Nursing

In SFCC’s Nursing Program, you’ll learn about nursing concepts, nursing practice principles, pharmacology, health and illness concepts, care of patients with chronic conditions, and emergency medicine. You can begin your experience with a Certificate in Nursing Assistant, and then move into the program to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing.

SFCC partners with University of New Mexico to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing so students can obtain an associate and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing without leaving the community. Learn more about your BSN/AAS options.

Upon completion of a nursing degree at SFCC, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam, (NCLEX), to become a registered nurse.

Graduates success on NCLEX exam (first time pass rates)

• 2024: 100%
• 2023: 92.85%
• 2022: 84.62%
• 2021: 90.13%

Student completion rate: (% of entering students who complete on-time)

• 2024: 48%
• 2023: 47%
• 2022: 62%
• 2021: 70%

Registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $77,600. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 9 percent by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fall applications for admission will be accepted from January 1 – March 1.
Spring applications for admission will be accepted from August 1 – October 1.
Click here to apply.

HESI Admissions Exam Dates

First Attempt – August 11-14, 2025
Second Attempt – September 15-18, 2025

Associate degree in nursing (ADN) applicants must apply to the SFCC Associate in Applied Science Program through NursingCAS here. If Associate’s degree seeking search SFCC AAS Nursing Program. If dual-degree option search NMNEC SFCC/UNM Dual Degree option. If dual-degree seeking, it is a requirement for students to apply for both programs in the event they’re not accepted into the dual-degree option.

View Frequently Asked Questions 
Nursing Applicant Instructions
HESI Exam Registration Policies & Procedures for Nursing Program
Nursing Student Handbook

SFCC’s Department of Nursing Education is part of the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium, and uses the NMNEC concept-based approach to nursing education.

The traditional Associate Degree Nursing Program at Santa Fe Community College located in Santa Fe, NM is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the traditional associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

The traditional Associate Degree Nursing Program’s New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) approval is Full and expires May 31, 2030.  View the public information disclosed by the NMBON at https://nmbon.sks.com/approval-and-accreditation.aspx.