Pre-Nursing and Nursing Assistant Programs

Nursing Assistant Certificate of Occupational Training

5 credit hours

The certificate of occupational training in Nurse Assistant is designed to prepare students to successfully sit for the state nurse assistant certification examination.

The Nurse Assistant Program is designed to educate students in physical, emotional, and spiritual assessment of residents’ needs and concerns. Students receive training and practice in all state required resident care skills in the classroom lab as well as in several community settings. Students learn resident rights as well as the laws that protect those rights. Understanding of the role of the nurse assistant within the legal scope of practice is an expected outcome of this program.

Upon program completion students will be able to:

  • Care for people who are ill or have impaired self-care capabilities
  • Have the necessary knowledge of body system functions including normal ranges for vital signs so that they are able to, assess and report patients/residents status to nursing staff.
  • Provide basic patient care such as feeding, bathing, range of motion exercises, transfer patients, change linens, mouth and dental care and repositioning.
  • Provide all indirect care as required by state guidelines including patient safety, patient rights and preferences, infection control and patient/resident comfort.

Any student who is ineligible for state, national, or industry licensure or certification is ineligible for entry into this program.

Certificate Requirements

EMS 101 – Basic Life Support (CPR) – 1
NA 111 – Nursing Assistant – 2
NA 111L – Nursing Assistant Lab – 2

Nursing Assistant Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure


Photo of man getting blood test preparation in clinic

Phlebotomy Certificate of Occupational Training

7 credit hours

This program consists of three portions: phlebotomy theory, skills lab, and clinical experience. A student must pass all three portions in order to receive a certificate from ENMU-Ruidoso. In Phlebotomy Theory, students learn blood collection theory based upon national standards for phlebotomy procedures. An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the main body systems, including the tests, terminology, and pathological conditions associated with these systems is included along with an introduction to laboratory clerical duties. Students apply theory and practice the procedures and techniques for collecting blood and other specimens in the skills labs. Students who pass both theory and lab have the opportunity to practice skills and to apply the theory learned in class during a supervised clinical experience in participating hospitals and clinics.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam for phlebotomists (American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) Board of Certification).

Any student who is ineligible for state, national, or industry licensure or certification is ineligible for entry into this program.

Certificate Requirements

EMS 101 – Basic Life Support (CPR) – 1
NA 114 – Phlebotomy – 3
NA 114L – Phlebotomy Lab – 3


Happy Young Girl Talking To Smiling Female Nurse In Hospital Room

Pre-Nursing Certificate of Occupational Training

37-45 credit hours

This certificate will provide students with coursework identified by the New Mexico Nursing Education consortium (NMNEC) as the common statewide prerequisites and general education courses for an ADN. Students completing this certificate can apply to ENMU-Roswell or any state founded New Mexico Community College or University and apply for admission into their ADN program. Students must consider that passing mandated background checks and drug screening is a condition of entry into NA/L courses and nursing programs in NM.

Upon program completion students will be able to:

  • Achieve a general education that serves as the solid base for the practice and education of nurses, as defined by NMNEC
  • Assemble entrance packet required to enter a nursing program
  • Sit for entrance exam dictated by nursing program

To learn more about the program requirements, click on the links below:

Pre-Nursing COT
Pre-Nursing COT Pathway
Pre-Nursing Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure


Pre-Nursing Associate of Science

70* credit hours

This degree will provide students with coursework identified by the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium (NMNEC) as the common statewide prerequisites and general education courses for a BSN. Students completing this degree can transfer to any state-funded New Mexico Community College or University and apply for admission into their BSN program.

Upon completion students will be able to:

  • Achieve a general education that serves as the solid base for the practice and education of nurses, as defined by NMNEC
  • Assemble entrance packet required to enter a nursing program
  • Sit for entrance exam dictated by nursing program

*Additional hours may be required for program requirements for transfer students who are NMGED complete.

To learn more about the program requirements, click on the links below:

Pre-Nursing AS
Pre-Nursing AS Pathway