RHOP

Nursing

Options

The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) currently has options in clinical laboratory science (medical technology), dental hygiene, dentistry, medial technology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiography. The information contained on this page pertains only to nursing. For information on the other options, make a new selection from the Health Professions options page, call 800-242-3766, or email hpoffice@csc.edu.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for RHOP, the applicant MUST:

1. Be a rural Nebraska resident (Omaha and Lincoln areas are excluded).
2. Be a Nebraska high school graduate.
3. Apply to only the Chadron State College OR Wayne State College RHOP program.
4. Be committed to practice in a rural Nebraska area.
5. Be enrolled at CSC for the entirety of their discipline guidelines.
6. If a nontraditional student: must be willing to begin their work at CSC as a freshman, regardless of previous education.

December 1 Deadline

Applications must be completed on-line, printed & together with three letters of recommendation, a copy of ACT scores, and transcripts submitted via mail to the Chadron State College Health Professions Office. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify a complete application prior to the December 1 deadline. Click here for an application.

Program Characteristics

Approximately one and a half years to two years of study at Chadron State College followed by two and a half years of nursing education at the Scottsbluff campus of the University of Nebraska College of Nursing. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing will be awarded by the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing upon the successful completion of the professional program.
The application of college credit earned through previous college work, CLEP, or high school courses for college credit under an Advanced Placement Curriculum, will be determined on an individual basis.

Selection Guidelines

Numerous factors are a part of the selection process. For the Rural Health Opportunities Program, special consideration will be given to applicants who:

• Desire a career in nursing.
• Demonstrate academic potential.
• Live in rural Nebraska.
• Are committed to returning to rural areas of Nebraska to practice.
• Graduation from high school or have a GED certificate.
• A minimum of 3.0 (B) GPA. Admission will be competitive based on high school cumulative GPA. Applicants with GPA’s of 3.5 and above will be given priority in consideration for admission. Eligibility for scholarships is based on GPA and will require a minimum of 3.5.
• Three references are required.
• Completed application. 

Interviews

Informal interviews will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length and conducted by faculty and administrators from the West Nebraska Division College of Nursing in Scottsbluff and CSC. The interviewers want to learn as much about the interviewee as possible and answer any questions he/she may have regarding CSC, UNMC College of Nursing, or RHOP. The interviews are held on the CSC campus. Each interviewee will receive a letter stating the specific time and location for the interview.

Final Selection

RHOP Positions: Two applicants will be selected to fill the positions in the program for the next class.

Alternate Positions: Two applicants will be selected as alternates. Only alternates can fill any vacancy that may develop in this class. Those students receiving alternate status will maintain this status as long as they enroll at CSC, maintain the standards set forth in the RHOP guidelines, and follow the prescribed curriculum.

All applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible.

Career Promotional Activities

Each student accepted into the program must complete the following activities as they are scheduled:

• Attend credit and non-credit UNMC conducted video conferences and classes.
• Visit the University of Nebraska Medical Center -College of Nursing, West Division for tours and seminars.
• Visit, work, or volunteer in health care settings.
• Develop a professional association with one or more practicing nurses.

Progress Evaluation

Course Work

• Follow the specific curriculum designed for this program.
• Complete courses in a timely manner in order to enter the professional program as scheduled.

Program Standards

• The student’s overall Grade Point Average (GPA) must be at or above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must achieve a grade of "B" or higher for all science courses.
• If a student’s performance falls below either of the Program Standards he/she is placed on academic probation. The student in consultation with the pre-nursing advisor will develop a recovery program. Probation must be cleared by the pre-nursing advisor in conjunction with the UNMC program director prior to the last semester at CSC. Any student not clearing probation in a proper and timely manner may be dismissed from RHOP.

Students dropped from the RHOP program may still apply to the UNMC College of Nursing through the required application process.

Journal

Each student is required to keep a journal of his or her professional activities and experiences at CSC. The journals will be turned in to the CSC Health Professions Office at the end of each semester.

Benefits of the Program

If selected as a participant in the program, each student will:

• Be pre-selected to the baccalaureate nursing program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, West Nebraska Division, Scottsbluff campus when he/she begins the pre-nursing curriculum at CSC). In special cases, acceptance may be delayed until completion of the initial year of study at CSC.
• Follow a specific curriculum at CSC, which will prepare the student for admission to the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing.
• Have the opportunity to participate in special professional activities at CSC.

For course work requirements while at CSC please see the degree programs page.