Nursing – Registered Nursing – Associate in Science Degree, Certificate of Achievement

Top Code:

1230.10

I. General admissions requirements for the Registered Nursing Programs:

  1. The student must formally apply to the college and is encouraged to make an appointment to see a counselor before enrolling in nursing prerequisite courses. 
  2. The student must have and maintain a current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR/Basic Life Support Card for health care providers and Nursing Malpractice Insurance while in a nursing program.
  3. Students who have completed previous college nursing course work and are requesting advanced placement must provide transcripts, a copy of course syllabi and/or catalog descriptions, and a letter of clinical safety signed by their previous Nursing Division Dean/Director. A petition for advanced placement must be filed in Student Services. If the petition is approved, an examination in theory and lab skills may be administered. A grade of C or better must be achieved on this examination. 
  4. Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) are required to complete all the same prerequisites and corequisites prior to entering the Registered Nursing Program. LVNs are required to take NURS 210 Nursing Role Transition (2 units) before entering the Registered Nursing Program in the third semester.

II. Other Requirements

  1. Admission to and continuation in a nursing program requires the student to maintain a grade of C (75%) or better in all required nursing courses (prerequisites, requisites, and co-requisites).
  2. Once accepted into a nursing program, the student is required to submit evidence of health documented by a recent physical examination (within the last year), with the required immunizations and titers demonstrating immunity. The student must meet all technical standards that specify those attributes necessary for completing the professional education and subsequently enabling the graduate to enter clinical practice.
  3. Nursing students must have the ability to read, write, and speak English to communicate quickly, safely, and effectively in a health care setting. Additional languages are beneficial and desired.
  4. Students must maintain health insurance and medical malpractice insurance during the nursing program.
  5. Students must provide a clear background check yearly and a negative drug test each semester.
  6. Students are expected to comply with the division's clinical uniform standards.
  7. Students must provide their own transportation to all on- and off-campus clinical sites. Assignments are scheduled between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. daily, including Sat and Sun.
  8. Each nursing theory course must be taken concurrently with the corresponding nursing laboratory course, as per the Board of Registered Nursing requirements.
  9. The California Board of Registered Nursing is required to protect the public by screening applicants for licensure to identify potentially unsafe practitioners. The law provides for denial of licensure for crimes or acts which are related to nursing qualifications, functions, and/or duties. Program applicants who have questions related to eligibility for licensure may contact the Health Sciences Division for a referral to the appropriate licensing board.

III. Selection of Students:
Eligible applicants meeting the requirements will be selected based on their application score. 
Registered Nursing Program
Associate Degree OR Certificate 
A. GENERIC ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING (ADN) PROGRAM 
This curriculum qualifies the student for an Associate in Science degree with a major in Nursing. Graduates are eligible to apply for the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) and RN licensure in California. 
a. Prerequisite courses: ENGL 001A, ENGL 001AH, CHEM 002A, MICR 002ANAT 025, PYSO 001, NUTR 011, SPCH 001 or SPCH 001H or SPCH 010, PSYC 001, PSYC 001H or PSYC 024, SOC 001, STAT 050 or STAT 050H
b. Coursework required for RN licensure includes NURS 050, NURS 050L, NURS 050S, NURS 137, NURS 138, NURS 040NURS 040, NURS 040L, NURS 041, NURS 041L, NURS 051A, NURS 051L, NURS 051S, NURS 042, NURS 042L, NURS 052A, NURS 052L, NURS 052S, NURS 053, NURS 053L, NURS 053S.
B. ADVANCED PLACEMENT OPTIONS (LVN-RN)

Plans A and B provide advanced placement access into the RN curriculum for the LVN whose license is active and in good standing in California. 
1. PLAN A—CAREER LADDER OPTION
Qualifies the student for an AS degree with a major in Nursing. Graduates are eligible to apply for the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) and RN licensure in California. 
a. Prerequisite requirement: Current active California VN license in good standing. 
b. Prerequisite courses: ENGL 001A, ENGL 001AH, CHEM 002A, MICR 002ANAT 025, PYSO 001, NUTR 011, SPCH 001 or SPCH 001H or SPCH 010, PSYC 001, PSYC 001H, or PSYC 024, SOC 001, STAT 050 or STAT 050H
c. Coursework required for RN licensure includes NURS 210, NURS 042, NURS 042L, NURS 052A, NURS 052L, NURS 052S, NURS 053, NURS 053L, NURS 053S.
2. PLAN B—30 UNIT OPTION 
Qualifies the student to meet the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requirements for eligibility to apply for the licensing examination and licensure in California. (NCLEX-RN). The student receives a certificate but is not considered a graduate of Pasadena City College or the Department of Nursing. A license obtained through this option may not qualify the graduate for licensure by endorsement in other states. Students interested in the 30-unit option should contact the nursing department for additional advisement.
a. Prerequisite requirement: Current active California VN license in good standing. 
b. Prerequisite courses: PYSO 001 and MICR 002
c. Coursework required for RN licensure includes NURS 210, NURS 042, NURS 042L, NURS 052A, NURS 052L, NURS 052S, NURS 053, NURS 053L, NURS 053S.

 

Program Outcomes

  • Engage in legal and ethical nursing practice that is patient centered and culturally appropriate for individuals, families, and communities.
  • Communicate effectively and collaboratively with the healthcare team, patient, family and community in the delivery of nursing care.
  • Utilize evidence-based practice in providing nursing care to patients across the lifespan.
  • Integrate principles of quality improvement and safety into nursing practice within healthcare organization and systems.
  • Utilize technologies for the management of information and the delivery of patient care and demonstrate leadership and professional behaviors that influence individuals and groups in the delivery of nursing care.

Registered Nursing Curriculum

The following sequence must be followed:

These courses must be completed prior to taking the NCLEX-RN and licensure as required by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing:

Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement

Semester I
NURS 050FOUNDATIONAL NURSING CARE3
NURS 050LFOUNDATIONAL NURSING CARE LAB/CLINICAL4
NURS 050SFOUNDATIONAL NURSING - SEMINAR1
NURS 137FOUNDATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY1
NURS 138PHARMACOLOGY: PROCESS AND PROBLEMS1
Semester II
NURS 040MATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING1
NURS 040LMATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING LAB/CLINICAL1.5
NURS 041PEDIATRIC NURSING1
NURS 041LPEDIATRIC NURSING LAB/CLINICAL1.5
NURS 051ABEGINNING MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING1
NURS 051LBEGINNING MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING LAB1.5
NURS 051SBEGINNING NURSING - SEMINAR1
Semester III
NURS 042PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING1
NURS 042LPSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING LAB1.5
NURS 052AINTERMEDIATE MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING2
NURS 052LINTERMEDIATE MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING LAB3
NURS 052SINTERMEDIATE NURSING CARE - SEMINAR1
Semester IV
NURS 053LADVANCED MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING - CLINICAL5
NURS 053SADVANCED NURSING - SEMINAR1
NURS 053ADVANCED MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING3
Total Units36

Visit the Program Mapper for a suggested sequence of courses.

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Science Degree