Nursing-Registered Nursing: A.S. Degree

Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing-Registered Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It is designed to qualify the graduate for the licensure examination and entry into practice as a Registered Nurse (RN). Additionally, completion of the Associate in Science Degree in Nursing prepares a graduate to transfer to a four-year institution for completion of a baccalaureate degree (see a counselor for requirements). The curriculum follows the Santa Ana College Conceptual Framework for Nursing.

Completion of a Nursing Orientation (call Santa Ana College Counseling at 714-564-6103 for dates) is strongly advised. Advance placement in the program may be granted to those students with certain prior experience, vocational nursing, registered nursing education or equivalent. Advanced-Placed/Transfer/Challenge applicants require an individual appointment with the Program Director or designee. SAC reserves the right to designate a certain number of spaces for contract agreements and/or meet grant designated requirements.

Degree

Nursing-Registered Nursing: A.S.

Program Information

It is suggested that students attend a Nursing Information Orientation given by the Counseling Department, which can be reached here.
The Program is four semesters in length and begins with RN 170/171/171L. Successful completion of the Program will result in an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) as well as being eligible to take the nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). The Santa Ana College Nursing Program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The Traditional Program admits students twice each year. The semesters are 16 weeks. Theory courses meet 2 times per week on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the day. Clinical courses are 12 to 24 hours per week generally on Mondays and/or Tuesdays with some possible Saturdays and/or Sundays.
The Traditional Program (T2) admits students once each year in the Fall. T2 has 16-week semesters and meets two evenings per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) for theory except fourth semester when they meet twice per week during the day. Clinical time for T2 are 12 hours on every Saturday with some Sundays and other days as needed or every other Saturday and Sunday with other days as needed.
All students entering the Santa Ana College Nursing Program must pass a diagnostic assessment test. Santa Ana College utilizes the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS test) which must be passed with a score of 62% or higher. It tests math, English, reading and science. All students are encouraged to log onto www.atitesting.com for study materials and other useful resources and information.
Students are required to have transportation to and from off-campus clinical sites.

For first semester:

Students who decline entry are required to re-apply for possible selection through the multi-criteria admission process.

For second, third and fourth semester:

Students may turn down entry to the program once. A second refusal for entry will result in the student's name going to the end of the entry list. A third refusal for entry will result in removal from the list.

Upon acceptance to all semesters:

Evidence of a physical examination by a M.D., Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner is required prior to entry in the program and on an annual basis. Evidence of a physical exam, titers, and immunizations must be submitted on the Nursing Program's form verifying the applicant's health and physical ability to perform the academic and clinical requirements of an RN student. Examinations must have been performed within 4 months prior to beginning the Nursing Program.
A cleared background check is required of all Nursing Students after acceptance into the Nursing Program.
A cleared drug test result is required of all Nursing Students after acceptance into the Nursing Program. A student with a positive drug test will not be allowed in the Nursing Program (see Nursing Student Guidebook).
A current (within one year of issue date) CPR card for BLS Provider from the American Heart Association is required upon entry to the Nursing Program and must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program.
Malpractice insurance must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program.

Students with an incomplete or expired physical information, CPR card, malpractice insurance, background check, or drug testing will not be allowed into the clinical setting because of mandatory hospital and program requirements. If a student re-enters the program, a new background check and drug testing must be provided upon re-entry.

Students who are a "NO SHOW" for the first day of class will be dropped and replaced by an alternate.

Social Security Number Requirement

A social security number or Tax Identification Number is required to apply to take the licensing exam to become a Registered Nurse by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Convictions

Please note: The California Board of Registered Nursing requires California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation review prior to licensure (upon completion of the program). Section 480(a)(1) of the Business and Professions Code authorizes the BRN to deny licensure to applicants convicted of crimes substantially related to nursing. Anyone who desires clarification may contact:

Board of Registered Nursing
P.O. Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
(916) 322-3350
www.rn.ca.gov

LVN-RN Entry Information

The LVN-RN pathway traditionally accepts LVNs into the third semester of the RN program (skipping first and second). However, due to an impacted waitlist, the LVN-RN pathway is closed to students until the waitlist is below 25 names (please see the bottom of the page for third semester entry waitlist numbers). LVNs are not eligible for second or fourth semester entry.

As an alternate option, LVNs can apply traditionally to the RN program for first semester entry, and complete the program in two years. LVNs who apply to the traditional RN program will be following the same track as a generic RN student who is beginning the program for the first time.

Advanced Placement Information

The SAC Nursing Program is accepting applications for advance placement to 2nd and 4th semester only.

We are currently not accepting any applications to 3rd semester due to the impacted waitlist. We will begin to accept applications to 3rd semester when the entry list decreases below 25 names.

Advanced Placement at this time is only extended to those who have been dismissed from their previous nursing program due to academic reasons. Students who have withdrawn, are currently enrolled in another nursing program, or have re-enrollment options (including a waitlist) available to them are not considered eligible for advanced placement. Students who fall in this category may be granted a spot if they possess certain prior experience or equivalent. Successful theory and clinical courses must be within three years of entry to the program to transfer. Please email nursing2@sac.edu to inquire further.

Advance placement applications, known as the Prerequisite Verification Form, are being accepted anytime of the year for entry to 2nd and 4th semester only.

Potential students who have a letter from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN):

If you have a letter from the BRN indicating you need to take courses, please contact the Health Sciences/Nursing Office at nursing2@sac.edu with the letter and your deadline of completion. Any letter stating deficiencies in psychiatric nursing will not be accepted at this time due to 3rd semester waitlist being closed.

If you have a letter from the BRN indicating you need to take courses requiring medical/surgical content (regardless if other content is needed or not), you will need to complete the entire Nursing Program; therefore, you would need to apply through the multi-criteria admission process and be selected to enter the program as any other applicant. Please see the multi-criteria admission process information in the First Semester Entry Information link.

Waitlisted Students:

If you wish to be advanced-placed, please email the Health Sciences/Nursing Office at nursing2@sac.edu to inquire and begin the process.

- A student's name is placed on only one semester's entry list, to be determined by the Program Director.
Attending a Nursing Information Orientation given by the SAC Counseling Department (which can be reached here) is suggested.
Eligibility for placement on the Nursing Entry List is based upon completion of prerequisite classes. The prerequisites are:
- Anatomy (Biology 239)
  - Human Physiology (Biology 249)
  - Health Microbiology (Biology 139) {General Microbiology (Biology 229) is accepted}
  - Freshman Composition (English C1000/C1000H)
    - The completed prerequisites must be passed with at least a "C" and require an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.
    - Science courses must have been completed within seven (7) years prior to the student being added to the entry list.
    - All students must submit their official high school transcripts to Admissions and Records.
    - If you have completed any courses at another college, including an LVN program, you must submit official transcripts to Admissions and Records.
- You must become a student at SAC or SCC by completing a college application and obtaining a Student ID Number (please call Admissions & Records at 714-564-6017 for college application questions).
- Once the prerequisites have been completed, a Nursing Prerequisite Verification form (Nursing Application) can be obtained online HERE.
  - THERE IS NO SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ADVANCED-PLACED NURSING APPLICATIONS.
  - All students who have had their prerequisites verified are placed on the appropriate list in the order in which the completed prerequisite verification form was received.
  - Due to many students completing their prerequisites at other colleges, the verification process can be prolonged. You will be notified by letter after you have been placed on the Entry List.
  - Once a student is placed on the list, if there are any changes in address, name and/or phone number, the student must notify the Health Sciences/Nursing Office in writing. If we are unable to contact you by phone and/or mail, your name will be removed from the Entry List. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to notify the college of those same changes.
- Advance Placement/LVN-RN students are required to complete the Role Transition course, NRN 200*. You will be notified when space is available for you to take NRN 200.
  - For the LVN-RN option, there is a total of 69 units (this would include NRN 200 Role Transition- 2 units).

How students are chosen from the list:

Students who have completed Role Transition and ATI TEAS Version 7 exam are eligible to enter the program and will be notified when space is available in the program.
Space is created because a student from the previous class has not progressed for some reason, there was an unfulfilled space, or additional funding is available.
Re-Entry students are given priority for the first available space and then alternate with advanced-placed students for available spaces. Students are notified in the order placed on the entry list AND once Role Transition and TEAS testing are completed (for advanced-placed students).
Space may be available in the Traditional and/or T2 Programs.

Important things to consider for entry into the program:

Students have only ONE chance to deny entrance into the program and remain where they currently are on the list. A second denial will result in the student being removed from the list.
Students who obtain an LVN license while on the 2nd semester waitlist will be automatically moved to the bottom of our 3rd semester waitlist as 3rd semester is the entry point for LVN's. A new prerequisite verification form will need to be submitted along with a copy of the LVN License. The Role Transition course, NRN 200, is required prior to entering the program.
Students are required to have transportation to and from off-campus clinical sites.

**Please note** This is considered a full-time program. Students are advised to limit outside employment. Excessive work schedules combined with family and school commitments may contribute to being unsuccessful in the program.