New healthcare certificates and degrees at the Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus are expanding opportunities to enter these in-demand careers.
MCC has added a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program with classes beginning this fall 2024 semester. The Fast Track Practical Nurse Certificate of Completion provides students with the theory and skills required to be a practical nurse in acute care, extended care, and intermediate care settings.
Real world, patient care learning experiences in hospitals and other facilities are included. Graduates take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The Fast Track Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Higher Learning Commission.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program, training EMTs and Paramedics, is relocating to the Red Mountain Campus as part of the campus Health Science offerings. MCC Red Mountain also offers career training in Dental Hygiene and Nurse Assisting.
Patient Care Technician and Applied Behavioral Health Technician courses have recently been introduced as foundations for healthcare careers.
Mary Boyce, dean of health sciences, says the new education programs and certificates reflect jobs that are in demand in the healthcare industry. An LPN student can finish required courses in a year, which is significantly less time than for those studying to be Registered Nurses. The LPN Certificate of Completion and passing the licensure exam allows graduates to seek immediate employment.
While working as an LPN, a student can complete prerequisite and corequisite courses for the Registered Nurse (RN) program at the Red Mountain Campus.
Dean Boyce points out students should register first for a six-week Nurse Assisting (NA) course, which is required before you can enter the MCC LPN or RN programs.
“The Nurse Assisting, LPN, and several other new programs can help students be successful, especially when entering the RN program,” Kathleen Mead, program coordinator for the NA program, explains. “The Patient Care Technician course that meets once a week for eight weeks teaches procedures and tasks needed to become a Patient Care Assistant – also very much in demand at hospitals.”
The new Applied Behavioral Health Certificate of Completion (CCL) offers techniques and skills to care for patients with a variety of mental illnesses including anxiety, mood, and personality and psychotic disorders, as well as post-traumatic stress syndrome and behavioral issues. The one-year program builds on Nursing Assistant education to prepare bedside mental health technicians. Contact Behavioral Health Advisor Lisa Nastacio (lisa.nastacio@mesacc.edu) at the MCC Red Mountain Campus for information.
If you have questions about the healthcare programs, please contact Dean of Health Sciences Mary Boyce (mary.boyce@mesacc.edu) or Assistant Chair of Nursing at MCC Red Mountain Kathleen Mead (kathleen.mead@mesacc.edu).
As its Health Sciences programming grows, the Red Mountain Campus continues its more than 20-year legacy of providing the East Valley convenient, affordable, quality classes in English, science, math, history, languages, and community fitness.
Scholarships and other college funding opportunities are available at mesacc.edu/financial-aid.
Stop by the Red Mountain Campus Enrollment Center in the Mesquite building to find out more, call (480) 654-7600, or go to mesacc.edu/enroll.