Vocational Nursing

Students must apply to the College of the Desert prior to applying to the nursing programs. Information on application can be found on the Admissions & Records webpage. 

If you are a past COD student, who has not enrolled in a course over the last academic year, you will be required to reapply to COD. 

*When the application asks you for a major, you will not have an option for "nursing". Please select "health sciences", once accepted into the nursing program, we will manually change your major to Nursing. 

A separate application is required for admission to the VN program. Admission is by random selection of eligible candidates.

• 17 years-old or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent on file with Admissions and Records (Official high school transcripts preferred)
• 2.5 combined GPA in all prerequisite courses
• HS-062: Your Living Body OR Anatomy & Physiology sequence
• HS-013: General Nutrition
• HS-067: Introduction to Medical Dosage Calculation
• PSY 001: General Psychology

In addition to eligibility and prerequisite requirements, once a student is registered, further items are required to begin courses and clinical rotations.

While Social Security Numbers are not required to take classes at COD, the facilities used by the Nursing Program for clinical instruction DO require them as part of their security clearance process. If you do not have a Social Security Number please contact the Dreamer Resource Center for further information.

Valid Social Security card or ITIN	Valid Government ID
Clear background check	Clear drug screen
Current American Heart Association CPR card	Physical Exam
Communicable disease clearance (titers & Vaccinations)	Meet core performance standards
Malpractice Insurance	iPad, iPad pencil, iPad keyboard (more info upon admission)

 

College of the Desert Kinesiology offers American Heart Association (AHA) CPR certification as part of KINE-001 First Aid and Safety. 

KINE-001 will be offered all terms based on enrollment numbers

CPR cards are required prior to the start of the semester, please plan accordingly. 

Please note that costs are estimated. Depending on insurance coverage and financial assistance, costs may vary. Total cost of the program is estimated at $4,869.00 Click here for a detailed list of associated costs.

Fall 2025: Application opens April 1- April 30, 2025

Applications will be digital with automated responses. Please make sure to read the instructions thoroughly before beginning the application. The application must be completed at one time (no save option).

Allow six weeks from the application deadline for processing.

General Policy

As per 16 CCR 2535, the general policy for College of the Desert nursing programs is to provide all students be given credit for the nursing knowledge and skills they have acquired through education and/or experience and be placed at a level that will assure
successful attainment of educational goals. The form for Credit for Previous Education is located on the nursing website.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit shall be given for applicants with previous education from an accredited institution who have satisfactorily completed academic course work with a grade of “C” or better in a class and/or clinical laboratory within the last five (5)
years. This includes the following courses:

• Armed services nursing courses
• Licensed Psychiatric Technicians courses
• Vocational or Practical nursing courses
• Registered nursing courses
• Certified nursing Assistant courses
• Other courses the school determines are equivalent to courses required for the Vocational nursing program

CNA Credit

All course work from other nursing programs will be granted credit based on similarity to College of the Desert. A written examination and skills assessment may be required for the purpose of establishing the need for remediation.
All CNAs are given the option to omit portions of the first four weeks of the first semester of the VN program by applying their 150 hours of transfer credit. Assessment of CNA students may be conducted to establish the necessity for remediation. All
remediation will be completed prior to the first day of the semester.

Transfer Procedures

Students seeking transfer to College of the Desert vocational nursing will need to have all coursework evaluated by the
Director of the nursing program or a designee. The following needs to be submitted to the Director/designee prior to
evaluation:

• Written letter requesting transfer
• Official transcripts from all schools attended
• Copies of course description and outline/syllabus from completed Vocational nursing courses
• Copy of certificate/licensure as applicable

Evaluation of previous nursing education will be based on a review of these materials. Comparison with the COD curriculum
will be made. Everyone will be granted advanced placement according to the degree to which previous education compares
with COD curriculum based on space available. 

As per 16 CCR 2530, The following clinical facilities that have been approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians for the use of clinical experience at College of the Desert

Site Name	Contact Information
Desert Regional Medical Center	1150 N Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA 92262 760-323-6511
Desert Springs Health & Wellness Center	82262 Valencia Avenue Indio CA 92201 760-347-6000
Eisenhower Medical Center	39000 Bob Hope Dr Rancho Mirage CA 92270   760-340-3911
Monterey Palms Healthcare Center	44610 Monterey Avenue Palm Desert CA 92260 760-773-5151
Rancho Mirage Health and Rehabilitation Center	39950 Vista Del Sol Rancho Mirage CA 92270   760-340-0053
Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern California (formerly Vibra)	70077 Ramon Rd Rancho Mirage CA 92270 760-895-6600
Desert Mountain Care Center (formerly Indio Nursing Rehabilitation)	47763 Monroe St. Indio, CA. 92201 760-442-4716
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital	47111 Monroe St.  Indio, CA. 92201 760-347-6191
Manor Care Health Services	74350 Country Club Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-0261