Mesa Community College at Red Mountain
Mesa Community College at Red Mountain in Mesa offers two nursing pathways for students entering the field: an LPN option and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) leading to RN licensure. The RN program is part of MaricopaNursing, a consortium across the Maricopa Community Colleges, and follows a structured, four semester sequence that blends classroom instruction with skills lab and clinical education. The program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Students in the RN track should plan for a set weekly schedule that looks more like a job than a typical college schedule. Mesa notes that theory and lab are typically two days per week, with an additional one to two days for lab, simulation, or clinical, and that students often spend four days per week on nursing coursework in the first and second semesters. The program offers morning sections (as early as 7:00 am and generally ending by 3:30 pm) and afternoon sections (generally starting around noon and ending by 7:00 pm). Nursing courses use Canvas, so reliable computer and internet access are part of day-to-day expectations.
Before entry, students complete prerequisites and co-requisites, with program materials highlighting ENG101, MAT140/141/142 (or higher), and PSY101 among required components. The MaricopaNursing curriculum is designed around contemporary practice expectations and integrates Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and Nurse of the Future competencies, with a block structure that includes Fundamentals, adult medical-surgical, psychiatric nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, and related content.
Applicants should also budget for compliance requirements. Mesa lists a $92 fee paid to CertifiedBackground for a supplemental background check and a medical documentation tracker, in addition to required health and safety documentation and fingerprint clearance expectations.
On licensure outcomes, Mesa Community College at Red Mountain reports an average weighted NCLEX-RN pass rate of 96.8%, above the Arizona state average of 93.7%. Its average weighted NCLEX-PN pass rate is 100.0%, compared with the Arizona state average of 93.8%.
Program Length & Format
- Program length: four semesters
- Total credits required: 62–75
- Instruction format: classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical experiences
- Schedule options: morning cohorts (classes begin as early as 7:00 am, end by 3:30 pm) and afternoon cohorts (begin around 12:00 pm, end by 7:00 pm)
- Typical weekly time: first and second semesters approximately four days per week; third and fourth semesters at least three days per week
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required; provide diploma/transcripts or sign Declaration of High School Graduation/GED
- Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card required; card must be copied by advisor or designee
- Completion of required general education and introductory courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA to be added to the queue for cohort placement
- Passing score on the nursing program admission test required
- Health and safety requirements: signed Health Declaration Form, Health and Safety Documentation Checklist, timed urine drug screen with negative result, compliance with Maricopa County Community College District supplemental background check policy
Entrance Exams
- HESI A2 required
- Score requirements: 80% in English Composition and 75% in Math
- Official HESI-A2 scores must be dated within 24 months of application
Prerequisites
- BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- ENG101 First-Year Composition (3 credits) or ENG107
- MATH: MAT140, MAT141, or MAT142 (3–5 credits) or higher
- CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry with Lab plus CHM130LL lab or one year of high school chemistry (0–4 credits)
- BIO156 Introductory Biology for Allied Health or BIO181 as an option
- PSY101 Introduction to Psychology required prior to or concurrent with NUR172
- All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entry as specified by the program
Application
- Attend a Nursing Program Information Session prior to one-on-one advising or application
- Complete Nursing Admission Information and Application Packet
- Submit official transcripts to: Mesa Community College Attn: Admissions, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
- Provide copy of Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card to advisor
- Provide official HESI-A2 scores within 24 months
- Must complete a Nurse Assistant course prior to application
Selection Process
- Limited cohort spaces; applicants meeting prerequisite and GPA requirements are added to a queue for available cohort placement
- Admission contingent on meeting testing, health, background check, and documentation requirements
- Final placement decisions made by the Nursing Program Chair at the accepting college
- Applications may be denied for prior dismissal related to academic integrity, unsafe patient care, or two or more failures from any nursing program
Wait List Policies
- Applicant names are placed in a queue for cohort placement after meeting prerequisite and GPA requirements
- Advanced placement application records are maintained for two years; after two years applicants must review, update, and resubmit
Cost & Financial Aid
- Supplemental background check and medical documentation tracker fee: $92 total ($67 background check; $25 medical documentation tracker)
- Financial aid options available through the college: federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, and student loans
Clinical & Simulation Lab
- Clinical experiences provided in a variety of healthcare settings
- Core nursing curriculum arranged in four clinical blocks: Block 1 Fundamentals, Block 2 Adult Medical/Surgical & Psychiatric, Block 3 Adult Medical/Surgical & Obstetrics, Block 4 Adult Medical/Surgical & Pediatrics
- Theory and lab practice scheduled two days per week with one or two additional days per week for lab, simulation, or clinical practice
- Students must meet physical and functional requirements for clinical performance, including lifting and prolonged standing
Credit Transfer
- Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) available with partner universities for simultaneous AAS and BSN coursework for selected students
- Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) available for students with industry certifications or licenses; student must be active MCC student and have an MEID to apply
Contacts
- Faculty Chair, Nursing: Denise Lewis, [email protected], 480-461-7638
- Nursing front desk: [email protected], 480-461-7106, Office HW 8 (Southern & Dobson campus)
- Pre-Nursing advising: [email protected], 480-461-7239
- Red Mountain Campus address and phone: 7110 East McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85207, 480-654-7200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
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