courses in the
RN-BSN program option and MSN degree program must be earned at Denver College of
Nursing.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer of credit is always the decision of the individual college or university and is
controlled by the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee transfer of credits.
Students interested in transferring credits earned at Denver College of Nursing should check
with the receiving institution directly to determine to what extent, if any, credits can be
transferred.
The request to transfer credit must be initiated by the applicant or student. Requests for
transfer credit should be submitted prior to enrollment, and only under extenuating
circumstances may an exception be made with the approval of the Campus President, in
which case all necessary documents must be received no later than 14 calendar days after the
start date or re-entry date of the student’s program.
To apply for consideration of credits previously earned, students must request official
transcripts be sent directly to Denver College of Nursing in the attention of the Registrar.
Students may be required to provide a relevant catalog and/or other relevant documents
regarding the course(s) to be considered. Foreign transcripts must be translated into English
and be evaluated by a member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation
Services (NACES).
In order to be considered, the institution where the credit was previously earned must be
accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) at the time the student earned the credits.
If students earned educational credits at a post-secondary institution outside the United States
36
and not accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education at
the time the student earned the credits, then that postsecondary institution must have equivalent
accreditation standing with the central accrediting body in its country of residence at the time
the student earned the credits.
Courses for which applicants would like to request transfer credit must meet the applicable
criteria listed below:
• Learning objectives or competencies of courses submitted for transfer credit
must be comparable to the courses at Denver College of Nursing in order for
transfer credit to be awarded.
• Courses must have a grade of “C” or higher on the transcript from the awarding
institution.
• Science courses (e.g., Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology,
Pathophysiology) cannot have been completed more than seven years prior to
the applicant’s start date. When a warranted need for exception to the time
limit as stipulated arises, it must be carefully evaluated and approved by the
Dean of Nursing Education Programs.
Credit may also be awarded for successful completion of Advanced Placement (AP), College
Level Examination Program (CLEP), and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
examinations in subject areas equivalent to courses within the student’s Denver College of
Nursing program. The student must provide official documentation in order to be considered
for possible award of course credit. Minimum scores required in order to receive transfer credit
are as follows: AP scores of 3 or higher, CLEP scaled scores of 60 or higher and DANTES
scores of 434 or higher (only scores from DANTES exams taken after 2008 will be considered).
Denver College of Nursing does not award credit for life or work experience. The maximum
allowable transfer credit that can be awarded is 25% of the total program credits unless
specified otherwise in a particular program.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) & Defense Activity for
Nontraditional Education Support Subject Standardization Test
(DANTES–Military or Approved Government Personnel)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students who have achieved required credit-granting scores of College-Level Examination
Program (CLEP) exams can earn college credit. CLEP examination credit is not given where
it duplicates credit previously earned by the student or accepted for work done elsewhere. To
obtain credit or placement for subject exams, a student must receive a score of 50 (Computer
Based Testing [CBT] scale) or higher. To obtain credit for College Composition, a student
must receive a standard score of 610 (1978 scale), 500 (1986 scale), or 50 (CBT scale). This
is a scaled score, equivalent to a grade of C in the corresponding course.
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Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES)
Credits may be awarded to current and former members of the armed forces upon submitting
documents received from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Department
of Defense. Additional credit may be awarded to veterans of military service who have
attended military service schools. This credit is evaluated by the Office of Admissions
according to suggested guidelines by the American Council of Education.
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Denver College of Nursing accepts Advanced Placement (AP) credit only when it appears on
a college transcript as “Transfer Credit Applied”. Students who have performed satisfactorily
in special college-level courses while in high school, and who have passed appropriate
Advanced Placement (AP) examinations conducted by the College Entrance Examination
Board may have official scores submitted directly to the Office of Admissions for
consideration for college credit. This office, in consultation with the appropriate department
chair, determines the amount and nature of the credit and/or advanced placement granted.
Students should contact www.collegeboard.com or 888-225-5427 to request official AP
scores; the code for Denver College of Nursing is 7419. Documentation may be requested that
verifies credit has been applied. Score must be “three or higher” to receive credit.
Requirements Relevant to All Programs
Applicants who have completed courses that are different from, but are the equivalent to, those
required for admission, should contact an Admissions representative for review.
Nursing Requirements-Essential Functions of Nursing Practice
Nursing program applicants should be physically and emotionally able to perform all of the
routine daily tasks a student nurse must perform in the clinical setting and do so in a safe and
competent manner. Most often this includes, but is not limited to:
• The ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Frequent, quick paced walking. • Lifting and transfer of patients. • React swiftly to auditory signals. • React to visual stimuli with color and depth perception. • Manual dexterity. • Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English proficiently. • Ability to make appropriate situational judgments and problem solve.
See the student handbook for further details on the essential functions of nursing practice and
what is expected of all nursing student in order to complete the program.
Application Review and Acceptance
Successful applicants will be accepted through a ranked point system by the Admissions
Committee and will be notified of acceptance when all admissions requirements are met. If
needed, all applicants must adhere to the current Denver College of Nursing alternate list
policy. Applicants who are not accepted will receive a full refund of any amounts paid with
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the exception of the non-refundable application fee. Enrollments may be accepted until the
Orientation date; no enrollments are accepted after the Orientation date.
Clock Hour/Credit Hour Distribution
Denver College of Nursing follows the Carnegie Unit system of credit assignment. Denver
College of Nursing operates on a quarterly calendar system and offers four 11-week terms in
its academic year. Denver College of Nursing uses the following clock hour to credit hour
conversions in accordance with the Carnegie Unite system:
• Ten (10) lecture hours = one (1) quarter credit hour. • Twenty (20) laboratory hours = one (1) quarter credit hour. • Thirty (30) externship/clinical hours = one (1) quarter credit hour.
The college does not offer direct assessment or competency-based programs in lieu of
traditional clock/credit hour assignment.
Students who have attended a college or university where semester credits were granted may
transfer course credits to Denver College of Nursing. To convert semester to quarter credits,
multiply the semester credits by 1.5. For example, a student who has earned 30 semester credits
at an institution on a semester calendar could earn up to 45 quarter credits at Denver College
of Nursing.
NOTE: Denver College of Nursing does not transfer in nursing courses in any of its program options
unless specified otherwise in a particular program.
Additional Admission Requirements
Additional Clinical Requirements
The various clinical sites may have additional requirements that students must meet prior to
being accepted into their clinical experiences. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they
have appropriate documentation which will allow them to participate in the various clinical
experiences.
On-ground Pre-licensure Students
The following requirements must be met prior to clinical participation:
• Background check (due prior to start of classes) must meet Colorado State
Board of Nursing guidelines; this may need to be repeated at the request of
a clinical facility. • Clear drug screen (due prior to start of classes); this may need to be repeated
at the request of a clinical facility. • Completed Physical Exam form (due 5 weeks prior to start of the quarter in
which clinical rotations begin).
• Proof of current immunizations (due 5 weeks prior to start of the quarter in
which clinical rotations begin); a list of required immunizations may be
obtained from the Admissions Department. • Proof of health insurance coverage (due 5 weeks prior to start of the quarter
39
in which clinical rotations begin).
• Proof of current Healthcare Provider CPR certification (due 5 weeks
prior to start of the quarter in which clinical rotations begin). • Proof of OSHA and HIPAA training (training will be provided in the
program).
• Additional requirements may be required by a clinical site; any additional requirements will be the student’s responsibility and at the expense of the student.
Online Post-licensure Students The following requirements must be met prior to clinical practicum participation:
Background check may be needed at the request of a clinical practicum learning site.
• It is the post-licensure student’s responsibility to keep all immunizations
and records, CPR certification, and/or health insurance up to date and to
renew as required. If immunization or other records are required in the
course of completing post-licensure program requirements, the student will
provide these records as needed. • Unencumbered and current RN license.
• Additional requirements may be required by a clinical practicum learning
site. Any additional requirements will be the student’s responsibility and
at the expense of the student.
Academic Expectations and Policies
In all pre-licensure program courses, the minimum grade of a “C+” (78%) is required to pass
all courses. For successful completion of all courses, a minimum test composite score of 78%
(total average of objective assessment) and clinical, simulation, and lab performance grades
of Pass (“P”) are required in all nursing courses. Clinical and laboratory activities will be
graded as Pass/Fail.
Academic Grading & Performance Requirements ADN and BSN Program Progression and Grade Requirements
Each student must complete a minimum number of credits by the end of each Satisfactory
Academic Progress (SAP) evaluation period (additional information on SAP may be found in
the Financial Aid section of this Catalog). Only satisfactorily completed course credits are
counted as credits completed. Satisfactorily completed course credits include those for which
a student receives a grade other than a ‘C’, ‘D+’, ‘D’, ‘W’, or ‘F’. All courses for which a
student receives a grade, whether passing or failing, a withdrawal (‘W’), a repeated course, or
an incomplete (‘I’), are counted in determining credits attempted. Transfer credits accepted for
the student’s program will be counted as credits attempted and credits completed. A student’s
SAP standing will be calculated based on the student’s entire history of enrollment in a specific
program of study, except as noted below (see credit completion requirements at each
evaluation level in the chart below).
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SAP
Evaluation
Levels
Cumulative Quarter
Credits Attempted
(including transfer
credits)
Minimum Percentage of
Cumulative Credits
Completed
(including transfer credits)
Minimum
CGPA
1 1-13 50% 2.00
2 13.1-48 50% 2.25
3 48.1-64 60% 2.50
4 64.1 & Higher 67% 2.50
Students must maintain at least a 2.5 ‘C+’ cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to be in
good academic standing in SAP evaluation level 3 & 4. The cumulative grade point average
is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of
quarter credits attempted. Transfer credits are not included in the grade point calculation;
however, they are used to satisfy the total program requirements.
Academic performance in all courses is monitored continuously throughout each quarter. All
students who are not meeting the minimum requirements for successful completion of a
course will be offered advising by a faculty and/or staff member on how to be successful.
SAP evaluation occurs at the end of each quarter. Failure to meet the minimum standards for
academic progress at the end of the quarter may result in SAP/FA Warning or termination
from the program (see the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy).
Undergraduate Academic Grading Scale
Grade Percentage
Equivalent
Point
Value
A+ 95-100 4.00
A 90-94 3.75
B+ 85-89 3.50
B 80-84 3.00
C+ 78-79 2.50
C 70-77 2.00
D 65-69 1.00
F < 65 0.00
I Incomplete No Grade Point
T Transfer Credit No Grade Point
L Leave of Absence No Grade Point
W Withdraw No Grade Point
AU Audit No Grade Point
Tests may not be repeated to improve a grade and grades are not rounded. Students taking a
test after the scheduled test time will be given an alternative test. A grade of “C+” or higher is
required to satisfactorily complete any course. A pass “P” grade is required in clinical/lab.
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MSN Degree Requirements
The MSN degree requires completion of 56 quarter credit hours of graduate (600-level) course
work with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
MSN Program Progression and Grade Requirements
Candidacy for the MSN degree at Denver College of Nursing requires successful completion
of course requirements. The following standard ten (10) point scale is utilized in the MSN
degree program:
Grade Percentage Equivalent
Point
Value
A 90-100 4.0
B 80-89 3.0
C 70-79 2.0
D 60-69 1.0 F 0-59 0.0
Grades of “A” or “B” represent superior or satisfactory progress toward the MSN degree. The
grade of “C” is a passing grade in the MSN program and counts toward graduation. It is
understood to mean less than satisfactory achievement. A candidate is required to maintain a
minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average, but no grades may be lower than “C”
regardless of grade point average. A maximum of two courses with a grade of “C” may count
toward graduation; however, students who receive a grade of “C” or lower in two courses at
the 600- level are subject to academic review. Students who receive a grade of “D” or lower
for a 600-level course must repeat the course. Students who receive a grade of “D” or lower
for two 600-level courses (or a repeated course) are subject to academic review and potential
dismissal from the program.
Students enrolled in the MSN degree at Denver College of Nursing must successfully complete
a minimum of 67% of cumulative credits attempted throughout the entire program (additional
information on SAP may be found in the Financial Aid section of this Catalog). Only
satisfactorily completed course credits are counted as credits completed. All courses for which
a student receives a grade, whether passing or failing, a withdrawal (‘W’), a repeated course,
or an incomplete (‘I’), are counted in determining credits attempted. Transfer credits accepted
for the student’s program will be counted as credits attempted and credits completed (see credit
completion requirements at each evaluation level in the chart below).
Cumulative Quarter
Credits Attempted (including transfer credits)
Minimum Percentage of
Cumulative Credits Completed (including transfer credits)
Minimum
CGPA
3 & Higher 67% 3.00
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Course Grading
For undergraduate programs, a student must achieve at least 78% composite exam/quiz score
in all courses. If a student does not meet the minimum composite exam/quiz score, that score
is recorded as the final grade and the student is considered not passing. Once the minimum
composite exam/quiz score has been met, all other course assignments will be factored in to
determine the final course grade. Students in the RN-BSN program option must also achieve
at least 78% after having completed all graded assignments in order to pass each course.
Students in the MSN degree program must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point
average (CGPA) throughout the program to be in good academic standing. The cumulative
grade point average is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the
total number of quarter credits attempted. Transfer credits are not included in the grade point
calculation in any of the nursing programs; however, they are used to satisfy the total program
requirements.
Academic performance in all courses is monitored continuously throughout each quarter. All
students who are not meeting the minimum requirements for successful completion of a course
will be offered advising by a faculty and/or staff member on how to be successful. SAP
evaluation occurs at the end of each quarter. Failure to meet the minimum standards for
academic progress at the end of the quarter may result in SAP/FA Warning or termination from
the program (see the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy).
A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 is required for graduation
and awarding of an ADN or BSN Degree. A CGPA of 3.0 is required for
graduation and awarding of the MSN degree.
Qualitative Requirement – Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
The College measures qualitative progress on the basis on a 4.0 scale. All courses for which a
student receives a grade will be included when calculating the student’s CGPA, except that of
a withdrawal (‘W’) or incomplete (‘I’) will not be included in determining a student’s
cumulative CGPA, and if a student repeats a course, only the higher grade for that course will
be included when calculating the student’s GPA. (See CGPA requirements at each Evaluation
Level in the Academic Grading & Performance Requirement).
For the pre-licensure BSN and ADN programs, students not obtaining a grade of ‘C+’ or better
in a course must repeat the course and maintain this minimum academic standard in order to
continue at Denver College of Nursing and to be eligible for graduation. A grade of ‘C’, ‘D’,
‘F’ or ‘W’ is considered not- passing.
For the MSN programs, students not obtaining a grade of ‘C’ or better in a course must repeat
the course and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) in order to
continue at Denver College of Nursing and to be eligible for graduation.
Clinical and Laboratory Grading Many courses in the undergraduate pre-licensure curricula contain laboratory, simulation, or
43
clinical components to allow students the opportunity to develop and practice skills learned
and discussed in the theory portion of classes. Specific clinical opportunities may be
geographically located 100+ miles from the main campus. Students may be assigned to clinical
sites that require extra time and expense to achieve the course requirements. (This does not
pertain to the post-licensure programs.) In the post-licensure curricula, there are also courses
that contain clinical components that are integral to meeting the course objectives of specific
courses. Students in the post- licensure programs, have an opportunity to select clinical
opportunities to meet these objectives and expand upon their learning.
Simulation, clinical, and laboratory components are integral to theory classes and must be
passed in order to pass a course containing these components. Any nursing course with a
simulation, clinical, or laboratory requirement that a student is required to repeat also requires
repeating of the simulation, clinical, or laboratory in addition to the didactic part of the course,
(regardless of the grade received in any single course component).
Final course grades are based on the grade earned in the theory portion of the course once the
simulation, clinical, and/or laboratory component has been passed. Failure of the theory
portion, even if the clinical, and/or laboratory components were passed, results in a failing
grade for all course components and requires a repeat of all components (theory, clinical,
and/or laboratory as applicable to the particular course). Failure to pass the clinical, or
laboratory component results in a failing grade for all course components and requires a repeat
of the didactic course and associated laboratory, simulation, and/or clinical.
Incomplete Grade Process
An Incomplete (‘I’) grade may be given for special cause or administrative reasons if the Dean
of Nursing Education Programs or designee determines the student is entitled to additional
time to complete course requirements. The student must have completed at least 70% of the
course work in order to be eligible to request an Incomplete Grade. Incomplete Grade Request
Forms must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than 11:59 p.m. MT,
Friday, the last day of the term. The student must complete the course requirements within the
time provided, not to exceed 14 calendar days after the commencement of the next grading
period, or the ‘I’ will convert to ‘F’. In extenuating circumstances, the Scholastic Standards
Committee may be asked to address the issue. Failure to complete these requirements
satisfactorily or within the required time frame will result in a grade of ‘F’.
Withdrawal from Courses
Denver College of Nursing courses are offered sequentially to provide students optimal success
and completion within the time frame allotted. Students are strongly advised not to withdraw
from a course unless it is for reasons of great importance, such as a verifiable personal
emergency or military obligation.
44
A student who is contemplating withdrawing should be cautioned that:
• The student may have to wait for the appropriate course to be offered.
• Graduation date will change.
• A student must repeat all courses from which the student elected to
withdraw prior to receiving a final passing grade.
• Financial aid and/or tuition costs will be affected.
• The student is responsible for the full tuition after the add/drop
period.
• There may not be space available in the class or clinical upon his/her
return.
Students enrolled in any course offered by the College, (including both nursing courses and all
required general education courses) who withdraw from a course will receive a grade of “W”
if they withdraw before the following deadlines:
• 11 Week Course: End of the 6th week of the term. If students
withdraw in week 7 or thereafter, they will receive a failing grade for
the course
• 5 Week Course: End of the 3rd week of the term. If students
withdraw in week 4 or thereafter, they will receive a failing grade for
the course.
Students are allowed only two course withdrawals from any course in the nursing programs
during the entire program, whether such withdrawals were from the same course or different
ones. Withdrawing a third time, regardless of the week in which the withdrawal takes place,
will result in academic dismissal.
NOTE: For information on refunds, please see the Refund Policy.
Repeat Policy
A student who does not pass a course must retake it if the student is academically eligible to
do so. The failing grade will be averaged into the CGPA at the end of the quarter and remains
in effect until the course is repeated and a passing grade is earned. When a student repeats a
course, only the higher grade received for the course is calculated in the cumulative grade point
average. After successful completion of a repeated course, the original course failure grade is
changed to ‘R’ (repeat). All grades earned will be indicated on the official transcript. The
attendance for the original and repeated quarter will be used to calculate total attendance for
the program. Also, credit hours attempted for both repeated and original courses will count
toward the Maximum Completion Time calculation. Students required to repeat a course
will be charged the current tuition for that course.
In the undergraduate nursing programs (ADN, BSN, and RN-BSN programs), only one repeat
of a failed course in the entire curriculum may be attempted. A second failure to achieve a
grade of C+ in any undergraduate course will result in dismissal from the program (not
45
applicable to the MSN program).
In the MSN program, while the grade of “C” is a passing grade in any of the courses in this
program and counts toward graduation, it is understood to mean less than satisfactory
achievement. A candidate is required to maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point
average, but no grades may be lower than “C” regardless of grade point average. A maximum
of two courses with a grade of “C” may count toward graduation; however, students who
receive a grade of “C” or lower in two courses at the 600-level are subject to academic review.
Students who receive a grade of “D” or lower for a 600-level course must repeat the course.
Students who receive a grade of “D” or lower for two 600-level courses (or a repeated course)
are subject to academic review and potential dismissal from the program.
Termination of Enrollment Denver College of Nursing may terminate the enrollment of a student who:
1) Fails to maintain passing grades, satisfactory attendance or satisfactory
progress.
2) Fails to pay tuition and fees on time.
3) Maliciously destroys, damages, or steals from the college, staff or other
students (the student may also be held liable for the costs of repair or
replacement as a result of such actions).
4) Engages in improper or unlawful conduct, or conduct contrary to the
college’s rules and regulations, including those published in the College
Catalog.
5) Engages in behavior that interferes with the educational process, or the
rights of other students or staff.
All tuition and fees that may become due are described in the Enrollment Agreement except
for potential incidental costs related to educational supplies. All amounts due under the
Enrollment Agreement must be paid on or before their due date, unless the student and Denver
College of Nursing expressly agree in writing to defer the due date of a payment, in which case
payment of interest or a service charge may be required. Any written agreement to defer the
due date of a payment shall be a part of the Enrollment Agreement. If a student’s financial
account is not current by the payment due date, she/he may not continue in the program. In-
school students will not be registered for the next quarter. Students that are not registered for
any courses within a quarter and are not on an approved Leave of Absence (see Leave of
Absence policy) may be terminated from the College.
Students whose enrollment is terminated may apply for re-admission after one year. Students
may appeal the termination. Refer to the appeals process in this catalog for additional
information.
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Academic Leave of Absence Students enrolled in term-based credit hour programs who need to interrupt their program of
study for military service requirements, jury duty, or a Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
affecting the student or a member of the student’s immediate family (spouse and/or children),
are not able to resume training at the same point where the training was interrupted and
therefore would not qualify for a Leave of Absence, but would qualify for the Academic Leave
of Absence (ALOA) provision. To qualify for this provision, the ALOA must meet all
eligibility criteria below, the request must be made prior to the first scheduled class day of a
term or module and the student may only return at the beginning of a subsequent term or
module. Students enrolled in term-based programs that are approved for an ALOA will begin
their grace period on any Federal Student Loan(s) as of their last date of attendance.
Furthermore, the Return to Title IV policy and Tuition Refund policy as listed in the catalog
will be applied.
The following are the criteria for making application and approving an Academic Leave of
Absence:
1) The request and reason(s) for the Leave of Absence must be made by the
student in writing on a Leave of Absence Request Form in advance of the
ALOA. If unforeseen circumstances inhibit a student from making the ALOA
request in advance, Denver College of Nursing may grant an ALOA on behalf
of a student without prior written request as long as Denver College of
Nursing can document the reason for its decision and collect the request from
the student at a later date. This would apply in such instances where the
student sustained an injury due to an accident, became suddenly ill, or had an
immediate family member become suddenly ill that was in need of immediate
care.
2) In certain documented, unforeseen and extenuating circumstances, a student
who cannot continue attending the course(s) may find it essential to request
an ALOA after a term or module has started. The institution is not required to
approve this type of LOA request; however, if the institution grants this type
of mid-term LOA request, the student will receive a grade of W for each
course attempted in the term. The W grade will be determined in accordance
with the normal grading policy and will have the same impact as usual. SAP
will need to be calculated for the student before a decision on the LOA is
determine. If a student would be SAP Not Met after the W grade for the
current term are awarded, then the LOA is denied. The Return to Title IV
policy and Tuition Refund policy as listed in the catalog will be applied based
upon the percentage of the term or module the applicant has attended.
3) The applicant for the ALOA should have successfully completed at least one
grading period, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, be making
Satisfactory Academic Progress, be current in his or her tuition and fees
obligation, and have satisfactorily completed all student financial assistance
requirements.
47
4) The initial leave period requested should be no more than 90 days; however,
in certain semester-based programs, the initial ALOA request may be
extended to 120 days. If the student requires an extension of the original leave
period, the student must apply for an extension and provide new
documentation. The request for extension will follow the same approval
process as the original request, which requires the written approval from
Denver College of Nursing. Denver College of Nursing cannot extend the
period of leave originally requested without a written request from the student
(or family member if the student is incapacitated) that includes third-party
supporting documentation. All ALOA extension paperwork and
documentation must be turned into Denver College of Nursing prior to the
student’s initial ALOA return date. In any 12-month period, the cumulative
leave period(s) may be no longer than 180 calendar days.
The applicant for an ALOA will be notified by the Registrar or the President of the College if
his or her application for an Academic Leave of Absence has been approved or denied. If the
leave is approved, the student will also be notified of the scheduled return date and any other
conditions required of the student. All students that are approved for an ALOA must meet with
the Financial Aid Department prior to returning to school.
Students returning to the college after an Academic Leave of Absence may be required to
demonstrate clinical competence prior to placement in clinical nursing courses.
Brief Periods of Non-Enrollment or Standard Period of Non-
Enrollment (SPN)
With the exception of scheduled holiday and breaks, Denver College of Nursing programs and
courses are delivered continuously throughout the year. Programs of study are designed to be
delivered in an uninterrupted academic calendar; however, there are a certain set of limited
circumstances when an individual student, for academic reasons, needs to interrupt the
sequential order of the courses in his or her program of study. Denver College of Nursing has
an enrollment status provision, Standard Period of Non-Enrollment (SPN), which would allow
a student to request and be approved to retain his or her status as an otherwise active and
enrolled student at Denver College of Nursing during these brief periods.
There are six required steps that must be completed prior to the approval of the SPN enrollment
status:
1) The student must be currently enrolled and actively attending in a program of
study that delivers instruction in modules.
2) The student should have successfully completed at least one grading period,
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, be making Satisfactory Academic
Progress, be current in his or her tuition and fees obligation, and have
satisfactorily completed all student financial assistance requirements.
3) The student must otherwise be in good academic and financial standing with
the College and sign a Standard Period of Non-Enrollment Request Form
wherein the student affirms that he/she will attend the next module.
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4) The student must be able to return to the same payment period, or term for which the SPN is granted.
5) The President of the College and Financial Aid Director must approve the SPN request.
6) Any approved SPN means that the College will not charge the tuition,
books or fees for the module of instruction for which the student is not in
attendance.
A student requesting an SPN should have successfully completed at least one grading period,
have a minimum cumulative CGPA of 2.5, and be current in his/her tuition and fee obligations.
The student requesting a leave must confirm that the applicant understands and agrees that if
she / he fails to return to active class attendance at the approved end date of his/her
Administrative Leave of Absence, that his/her enrollment will be terminated.
Students approved for a SPN are not considered to be enrolled at a status of on a half time basis
for purposes of the student’s Federal student loan. Any Federal student loan will enter
repayment and if applicable, the student’s Federal Loan ‘Grace Period’ will have started as of
the student’s last day of attendance at Denver College of Nursing.
A student requesting a SPN will be notified by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or
designee if his/her application for a leave has been approved or disapproved. If the leave is
approved, the student will also be notified of the approved return date and any other conditions
required of the student.
Students returning to the college after an approved SPN may be required to demonstrate
clinical competence prior to placement in clinical nursing courses.
Course Audit Any current student may audit a lecture class without charge, provided that seating space is
available in the course of choice and that auditing a class does not interfere with the student’s
required course schedule. Arrangements to audit a class must be made with the Dean of
Nursing Education Programs. Students are not permitted to audit laboratory or
clinical/externship activities or experiences.
During an audit class, the student is expected to participate in all typical learning activities
except examinations or quizzes. Audit courses do not count toward credit attempted or credit
earned; nor do they count as part of a student’s full or part-time schedule for purposes of
financial aid. The student will receive a grade of AU on the official college transcript for
audited courses. A course audit cannot last more than one term (11 weeks). Auditing a class
may lengthen the time it takes for a student to complete the program.
Attendance Policy
In accordance with Denver College of Nursing program philosophy, attendance in each
didactic, laboratory, simulation, clinical, and online session is considered necessary in order to
meet course expectations in a satisfactory manner.
49
Attendance is checked and recorded for each scheduled didactic, laboratory, simulation,
clinical, and online session. Students with 14 consecutive calendar days of absences in a course
will be dropped from that course. A student will be officially withdrawn from the College
following 14 consecutive calendar days of being absent from all courses in a term.
In order to satisfactorily complete courses with laboratory, simulation and clinical components,
a student is responsible to complete one hundred percent (100%) of the required laboratory,
simulation, and clinical hours in the curriculum approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing.
Failure to complete 100% of laboratory, simulation and clinical time for any reason, will result
in course failure.
Academic Appeals Policy
The Academic Appeals Policy provides a vehicle by which students can appeal academic
decisions or actions, such as final grades or consequences of attendance violations. Students
who wish to appeal academic status/eligibility due to failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic
Progress should see the SAP Appeals & Financial Aid Probation section of the Satisfactory
Academic Progress policy. Students thinking about appealing a decision related to classroom
policies such as decisions regarding course-specific testing, classroom assignments, or grades
should first discuss their concerns with their instructor. Should the concern not be resolved at
the instructor level, students may choose to file a written academic appeal with their program
director.
An academic appeal must be received by the program director no later than 12 pm MT on
Thursday during the first week of the quarter break. Students must meet with their course
instructor prior to filing an academic appeal. The academic appeal will not be reviewed if
students have not met with the course instructor to discuss their concerns. The academic
appeal must be filed in writing (email is acceptable) and must be accompanied by any
supporting documentation at the time it is filed. The program director will review the written
appeal and all supporting documentation, complete an investigation if necessary, and reply in
writing to the student no later than 5 pm MT on Sunday at the end of the first week of the
quarter break.
If the appeal is denied at the level of the program director, students may choose to file an
academic appeal with the Chairperson of the Scholastic Standards Committee. Academic
appeals must be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the Scholastic Standards
Committee no later than 5 pm MT on Monday at the start of the second week of the quarter
break. The appeal must include a description of the academic decision the student is
requesting be reviewed and as much documentation as possible substantiating the reason for
review of the decision.
The Chairperson of the Scholastic Standards Committee will convene a meeting of the
Committee, consisting of at least five individuals that may include: The Chairperson of the
Scholastic Standards Committee; a program director; the Director of Student Services; and at
least two faculty. This meeting will be held the second Tuesday of the two-week break. The
student may attend the meeting but is not required to do so; The student will receive the specific
details of their appeal no later than two hours prior to the scheduled start of the Scholastics
Committee meeting. The student will be notified in writing via email of the Scholastic
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Standards Committee’s decision. The notification will be sent the following Wednesday by 5
PM MT.
If the appeal has been denied by the Scholastic Standards Committee, the student may choose
to appeal in writing to the Dean of Nursing Education Programs by 5 PM the second Thursday
of the two-week break. This appeal must include additional information that justifies carrying
the appeal forward. The Dean of Nursing Education Programs will review the written appeal,
complete an investigation if necessary, and will reply in writing to the student by 5 PM the
following Friday. The decision of the Dean of Nursing Education is final for all academic
decisions.
If the student is appealing termination due to violation of the attendance policy, the student
will remain withdrawn from the school until the appeal is successful. See SAP Appeals &
Financial Aid Probation of the Satisfactory Academic Progress section of this catalog for more
information if the student is appealing termination due to failure to maintain satisfactory
academic progress. Dismissal can only be appealed if there are significant extenuating
circumstances.
If the student believes that he or she still did not receive the appropriate due process, the student
may file a grievance or complaint by following the procedure described in the grievances and
complaints section of this Catalog.
Dates are subject to change pending the schedule of the two-week break.
Academic Dismissal
Students are allowed only two course withdrawals from any course in the nursing programs
during the entire program, whether such withdrawals were from the same course or different
ones. Withdrawing a third time, regardless of the week in which the withdrawal takes place,
will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program. Only one repeat of a failed course
in the entire curriculum of any of the nursing programs may be attempted. A second course
failure will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program.
A student who is enrolled in a degree program at Denver College of Nursing and fails any two
(2) courses or withdraws from three courses has not met Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP). Students who do not meet SAP will be terminated from the College and may apply for
re- admission after one year. Students may appeal the termination. Refer to the appeals process
in this catalog for additional information.
Students who withdraw from their program of study due to an unanticipated circumstance may
make application to re-enter their program. Applicants for re-entry must be in good standing
with the college and must demonstrate that barriers which prevented successful completion of
their original enrollment have been resolved.
Applicants who are granted re-entry may be required to complete additional requirements to
demonstrate academic and clinical competencies at the discretion of the College.
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Applicants granted re-entry into their program are required to sign a new enrollment agreement
which lists the current tuition, current fees, revised graduation date, and acknowledges receipt
of other required disclosures. All previously attempted course credits count towards the
academic dismissal policy. Students who have been dismissed from the College do not qualify
for re-entry. Students who wish to re-enter the program must contact the Director of Student
Services to apply.
Maximum Student/Faculty Ratios
Course Ratio Lecture 36:1 Laboratory -nursing skills 10:1 Laboratory – dosage calculations 36:1 Clinical/ Simulation 10:1 Online 25:1
Honors
Master’s degrees will be awarded with honors for those graduates who have achieved a
cumulative grade point average at or above the following level:
• 3.85 – 4.00* Distinction
Bachelor’s degrees will be awarded with Latin honors for those graduates who
have achieved a cumulative grade point average at or above each of three
levels:
• 3.85 – 4.00* Summa Cum Laude • 3.70 – 3.84* Magna Cum Laude • 3.55 – 3.69* Cum Laude
Associate degrees will be awarded with honors for those graduates who have achieved a
cumulative grade point average at or above each of two levels:
• 3.85 – 4.00* High distinction
• 3.55 – 3.84* Distinction
Quarterly recognition will be awarded for those students who have achieved a quarterly
grade point average at or above each of two levels in nursing programs:
• 3.85 – 4.00 President’s List
• 3.55 – 3.84 Dean’s List
*NOTE: Any course failure or conduct sanction disqualifies student eligibility for academic honors.
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Graduation Requirements
Students graduate the quarter that all requirements are met and
documentation of such is received in the Office of the Registrar by the
designated deadline. Incomplete grades and late application for graduation
may delay graduation.
ADN and BSN Graduation Requirements
Students must meet the following criteria to be awarded a degree in their program of study:
• Accumulated, with passing grades as defined in the College Catalog, the
required number of credit hours within the student’s program of study;
• Achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.5;
• Completed the program within 150% of normal completion time for the
program of study;
• Verified satisfactory completion of all program requirements for graduation
with the Dean of Nursing Education Programs, Registrar, Director of
Financial Aid, and Director of Career Services;
• Returned all college owned property including books, equipment, and college
issued security door key card;
• Satisfied all financial obligations to the college.
MSN Graduation Requirements
Students must meet the following criteria to be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing
degree.
• Accumulated, with passing grades as defined in the College Catalog, the
required number of credit hours within the student’s program of study;
• Achieved a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of a 3.0. A
maximum of two courses with a grade of “C” may count toward graduation;
• Completed the program within 150% of normal completion time for the
program of study;
• Verified satisfactory completion of all program requirements for graduation
with the Dean of Nursing Education Programs, Registrar, Director of
Financial Aid, and Director of Career Services;
Satisfied all financial obligations to the college.
Transcripts Requests for a copy of an academic transcript must be made through the Office of the
Registrar. Upon graduation, each graduate will receive one copy of an official transcript free
of charge, along with an unofficial transcript.
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Each additional copy of the transcript will cost $10.00. A rush order for an additional copy of
the transcript will cost $13.00. Official transcripts of work completed will not be issued until
all obligations to Denver College of Nursing have been satisfied. Denver College of Nursing
does not release copies of transcripts from other institutions. If a student needs a transcript
from a prior institution, the student should contact that institution.
Graduates may request a duplicate diploma at the cost of $25.00. Rush orders for duplicate
diplomas cost $60.00.
Program and Policy Changes
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes in organizational structure,
policy, and procedures as circumstances dictate. Denver College of Nursing reserves the right
to make changes in equipment, materials, and modify the curriculum as it deems necessary.
When size and curriculum permit, classes may be combined to provide meaningful instruction
and training and contribute to the level of interaction among students. Students are expected to
be familiar with the information presented in this Catalog and the Student Handbook.
Academic Freedom Academic freedom is key to academic integrity and is a value that both students and faculty
members should respect. The right to academic freedom includes the right to engage in civil
debate; discussion in all academic settings; and to question the judgment and views offered by
others. The exercise of academic freedom does not excuse responsibility for learning the
content of courses as presented or teaching the curriculum as it is designed. Academic Freedom
is more about the ability to debate views, hear different views, critically assess the possibilities,
and less about supporting a discriminating view, or showing a strong bias that affects learning
and open dialog. Academic Freedom can never condone support for violent actions against
others or to dehumanize any person, culture, gender, race, or protected classes by federal or
state agencies.
Faculty members and students are expected to aspire to the same high level of ethics and
professionalism that is demanded of licensed professionals in nursing. Both are expected to
conduct themselves as professionals, and to provide an education in a professional environment
of respect and fair treatment. Academic integrity includes, but is not limited to:
• Providing fair and objective evaluation of academic work.
• Using a syllabus for each class outlining course outcomes, faculty
expectations, and evaluative methods.
• Treating all with respect and freedom from harassment, unfair treatment, or
discipline not in compliance with College policies.
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Educational Delivery Systems Courses are taught employing a combination of didactic, laboratory, and experiential or
practical learning. The lecture, laboratory, and externship/clinical hours for a course are
identified on the syllabus. Laboratory hours may be scheduled differently from classroom
hours and may vary throughout a program.
Students enrolled in all programs at the College have access to the College’s Learning
Management System (LMS). Lecture classes are delivered by qualified instructors in a
traditional residential classroom with appropriate learning resources such as textbooks and/or
multimedia materials through internet access and computer projection devices. Online lecture
classes are delivered by qualified instructors via the College’s (LMS).
Laboratory classes typically constitute hands-on learning activities either led, guided, or
supervised by an instructor, or performed by students in groups or individually. Such
laboratory activities may take place in a dedicated laboratory or a regular classroom with the
appropriate learning resources and/or equipment and tools.
Clinical and/or externship courses typically take place at a qualified clinical/externship site,
and students perform tasks under the guidance of a site supervisor and/or a clinical instructor.
The pre-licensure programs are delivered in a traditional on-ground or residential classroom
environment with specific courses delivered in a blended or hybrid format (the incorporation
of both traditional on-campus/residential and distance learning/online elements). The post-
licensure programs are delivered exclusively via distance learning (online) via the College’s
LMS.
The mode of delivery for each program is identified on the program page. Students enrolled
in any of the programs offered at the College require access to a computer, webcam, internet
connectivity, and software that meets the specifications described in the Student Information
and Acknowledgement Form.
Student Services
Career Services The Career Services Department provides assistance to all currently enrolled students and
alumni. These services include résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques and
tips on identifying jobs, and job search strategies. Online and on-ground students may access
career services materials and tutorials on campus and through The College’s Learning
Management System (LMS). The Director of Career Services may be contacted for additional
resources. Career Fairs are held during the year and prospective employers are invited to meet
on campus with students.
Students attending Denver College of Nursing are required to complete all paperwork as
directed by the Career Services Department and to participate in an Exit Seminar as a
graduation requirement during their final quarter. Students may participate in the Exit Seminar
via a scheduled telephone interview or in person with the Director of Career Services or other
Career Services staff member.
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Career Services continuously promotes professional relationships with employers to provide
qualified career- oriented graduates to match their employment needs. The Career Services
Department is the liaison between students and employers, serving the students by promoting
Denver College of Nursing to prospective employers. Through career development, including
professionalism, motivation, and the maintenance of ethical standards, graduates are
empowered with the skills necessary to foster a successful and on-going career.
All current and prospective students and alumni are entitled to review Denver College of
Nursing’s completion and job placement rates. Statistics pertaining to these are updated and
published annually. Copies are available from the Admissions Office or from the Registrar.
The Career Services staff aids graduates in finding employment by assisting with resume
preparation, helping with development of interviewing skills, and identifying job leads
appropriate for the graduates. They may set up job interviews for graduates.
Obtaining employment is ultimately the graduate's responsibility. While the Career Services
department will assist all graduates in good standing, graduates should independently pursue
employment opportunities and not rely entirely on the efforts of the department.
Recent graduates who have not yet obtained employment in the field of their program should
notify the Denver College of Nursing’s Career Services Department of pending job interviews
or any placement or change in status (continuing education, further education, job change,
etc.).
Prospective employers may request training-related information about students they could
consider hiring. The student's academic and attendance patterns, as well as observable
professional behavior, are factors that may be considered by prospective employers.
Students and graduates should also be aware that potential employers may conduct a criminal
and/or personal background check. Students with criminal records that include misdemeanors
or felonies (including those that are drug-related) or personal background issues such as
bankruptcy might not be accepted by these employers. Some agencies, institutions, and
employers may require candidates for employment to submit to a drug test.
To comply with reporting requirements Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to contact
a graduate's employer using various methods to verify information regarding the graduate’s’
employment. In some instances, Denver College of Nursing may disclose personal information
to the employer for the sole purpose of employment verification.
NOTE: While placement assistance will be provided, Denver College of Nursing cannot promise or guarantee
employment or a specific salary.
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Student Activities
Denver College of Nursing provides annual funding to support various co-curricular activities
for students. These include a chapter of the National Student Nurses Association and the Global
Heath Perspectives program. These groups provide various community service opportunities
such as volunteering and participating in local and national charities doing walks/races, hosting
an annual blood drive, and hosting food/clothing drives. These groups also facilitate various
social activities for students held on campus and around neighboring businesses.
Personal and Family Counseling Denver College of Nursing does not provide ongoing counseling for personal issues. Students
requiring professional assistance for legal, financial, domestic, mental health or other matters
will be referred to professional counseling or human services agencies within the community.
The Director of Student Services maintains contact information for these services for on-
ground students. WellConnect is available for online students.
Health Services
Denver College of Nursing does not provide health services or health insurance for students.
Students are required to have adequate health insurance coverage in order to comply with the
requirements for participation at clinical sites. Students are responsible for all costs of medical
services they require. Active members of the DCN Chapter of the National Student Nurses
association may purchase health insurance coverage from www.nsna.org. Students should call
911 in an emergency situation. Denver College of Nursing provides workers’ compensation
coverage for on-ground students while they are attending clinical sites.
Student Support Services Denver College of Nursing offers a variety of services to its online students. These services
include but are not limited to the following:
• academic and non-academic advising, • tutoring (via SmartThinking, peer to peer), • virtual library services, • registrar and student records, • WellConnect, and • student community groups (e.g., Student Nurses Association).
Additional information and details regarding services offered to online students at Denver
College of Nursing may be found in the Student Handbook.
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Financial Aid
Prior to applying for admission to Denver College of Nursing applicants should explore
resources available to help them finance their education.
Denver College of Nursing is approved by the Federal Department of Education to participate
in Title IV funding programs. Qualified recipients are presented with several options to cover
the cost of their education. We highly encourage students and their families to explore all of
their options and not to rely solely on financial aid to fund their education.
• Denver College of Nursing offers payment plans with no interest while attending school.
• Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid programs is determined by information
submitted in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). • We are approved to train Veterans. • We offer credit-based alternative funding for those who qualify.
Our individualized attention to each student’s needs makes applying for financial aid a simple
and personalized process for Denver College of Nursing students.
Available Financial Assistance Programs
Denver College of Nursing maintains a staff of financial aid professionals to assist students in
obtaining the financial assistance they require to meet their educational expenses. Available
resources include federal grant and state aid programs, student loans from private lenders, and
federal work- study opportunities, both on and off campus. Federal assistance programs are
administered through the U.S. Department of Education. Any U.S. citizen, national, or person
in the United States for other than temporary reasons who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment
may apply for these programs. Most forms of financial assistance are available for each July 1
– June 30 award period. Every student considering application for financial aid should request
a copy of the current guide, Funding Your Education, published by the U.S. Department of
Education. This important document may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or online
at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students and will assist persons in understanding eligibility
requirements, the application process, deadlines, and the various forms of grants and loans
available. In addition, the College’s Consumer Information Guide contains more detailed
information about financial assistance programs. The Consumer Information Guide is
available online at: https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer- info.aspx
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is an important source of aid for students. The Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available on-line at www.FAFSA.ed.gov, or in paper form
from high school counselors, at public libraries and the college’s Financial Aid Office. The
amount of the award depends upon the determination of the student’s eligibility, his or her
enrollment status, cost of attendance, and a payment schedule issued by the U.S. Department
of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance. Applications are available from the
college’s Financial Aid Office.
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Each year Denver College of Nursing makes a limited number of awards to students through
the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program. These funds are
reserved for students who qualify based upon exceptional financial need. The financial aid
officer determines who will receive a FSEOG and the amount awarded, based on need, not to
exceed the program maximum. Consult the College’s Financial Aid Officer for the College-
specific FSEOG policy.
Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP)
The Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP) has both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. A
subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need (need is the budgeted Cost of
Attendance less estimated financial aid). The federal government pays interest on the
subsidized loan until repayment begins and during authorized periods of deferment. An
unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. The borrower is charged interest from
the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. In addition, until repayment begins and
during authorized periods of deferment, the unsubsidized loan borrower has the option to pay
the interest or allow the interest to accumulate. Accumulated interest will be added to the
principal amount of the loan and will increase the amount the borrower must repay. To apply,
students should contact the college’s Financial Aid Office.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan
Program
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans are for parents with good
credit histories who want to borrow to help pay for their children’s education. Loans are made
available to the parents of a dependent student by the US Department of Education. For
additional information, students should contact the college’s Financial Aid Office.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Graduate Student Loan Program
Also known and the Grad PLUS Loan. This loan program is available to graduate students that
need funding beyond their Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans. A student must have applied for
their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program
before applying for a Direct Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS loan. This loan will also
require a credit check. Repayment on the Federal Direct Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan
begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.
Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) program provides employment for students who
demonstrate financial need and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. The
program encourages community service work and work related to a student’s program of study.
FWSP employment is arranged with public or private non-profit agencies off campus, and the
work performed must be in the public interest. FWSP employment opportunities are also
available on campus in a variety of student services positions. Eligibility for participation in
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the Federal Work Study Program is determined by the college’s Financial Aid Office, based
on the student’s financial need and academic progress. Questions regarding the Federal Work-
Study Program should be directed to the college’s Financial Aid Office.
An FWSP request form is completed by interested students. Interested students must have
completed a FAFSA and must have financial need remaining after other aid is awarded. If a
position is available, a qualified student is notified of their acceptance into the FWS program.
If a position is not available, a qualified student is advised to apply again at a later date once a
position opens. If an applicant for FWSP does not qualify for the FWS program, his or she is
notified by letter.
Veterans’ Benefits
Denver College of Nursing is approved for participation in various funding programs offered
through the Veterans’ Administration. Information on eligibility requirements and applications
can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. A student entitled to educational assistance
under chapter 31 or 33, should submit a certificate of eligibility as early as possible, but no
later than the first day of class. Students who request in writing to use their chapter 31 or 33
entitlement and provide all necessary information for a timely certification of enrollment will
receive a budget sheet or financial aid award letter outlining these benefits which would be
used to pay for costs the student will incur. In such cases, the institution will not impose any
penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other
institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds due
to the individual’s inability to meet financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed
disbursement of a payment to be provided under chapter 31 or 33.
Alumni Scholarship
Graduates from the Denver College of Nursing who are accepted for admission into the
college’s fully on-line, RN to BSN or MSN program, will be eligible for a tuition scholarship
for each quarter that the student is enrolled. The Scholarship will be divided into equal
disbursements over the duration of the student’s degree program. Graduates from articulation
agreement partners at Fortis Colleges and Saint Paul’s Schools of Nursing are also eligible for
the scholarship. In the event that a student withdraws or is dismissed from the RN to BSN or
MSN programs, any undisbursed portion of the scholarship will be cancelled.
Verification
A student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be selected by the U.S.
Department of Education for a process called “verification” to verify the information on the
application. Students are reminded to provide truthful and accurate information. Students who
are selected for verification will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office and given a
verification worksheet that includes specific requirements, deadlines, and consequences of
non-compliance. To complete the verification and remain eligible for Financial Aid, the
student must submit the verification worksheet as well as tax/income information as directed
by the Financial Aid Office.
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Denver College of Nursing has developed policies and procedures regarding the verification
of information provided by the FAFSA under the Title IV Programs. For more information
regarding the policies and procedures for verification, please consult the College’s Consumer
Information Guide via the link below or contact the college’s Financial Aid Office at
https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer-info.aspx.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
The college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards measure each student’s
quantitative (credit completion) and qualitative (cumulative grade point average) progress
toward the completion of the student’s program of study. The SAP standards are used primarily
to determine a student’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid under Title IV of the Higher
Education Act; however, the SAP standards are applied to all students and represent a
minimum standard of academic achievement required by the College for continued enrollment.
SAP Evaluation Periods
The College’s SAP standards measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress at the end of
each quarter. Denver College of Nursing will provide an academic grade report to each student
at the end of each quarter, which will include the student’s grades earned in each course
attempted. The grade report will also provide cumulative information for all credits attempted
and completed and a cumulative grade point average at the end of each grading period.
Maximum Time Frame
The maximum time frame in which a student may complete his or her program of study is the
period of time in which it takes the student to attempt 150% of the academic credits contained
in his or her educational program.
Quantitative Requirement Credit Completion
Each student must complete a minimum number of credits by the end of each SAP evaluation
period. Only satisfactorily completed course credits are counted as credits completed.
Satisfactorily completed course credits include those for which a student receives a grade other
than a (W, R, or I), or (C, D, or F). All courses for which a student receives a grade, whether
passing or failing, a withdrawal (W), a repeated course (R), or an incomplete (I), are counted
in determining credits attempted. Transfer credits accepted for the student’s program will be
counted as credits attempted and credits completed. A student’s SAP standing will be
calculated based on the student’s entire history of enrollment in a specific program of study,
except as noted below. (See Credit Completion requirements at each Evaluation Level in the
SAP Table).
Qualitative Requirement – Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
Denver College of Nursing measures qualitative progress on the basis on a 4.0 scale. All
courses for which a student receives a grade will be included when calculating the student’s
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CGPA, except that of a withdrawal (W) or incomplete (I) will not be included in determining
a student’s CGPA, and if a student repeats a course, only the highest grade for that course will
be included when calculating the student’s CGPA. (See CGPA requirements at each Evaluation
Level in the charts below).
Academic/Financial Aid Warning
Students who do not meet the minimum standards for credits completed or cumulative grade
point average in accordance with the requirements at the appropriate evaluation level will
receive written notification from the Registrar stating that they are being placed on an
Academic/Financial Aid Warning. A student in Academic/Financial Aid Warning status will
have one additional quarter to correct the deficiency and meet the minimum requirements at
the end of their next quarter. The Academic/Financial Aid Warning period shall be one quarter.
The student will remain eligible for federal financial aid while on Academic/Financial Aid
Warning. If the student does not achieve the minimum quantitative and qualitative
requirements by the end of the Academic/Financial Aid Warning period, the student will no
longer be eligible for any form of federal student assistance under Title IV of the Higher
Education Act and will be dismissed from the College unless the student submits an appeal
(see description below) and is granted a probationary period by the Financial Aid Committee.
A student whose enrollment is terminated because he or she failed to achieve SAP may make
application for re- admission.
SAP Tables
The following charts provide the minimum quantitative and qualitative requirements for each
evaluation level.
ADN and BSN
Evaluation
Levels
Cumulative Credits
Attempted
(including transfer
credits)
Minimum Percentage
Complete
(including transfer
credits)
Minimum
CGPA
1 1 to 13 50% 2.00
2 13.1 to 48 50% 2.25
3 48.1 to 64 60% 2.50
4 64.1 & Higher 67% 2.50
In addition, for those programs that are more than two academic years in length, a student
must have a ‘C+’ average at the end of the second academic year in order to maintain
satisfactory academic progress.
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MSN
Cumulative Credits
Attempted (including transfer
credits)
Minimum Percentage
of Cumulative Credits Completed
(including transfer credits)
Minimum CGPA
3 & higher 67% 3.00
SAP Appeals & Financial Aid Probation Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements after an
Academic/Financial Aid Warning period are permitted to appeal the termination of their
federal financial aid eligibility and termination from the college if the student can demonstrate
in his or her written appeal that mitigating circumstances were the contributing factors to the
student’s failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress. Mitigating circumstances would
include the death of a relative of the student, injury, disability, or illness of the student, or other
special circumstances. A SAP appeal must be filed within 30 days of receiving notice of the
failure to achieve SAP after an Academic/Financial Aid Warning period. All appeals must be
submitted in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The student’s letter of appeal must
explain and document, to the satisfaction of the Financial Aid Committee, the mitigating
circumstance(s) which caused the student not to achieve SAP after the Academic/Financial
Aid Warning Period and what circumstances have changed that will allow the student to
achieve SAP at the next evaluation period. The Financial Aid Committee consists of the
College President, Financial Aid Director, and Dean of Nursing Education Programs or their
designees.
The Financial Aid Committee may grant one additional term (quarter) as a Financial Aid
Probationary period, approve an “Academic Improvement Plan,” which may require the
student to fulfill specific terms and conditions, or deny the appeal. By approving an additional
term (quarter) as a Financial Aid Probation Period, the Committee determined that the student
should be able to meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards by the end of
that term (quarter). The Committee, in conjunction with the student, may also develop and
approve an individual Academic Improvement Plan if the Committee determines that the
student’s circumstance warrant. The Academic Improvement Plan will measure incremental
improvement, and if the student does not meet the incremental improvement requirements, the
student would no longer be eligible for federal financial aid assistance and would be terminated
from the college. The Academic Improvement Plan must also ensure that the student is able to
meet SAP standards by a specific point in time.
If the appeal is approved by the Committee, the student will be eligible for federal student
assistance (Grants, Loans, & FWS) during a Financial Aid Probationary term (quarter) or the
period of the Academic Improvement Plan. If a student submits a timely and complete written
appeal to the Director of Financial Aid, the college may permit the student to continue his or
her enrollment while the appeal is pending; however, the student would be responsible for the
full payment of his or her tuition and fees if his or her appeal is not successful. The SAP appeal
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decision of the Financial Aid Committee is final, and the Committee’s decision will be
provided to the student in writing within 30 days of the appeal filing.
If a student successfully appeals his or her loss of federal financial aid eligibility, the student’s
financial aid eligibility will be re-established. In most cases, the Committee will place the
student on a SAP Financial Aid Probationary status for one additional term or establish a time
frame for meeting the minimum requirements under an Academic Improvement Plan.
Cancellation of Aid If a student’s financial assistance is cancelled for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress
after either a SAP Academic/Financial Aid Warning period or a SAP Financial Aid
Probationary period, the student will be notified in writing informing him or her of the
cancellation of federal financial aid and termination from the College as well as the
requirements for the submission of an appeal and the requirements for re-admission to the
College.
Re-Establishment of Satisfactory Academic Progress at the College and Reinstatement of
Financial Aid students who have been terminated from the college for failure to achieve
satisfactory academic progress may qualify for readmission to the college for the purposes of
reestablishing their satisfactory academic progress. However, during this period, students will
not be eligible to receive any form of federal financial aid.
Students may regain federal financial aid eligible by achieving the minimum qualitative and
quantitative standards. Students can accomplish this by raising their cumulative GPA and/or
completing an appropriate number of courses to raise the number of credits successfully
completed versus attempted. This can be achieved by successfully completing the necessary
course(s) at the college at students’ own expense or through transferring credits into the
College.
When a student who has lost their eligibility to receive federal student assistance meets the
required cumulative GPA and/or the appropriate minimum percentage of cumulative credits
completed, their financial aid eligibility may be reinstated. Students are responsible for
notifying the Director of Financial Aid and Dean of Nursing Education Programs in writing
when they believe they have corrected their satisfactory academic progress deficiencies.
Transfer and Readmitted Students/Students Changing Majors If a student transfers to the college from another postsecondary institution, the transfer credits
that were accepted by the college will count as credits attempted and credits completed for
purposes of calculating the student’s quantitative progress. The corresponding grades will not
count toward the student’s qualitative progress.
If a student is re-admitted into the college, changes program of study, or seeks to earn an
additional credential, the credits that are applicable to the student’s current program of study
will be included in determining the student’s satisfactory academic progress standing and the
appropriate evaluation level for the student in terms of establishing the total number of credits
attempted and completed at each of the student’s evaluation periods.
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Students receiving federal financial aid may repeat a course in accordance with the college’s
academic policy. Credits from both course attempts will be counted in total credits attempted
and in minimum cumulative credits completed at the college, but only the highest grade earned
will be included in the calculation of minimum cumulative GPA. Credits from both course
attempts will also count towards the Maximum Time Frame for Completion. Students may
receive financial aid for each repeated course provided that a student may not repeat a passed
course more than once.
Incomplete Grades, Remedial, and Non- Credit Courses Termination
Credits associated with courses in which an incomplete (I) grade is received will not count as
either credits attempted or Minimum Cumulative Credits Completed at the College. However,
the “I” grade is a temporary grade and will be changed to a letter grade which will then be
calculated in the cumulative GPA for SAP. Neither credits attempted nor grades achieved in
required remedial or non-credit courses will have any effect on the calculation of SAP.
The college reserves the right to terminate a student’s enrollment if, during the student’s
program of study, the college determines that the student has failed to maintain satisfactory
academic progress, comply with the college’s rules and regulations as published in this Catalog
or has failed to meet his or her financial obligations. Any refund due to the student or other
agencies will be calculated and refunded according to the Tuition Refund Policy. A student
who has been dismissed from the college for failure to maintain SAP may reapply for
admission; however, until SAP status is re-established, the student will not be eligible for any
form of federal financial aid. A student making application for re-admission must first satisfy
all current requirements for admission. In addition, if a student’s enrollment was terminated
for failure to maintain SAP, the applicant’s academic records will be evaluated to determine if
it is possible for a satisfactory cumulative grade point average to be achieved and if the program
can be completed within the maximum time frame.
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
If a student withdraws from the College and the student received Title IV Federal Student Aid
(FSA) assistance during the period (the specific term, quarter, or payment period for which the
Return to Title IV refund must be calculated), the College must determine the amount of Title
IV funds a student has earned at the time of withdrawal using the Return of Title IV (R2T4)
funds formula. The Title IV FSA program rules may require a return to the Federal government
of all, or a portion of, the amounts disbursed during the term. The amount of FSA assistance
earned by a student is based upon the amount one of the following formulas. Students should
consult their Financial Aid officer regarding their program’s specific measurement.
Credit Hour Programs calculation =
Number of Days Completed in the Payment Period Through
Withdraw Date
Total Number of Days in the Payment Period
NOTE: Scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days
in the numerator and denominator. The calendar days on an approved leave of absence are excluded from both
the numerator and denominator. Percentages are calculated to the fourth decimal place.
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Based on the calculation, through the 60% point in each period, a pro rata schedule is used to
determine how much Title IV FSA funding the student has earned at the time of withdrawal.
After the 60% point, a student has earned 100% of the Title IV FSA funds. (Sample Return of
Title IV calculations are available from the institution’s Financial Aid Office upon request.)
Title IV FSA funds that require refund are credited in the following order:
• Unsubsidized Direct Stafford loans (other than Graduate PLUS loans) • Subsidized Direct Stafford loans • Direct PLUS • Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Return of Unearned FSA Funds
The College must return the lesser of the following:
• The amount of FSA Program funds that the student does not earn; OR
• The amount of institutional costs that the student incurred for the period
multiplied by the percentage of funds that were not earned. Earned means the
percentage of funds that were earned over time (during the term) by the student.
If there are additional FSA funds that must be returned, the student must return or repay, as
appropriate:
• Any FSA loan funds in accordance with the terms of the loan.
• Any remaining unearned FSA grant (Not to exceed 50% of the grant as an
overpayment of the grant; the College currently refunds the Student Grant
Overpayment on behalf of the student.)
If a student earned more aid than was disbursed, the College may owe the student a Post-
Withdrawal Disbursement (PWD) which must be paid as soon as possible, but no later than
180 days from the date the school determined the student withdrew (for loans) or no later than
45 days from the date the school determined the student withdrew (for grants). The school is
required to notify the student in writing within 30 days of the date it determined that the student
withdrew that he/she is eligible for a PWD of Title IV loan funds; however, if the student (or
parent in the case of a PLUS loan) is eligible to receive a PWD of loan funds, the student or
parent borrower must first confirm in writing whether he/she accepts/declines all or some of
the loan funds offered as a PWD. A PWD of Federal grant funds does not require student
acceptance or approval and the grant funds may be applied directly to the student’s account in
order to satisfy tuition and fees, or to the student. The College will seek the student’s
authorization to use a PWD for all other educationally related charges in addition to tuition and
fees. All Direct Loan refunds will be made by EFT to the U.S. Department of Education and
COD disbursement records will be updated when refunds are made. The student is notified by
letter from the College of all Direct Loan refunds made on their behalf, including the amount,
date, and loan type.
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The College is required to return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no
later than 45 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student's withdrawal.
The information presented above is subject to change based on Federal regulations.
Additional Information Regarding Financial Assistance Programs
For additional information on the following topics, students should consult the College’s
Consumer Information Guide, which is available online at
https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer- info.aspx.
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Tuition, Books and Refund Policies
Tuition
DCN charges tuition by the quarter. Individual courses are charged on a per credit-hour basis.
If a student increases or decreases the total number of courses taken in a quarter as part of the
Add/Drop Policy, the amount of tuition will be recalculated proportionately. A detailed
presentation of current costs, fees, and charges by program is attached as an addendum to this
catalog. Students enrolling at Denver College of Nursing sign an enrollment agreement. The
enrollment agreement details the tuition, fees, and other related costs for the program.
Books
On-ground Students
Upon the start of each new quarter, any book(s) a student elects to return for the quarter, must
be returned by Friday of week one. The Book Return Form must be completed in the Bookstore
to ensure credit. Books that are returned for credit must not have any markings and must be
undamaged (books must be wrapped, unused, and unopened). Credit for returned books will
be applied to the student’s account; all financial aid adjustments for books will be made in the
last quarter of attendance.
Online Students
Learning materials for online students may be returned at the discretion of the vendor.
Refund and Cancellation Policies If an applicant/student cancels, withdraws or is dismissed by the college for any reason, refunds
will be made according to the college’s Refund Policy. If a refund is due the student, it will be
paid within 30 days of the date that the student either officially withdraws or the college
determines that the student has withdrawn. All refunds will be calculated using the student’s
last day of class attendance. If a student withdraws without written or verbal notice after classes
have started, termination shall be effective on the student’s last date of attendance as
determined by the institution. Upon receipt of the refund, the student agrees that its receipt
constitutes a full and complete release of Denver College of Nursing from any and all
liabilities. All governmental and agency refunds will be made within the required time limits
of the funding agency.
Cancellation/Rejection Policy Denver College of Nursing will refund within 30 days, all monies paid by an applicant who is
rejected for enrollment by Denver College of Nursing or who enrolls in a program that Denver
College of Nursing cancels, or who cancels within five calendar days of signing the Enrollment
Agreement.
Tuition Refund Policy for Withdrawal from the College
A student wishing to officially withdraw from Denver College of Nursing should inform the
college in writing at least five calendar days, but no more than thirty calendar days, in advance
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of withdrawal. A student who returns to the college after withdrawing must sign a new
Enrollment Agreement and will be subject to the then-current price of tuition. A student’s last
date of attendance as documented by the college will be used to calculate any money the
student owes and to calculate any refund the student is due. The calculation is based on the
formula below.
Proportion of Quarter Attended Tuition Due for the Quarter
10% or Less 0% 10.01% up to and including 20% 20% 20.01% up to and including 30% 30% 30.01% up to and including 40% 40% 40.01% up to and including 50% 50% More than 50% 100% / No Tuition Refund
Effective Date of Withdrawal
If a student provides notification of withdrawal, the effective date of the withdrawal will be
the earliest of the following: the date on the written notification, the date it was received if
there is no date on the notification, or the student’s last day of attendance.
If the student withdraws without written or verbal notice, or if the student fails to return from
a Leave of Absence, termination shall take effect on their last day of attendance.
Tuition Refund Policy for Online Students
All students, regardless of their state of origin, will be bound by the same refund policy as
Colorado state residents (as listed above), unless otherwise designated by the state of residency
and specified below or in a Catalog addendum.
Refund and Cancellation Policies
If an applicant/student cancels, withdraws, or is dismissed by the Denver College of Nursing
for any reason, refunds will be made according to the Denver College of Nursing’s Refund
Policy. If a refund is due to the student, it will be paid within 30 days of the date that the student
either officially withdraws or the Denver College of Nursing determines that the student has
withdrawn. All refunds will be calculated using the student’s last day of class attendance. The
last day of class attendance is defined as the last day the student had academically related
activity, as evidenced by posted attendance. If a student withdraws without written or verbal
notice after classes have started, termination shall be effective on the student’s last date of
attendance as determined by the institution. Upon receipt of the refund, the student agrees that
its receipt constitutes a full and complete release of Denver College of Nursing from any and
all liabilities. All governmental and agency refunds will be made within the required time limits
of the funding agency.
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Right to Cancel
An applicant to the Denver College of Nursing may cancel his or her enrollment to the Denver
College of Nursing and receive a full refund of monies paid. Written notice of cancellation is
encouraged, and should be mailed to Denver College of Nursing, postmarked no later than
midnight on the fifth (5th) calendar day after the date the applicant’s Enrollment Agreement
with the Denver College of Nursing was signed by the student and a representative of the
Denver College of Nursing. The applicant may use a copy of his or his Enrollment Agreement
as a cancellation notice by writing "I hereby cancel" at the bottom of the Enrollment
Agreement, adding his or her name, address, and signature, and delivering or mailing it to
Denver College of Nursing 1401 Nineteenth Street Denver, CO 80202 - Attention Campus
President. If the applicant for admission cancels his or her enrollment as noted above more
than five days after signing the Enrollment Agreement, and making an initial payment, but
prior to the start of classes, the applicant is entitled to a refund of all payments for tuition and
fees, minus the applicable Enrollment Fee, to be paid within 30 days.
Drop/Add Policy
The college permits a student to drop and/or add courses in the first instructional week of each
quarter. The college defines this week as the “Drop & Add Period.” A student may drop a
course in the first week without charge or penalty. When a student drops a course during the
“Drop & Add Period” the course registration is deleted, and all associated charges removed
from the student’s ledger. If a student adds a course during the “Drop & Add Period,” tuition
charges are added to the student’s ledger. Students wishing to add or drop a course must
complete either a “Course Registration” or “Course Withdrawal Form.” The form or forms
must be submitted and approved by the Registrar by 8:00 AM MT on Monday in the second
week in the quarter.
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Student Policies
Student Rights
Students accepted into an academic program of study at Denver College of Nursing have
certain rights and responsibilities. These rights and the associated responsibilities shall
establish a student code of professional conduct. Primary to this code is access to an
environment free from interference in the learning process.
• Students have the right to an impartial, objective evaluation of their academic
performance. Students shall receive in writing, at the beginning of each course,
information outlining the method of evaluating student progress toward, and
achievement of, course goals and objectives, including the method by which the
final grade is determined.
• Students will be treated in a manner conducive to maintaining their worth and
dignity. Students shall be free from acts or threats of intimidation, harassment,
mockery, insult, or physical aggression.
• Students will be free from the imposition of disciplinary sanctions without
proper regard for due process. Formal procedures have been instituted to ensure
all students subjected to the disciplinary process are adequately notified.
• When confronted with perceived injustices, students may seek redress through
grievance procedures outlined in this Catalog. Such procedures will be available
to those students who make their grievances known in a timely manner.
• Students may take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course
of study and may form their own judgment, but they are responsible for learning
the academic content of any course for which they are enrolled.
• Students will be given full disclosure and an explanation by the Denver
College of Nursing of all fees and financial obligations.
• Students have the right and responsibility to participate in course and instructor
evaluations and give constructive criticism of the services provided by Denver
College of Nursing.
• Students have the right to quality education. This right includes quality
programs; appropriate instructional methodologies and content; instructors who
have sufficient educational qualifications and practical expertise in the areas of
instruction; the availability of adequate materials, resources, and facilities to
promote the practice and application of theory; and an environment that
stimulates creativity in learning as well as personal and professional growth.
• Students have the right and responsibility to develop personally through
opportunities such as formal education, work and volunteer experiences,
extracurricular activities, and involvement with others.
• Students have the right to a safe and pleasant atmosphere in the classroom. There
is no food or drink allowed in the laboratory areas. Cell phones are not allowed
to be used in the classroom. Only for purposes of receiving an emergency call
may cell phones be kept on vibrate during class time.
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Behavior and Student Accountability
Student Responsibilities and Standards of Professional Conduct
While in attendance at Denver College of Nursing, students must adhere to the College’s
Standards of Profession Conduct and have the responsibility to:
• attend classes regularly;
• make the most out of his or her educational experience;
• maintain satisfactory grades;
• know and observe Denver College of Nursing’s rules and regulations governing
conduct;
• become informed and express his or her opinion;
• not to discriminate against any other person because of race, age, sex, sexual
orientation national origin, or handicap;
• discuss grievances informally with the persons involved before invoking formal
grievance action - formal grievance action is outlined in the Catalog;
• respect persons and the property of others; and
• adhere to Denver College of Nursing dress code.
At all times, all personal property is the sole responsibility of the student; Denver College of
Nursing does not assume liability for any loss or damage. Clothing and other small items
should be marked clearly with the student's name and address. Vehicles should always be
locked to avoid theft.
Standards of Student Professional Conduct – Academic Integrity
All incidences of academic dishonesty and violations of academic integrity will be disciplined.
Such acts cannot be listed exhaustively but examples include:
• cheating;
• plagiarism - submission of the work of another person for credit, or failure to
properly cite references for any work which is not original to the student; copying
the work of others, allowing another student to copy from the student;
• unauthorized use of notes or materials in exams, including talking to other
students;
• forging or altering assignments;
• unpermitted collaboration, giving or receiving aid on a take home exam, or other
academic assignment under circumstances in which a reasonable person should
have known that such aid was not permitted;
• allowing others to copy or use work that is not his or her own; and
• providing answers from graded assignments to others.
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Standards of Student Professional Conduct – General Conduct
As students interact with their fellow students, staff and faculty, and the business community,
they are expected to act in a professional, respectful manner that is complimentary to the
learning process and the academic environment associated with their education and training.
A list of forms of misconduct can only be used as a reference- it is not all-inclusive. Examples
of conduct that may lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal include but are
not limited to:
• knowingly furnishing false information to Denver College of Nursing;
• theft of Denver College of Nursing’s property, theft, damage, forgery, alteration,
misuse or mutilation of Denver College of Nursing’s documents, records,
identification, educational materials, or property;
• interfering with the right of others to an education;
• violation of safety and security rules;
• bringing animals or children into class;
• hazing on or off Denver College of Nursing property (also see Anti-Hazing
policy);
• discourteous, disruptive or disrespectful behavior towards fellow students,
faculty, and staff on or off campus;
• physical or verbal abuse of any person or engaging in conduct which threatens or
endangers the health or safety of others;
• unauthorized entry or use of facilities;
• intentional or unauthorized interference with a right of access to Denver College
of Nursing facilities or freedom of movement or speech of any person on the
premises;
• use or possession of firearms, ammunition, or other dangerous weapons or
substances prohibited by law;
• disorderly, lewd, indecent, obscene, or sexually harassing conduct or expression;
• violation of federal, state, or local ordinances including, but not limited to, those
covering alcoholic beverages, narcotics, gambling, sex offenses or arson, of which
violation occurs on Denver College of Nursing property or at a Denver College of
Nursing function (please refer to the Drug Free Policy established by Denver
College of Nursing for further information)
• unauthorized solicitation of students, staff, or faculty on-ground or online for any
product or service;
• misuse of electronic equipment, copiers, faxes, e- mail accounts, or internet
services, including viewing any material or sending any message that is obscene,
harassing, or threatening to any individual;
• aiding, abetting, encouraging, or participating in a riot;
• failure to comply with the verbal or written directions of any Denver College of
Nursing official acting within the scope of his or her authority, or resisting a
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security officer performing his or her duty;
• aiding and abetting or inciting others to commit any act of misconduct; and
• unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on campus or
during any student activities. If a student appears to be under the influence of
drugs or alcohol in a clinical, class, or laboratory experience, that student will be
removed from the learning experience. A student thought to be under the
influence of drugs or alcohol will be mandated to have a Rapid Drug Screen
and/or a Breath Alcohol level performed within 45 minutes of being removed
from the learning experience; these tests will be at the student's expense.
Dress Code
Each program of study at Denver College of Nursing has a dress code. Students must comply
with the Denver College of Nursing dress code while attending classes, including any
externship or clinical course. Compliance with the Denver College of Nursing dress code is an
essential part of preparing students for employment in their professions. In addition, potential
employers are frequently at the Denver College of Nursing therefore, it is important that each
student always present themselves in a professional manner.
On certain designated days or times, the standard dress code may be modified or waived.
Notice will be given to the students by either instructors or the President of the College. The
following clothing items may never be worn by students on campus or while attending campus-
related activities:
• Any clothing showing obscenities • Clothing in ill repair (e.g., ripped or torn, extremely dirty, etc.) • Cut off shorts above mid-thigh length • Facial or tongue jewelry • Low cut blouses or shirts • Tank tops or other sleeveless tops • Visible undergarments
Personal Hygiene
Although individual program dress code standards may vary, the following personal hygiene
standards apply for all programs:
• Students must take daily preventive measures to maintain cleanliness.
• Hair must always be clean and conservatively styled. For laboratory and clinical
classes, long hair must be pulled off the collar.
• Nails must be manicured to sport length or shorter. For laboratory classes in
nursing programs, artificial nails or overlays are not permitted. Nails must be
clean and free of polish or other decorations.
• Perfume or cologne should not be worn in a medical environment as they could be
offensive to patients with allergies.
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• Moustaches and beards must be trimmed to an appropriate length. Only
complimentary conservative makeup should be worn. Unacceptable: Heavy
makeup, including long false eyelashes or bright eye shadow.
Accessories The following accessories are not allowed while attending classes or clinical/externship:
• Cell phones, earphones, and headsets may not be visible and must be turned off or
silenced during all classes. Students anticipating an emergency call must inform
their instructor so arrangements can be made. All phones and electronic
equipment will be kept in a purse, bag, or vehicle.
• Excessive jewelry. Jewelry should be limited to wedding rings or one small ring
on the left or right hand and one pair of stud type earrings. Hoops larger than a
nickel or dangling earrings are a hazard and are not permitted in any lab.
• No facial piercing, tongue rings, or ear stretchers are to be worn while attending
classes.
• Scarves, hats, or baggy fitting clothing.
• Tattoos must be covered while attending classes, labs, or the clinical/externship
portion of program.
• Religious head covers must be the solid color of the student’s particular uniform
or white.
• Denver College of Nursing students are expected to wear their Denver College of
Nursing picture identification badge while on campus or on externship/clinical
sites at all times.
• Students are issued a minimum of two uniform scrub sets for allied health and
nursing programs and two uniform shirts for trade programs.
Students dressed inappropriately or who do not follow the dress code, including standards
above for personal hygiene and accessories, may be prohibited from attending classes. Those
who disregard the dress code will be warned. If the problem persists, the student may be
dismissed from Denver College of Nursing. Questions should be addressed to the specific
program director.
Anti-Hazing Policy
Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the
mental or physical health or safety of a student, as determined by Denver College of Nursing,
for the purpose of initiation or admission into an affiliation with any organization recognized
by Denver College of Nursing. Hazing includes, without limitation, the following as
determined by Denver College of Nursing: any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping,
beating, branding, forced calisthenics, or exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any
food, liquor, drug, or other substance; forced physical activity which could adversely affect the
physical health or safety of a student; any activity which would subject a student to extreme
mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct
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which could result in extreme embarrassment; or any forced activity which could adversely
affect the mental health or dignity of a student.
• Hazing is a violation of Denver College of Nursing’s Code of Conduct. Failure to
comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action including, potentially,
dismissal from Denver College of Nursing.
Disciplinary Action
Any student who observes a violation of Denver College of Nursing policies on Anti-Hazing,
Drugs and Alcohol, Student Professional Conduct and Academic Integrity, or Smoking should
report the incident immediately to the President of the College who will review all disciplinary
matters. Student violations of these policies may result in sanctions ranging from warning,
lowering of grades, failure of class or placement on probation, to suspension and/or immediate
dismissal.
SUSPENSION is a period of time to be determined by the President of the College during
which the student is removed from classes until the terms of the suspension are met. If the
terms of the suspension are not met, the student will be dismissed from the program. A
student may be placed on suspension at any time during the program.
PROBATION is a trial period of attendance during which the student must improve
attendance, grades, or conduct. If the student does not improve as required, the student will
be dismissed from the program.
DISMISSAL means that the student has been expelled from Denver College of Nursing.
The student will be notified in person and in writing, within three business days of the
incident being reported to President of the College, of the selected sanction, together with his
or her right to appeal the decision.
Termination or Expulsion Policy
All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults, to attend classes
regularly, and to maintain a satisfactory level of academic achievement. Violations that
threaten the health and safety of campus employees, other students, or visitors may result in
immediate dismissal from Denver College of Nursing.
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student who:
• exhibits conduct found by the administration to be detrimental to fellow students,
other individuals, the community, or Denver College of Nursing, as addressed in
the “Conduct” section of this Catalog; • fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress; • fails to meet attendance standards; and/or • fails to meet financial obligations to Denver College of Nursing.
Time on suspension will be counted as an absence from classes at Denver College of Nursing
and cannot exceed the allowable absences without penalty as stated in the attendance policy.
Students dismissed for conduct violations will not be readmitted.
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Student Appeal Process
Students who are dismissed by Denver College of Nursing have the right to appeal that
decision. Students must initiate the appeal process by submitting, in writing, the reason why
they should be re-admitted to Denver College of Nursing to the President of the College within
30 days of termination. The President of the College will respond to the appeal, in writing,
within two weeks of receipt of the request.
Students will not be entitled to appeal if they are dismissed for exceeding the maximum
program completion time.
Copyright Protection Policy
Students will be held accountable for failure to comply with federal copyright and criminal
laws forbidding the copying or alteration of copyright-protected materials such as computer
programs, music, movies, photographs, or written materials and are expected to report
violations if they become aware of them.
Additional information is included in the Denver College of Nursing Consumer Information
Guide, available online at https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer- info.aspx.
Video-Recording or Audio-Recording Policy In the interests of an appropriate academic atmosphere in the classroom and encouragement
of class participation, video- or audio- recording is not permitted without prior approval of
the faculty.
Internet Usage Internet access to global electronic information resources is used by the campus to assist
students in obtaining education-related data and technology. The following guidelines have
been established to help ensure responsible and productive Internet usage.
All Internet data that is composed, transmitted, or received via the campus computer
communications systems is considered to be part of the official records of the school and, as
such, is subject to disclosure to law enforcement or other third parties. Consequently, students
should always ensure that the information contained in the Internet email messages and other
transmissions is accurate, appropriate, ethical, and lawful.
The equipment, services, and technology provided via the Internet are the property of the
College. As such, the college reserves the right to monitor Internet traffic, and retrieve and
read any data composed, sent, or received through its online connections and stored in its
computer systems. Data that is composed, transmitted, accessed, or received via the Internet
must not contain content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, obscene,
threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive to any employee or other person. Examples
of unacceptable content may include, but are not limited to, sexual comments or images, racial
slurs, gender-specific comments, or any other comments or images that could reasonably
offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin,
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disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The unauthorized use, installation, copying, or distribution of copyrighted, trademarked, or
patented material on the Internet is expressly prohibited. As a general rule, if a student did not
create the material, does not own the rights to it, or has not secured authorization for its use, it
should not be put on the Internet.
Likewise, copyrighted and/or trademarked information should not be downloaded from the
Internet to the College’s networks or devices without obtaining prior permission in writing or
having possession of a legal bill of sale or license from the owner to use such material. See
student Handbook for more details on Student Conduct related to Internet Usage.
Social Media Social media are media designed to be disseminated through social interaction on the Internet,
created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques, and published in blogs,
social networking sites, online chat rooms and forums, video sites, and other platforms and
venues. Denver College of Nursing values the use of social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn,
Twitter, YouTube, texting, blogs, and online discussion groups (among many other forms), to
promote positive social interaction. However, Denver College of Nursing also recognizes the
potential danger for misuse, inappropriate behavior, and abuse. Therefore, students presently
enrolled at the school must know that they are liable and responsible for anything they post to
social media sites.
• Students are prohibited from posting confidential or proprietary information about the
college, its students and faculty or staff members on a social media site.
• Students are prohibited from sharing, disseminating or transmitting electronic
information that reveals any private or confidential information they may have learned
about others (including patients) during their tenure at the College or externship sites.
Applicable federal and state requirements, such as the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA), are to be followed at all times.
• When participating in any form of social media, students are encouraged not to
misrepresent themselves, and to make postings that are both meaningful and respectful
without any kind of slanderous or offensive language that may be aimed at any member
or group of the College community.
• The use of any social media sites to harass, intimidate or bully a fellow student,
faculty, member of the College and/or affiliate is strictly prohibited and will not be
tolerated. (See Policy on Cyberbullying.)
• When posting on social media sites, students must be mindful of all copyright and
intellectual property rights, especially those reserved by the College.
• The use of the school logo, image, or iconography on personal social media sites to
endorse a particular political party or candidate or to promote a product, cause, or
event is strictly prohibited. • Students are expected to obey the Terms of Service of any social media site.
• Students who violate this policy may face disciplinary actions, up to and including
dismissal from the College.
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Cyberbullying
Denver College of Nursing is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and
nurturing educational environment for all of its students. Denver College of Nursing
encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations among members of the college
community. The use of any electronic communication device or venue to harass, intimidate or
bully a student, faculty or staff member, whether by other students, faculty, staff, or third
parties, is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes any act that
substantially interferes or presents a perception of interference with a student’s educational
experience, opportunities or performance. Any threats, verbal and/or psychological abuse
electronically transmitted or posted, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm
or personal degradation will not be tolerated. Students who violate the policy against
cyberbullying may face disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal from the college.
Students, faculty, staff, and other parties, who feel like they have been a victim of
cyberbullying, should contact the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or his/her designee
immediately.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Denver College of Nursing is a drug-free environment. The use, possession, or distribution of
alcoholic beverages or illegal chemical substances on campus is prohibited. Upon enrollment,
the student signs a statement indicating understanding of and intent to abide by Denver College
of Nursing’s Drug Free Program.
A student who violates this policy will be dismissed from Denver College of Nursing without
recourse and reported to local law enforcement.
In regard to the Drug and Alcohol Policy, Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to
administer random drug testing and/or reasonable suspicion testing of its students. Students in
violation of Denver College of Nursing’s Drug and Alcohol Policy will be dismissed and will
not be eligible for readmission.
Additional information is included in Denver College of Nursing’s Consumer Information
Guide, available online at https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer- info.aspx.
Non-Smoking/Non-Tobacco Policy
Denver College of Nursing is a non-smoking, non- tobacco facility. Smoking is only allowed
in designated outdoor areas of Denver College of Nursing property. Use of tobacco of any kind
is not permitted inside Denver College of Nursing’s buildings. Smoking in non-designated
areas is a violation of Denver College of Nursing Standards of Conduct.
Academic Integrity
Participation in programs at Denver College of Nursing carries with it the obligation of
students and faculty to aspire to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical
behavior in all classroom, laboratory, simulation, clinical/experiential learning and online
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environments, as well as other College activities. Aspiring to the highest standards is critical
to the success of our academic programs and the success of graduates in their chosen
profession.
Students are expected to aspire to the same high level of ethics and professionalism that is
demanded of licensed professionals in nursing. This requires students to conduct themselves
as professionals and to engage the learning process by fully preparing for classes and
participating in course discussions and activities.
Violations of these expectations by students may be found whenever a student has, or has
attempted to, gain an unfair academic advantage. Such activities may include, but are not
limited to:
• unauthorized use of notes, electronic devices or materials in exams; • copying the work of others without giving credit (plagiarism);
• submitting the work of another for credit to include online help resources that
provide academic papers and tests; • misrepresentation of identity; • forging or altering assignments, legal documents, or health provider documents; • allowing others to copy or use work that is not their own or providing answers to
graded assignments when other students have not taken that test or completed that assignment;
• having someone else do your required work regardless if paid to do so; and • submitting an assignment that has been previously submitted in that course or
another course.
Any administrative staff, faculty member, or student who observes a violation of College
academic polices must report the incident immediately to any College official. Student
violations of these policies may result in sanctions ranging from a warning to dismissal from
the program.
Students in violation of any College policy during class, laboratory, simulation, experiential
learning assignment or clinical time will be excused immediately from the classroom or off-
site location and will have their violations reviewed which will determine whether the actions
are subject up to and including termination from the College.
Grievance Procedure
A grievance is a claim, a complaint or an expression of concern made by a student regarding
any aspect of his or her educational experience including misapplication of campus policies,
rules, regulations, and procedures, or unfair treatment, such as coercion, reprisal, or
intimidation by an instructor or other campus employee. Students should initially discuss the
grievance with their instructor or program director immediately.
An appeal is the escalation of the complaint to a next level authority. If the appeal is about an
academic decision such as a grade, please see the academic appeals process.
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A student has the right to appeal all matters with respect to:
• a disciplinary action taken for a violation of student conduct standards; • admissions decisions; • tuition and fees matters; • financial awards or policies, including satisfactory academic progress; and • educational policies, procedures, and grading concerns.
Concerns about academic matters should first be addressed through the academic appeals
process; concerns about nonacademic matters should first be addressed directly with the head
of the department or departments involved.
Certain decisions may not be appealed. If a student is terminated for failing to meet standards
of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), including exceeding the maximum timeframe to
complete the program, he or she is not entitled to appeal unless there is documented proof of
mitigating circumstance such as a medical or disability condition that impacted his or her
ability to study or participate in the program. The specific requirements for SAP appeals
process are contained in Denver College of Nursing’s SAP policy.
Students with unresolved complaints regarding conduct decisions or other non-academic
grievances should follow the four steps listed below:
1. The first step in the process is to address and resolve the dispute with the person
involved through discussion. A student with a grievance or complaint needs to raise
their concerns as soon as possible in order to assure that a settlement is made in a
timely fashion. If the dispute cannot be resolved at this level, students are
encouraged to address the issue verbally with their program director.
2. If the dispute cannot be resolved through addressing the issue with the program
director, the second step is to appeal the decision to the Conduct Standards
Committee. The written complaint must be submitted to the Chairperson of the
Conduct Standards Committee within seven calendar days of the incident or
notification of termination. The appeal document should include a description of
the disputed items, the date or dates when the issue arose, the reason why the
student is appealing the decision and the steps the student has taken to resolve to
dispute to date. When submitting an appeal, the student should include as much
factual evidence as possible, such as evidence of extenuating circumstances.
The Chairperson of the Conduct Standards Committee will oversee the gathering
of additional data about the issue or incident as necessary. The Chairperson of the
Conduct Standards Committee will then convene a meeting of the Committee
which will consist of the Dean of Nursing Education Programs, the Director of
Student Services, and the heads of the departments to meet with the student if
requested and/or otherwise assess and develop a resolution to the complaint. The
student may, but is not required to, attend the Committee meeting.
A response from the Conduct Standards Committee will be provided to the student
after the committee meeting. All decisions will be provided in writing and delivered
to the student within 48 hours of the Committee’s notification of the decision.
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3. If the dispute has not been resolved or if the student is still unsatisfied with the
response in Step 2, the student may take a third step and file the appeal to the
President of the College. This appeal must also be in writing and must be received
in the office of the president within seven calendar days of being notified of the
Conduct Standards Committee’s decision. The College President will conduct an
investigation of the issue and will respond to the student within seven calendar days
of receiving the escalated complaint. All decisions will be provided in writing.
4. If the dispute remains unresolved, the student may contact the Colorado
Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). For online students, CCHE is the
designated state agency for complaint resolution under the State Authorization
Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Nothing precludes the state where the student is
located from also working to help resolve the complaint. Procedures for filing a
complaint with CCHE are outlined at
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/.
Denver College of Nursing’s Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing
degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
(ACEN). The complaint procedure for ACEN is outlined in ACEN Policy #20 at the following
link: http://www.acenursing.net/manuals/Policies.pdf.
Denver College of Nursing’s Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
degree programs has been granted full approval by the Colorado Board of Nursing (CBON).
The complaint procedure for CBON is outlined at the following link:
http://www.dora.state.co.us/NURSING/.
Denver College of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The
complaint procedure for HLC is outlined at the following link:
http://www.hlcommission.org/Student- Resources/complaints.html.
If the student has been dismissed, the student will remain dismissed until the matter is resolved.
If the matter is resolved in the student’s favor the student will be reinstated at the next available
course start date.
If the student’s eligibility for financial aid has been suspended, the student may remain in
school during the appeals process.
Online Student Complaints: Denver College of Nursing is committed to helping each student
achieve their individual educational and career goals and objectives. We are responsive to
issues that concern our students. If a student has a concern regarding any aspect of their
education, Denver College of Nursing procedures for handling the complaint, grievance, or
appeal are outlined in the Catalog and must be completed in the order presented.
If a complaint cannot be resolved at the college level through its grievance procedures, students
may contact the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) as the designated state
agency for complaint resolution under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
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(SARA). Nothing precludes the state where the student is located from also working to help
resolve the complaint. Procedures for filing a complaint with CCHE are outlined at
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/.
If a student resides in a non-SARA authorized state, the student may contact the responsible
state agency in his/her home state.
Additional Grievance Procedures
Outside Constituencies: Complaints from constituencies outside Denver College of Nursing
(e.g., clinical sites or experiential learning locations) will be addressed by the appropriate
Denver College of Nursing department and/or the College President. For additional
information please refer to the Student Handbook.
Arbitration
Pursuant to a student’s enrollment agreement, any disputes, claims, or controversies between
a student and Denver College of Nursing no matter how described, pleaded or styled, arising
out of or relating to his or her Enrollment Agreement, their recruitment, enrollment, or
attendance at Denver College of Nursing, the education provided by Denver College of
Nursing, Denver College of Nursing’s billing, financial aid, disbursement of funds, career
service assistance, or any other claim relating in any manner to the student’s relationship with
Denver College of Nursing that is not resolved in accordance with the Grievance Procedures
for student complaints published in this catalog, shall be resolved by binding arbitration under
the Federal Arbitration Act. A student should refer to his or her enrollment agreement for
further information. If a student cannot find his or her enrollment agreement, he or she should
ask the College President for a copy.
Exceptions to Policies The institution reserves the right to, on a case-by-case basis, make exceptions to policies found
within this catalog in accordance with the review committee processes described herein.
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Additional Policies
Access to Student Records and Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA)
FERPA (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of
student education records. The law applies to all colleges that receive funds under an applicable
program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These
rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a college beyond
the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”
• Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s
education records maintained by the college. Colleges are not required to provide
copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for
parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for
copies.
• Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a college correct records
which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to
amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal
hearing. After the hearing, if Denver College of Nursing still decides not to amend
the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the
record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
• Generally, colleges must have written permission from the parent or eligible student
in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However,
FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following
parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
o College officials with legitimate educational interest. o Other schools to which a student is transferring. o Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes. o Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student. o Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school. o Accrediting organizations. o To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. o Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies. o State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to
specific State law.
• Colleges may disclose, without consent, ‘directory’ information such as a student’s
name, mailing address, telephone number, date and place of birth, degrees, honors
and awards received (including naming to honor rolls), and dates of attendance,
email address, enrollment status, photograph, major field of study, most recent
educational agency or institution attended or participation in officially recognized
activities. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory
information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to
request that Denver College of Nursing not disclose directory information about
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them. Colleges must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights
under FERPA. The actual means of notification is left to the discretion of each
college. Denver College of Nursing notifies students of their rights annually
through its Catalog. **
** Denver College of Nursing identifies directory information as a student’s name,
address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates
of attendance, school email address, enrollment status, photograph and major field
of study.
NOTE: For additional information or technical assistance, you may call the Family Policy
Compliance Office at (202) 260- 3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal
Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339. Or you may contact the following address: Family
Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC
20202-5901. Or you may contact the following address: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S.
Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901. From the
Department of Education website at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
Denver College of Nursing maintains accurate and confidential student records. The College
recognizes the right of students to have access to their educational records and to limit such
access to others in accordance with the law.
• Students have the right to inspect and review the content of their educational
record, not to copies of the records. Records are the sole property of the College. • Requests for records must be in writing, addressed to the College President. • The College will comply with written requests for records within forty-five (45)
days.
Student records, with certain exceptions, will not be released without prior consent of the
student. If there are any questions as to the accuracy or appropriateness of the records, an
opportunity for a review of the records may be scheduled with the President.
Students may challenge their records for the purpose of correcting or deleting any of the
contents on the grounds that the records are inaccurate. The challenges must be made in writing
with the reason for the requested change stated fully.
NOTE: Under no circumstances is the College bound by law to change any factual information, nor will the
College alter or remove any factual information.
Student Record Maintenance
The College maintains student academic transcripts in electronic format indefinitely.
Academic and financial documents pertaining to a student’s enrollment are maintained for a
minimum of six (6) years after the student’s last day of attendance.
National Board Examinations and Certifications
Applying for and completing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered
Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) is the student’s responsibility. The College will make every effort to
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provide information regarding application requirements and procedures, and scheduling of
examinations, but students should contact the Colorado Board of Nursing via phone at (303)
894-2430 concerning any questions regarding their eligibility for licensure. Successful
completion of these examinations may be a requirement for employment in the student’s
chosen field. Programs at Denver College of Nursing are intended to prepare graduates to take
these exams, but the College cannot guarantee the graduate will successfully pass the
examinations.
In some cases, students who graduate may be denied the ability to take a licensing or
certification examination by the applicable state board of nursing. It is possible applicants will
not be allowed to become licensed or to practice as a result of criminal background checks, or
other personal matters that may not have barred students from participating in the College’s
programs. All students with questions about their backgrounds should review their respective
state board of nursing licensure by examination application and its policies regarding students’
backgrounds before enrolling in any of the College’s pre-licensure programs.
Affirmative Action Policy
Denver College of Nursing affirms a policy of equal employment opportunity, equal
educational opportunity, and nondiscrimination in the provision of educational services to the
public. Denver College of Nursing makes all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring,
promotion, and all other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on
grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical
or mental disadvantage, or other factors, which cannot be lawfully the basis for an employment
decision. Denver College of Nursing affirms its policy of administering all educational
programs and related supporting services and benefits in a manner, which does not discriminate
because of a student’s or employee’s race, color, creed or religion, sex or sexual orientation,
national origin, age, physical handicap, or any other characteristic.
Denver College of Nursing is obligated by and adheres to the provisions of:
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended • Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 • Section 493A, Title IV, Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended • Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 • Title 38, United States Code, Veterans Benefits • Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
Inquiries concerning the application of these laws and their implementing regulations may be
referred to the President of Denver College of Nursing, 1401 19th Street Denver, CO 80202.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Denver College of Nursing is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy education and work
environment free from discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, sex, gender,
sexual orientation or identity, religion or creed, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
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Denver College of Nursing, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including in admissions and
employment, nor will it permit or tolerate sex discrimination or sexual harassment against a
student, employee, or other member of the Institution community.
All students and employees are expected to comply with this Title IX Policy and take
appropriate measures to create an atmosphere free of harassment and discrimination. Any
inquiries regarding Title IX or Institution’s Title IX Policy and Procedures can be directed to
the Title IX Coordinator as provided below, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil
Rights, or both.
Title IX Coordinator
Attention: Title IX Coordinator
Suzanne Peters
Address: 5026D Campbell Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21236
Telephone: 410-805-2819
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
A complete copy of the Title IX policy, including the applicable grievance procedures, is
available on the Institution's website http://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/cig-denver.php
Consumer Information
This catalog is published in order to inform students and others of Denver College of Nursing’s
academic programs, policies, calendar, tuition, fees, administration, and faculty. The
information provided is current and accurate as of the date of publication. Denver College of
Nursing cannot assure that changes will not occur which will affect this information. This
catalog is published for informational purposes only and is not intended as a contractual
agreement between Denver College of Nursing and any individuals.
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes within the term of this catalog,
which may affect any of the information published, and to make such changes, if necessary,
without prior notice to individual students. As such changes may occur, these will be published
in a catalog addendum, which is intended as, and is to be regarded as, an integral part of this
catalog.
Denver College of Nursing expects its students to read and understand the information
published in this document and in any subsequent addenda identified as belonging to this
catalog. Failure to read and understand this catalog will not excuse any student from the
application of any requirement or regulation published herein. Furthermore, it is the
responsibility of each student to remain apprised of current graduation requirements of his/her
program.
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Denver College of Nursing affirms a policy of equal employment opportunity, equal
educational opportunity, nondiscrimination in the provision of educational services to the
public, and administering all educational programs and related supporting services and benefits
in a manner that does not discriminate because of a student’s race, color, creed or religion, sex
or sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disadvantage, or other factors,
which cannot be lawfully the basis for an employment decision.
Denver College of Nursing is obligated by and adheres to the provisions of:
• Section 493A, Title IV, Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended
• Title 38, United States Code, Veterans Benefits
• Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
• Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended
• Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989
Inquiries concerning the application of these laws and their implementing regulations may be
referred to the College President, Denver College of Nursing, 1401 19th Street Denver, CO
80202.
Please see the Consumer Disclosures tab found on the College’s website for information
regarding student achievement data and other important information.
National and State Requirements for Entry into the Nursing Profession
Upon graduation, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX- RN©), passage of which is required to obtain a license to practice
nursing in the state of Colorado.
Graduation from Denver College of Nursing does not guarantee eligibility to sit for state
licensure examination in this or any other state. Eligibility requirements to sit for the NCLEX-
RN© and obtain licensure in Colorado are found in the catalog supplement immediately
following the last addendum to this catalog.
Please see the Consumer Disclosures tab found on Denver College of Nursing website
https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer- info.aspx) for information regarding
student achievement data and other important information.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Denver College of Nursing is an Equal Opportunity Educational institution and does not
discriminate in the recruitment and admission of students with respect to race, color, creed,
sex, age, handicap, disability, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Applicants or current students with disabilities who require academic adjustments and/or
auxiliary aids in connection with the admissions process, the admissions test and/or their
program of study should contact the Director of Student Services. The College President, in
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consultation with the Dean of Nursing Education Programs, will work with the applicant and/or
prospective student to identify reasonable accommodations/ adjustments necessary to enable
him/her to fully participate in the admissions and educational processes. Questions about this
process may be directed to the Director of Student Services.
Disability Accommodations Grievance Procedure/Conflict Resolution
If a student wishes to file a complaint regarding any disability discrimination, the student
should notify the College President in writing within ten days. A hearing will be scheduled
within five business days of the notification at which time the student has the right to present
further evidence and bring witnesses, if desired, to support his/her position.
Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act
The College provides the following information to all of its employees and students as part of
the institution’s commitment to safety and security pursuant to the requirements of the federal
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
• The Campus Security Report is distributed directly in electronic format to all
enrolled students and employees and is available upon request to prospective
students. It should be noted that this report is updated annually and distributed by
October 1 of each year.
• Information on Crime Statistics is also available on the National Center for
Education Statistics College Navigator website. The National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data
related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES is located within the U.S.
Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences.
The Consumer Information Guide (https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/consumer-
info.aspx) contains college-specific links for the College Navigator website. Information as it
appears on the College Navigator website is based on Integrated Postsecondary Education Data
System (IPEDS) data that are deemed final and closed, based on prior year statistical
submissions.
For more up-to-date information, please contact an Admissions Representative.
A safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of students, faculty and staff.
Students are required to wear their picture IDs at all times at the college and in clinical settings.
Anyone on campus should report any crime, suspicious activity, or other emergencies on
campus to the Front Desk immediately. Any student who is a witness or victim of a crime
should immediately report the incident to the local police department by calling 911 and then
administration.
Title IX and Violence Against Women Act
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Fortis College is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment that
promotes responsibility and respect in matters of sexual conduct. Since Title IX/VAWA
offenses are a violation of trust and respect they are prohibited and will not be tolerated. This
policy applies to academic, educational, co-curricular, and off-campus conduct. Title
IX/VAWA offenses include: sexual harassment, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence,
dating violence and stalking. Denver College of Nursing will support and assist victims of
sexual violence by directing them to community resources for medical care, counseling and to
local law enforcement. Denver College of Nursing will investigate student complaints, and a
student who has committed a Title IX offense will be subject to the school’s Disciplinary
Action Policy which could result in dismissal from school. The Disciplinary Action Policy
can be found at Page 75 and the Termination or Expulsion Policy can be found at Page 75 of
this Catalog. Denver College of Nursing will provide students with educational materials on
Title IX/VAWA to promote prevention and awareness. Ongoing prevention and awareness
campaigns will occur during the year.
If a student is a victim of a Title IX/VAWA offense, the student is urged to seek immediate
medical assistance as necessary, and to report the incident to the police. A written notification
in the form of Victim’s Bill of Rights will be provided concerning his or her rights and options.
Prompt collection of physical evidence is essential should a person later decide to pursue
criminal prosecution and/or a civil action. A student who is a victim of sexual violence
involving a student at Denver College of Nursing or an employee is urged to make a complaint
to the Title IX Coordinator. Victim support and community resources are available even if the
victim does not report to the police or make a complaint. If a student has knowledge of an
incident of sexual violence involving a fellow student, he/she should report the facts to the
Title IX Coordinator or the local police. Retaliation against an individual who reports a crime;
brings a complaint; pursues legal action; participates in an investigation; or, is a witness in any
proceeding is prohibited and will not be tolerated by Denver College of Nursing. Should a
victim of sexual violence request confidentiality, Denver College of Nursing will honor the
request to the extent possible and allowed by law. Denver College of Nursing will not disclose
the name of the victim of sexual violence unless required by law or with permission of the
victim.
Title IX Coordinator
Attention: Title IX Coordinator
Suzanne Peters Esq., M.Ed.
National Dean of Programmatic Accreditation
Address: 5026D Campbell Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21236
Telephone: Phone: 330-805-2819
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
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Course Descriptions Course Designations
APH Anatomy & Physiology
BIO Biology/
CHM Chemistry
COM Communications
ENG English
ETH Ethics
HIT Health Informatics Technology
HUM Humanities
MAT Mathematics/ Statistics
NUR (NRS) Nursing Courses PHI Ethics PSY Psychology SCI Basic Nutrition SOC Sociology
General Education
APH 216 Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory (6 credits: 4 theory/2 laboratory)
This course presents an introduction to the structure and function of the human body, including
basic cellular principles, the skin, skeletal tissues, joints, and the muscular system. Also
included, is the nervous system cells, central and peripheral nervous systems, sense organs,
and endocrine system. Medical terminology associated with the systems covered in this course
is also included. Virtual laboratory experiences are included in the course. Pre-requisite(s):
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
APH 217 Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory (6 credits: 4 theory/2 laboratory)
This course presents an introduction to the structure and function of the human body, including
transportation of blood and its many vital functions, including how it links the body’s internal
and external environments. This course also includes instruction in the following systems:
cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive. Also
covered is the importance of maintaining homeostasis in the body by balancing water and
electrolytes. Medical terminology associated with the systems covered in this course is also
included. Virtual laboratory experiences are included in the course. Pre-requisite(s): APH 216
Anatomy and Physiology I.
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology (6 credits)
This course provides a basic introduction to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology)
of the human body. It provides a foundation for understanding deviations from normal and
disease conditions. Correct medical terminology is also emphasized. Pre-requisite: None.
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BIO 115 Basic Nutrition (3 credits)
The student is introduced to the science of nutrition. Emphasis is placed on understanding the
role of nutrients in supporting human function throughout the lifespan and how nutrition
principles are applied to diet planning. Special attention is on examining the influence of
nutrition on disease development. Pre-requisite: None.
BIO 205 Microbiology with Laboratory (6 credits: 4 theory/2 laboratory)
This course focuses on the nature of microbial organisms and offers a comprehensive survey
of infectious diseases of humans, with major emphasis on the biology of the infectious process.
Important infectious pathogenic agents (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) are studied in terms of
their physiological functions and the properties which permit them to be pathogens. The
epidemiology and pathogenesis of infections, analysis of the dynamic interactions between
invading organisms and the defense mechanisms of the invaded hosts, clinical pictures of the
disease states, and prevention of infection are explored. The laboratory exercises provide an
introduction to basic microbiology and modern diagnostic and clinical microbiology. Pre-
requisite(s): None.
BIO 209 Pathophysiology (5 credits)
The content of this course includes the basic mechanisms and responses to diseases such as
inflammation, infection, trauma, fluid and electrolyte balance, genetic disorders, and
oncogenesis. The biologic, physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral sciences foundation for
nursing interventions are considered. Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of pre-requisite
general education courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
BIO 309 Pathophysiology (6 credits)
Basic mechanisms and responses to diseases such as inflammation, infection, trauma, fluid and
electrolyte balance, genetic disorders, and oncogenesis is the content of this course. The
biologic, physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral sciences foundation for nursing
interventions are considered. Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of pre-requisite general
education courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
CHM 107 General Chemistry (6 credits)
This course offers a foundational treatment of atoms and molecules. Included is the study of
elements, compounds, periodic relationships, bonding, acids and bases, oxidation-reduction,
energy, solutions, electrolytes and chemical equations. Descriptive chemistry of water and
selected nonmetals including hydrogen, oxygen and carbon is presented. Mathematical and
conceptual tools for quantifying chemical equilibrium, with an emphasis on the reactions of
acids and bases are explored. Laboratory work reinforces concepts in lecture, and also provides
a review of fundamental topics, such as stoichiometry, gas laws, and solution-phase reactions.
Pre-requisite(s): None.
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COM 245 Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
An introduction to relationship-based communication and self-awareness. The relevant
concepts include self- concept, perceptions, listening, and nonverbal communication.
Principles of effective communication are incorporated throughout. This course familiarizes
the student with interactive concerns in settings related to interpersonal relationships occurring
in family, social, and career situations. Pre-requisite(s): None.
ENG 121 English Composition I (4 credits)
Writing skills are essential to professional success. In this course, students learn the major
aspects of writing, beginning with components of the essay, and ending with full essays of
different modes of composition. Students go through the various writing stages and strategies
and learn to adapt them to their own writing and learning preferences. They also acquire skills
for generating ideas, preliminary outlining, topic selection, and drafting while learning to
revise, rewrite, and polish structure and style for effective communication. Pre-requisite(s):
None.
ENG 221 English Composition II (4 credits)
This course expands and refines the objectives of English Composition I. It emphasizes
critical/logical thinking and reading, problem definition, research strategies, and writing
analytical, evaluation, and/or persuasive papers that incorporate research. Pre-requisite(s):
ENG121 English Composition I.
ETH 210 Ethics (4 credits)
This course explores the field of ethics (or moral philosophy) and involves systematizing,
defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. Topics discussed focus
on the issues of universal truths, the role of reason in ethical judgments, and the meaning of
ethical terms themselves. Pre-requisite(s): None.
HIT 410 Healthcare Informatics (3 credits)
In this course, students establish the foundational knowledge for understanding of informatics
in healthcare settings. Students learn about core and supporting models and theories of
healthcare informatics, as well as its foundation in science. They explore the use of information
technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality and they assess concerns about
protecting information and system integrity. Students engage in practical assignments through
which they become familiar with various informatics-related functions as well as summarize
and reflect on their learning experiences. Pre-requisite(s): BIO 309 Pathophysiology; NUR
310 Health Assessment (with Lab); NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing Practice.
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HIT 420 Healthcare Informatics (5 credits)
This course is the foundation for the improvement of nursing practice and patient outcomes
through the application of knowledge and understanding of the history, terminology, and
impact of informatics to the promotion of nursing professionalism in patient care and safety.
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN to BSN program option.
HUM 320 Creating Solutions & Critical Thinking (4 credits)
This course helps students master key concepts in the areas of critical thinking and problem
solving and engages in the practical application of these concepts. The course will guide
students through rhetorical strategies, inductive and deductive reasoning and logic, critical case
studies and analysis, problem-based scenario construction, problem-solving, solution analysis
and the presentation of ideas. Pre-requisite(s): None.
HUM 330 Creating Solutions and Critical Thinking (4 credits)
This course helps students master key concepts in the areas of critical thinking and problem
solving and engages in the practical application of these concepts. The course will guide
students through rhetorical strategies, inductive and deductive reasoning and logic, critical case
studies and analysis, problem-based scenario construction, problem-solving, solution analysis,
and the presentation of ideas. Ethical values and related considerations are included within the
critical thinking and problem-solving framework. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN to
BSN program option.
MAT 101 Introduction to Algebra (4 credits)
This course provides an introduction to algebraic math with the goal of teaching students to
read, write, and think mathematically in support of real-world applications. Topics include
first-degree equations, inequalities, formulas, polynomials, rational expression, factoring
polynomials, solving quadratic equations by factoring, and applications. Pre-requisite(s):
None.
MAT 137 Statistics (4 credits)
This course includes data presentation and summarization, introduction to probability and
distributions, statistical inference, estimation, hypothesis testing, comparison of populations,
correlation, and regression. Pre-requisite(s): MAT 101 Introduction to Algebra.
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PHI 410 Ethics (4 credits)
This course is an exploration of different ethical theories that often appear opposite in stance.
These theories are considered in conjunction with many scenarios so that students will
understand the application of ethical theories in different settings. Additionally, students will
have the opportunity to study ethical views affecting many current controversial topics in
greater detail, choosing the topic(s) upon which they will focus. Students will gain a far greater
understanding of different ethical theories and will also learn to appreciate differences in views
on sensitive topics. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN to BSN program option.
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (4 credits)
This course focuses on the scientific study of behavior including motivation, emotion,
physiological psychology, stress and coping, research methods, cognition, sensation,
perception, learning and memory. Basic research methods, ethics, and the evaluation of
psychological research are included. Pre-requisite(s): None.
PSY 278 Human Growth and Development (4 credits)
An introduction to developmental psychology, focusing on the period from conception through
adolescence, with emphasis on developmental principles and theories in the areas of cognitive,
emotional, social, personality, and physical development. This course is designed to promote
the student’s understanding of the process by which people become someone different while
remaining in many aspects the same. This process, called human development, exposes our
inherited structures to a lifetime of experiences. Pre-requisite(s): None.
PSY 321 Building Emotional Intelligence (3 credits)
This course integrates theory, human variances, self- awareness, and research to address the
value of building emotional intelligence principles and negotiation problem-solving skills.
Risk and benefits for having internalized and skill development in both advanced levels of
communication theory areas will be addressed. The knowledge and skills learned regarding
emotional intelligence and negotiation are critical to every person who works with others or
who need to achieve goals through the work of others. Strategies will be identified that can be
used when facing challenging situations and how to use these tools to negotiate successful
outcomes. Pre-requisite(s): BIO 205 Microbiology; ETH 210 Ethics; APH 217 Anatomy and
Physiology II with Lab.
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PSY 430 Building Emotional Intelligence and Negotiation Skills (4 credits)
This course integrates theory, human variances, self- awareness, and research to address the
value of building emotional intelligence principles and negotiation problem-solving skills.
Risks and benefits for having internalized and skill development in both advanced levels of
communication theory areas will be addressed. The knowledge and skills learned regarding
emotional intelligence and negotiation are critical to every person who works with others or
who need to achieve goals through the work of others. Strategies will be identified that can be
used when facing challenging situations and how to use these tools to negotiate successful
outcomes. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN to BSN program option.
SCI 115 Basic Nutrition (4 credits)
The student is introduced to the science of nutrition. Emphasis is placed on understanding the
role of nutrients in supporting human function throughout the lifespan and how nutrition
principles are applied to diet planning. Special attention is on examining the influence of
nutrition on disease development. Pre-requisite(s): None.
SOC 115 Sociology (4 credits)
This course examines social institutions and organizations. The course will emphasize issues
of social change, demography movements, conflicts and trends within education, religion,
family, political, and economic structures. Pre-requisite(s): None.
SOC 321 Life Transitions: Death and Dying (4 credits)
This course examines one of the inevitable experiences of the life cycle. Death is processed
based on cultural expectations, age group, and by prior experiences with death and dying. Each
death experience will vary based on the circumstances of death, the time each surviving
individual had to prepare for the death, and the relationship each had with the deceased. Pre-
requisite(s): NUR 450/450C Community/Public Health Nursing; NUR 460 Transition to
Professional Practice; NUR 470 Leadership and Management.
SOC 420 Sociology of Health and Medicine (4 credits)
The focus of this course is on ways that lifestyle and society can impact health. The health of
individuals is compared among different social classes, races, ages, and genders. Disease
epidemiology is compared among the same groups. The impact of social stress is examined.
Illness behavior and the sick roles are examined and compared. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to
the RN to BSN program option.
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SOC 431 Sociology of Health and Medicine (4 credits)
This course provides an overview of how society can impact health and lifestyle. The health
of individuals is compared among different social classes, races, ages, and genders. Disease
epidemiology is compared among the same groups. The impact of social stress is examined.
Illness, behavior, and the sick roles are examined and compared. Pre-requisite(s): None.
ADN Nursing Education Course Descriptions
NUR200 (formerly NRS 111) Differentiated Practice (3 credits)
Legal and ethical responsibilities of the professional nurse are introduced to the student. The
roles that nurses have been involved with throughout history are explored. Special emphasis is
placed on identifying workplace and personal stressors, identifying coping abilities, and
developing strategies for success. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are emphasized.
Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of pre-requisite general education courses with a
grade of ‘C’ or better.
NUR210 (formerly NRS 103) Basic Health Assessment with Skills
Laboratory (5 credits: 4 theory/1 laboratory)
This course focuses on introducing the nursing student to the systemic assessment of a client’s
needs through various data collection methods. The role of the nurse in developing problem
identification skills and nursing diagnoses for the adult client is addressed. Health history and
physical assessment skills, along with client teaching are emphasized. Special attention is paid
to communication development and strategies for conflict resolution. Pre-requisite(s):
Successful completion of pre-requisite general education courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
NUR220 (formerly NRS 105) Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills with
Skills Laboratory and Clinical (12 credits: 5 theory/4 laboratory/3 clinical)
Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills focuses on introducing the nursing student to concepts
in the management of client care and the development of skills within the context of the nursing
process. Students will learn to provide basic nursing skills to client care. Safe and effective
nursing practices are emphasized. This clinical course focuses on introducing the nursing
student to the healthcare environment. This course allows the student to begin to use practiced
skills in the provision of client care. Importance is placed on establishing interactions with
clients and obtaining client information through the health care assessment. Pre-requisite(s):
BIO 209 Pathophysiology; BIO 115 Basic Nutrition; NUR 200 Differentiated Practice;
NUR210/210L Basic Health Assessment.
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NUR228 (formerly NRS 112) Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations
with Laboratory (6 credits: 5 theory /1 laboratory)
Basic pharmacology concepts related to the body system and the medications commonly
prescribed for clients with various medical conditions are presented in this course. This
laboratory focuses on basic pharmacology concepts, related drug actions, therapeutic and
adverse effects, interactions of drugs, drug classifications, dosage calculations, and medication
administration. Application of basic math concepts will be used for dosage calculations for the
various routes of administration. Pre-requisite(s): BIO 209 Pathophysiology; BIO 115 Basic
Nutrition; NUR200 Differentiated Practice; NUR210/210L Basic Health Assessment with
Laboratory.
NUR230 (formerly NRS 104) Basic Medical Surgical Concepts with Skills
Laboratory and Clinical (13 credits: 5 theory /2 laboratory/ 6 clinical)
In this course, the student is introduced to the role of the professional nurse in meeting the care
needs for the medical and surgical client by integrating nursing theory with nursing skills for
multiple clients who have stable and predictable results in an acute care setting. Special
emphasis is placed on continued skill development and assessment of the effectiveness of care
and procedures. The laboratory component of the course focuses on advanced assessment and
intravenous therapy concepts specific to the professional nurse. This clinical course focuses on
skill development in applying the nursing process to the delivery of uncomplicated nursing
care in a long-term care setting. Emphasis is placed on developing the nursing student’s skill
base. Pre-requisite(s): NUR220/ 220L/ NUR220C Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills
(with Laboratory and Clinical; NUR228/228L Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations
with Laboratory.
NUR240 (formerly NRS 216) Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts
with Clinical (9 credits: 5 theory/4 clinical)
This course focuses on the ongoing development of the professional nursing student in a two-
year nursing education program. The student is taught to use the nursing process for the
development of plans of care for clients with complex and/or complicated health care needs.
Emphasis is placed on integrating the biological, physical, and social sciences in assisting the
client and family to achieve optimal functioning. Special attention is also placed on identifying
legal and ethical considerations that influence care in complex settings. The use of advanced
nursing skills in the provision of client care is the focus of clinical; also, there is a focus on
understanding the complexity of acute and/or complex nursing interventions. Nursing students
will evaluate and revise nursing care approaches based on the client’s response to the treatment.
Pre-requisite(s): NUR230/230C Basic Medical Surgical Concepts with Laboratory and
Clinical.
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NUR245/245C (formerly NRS 211/211C) Nursing Concepts in Mental
Health with Clinical (7 credits: 4 theory/3 clinical, ADN (6 credits: 4 theory/2
clinical
The role of the two-year professional nursing student in the care and treatment of common
clinical mental health conditions and disorders is the focus of this course. The nursing approach
is on understanding psychopathology and emphasizes caring through the application of
appropriate communication venues. Ethical and legal issues are analyzed as they pertain to
mental illness and psychosocial implications. Pre-requisite(s): NUR230/230C Basic Medical
Surgical Concepts with Laboratory and Clinical.
NUR250/250C (formerly NRS 210) Nursing Concepts for the
Multigenerational Childbearing Family with Clinical (6 credits: 4 theory/ 2
clinical)
The role of the nurse in the care of the childbearing family across the lifespan, with special
attention to the needs of the childbearing woman and newborn, is the focus of the classroom
and clinical components of this course. The nursing process is used as a framework for
understanding the care required during the perinatal experience of normal and high-risk
pregnant women and their families. The influence of cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual
values on the childbearing family is integrated. Ethical and legal issues pertaining to pregnancy
and birth are reviewed. Critical thinking skills and the use of evidence-based practices are
included. Pre-requisite(s): NUR240/240C Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts with
Laboratory and Clinical.
NUR255/255C (formerly NRS 212) Nursing Concepts of Children with
Clinical (6 credits: 4 theory/ 2 clinical)
The role of the nurse in the care of the pediatric client and their family, from infancy through
adolescence, in health and illness, is the focus of the classroom and clinical components of this
course. Special attention is paid to growth and development and the related emotional needs
of each stage. The nursing process is used as a framework for understanding the care required
by these clients. Relevant family concepts, ethical and legal issues and cultural, psychosocial,
and spiritual values are considered. Critical thinking skills and the use of evidence-based
practices are included. Pre-requisite(s): NUR240/240C Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing
Concepts with Clinical.
NUR260 Role Transition (3 credits)
This course focuses on role transition from student nurse to practicing nurse. Emphasis is
placed in preparing the student for the Capstone course and NCLEX-RN © examination.
Concepts taught in Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Foundations of Nursing Arts & Skills,
Basic and Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Obstetrical and
Pediatric Nursing will be reviewed. Time management, prioritization, and planning nursing
care are emphasized. Pre-requisite(s): NUR240/240C Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing
Concepts with Clinical; NUR245/245C Nursing Concepts in Mental Health with Clinical.
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NUR285/285C (formerly NRS 217/217C) RN Leadership and Capstone
Clinical (9 credits: 3 theory/6 clinical)
Leadership roles within professional nursing practice and the issues and trends affecting the
delivery of care are explored in this course. Delegation and management concepts are the key
areas of focus. Quality of care management and legal implications in the provision of nursing
care are explored. The student learns to appreciate differentiated nursing roles within
healthcare delivery systems, develops learning goals, and identifies workplace tools for
success. Special emphasis is placed on preparing for success as a graduate professional nurse.
The clinical component of this course focuses on transitioning the student nurse to the
graduate role in nursing through integration of nursing principles and skills in a selected
healthcare setting. Pre-requisite(s): NUR250/250C; Nursing Concepts for the
Multigenerational Childbearing Family with Clinical; NUR255/255C Nursing Concepts of
Children with Clinical; NUR260 Role Transition.
BSN Nursing Education Course Descriptions
NUR 300 Professional Issues in Nursing (5 credits)
This course provides a transition for professional nurses as they begin their studies to achieve
a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. The course addresses qualities that professional nurses
need to be leaders in the complex and ever-changing global health care environment. Topics
include role transition, nursing history, ethical and legal issues, nursing theory, professional
roles of the nurse, cultural considerations, and advanced practice roles. Pre-requisite(s):
Admission to the RN-BSN program option.
NUR 309 Pathophysiology for the Registered Nurse (6 credits)
This course provides a study of variations in physiologic functioning and alterations in
physiologic response of body systems. The course addresses physiologic changes that will help
identify alterations in body systems and their relationship to the patient's state of health. Topics
include altered cell functioning, genetic disorders, risk factors, health promotion, and disease
prevention. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN-BSN program option.
NUR 310/310L Health Assessment with Skills Laboratory (6 credits: 5 theory/1 laboratory)
All aspects of conducting a head-to-toe assessment across the lifespan are presented in the
course. All systems are reviewed and history taking is included in both the course and the
laboratory. Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of pre-requisite general education
courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
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NUR 320/320L/320C Foundations of Nursing with Skills Laboratory and
Clinical (10 credits: 5 theory/1 laboratory/4 clinical)
Foundations of Nursing provide an introduction to the applied science of nursing care. Content
focuses on clinical judgment, nursing principles, acute care nursing interventions, dosage
calculation and providing culturally competent care. The biological, physical, social, spiritual,
and behavioral sciences form the foundations for acute care nursing interventions with the
emphasis on safe and effective nursing practices. Pre-requisite(s): BIO 309 Pathophysiology;
NUR 310/310L Health Assessment with Laboratory; NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing.
NUR 325 Healthcare Delivery Systems (5 credits)
This course provides perspectives on health care delivery past, present, and future. It also
addresses the impact of health care issues on health care delivery including the determinants
of health to include insurance costs, applications for health professions, and the need of
comprehensive planning and its impact on the future. This Course will encourage the
formulation and evaluation of potential solutions to some of the most urgent health care
delivery issues facing the U.S. today. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN-BSN program
option.
NUR 328/328L Pharmacology with Calculations Laboratory (6 credits: 5 theory/1 lab)
Broad concepts of pharmacology and an overview of major drug groups are addressed in this
course. For each major drug group, the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacotherapeutics, adverse drug reactions, and nursing management will be covered. The
laboratory introduces the nursing student to the concepts and techniques of dosage calculation
and medication administration by a variety of routes. Application of basic math concepts to
complex conversion of dosages between various systems of weights and volumes is learned.
Students apply critical thinking skills to the calculations needed for accurate administration of
medications. Pre-requisite(s): BIO 309 Pathophysiology; NUR 310/310L Health Assessment
with Laboratory; NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing.
NUR 330/330L/330C Medical Surgical Nursing I with Skills Laboratory and
Clinical (10 credits: 5 theory/1 laboratory/4 clinical)
Nursing care of older adults with known or potential alterations in health, especially those with
chronic alterations is the focus of this course. Nursing care is directed toward health promotion,
disease prevention, maintenance, and restoration of health. The understanding of health and
illness are emphasized from both a human science and a nursing perspective. The biological,
physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral sciences form the foundation for safe and effective
nursing practice. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 320/320L/320C Foundations of Nursing with
Laboratory and Clinical; NUR 328/328L Pharmacology with Calculations Laboratory.
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NUR 335 Health Promotion in Nursing (5 credits)
The course explores the concepts of health promotion and the application of health promotion
concepts to nursing practice to enable the client to control and improve health outcomes. While
focusing on the methodology critical to developing a plan of care for clients, students will learn
the rationale and techniques for utilizing specific assessment tools, analysis of assessment data,
selection of lifespan appropriate interventions, implementation of interventions, and
measurement of resulting outcomes. Content will be focused on cultural diversity, disparity in
health care and social determinants that impact the client's plan of care and resulting
approaches for promoting a healthier society. The use of technology and health promotion
research will be explored and applied to nursing practice in a practicum experience.
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN-BSN program option.
NUR 338 Research and Evidence Based Practice (3 credits)
This course examines ways in which evidence-based nursing knowledge is acquired,
developed, and utilized. The focus is on the research process and the critique of nursing
research results and outcomes for applicability to, and improvement of, professional nursing
practice. Concepts such as quantitative and qualitative research methods, ethical
considerations, rights of human subjects, and use of conceptual frameworks to understand
clinical trends will be examined. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 320/320L/NUR320C Foundations of
Nursing with Laboratory and Clinical; NUR 328/328L Pharmacology with Calculations
Laboratory; HIT 410 Healthcare Informatics.
NUR 340/340C Pediatric Nursing with Clinical (6 credits: 4 theory/2 clinical)
The focus of this course and associated clinical is health promotion and maintenance, disease
prevention, and health restoration for the child, adolescent and family. Course content gives
emphasis to nursing care, care for the individual client/family, developmental alterations, and
family-centered care. The biological, physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral sciences
foundation for pediatric care are considered. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 420/420C Mental Health
Nursing with Clinical; NUR 440/440C Medical Surgical Nursing II with Clinical.
NUR 350/350C Obstetrical Nursing with Clinical (6 credits: 4 theory/2 clinical)
Nursing interventions and the applied science of caring for childbearing families is the focus
of the didactic course and related clinical experience. Variables that affect individuals and
families during the childbirth experience are explored. Employing critical thinking and sound
nursing judgment are highlighted. The biological, physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral
sciences foundation for care of the childbearing family are considered. Pre-requisite(s): NUR
420/420C Mental Health Nursing with Clinical; NUR 440/440C Medical Surgical Nursing II
with Clinical.
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NUR 358 Topics of Professional Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Professional development through critical assessment of nursing as a professional discipline is
the focus of this course. Content includes scope of practice, differentiated practice models,
nursing theory, the historical development of nursing, evidence-based practice, relationship-
based caring, ethical foundations of nursing and reflective nursing practice models. Pre-
requisite(s): Successful completion of pre-requisite general education courses with a grade of
‘C’ or better.
NUR 370 Cultural Dimensions in Nursing (5 credits)
This course focuses on culture and its impact on health care delivery at the individual,
community, and system levels. This course is designed to raise awareness, to inspire action,
and to open discussion of evidence-based cultural issues affecting professional nursing practice
as well as a practicum experience where the student is able to apply concepts learned in the
classroom. Pre-requisite(s) or co-requisite(s): None.
NUR 400 Research and Evidence Based Practice (6 credits)
The course explores evidence-based practice as a foundation for improved nursing practice and
patient outcomes. Students will learn the history of evidence-based practice and the significant
research methodologies that serve as its foundation. Students will explore the rationale for
evidence-based practice and learn how to form research questions, hypotheses, and research
methodologies. They will also learn about population sampling, data collection tools, and
statistical analysis. Students will learn how to determine whether research is credible through
the criticism of research articles, and they will be introduced to potential ethical concerns in
the development of research and evidence-based practice. Emphasis will be placed on student-
centered learning that will give students the opportunity to implement what they learn during
the course into their nursing practice, regardless of specialty. Pre-requisite(s): MAT 137
Statistics.
NUR 415 Policy, Finance, and Quality in Nursing and Healthcare (6 credits)
This course addresses issues in health status of the population and access to care, the
organization of care delivery systems, the financing and economics of health care, and
healthcare reform. In addition, students explore how to influence policy change in the
workplace, evaluate quality initiatives, and the role of government, and professional
organizations. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the RN-BSN program option.
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NUR420/420C Mental Health Nursing with Clinical (6credits: 4 theory/2 clinical)
The course and clinical focus of the course is on the nursing care of adolescents and adult
psychiatric clients by promoting and restoring mental health in a variety of inpatient and
outpatient clinical settings. Assessment and treatment options based on nursing process,
assessment and diagnosis will be explored in the didactic portion. DSM-IV classifications are
covered as well. The biological, physical, social, spiritual, and behavioral sciences form the
foundation for care of the psychiatric client. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 330/330C Medical Surgical
Nursing I. with Laboratory and Clinical.
NUR 425 Population-Based Nursing (6 credits)
This course focuses on an analysis of the nursing role as it relates to population-based health.
The course addresses nursing theories, public health ethics, and nursing advocacy. Topics
include the importance and application of health promotion concepts and prevention across the
lifespan, vulnerable populations, global health and evidence-based cultural considerations, and
the role of nursing in disaster settings. There will be an opportunity for experiential learning
in specific assignments as well as a practicum experience where the student is able to apply
concepts learned in the classroom. Pre-requisite(s) or co-requisite(s): NUR 335 Health
Promotion in Nursing; NUR 400 Research and Evidence Based Practice; and NUR 370
Cultural Dimensions in Nursing.
NUR 435 Leadership and Management in Nursing (6 credits)
This course provides an in-depth study of leadership and management principles as they apply
to professional nursing practice. Students will explore teamwork, communication, the change
process, and evidence-based practice. Concepts from healthcare delivery systems, healthcare
informatics, and policy, finance and quality in healthcare will be applied. This course will also
cover healthcare quality, legal policies, ethics, finance, and technology as they apply to
leadership and management in nursing. There will be an opportunity for experiential learning
in specific assignments. Pre-requisite(s) or co-requisite(s): NUR 325 Healthcare Delivery
Systems; NUR 415 Policy, Finance, and Quality in Nursing and Healthcare; NUR 400
Research and Evidence Based Practice; and HIT 420 Healthcare Informatics.
NUR 440/440C Medical Surgical Nursing II with Clinical (9 credits: 5 theory/4 clinical)
This course focuses on nursing care directed toward maintenance and restoration of health for
adult clients in the acute care setting who are experiencing complex variation in their health
status. The population with whom the student will collaborate may have multiple chronic
conditions or a high level of acuity in their current condition. The biological, physical, social,
spiritual, and behavioral sciences form the foundation for care of the acutely ill adult are
considered. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 330/330C Medical Surgical Nursing I with Laboratory and
Clinical.
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NUR 445 Capstone (7 credits)
This Capstone course is designed for RN-BSN students at the end of their program of study. It
provides students with an opportunity to synthesize their knowledge of the concepts learned
throughout the RN-BSN program. The primary focus is on applying this knowledge to a chosen
evidence-based project that is related to an area of interest in nursing and health care. There
will be an opportunity for experiential learning in specific assignments in addition to a
practicum experience where the student is able to apply concepts learned throughout the RN-
BSN program. Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of all other courses in the RN -BSN
program option curriculum.
NUR 450/450C Community/Public Health Nursing with Clinical (7 credits:
5 theory/2 clinical)
Development of skill in public health nursing and caring for populations and communities is
the focus of this course and clinical. Topics such as health promotion and maintenance,
wellness education, healthy communities, and vulnerable populations will be considered. Pre-
requisite(s): NUR 340/340C Pediatric Nursing with Clinical; NUR 350/350C Obstetrical
Nursing with Clinical.
NUR 460 Transition to Professional Practice (3 credits)
This course focuses on role transition from student nurse to practicing nurse. Emphasis is
placed on preparing the student for his/her Capstone course and NCLEX-RN exam. Concepts
taught in Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Foundations of Nursing, Medical Surgical
Nursing I and II, Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Obstetrical Nursing will be
reviewed. Time management, delegation, prioritization, and planning nursing care will be
emphasized. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 340/340C Pediatric Nursing with Clinical; NUR 350/350C
Obstetrical Nursing with Clinical.
NUR 470 Leadership and Management (3 credits)
Leadership and management competencies within healthcare systems are examined in this
course. This course content includes communication, change, and conflict. It also emphasizes
accountability for quality and cost-effective care management across settings. The clinical
component focuses on the skills necessary for effective leadership in professional nursing
practice. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 340/340C Pediatric Nursing with Clinical; NUR 350/350C
Obstetrical Nursing with Clinical.
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NUR 485/485C Senior Integrative Seminar and Capstone Clinical (9 credits: 4 theory/5 clinical)
This course prepares students to transition into the professional practice RN role. They cover
content specific to NCLEX-RN preparations, resume development, new graduate practice,
attrition in nursing of new nurses, scope of practice specific to developing practice, and
differentiated practice across settings. The clinical portion of the course integrates nursing
education, connects theory with service learning, and demonstrates the social justice
component inherent to the profession of nursing. Pre-requisite(s): NUR 450/450C Community
/Public Health Nursing with Clinical; NUR 460 Transition to Professional Practice; NUR 470
Leadership and Management.
MSN Nursing Education Course Descriptions
NUR 600 Advanced Health Assessment (5 credits)
This course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to collect data related to assessment
of the individual’s health status. Students conduct comprehensive evidence-based health
assessments encompassing environmental, genetic, multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic
factors. Students explore ways to adapt communication styles to meet specific needs of their
audience. Attention is given to integration of data to guide the nursing process.
Interprofessional communication, collaboration, and technologies to integrate and coordinate
care are explored. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 610 Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology (5 credits)
Focus on pathophysiology, symptomology and etiology of commonly encountered acute and
chronic clinical entities of children and adults. The student develops clinical reasoning skills
that distinguish the relationships between normal physiology and specific system alterations
produced by injury and disease. Particular attention will be given to etiology, pathogenesis,
developmental and environmental influences, genetics and genomics, and clinical
manifestations of major health problems. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 620 Global Healthcare Dimensions (5 credits)
This course is an examination of global health and the involvement of nursing in promoting
healthy communities. The student will examine global health concepts, theories, epidemiology,
and global demographics. Threats to health and wellness will be explored including
environmental impact, disease, disasters, and violence. Students also build advanced skills in
interprofessional collaboration used to improve patient and population outcomes. An emphasis
will be placed on opportunities to influence health policy, social inequalities, and ethical
principles. Pre-requisite(s): None.
105
NUR 630 Pharmacology (5 credits)
This course provides graduate level students with advanced knowledge of physiological
responses to drugs used in the treatment of disease. Issues of drug interactions, polypharmacy,
drug misuse and abuse are explored. The student explores the nurse’s role in facilitating client
compliance to treatment regimens. Interprofessional communication and collaboration are
emphasized. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 640 Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice for Nursing Education (5 credits)
In this course, students will examine research methodologies for teaching and learning to
improve outcomes. Students differentiate between various research designs and strategies;
explore ethical and legal considerations of conducting research; and evaluate research
information and its applications to enhance professional practice. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 650 Advanced Theory, Leadership, and Management (5 credits)
Provides opportunities for students to apply appropriate theories of leadership and management
and examine the characteristics of effective leaders. Students explore what it means to be a
leader in today’s healthcare environment and incorporate evidence-based leadership practices
in ethical decision making. The course provides review of finance, organizational structure,
and budget. Students will explore effective working relationships from a system’s perspective
in addition to analyzing quality and safety issues related to health outcomes. The student will
examine opportunities and processes to serve as a change agent. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 660 Student Centered Learning (5 credits)
The focus of this course is to familiarize students with evidence-based teaching/learning
theories and strategies in relationship to the needs of the adult learner. Students will discuss,
review, and synthesize topics that impact all aspects of the learning environment. Students will
apply content through critical analysis and development of an adult learning plan. Pre-
requisite(s): None.
NUR 670 Teaching Strategies and Technology for the Nurse Educator (5 credits)
This course assists students to utilize available technologies for teaching in a variety of
educational settings. Legal and ethical issues surrounding the virtual learning environment are
explored. Evidence to support the use of technology in the educational environment will be
examined. Pre-requisite(s): None.
106
NUR 680 Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation (5 credits)
This course focuses on the process of development, assessment and evaluation of the
curriculum. Within the context of curriculum development, accreditation standards, trends in
professional nursing practice, evidence based educational research, economic, and policy
issues are analyzed. Selected nursing and educational theories, educational research, principles
and techniques of curriculum development are explored. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 690 The Nurse Educator: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships (5 credits)
The course prepares students to transition from the primary care giver role to one of an educator
in multiple settings. The students learn to actualize the roles of the nurse educator as
facilitators, motivators, mentors, consultants, colleagues, collaborators, scholars, members of
the academy, and advocates in academic and clinical settings with a focus on quality, safety,
and evidence-based practice. Pre-requisite(s): None.
NUR 695 Capstone (6 credits)
This course provides an opportunity for students to analyze, synthesize and utilize all prior
courses in an educational environment. Students are mentored by preceptors in a clinical
practicum component of the course who are experienced in educational roles in various
settings. Pre-requisite(s): None.
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 4
Denver College of Nursing
CATALOG ADDENDUM
Addendum to catalog: 2021-2022 Catalog 10/01/2021, Volume 1 Version 1
Effective date: 10/01/2021
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes within the terms of the catalog, which may affect any of the information published, and
to make such changes, by notifying individual students. As such changes may occur, these will be published in a catalog addendum, which is intended
as, and is to be regarded as, an integral part of this catalog. Information presented in this addendum is meant to supersede language presented in the
catalog.
Board of Trustees
Duncan M. Anderson, MBA
CEO, Education Affiliates
Robert L. Anders, Dr. PH, CS, CNAA,
FAAN
Andrea R. Lindell, PhD, ANEF
Cathy Maxwell, Ed.D, MBA
President, Denver College of Nursing
Sandra McRee Former COO IASIS Healthcare
Dean of Nursing Education
Programs
Z. JoAnna Hill, PhD, FNP-BC
Department Directors
Chris Bennett, BS Director of Academic Support Melissa Espinoza, BS
Director of Career Services
Tim Heintz, BS
CFO/Director of Business Operations
Jeff Johnson, BA
Director of Admissions
Geri Reichmuth Director of Financial Aid
Michael Ruschival, MS
Director of Student Services/ Student
Nurses Association (SNA)
Coordinator
Brandon Villarreal, BA
Director of Online Admissions
Staff
Bonnie Blanks Clinical Scheduling Coordinator
Baylee Byczowski, BS
Human Resources Assistant
Tim Case Facilities Maintenance
Jacob Denning, BS, BA
Registrar
Sherry Derbigny Financial Aid Officer
Teresa Fairbanks Business Office Administrator, Accounts
Receivable
Lisa Hassen, AA
Financial Aid Officer
Hannah Howg, AA
Academic Support
Rose Jaramillo Hoyle, BS
Online Admissions Representative
Haley Rae Johnson, MBA
Online Admissions Advisor
Taylor Julian, BS
Information and Records Clerk
Jennifer Madrid Clinical Scheduling Coordinator
Leif Madsen, MLS
Learning Resource Center Manager
Denise Mikita, MS
Administrative Assistant to the President
Annette Qualls Receptionist
Alicia Sandoval Clinical Scheduling Coordinator
Jesse Satery, BS
Academic Support; Bookstore/Student
Records
Liz Siens, BS
Simulation Laboratory Coordinator
Ashley Smith Financial Aid Officer
Kelly Tague, MA
Assistant Director of Admissions Cirilo P. Tapia Information Technology Support
Daisy Valero, AS
Assistant Registrar
Carol Ann Warren Business Office Administrator,
Accounts Payable
Kyle Wichers, BA
Financial Aid Officer
Emily Wivell Clinical Scheduling Coordinator
Nursing Department Directors/
Managers
Nicole Crampton, DNP, ANP-BC
Director of Clinical Practicum/
Placement
Marguerite Distel, DNP-PHN, RN
Online Programs Director
Brenda Kwiecinski, DNP, RN
Director of Simulation Laboratory
Andrea LeClaire, PhD, NEA-BC,
CEDRN
Director Pre-licensure Programs
Global Health Perspectives
(GHP) Coordinator
Tara Haskell,MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Full-Time Faculty
Sharon Bator, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Will Bormann, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Linda Brazen, MSN, RN
Skills Laboratory Manager/Assistant
Professor
Amber Brown, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Barbara Calo, MSN, C-PNP
Assistant Professor
Twila Coleville, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 5
Vicki DeHoff, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Anthony Gifford, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Maggie Heath, DNP, RN
Associate Professor
Kim Hecker, DNP, RN
Associate Professor
Jennifer Heisser, DNP, RN
Associate Professor
Kurt Johnson, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Kathryn March, ND, WHNP, CNM
Associate Professor
Mary Michele McClellan, MSN,
CRNA, Assistant Professor
Katrina Moore, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Jeannine Nixon, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Barbara Scott, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Lindsay Seizys – MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Laurie Sinclair, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Chelsy Thompson, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Marcie Vasquez, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor
Kelli Wall, BSN, RN
Skills Laboratory Nursing Instructor
Part-Time Faculty & ANIP
Staff*
Rae Andrews, MSN, RN
Ashley Archer, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Jama Back, MSN, RN
Leah Bamonte, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Sammie Beck, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Stefani Bender-Przyblylski, BSN,
RN, (ANIP)
Katie Benson, MSN, RN
Stefanie Benton, MSN, RN
Lauren Bernaitis, MSN, RN
Hanna Blake, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Rebekah Blake, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Allison Boerner, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Lori Carr, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Milagros Carrasquillo, BSN, RN
(ANIP)
Margaret Carrino, MA, BSN, RN
Kylee Casagrande, BSN, RN (ANIP)
DeAnn Chenoweth, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Carolyn Chrissotimos, BSN, RN
(ANIP)
Karen Coleman, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Katelyn Concienne, MSN, RN
JennyMay Connor, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Joel Cox, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Agnes Cutler, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Mary Pat DeWald, MSN, MPA, APRN,
CNS
Julia Dietz, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Shasta Dobyns, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Janna Duffy, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Shawn Elliott, DNP, PNP
Joyce Errico, DNP, MPA, RN,
Jeff Farmer, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Heather Farragut, BSN-RN (ANIP)
Sarah Ficklin, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Curtis Frenzel, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Paul Gallagher, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Colleen Goodman, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Bethany Gresham, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Georgia Guerra, MSN, RN
Jane Hanson-Ernstrom, MS, CNM, RN
Jerilinda Harper, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Anita Harris, DNP, RN
Beth Anne Hawkey, MSN, RN
Emily Hein, MSN, PNP
Shelby Hemstreet, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Merri Hoffman, MSN, RN
Sandra Holley, MSN, RN
Tiffany Jakubowski, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Laura Johnston, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Kathryn Keller, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Laura Kent, MSN, RN
Linda Ketchum, MSN, RN
Stacey Kolasa, MSN, RN
Judy Lawler, MSN, RN
Amanda Lechlitner, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Kindra LeDuc, MSN, RN
Nicole Lee, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Shea Lewan, MSN, RN
Ashley Lewis, MSN, RN
Julie Lohre, MSN, APN
Emily Lopez, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Belinda Lorn, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Amanda Lowell, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Harrison Lowell, MSN, FNP, RN
Megan Lubek, MSN, RN
Taylor Ludwig, MSN, MBA, RN
Laura Lunsford-Elson, MSN, RN
Rachel Marcellus, MSN, RN
Shakira Martineau, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Amanda Maxwell, MSN, RN
Michelle McLaughlin, MSN, RN
Janice McClure-Kyrklund, Ed.D, RN
Julianna Miele, MSN, RN
Kelly Miller, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Maureen Miller, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Amy Mitchell, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Jennifer Montoya, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Katherine Newman, MSN, RN
Greta Nichols, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Patricia O’Rourke, MSN, RN
Tanyel Osilade, MSN, WHNP-BC
Mallory Otto, MSN, CNM
Amanda Owens, MSN, RN
Maria Park, MN, RN
Taylor Patel, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Karen Peters, MSN, RN
Rebecca Phillips, MSN, RN
Deborah Rewerts, MSN, RN
Tiann Roberts, MSN, CPN, RN
Teresa Robertson, MS, CNM,
SANE, RN
Angela Rodiek, MSN, RN
Katherine Ross, MS, CCRN, RN
Darcie Russie, MSN, CPN, RN
Kara Ryan, MSN, RN
Rickie Skaggs, MSN, RN
Deborah Skeen, MSN, CEN, CPEN,
RN
Jorgie Spahn, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Deidra Stewart, MSN, RN
Bethany Summers, DNP, FNP
Carmen Taylor, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Netsanet Teklemariam, MSN, AG-
CNS, RN
Diana Tiggelaar, MSN, RN
Chelsy Toney, MSN, RN
Ashlee Valdez, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Jennifer Vander Meer, MSN, RN
Lea Walker, MSN, RN
Cara Wallen, MSN, RN
Student Veterans Association Liaison
Kaylee Wickstrom, BSN, RN
(ANIP) Natalya Williams, MSN, RN
Rachel Wittenberger-Metcalf, MSN, RN Pamela Young, MSN, RN
Laura Zech, MSN, RN
Courtney Zuk, BSN, RN (ANIP)
Gen. Ed. Faculty*- (FT& PT)
Noura Badowi, EdD, CHEP (PT)
Michelle Carlin, MA, (PT)
Robert Farinelli, PhD (PT)
Seraphim Gisetti, M.Div., (PT)
Bryant Pham, MS, (FT)
Assistant Professor
Erik Rodriguez, PhD (PT)
Michael Ruschival, MS, (PT)
Assistant Professor
Trenton Smith, MS, (FT) Assistant
Professor
*Note: Part-Time Faculty, General
Education Faculty and ANIPs vary
throughout the year and this list is subject
to change at any time.
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 1
Denver College of Nursing
CATALOG ADDENDUM
Addendum to catalog: 2021-2022 Catalog, 10/1/2021 Volume 1 Version 1
Effective date: 10/1/2021
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes within the terms of the catalog, which may affect any of the information
published, and to make such changes, by notifying individual students. As such changes may occur, these will be published in a catalog
addendum, which is intended as, and is to be regarded as, an integral part of this catalog. Information presented in this addendum is meant
to supersede language presented in the catalog.
This is effective July 1, 2021 until further notice. This addendum replaces all prior published COVID-19 addenda.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSING PROGRAMS
Applicants are required to provide evidence that they have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to starting one of these
programs and must be fully vaccinated (both doses if other than the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) prior to entering a clinical/externship site that
requires students to be vaccinated.
Although we list the COVID-19 vaccine as an admissions requirement for the above mentioned programs, we cannot deny any student’s ability
to start school if they do not plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 but otherwise meet the entrance requirements as stated in the catalog.
Thus, going forward every student who enrolls in one of the affected programs must sign the COVID-19 Vaccine Acknowledgement.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL NURSING PROGRAM APPLICANTS - APPLICANTS
IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
1. The applicant must provide a valid form of identification with a picture, name and address. A valid and current driver's license, United States
Passport, or Permanent Resident Card are acceptable forms of identification.
2. The applicant must submit a signed Allied Health and Nursing Program waiver. Please note that some clinical sites may require that students
have health insurance. Failure to provide the evidence of required insurance coverage may prevent the student from participating in the
scheduled clinical experience. The College does not provide health insurance, The College does not provide alternative sites if students do not
have the insurance coverage required by a specific clinical site.
3. Applicants must submit to and pass a drug-screening test, as was specified in this Catalog prior to publication of this COVID-19 addendum.
Applicants who experience delays in meeting this requirement as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic may start class (which do not include
clinical placements) while completing and submitting satisfactory documentation of the program requirements. All applicants are informed of
the requirements during the enrollment process, and must complete the process within the timeframe provided by the Program Director or
Academic Dean in order to remain in the program.
4. Applicants must submit to and pass a criminal background check, as was specified in this Catalog prior to publication of this COVID-19
addendum. Applicants who experience delays in meeting this requirement as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic may start class (which do
not include clinical placements) while completing and submitting satisfactory documentation of the program requirements. All applicants are
informed of the requirements during the enrollment process, and must complete the process within the timeframe provided by the Program
Director or Academic Dean in order to remain in the program.
5. Hepatitis B immunization is administered as a series of injections. The entire series must be completed as outlined in the Nursing Programs
Health and Clinical Requirements. Applicants who experience delays in obtaining initial immunizations as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
may start class (which do not include clinical placements) while completing and submitting satisfactory documentation of the program
requirements. All applicants are informed of the requirements during the enrollment process, and must complete the process within the
timeframe provided by the Program Director or Academic Dean in order to remain in the program.
6. No applicant will be admitted who failed previously in another nursing program.
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 2
7. If an applicant attended and dropped from another nursing program but did not technically fail, the applicant’s transcript must be reviewed by
the campus nursing applicant review committee and DON and a decision will be made as to the applicant’s request for admission.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CPR - APPLICANTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC
To comply with the CDC precautions during COVID-19, applicants and students in nursing and medical technology programs will be provided
with the opportunity to complete an AHA BLS Provider Course within their program prior to the scheduling of clinicals. Students enrolled in
the nursing and medical technology programs will be required to comply with all applicable requirements within the timeframes which will be
specified by the Program Director or Academic Dean in order to remain in the program.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO DRUG SCREENS, PHYSICALS, CRIMINAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND IMMUNIZATIONS - APPLICANTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Applicants who experience delays in obtaining drug tests, physicals, criminal background checks, and initial immunizations as a result of the
COVID-19 Pandemic may start class while completing and submitting satisfactory documentation of the program requirements. All applicants
are informed of the requirements during the enrollment process, and must complete the process within the timeframe provided by the Program
Director or Academic Dean in order to remain in the program. Failure to complete the requirements may result in dismissal from the program.
EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS - STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Courses and student work impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic will be temporarily delivered via remote modalities, as appropriate.
INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY – STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
It is the student's responsibility to complete all coursework within the prescribed time frames. Students may request a grade of Incomplete (“I”)
at the end of a grading period if the circumstances which are causing the student to request the Incomplete grade are beyond the student's control
as a result of COVID-19 related reasons, including, but not limited to, the illness of the student or family member, compliance with a quarantine
restriction, or the general disruption to the student’s educational experience which prevent him/her from completing the required coursework
by the last scheduled day of class. Students must request an Incomplete Grade by submitting a completed Incomplete Grade Request Form to
the course instructor. The student's instructor will co-sign the form with the student and the instructor is responsible for obtaining approval
signature from the Program Director or Academic Dean before submitting the form to the Registrar for recording.
All incomplete work must be completed and submitted for grading no later than 30 calendar days from the last day of the completed academic
term. If there are circumstances that delay the student’s submission of the required work within the 30 day period a further extension may be
permitted based on the student’s situation. The student is responsible to notify the Program Director or Academic Dean of specific circumstances
and the plan to complete the required coursework by day 25 of the 30 day period. The Program Director or Academic Dean will review requests
for extension of an Incomplete and provide a decision within 4 business days..
At the end of the period granted for the Incomplete a grade of 0 (zero) will be entered for all work still missing and the course grade will be
determined in accordance with the criteria published in the course syllabus. If a student is unable to complete the term due to COVID-19 related
reasons, the student will receive a grade of E f o r course attempted in the term.
Credits associated with courses in which an incomplete grade is received will not count as either credits attempted or Minimum Cumulative
Credits Completed at the College. They bear no quality points and are not included in the calculation of CGPA.
ACADEMIC LEAVE OF ABSENCE - STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Students enrolled in term-based credit hour programs who need to interrupt their program of study due to COVID-19 related issues affecting
the student or a member of the student’s immediate family (spouse and/or children) are not able to resume training at the within the same term
in which the training was interrupted and therefore would not qualify for a Traditional Leave of Absence (TLOA), but would qualify for the
Academic Leave of Absence (ALOA) provision. To qualify for this provision, the ALOA must meet all eligibility criteria below, and the student
may only return at the beginning of a subsequent term or module. Students enrolled in term-based programs that are approved for an ALOA
will begin their grace period on any Federal Student Loan(s) as of their last date of attendance. Furthermore, Tuition Refund policy as listed in
the catalog will be applied and a waiver will be applied under the CARES Act for any refunds required under the Return to Title IV policy.
The following are the criteria for making application and approving an Academic Leave of Absence:
1) The student’s request and reason(s) for the Leave of Absence must be submitted on an Academic Leave of Absence Request Form in advance
of the ALOA. Due to COVID-19, it is recognized that unexpected circumstances may occur which prevent a student from making the ALOA
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 3
request in advance, the College may choose to grant an ALOA on behalf of a student without having received prior written request as long as
the College has received appropriate documentation to support the decision and the student provides the required information at a later date.
This would apply in such instances where the student became suddenly ill, or had an immediate family member become suddenly ill that was
in need of immediate care, or other COVID-19 related reasons.
2) During a documented qualifying emergency, a student who cannot continue attending the course(s), may find it essential to request an
A L OA after a term or module has started. The institution is not required to approve this type of ALOA request; however, if the institution
grants this type of mid-term ALOA request, the student will receive a grade of E f o r course attempted in the term.
3) The initial leave period requested should be no more than 90 days; however, in certain semester-based programs, the initial ALOA request may
be extended to 120 days. If the student requires an extension of the original leave period, the student must apply for an extension and provide
new/updated documentation. The request for extension will follow the same approval process as the original request, which requires the written
approval from the College. The College cannot extend the period of leave originally requested without a written request from the student (or
family member if the student is incapacitated) that includes third-party supporting documentation. All ALOA extension paperwork and
documentation must be submitted to the College prior to the student’s initial ALOA return date. In any 12month period, the cumulative leave
period(s) may be no longer than 180 calendar days.
The applicant for an ALOA will be notified by the Registrar or the Campus President if his or her application for an Academic Leave of Absence
has been approved or denied. If the leave is approved, the student will also be notified of the scheduled return date and any other conditions
required of the student. All students that are approved for an ALOA must meet with the Financial Aid Department prior to returning to school.
WITHDRAWAL - STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In order to remain in “Active” status at the College, students must be enrolled in and actively attending at least one course. If students withdraw
from all of their classes, or cease to actively attend, they will be withdrawn from the College in accordance with the Attendance Policy.
A student who withdraws voluntarily or involuntarily from enrollment in a course is also withdrawn from the institution if the student is only
enrolled in one course. However, a student enrolled in multiple courses who withdraws voluntarily or involuntarily from one or more courses
may remain actively enrolled. Students may withdraw from all of their courses, and therefore from the College, by notifying the College in
writing.
Should students be considering withdrawing from a course or from the College, they should meet with the Dean of Education or the Dean of
Nursing (for students enrolled in nursing courses), or the Campus President in order to gain an appreciation for what the College can do to help
them address their problems and to gain a complete understanding of the decision they are about to make. If a student decides to proceed with
withdrawal, the student must provide notification to the Campus President and the Registrar in writing and meet with the Director of Financial
Aid to understand the Student Responsibility (see below).
Students who withdraw from a course or from the College due to COVID-19 related reasons will receive a grade of “E”. The grade will be
recorded on their transcript.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/GRADING - STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Other letter grades used by the College include:
Grade Description Affects Credits Attempted Affects GPA
AU Audit No No
I Incomplete No No
L Leave of Absence No No
W Withdrawn Yes No
WF Withdrawn
Failing
Yes Yes
TR Transfer Credit Yes No
CR Block Credit award to LPN students entering
ADN program (where applicable)
Yes No
E Excused/Emergency
Withdrawal related to the COVID-19
Pandemic
No No
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 4
TUITION AND FEES – STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Optional Tablet - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assist students to avoid interruption to their education, Denver College of
Nursing temporarily moved all educational instruction to online delivery. A tablet was made available to order through Denver College of
Nursing in the amount of $200.00. This purchase was optional and made available to help accommodate access to online course content.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY - STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FWS employees working in facilities, either on campus or off campus, that have closed as a result of COVID-19 can continue to be paid during
the facilities closure if the closure occurred after the beginning of the students term, the institution is continuing to pay its other employees
(including faculty and staff), and the institution continues to pay the required non-federal share.
Denver College of Nursing Catalog Addendum Page 5
Denver College of Nursing
CATALOG ADDENDUM
Addendum to catalog: 2021-2022 Catalog 10/01/2021, Volume 1 Version 1
Effective date: 10/01/2021
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes within the terms of the catalog, which may affect any of the
information published, and to make such changes, by notifying individual students. As such changes may occur, these will be
published in a catalog addendum, which is intended as, and is to be regarded as, an integral part of this catalog. Information
presented in this addendum is meant to supersede language presented in the catalog.
Total Program Tuition and Fees (Effective April 2020)
Note: Program cost listed is the total tuition cost of the entire program and includes the cost of all
items listed except for General Education courses. All book costs listed below are estimates.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program: The MSN Degree Program is designed to prepare Baccalaureate Nursing graduates for post-licensure education.
Graduates of the program will earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a focus in nursing education and
leadership. The MSN program consists of a total of 56 quarter credit hours, which can be completed in as little as 15-
18 months. The curriculum design includes core courses that would allow students to pursue a post- graduate
certificate.
Total Tuition
Nonrefundable App Fee
Laptop
TOTAL COST
$14,840 $100 $950 $15,890
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option: Students without previous RN licensure may transfer up to 80 quarter credits of general education courses from another
approved college. The program provides a focused nursing curriculum with didactic and clinical components built on
the general education courses. Students transferring all 80 credits of their general education courses from another
college can usually complete the professional nursing portion of the program in 7 quarters.
Total
Tuition
Nonrefundable
App Fee
Books
Estimate
Scrubs /
Book Bag
Nursing
Kits
IT Fee
Inst
Fee
Assessment
Testing
Clinical
Fee
Sim Lab
Fee
Grad
Fee
TOTAL
COST
$49,348 $100 $1,782 $100 $135 $300 $900 $1,900 $1000 $925 $250 $56,740
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program (students without prior college credits): For students with no previous higher education training, completion of the entire 180 quarter credits BSN program at
Denver College of Nursing generally takes 13 quarters (6 quarters for general education courses and 7 quarters for
the nursing courses). The BSN program provides the general education courses required to support the focused nursing
curriculum. We are currently not enrolling in this program version.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN to BSN Option: A student already licensed as a registered nurse may apply for advanced standing and/or transfer credit. This program
meets the needs of the registered nurse who desires to continue education in nursing at the baccalaureate level. The
number of months required for completion depends upon the previous educational background of the RN.
Total Tuition
Nonrefundable App Fee
Laptop
TO TAL CO ST
$13,905 $100 $950 $14,955
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Associate Degree in Nursing Completion Option: The Associate Degree in Nursing Program provides a focused nursing curriculum with didactic and clinical
components built on the general education courses. Students transferring all 24 credits of their general education
courses from another college can usually complete the nursing portion of the program in 6 quarters.
Total
Tuition
Nonrefundable
App Fee
Books
Estimate
Scrubs /
Book Bag
Nursing
Kits
IT Fee
Inst
Fee
Assessment
Testing
Clinical
Fee
Sim
Lab
Fee
Grad
Fee
TOTAL
COST
$37,754 $100 $1,518 $100 $135 $250 $1,200 $1,545 $750 $775 $250 $44,377
Associate Degree in Nursing LPN to ADN Option: A student already licensed as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) may apply for advanced standing and/or transfer credit.
The LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing Program meets the needs of the licensed practical nurse that desires to
continue education in nursing at the associate degree level. Students transferring all 24 credits of their general
education courses from another college can usually complete the nursing portion of the program in 4 quarters. We are
currently not enrolling in this program version.
General Education (prerequisite courses)
These courses are for those students wishing to complete some or all of the required prerequisites at Denver College
of Nursing for either the BSN or ADN programs. Cost per quarter credit hour: $200.00 (Does not include books or
supplies)
Application fee: $100 (non-refundable)
Students are responsible for all costs related to admissions testing, health insurance, background check,
immunization costs, and licensing test fees. All costs are subject to change at any time.
Tuition & Fees for Repeated Courses
Students required to repeat a course will be charged the current tuition per credit for that course.
Other Tuition/Fee Disclosures
Please note that the cost of tuition and fees at Denver College of Nursing does not include parking.
Graduates who sit for the NCLEX-RN examination are required to pay an associated examination fee. For more
information on NCLEX-RN examination fees, please see http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/licensing/RN.htm.
Denver College of Nursing
CATALOG ADDENDUM Addendum to catalog: 2021 – 2022 Catalog, 10/1/2021 Volume 1 Version 1
Effective date: 12/8/2021
Denver College of Nursing reserves the right to make changes within the terms of the catalog, which may affect any of the information published, and to make
such changes, by notifying individual students. As such changes may occur, these will be published in a catalog addendum, which is intended as, and is to be
regarded as, an integral part of this catalog. Information presented in this addendum is meant to supersede language presented in the catalog.
Note: Program cost listed is the total tuition cost of the entire program and includes the cost of all items listed except
for General Education courses. All book costs listed below are estimates.
Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver
As a condition of enrolling at Denver College of Nursing, applicants must agree to submit all claims and disputes with Denver College of
Nursing to arbitration. Arbitration is a private dispute-resolution process in which disputes are heard and resolved by an arbitrator, rather than
by a judge or jury. Applicants also must agree to have any and all claims and disputes against Denver College of Nursing resolved on an
individual basis and to waive any right to initiate or participate in a collective or class action against Denver College of Nursing. Individual
arbitration of claims and disputes allows for faster resolution of issues at less cost than typically is seen in judicial proceedings and class actions.
Denver College of Nursing cannot and does not require any applicant who enrolls and borrows under a federal student loan program to submit to
arbitration or any institutional dispute-resolution process prior to filing any borrower defense to repayment that a borrower may claim. Further,
Denver College of Nursing cannot and does not in any way require a student to limit, relinquish, or waive the ability to file a borrower defense
claim at any time. Any mandatory arbitration proceeding tolls the limitations period for filing a borrower defense to repayment claim.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program: The MSN Degree Program is designed to prepare Baccalaureate Nursing graduates for post-licensure education. Graduates of the program will
earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a focus in nursing education and leadership. The MSN program consists of a total of 56 quarter
credit hours, which can be completed in as little as 15-18 months. The curriculum design includes core courses that would allow students to pursue
a post-graduate certificate.
Total Tuition Nonrefundable App Fee Laptop TOTAL COST
$15,440 $100 $950 $16,490
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option: Students without previous RN licensure may transfer up to 80 quarter credits of general education courses from another approved college. The
program provides a focused nursing curriculum with didactic and clinical components built on the general education courses. Students transferring
all 80 credits of their general education courses from another college can usually complete the professional nursing portion of the program in 7
quarters.
Total
Tuition
Nonrefundable
App Fee
Books
Estimate
Scrubs /
Book Bag
Nursing
Kits IT Fee Inst Fee
Assessment
Testing
Clinical
Fee
Sim Lab
Fee Grad Fee
TOTAL
COST
$51,342 $100 $1,636 $75 $135 $300 $900 $1,900 $1000 $925 $250 $58,564
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program (students without prior college credits): For students with no previous higher education training, completion of the entire 180 quarter credits BSN program at Denver College
of Nursing generally takes 13 quarters (6 quarters for general education courses and 7 quarters for the nursing courses). The BSN
program provides the general education courses required to support the focused nursing curriculum. We are currently not enrolling
in this program version.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN to BSN Option: A student already licensed as a registered nurse may apply for advanced standing and/or transfer credit. This program meets the needs
of the registered nurse who desires to continue education in nursing at the baccalaureate level. The number of months required for
completion depends upon the previous educational background of the RN.
Total Tuition Nonrefundable App Fee Laptop TOTAL COST
$14,467 $100 $950 $15,517
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Associate Degree in Nursing Completion Option: The Associate Degree in Nursing Program provides a focused nursing curriculum with didactic and clinical components built on the
general education courses. Students transferring all 24 credits of their general education courses from another college can usually
complete the nursing portion of the program in 6 quarters.
Total
Tuition
Nonrefundable
App Fee
Books
Estimate
Scrubs /
Book Bag
Nursing
Kits IT Fee Inst Fee
Assessment
Testing
Clinical
Fee
Sim Lab
Fee Grad Fee
TOTAL
COST
$37,754 $100 $1,261 $75 $135 $250 $1,200 $1,545 $750 $775 $250 $44,095
Associate Degree in Nursing LPN to ADN Option: A student already licensed as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) may apply for advanced standing and/or transfer credit. The LPN to
Associate Degree in Nursing Program meets the needs of the licensed practical nurse that desires to continue education in nursing at the
associate degree level. Students transferring all 24 credits of their general education courses from another college can usually complete
the nursing portion of the program in 4 quarters. We are currently not enrolling in this program version.
Tuition & Fees for Repeated Courses
Students required to repeat a course will be charged the current tuition per credit for that course.
Other Tuition/Fee Disclosures
Please note that the cost of tuition and fees at Denver College of Nursing does not include parking.
Students are responsible for all costs related to admissions testing, health insurance, background check, drug screen,
immunizations & immunization tracking account, and licensing test fees. All costs are subject to change at any time.
Graduates who sit for the NCLEX-RN examination are required to pay an associated examination fee. For more information on
NCLEX-RN examination fees, please see http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/licensing/RN.htm
