Santa Ana College: Degrees and Certificates for 2006-2007

Nursing for the R.N. Degree (SAC 0803)

The program is designed to meet the needs of licensed R.N.’s who wish to gain college credits for previous educational preparation and to broaden their knowledge by taking general education courses to fulfill the requirements for the associate in science degree with a major in nursing. Transcript evaluation may allow up to a maximum of 38 units of credit for previous nursing education.

Requirements for an associate degree:

1. The candidate for the degree must possess a current California R.N. license.

2. Each candidate for the A.S. degree program must satisfy the general education requirements for graduation.

3. The following Nursing-Continuing Education courses may be used as electives: 098, 198,215.

Nursing-Registered Nursing Degree (SAC 0853)

The Associate Degree Nursing program is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing and National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. It is designed to qualify the student for the licensure examination and entry into practice as a Registered Nurse. Additionally, completion of the Associate in Science Degree in Nursing prepares a student to transfer to a four-year institution for completion of a baccalaureate degree. The curriculum follows the Santa Ana College Conceptual Framework for Nursing.

Advanced placement in the program may be granted to those students with certain prior vocational nursing, or registered nursing education or equivalent. Transfer/challenge applications require an individual appointment with the Program Director.

Completion of an R.N. orientation session (call counseling for an appointment) is strongly advised.

Admission Prerequisites:

These prerequisites are also required for Nursing-Registered 101, Nursing Process: Non-Critical Adults and Nursing-Registered 101L, Nursing Actions: Non-Critical Adults. Nursing Students must meet current departmental catalog requirements prior to placement on the entry list.

1. Completion of the 12th grade, verified by transcript or equivalent GED score validated by appropriate testing institution, AND transcripts from all colleges attended.

2. Completion of the following achievement tests (Required of ALL applicants except those who have a baccalaureate degree.):
See department information packet for more information.

    a.  Rancho Santiago Community College District Reading Placement Test (CTEP) with a minimum raw score of 25, if a score of 24 or less is achieved, remediation will be required to achieve reading proficiency at the 12th grade level or successful completion of remediation software in the Success Center.

    b.  Rancho Santiago Community College District Mathematics Placement Test (MDPT) with Math Level I showing a minimum score of 35, Math Level II showing a minimum score of 17, or completion of Elementary Algebra 060 or higher with a grade of “C” or better. Remediation for unsuccessful achievement on the math placement test is successful completion of Elementary Algebra060.

3. Completion of courses listed below, or equivalents, with grade of “C” or better.

    Please note: Science courses must have been completed within five (5)

    years prior to student being added to the entry list for the nursing program.

    a.  Biology 239, General Human Anatomy (4 units).

    b.  Biology 249, Human Physiology (4 units).

    c.  Biology 139, Health Microbiology (4 units), OR
Biology 229, General Microbiology (5 units).

    d. English 101 OR 101H, Freshman Composition (4 units).

    e.  Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers Card (C.P.R. card) current within one year of issue date.

4. After all prerequisites have been completed, the student must contact the Graduation Specialist at the Veterans office, Santa Ana College (564-6050) for a prerequisite verification appointment. Students who are completing their last prerequisite class need to contact the Graduation Specialist at the Veterans office, Santa Ana College during that semester’s week of final exams for an appointment time.

5. Evidence of a physical examination by an M.D., Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner must be submitted prior to entry into the program verifying the applicant’s physical ability to perform the academic and clinical requirements of an R.N. student. Examinations, including immunization status, must have been performed within 4 months prior to beginning the nursing program.

6. A clear background check, at the student's cost, is required for all Nursing Students after acceptance in to the Nursing Program.

Admission Procedures:

Admission into the program will be based on an entry list. One-half of the number of students accepted for entry into the Nursing sequence is based on “first to complete all of the requirements, first admitted.’’ One-half of the students will be accepted based on a priority numerical ranking of their grades in the science and English prerequisite courses. The ranking system is A=10 points, B=5 points and C=1 point. Students will be placed on the numerical ranking list from highest to lowest points. A student who successfully completes all requirements but who is not accepted because of limited class size will be accepted as soon as space becomes available.

Please Note: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requires California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation review prior to licensure (upon completion of the program). Section 480 (a) (i) of the Business and Professions Code authorizes the BRN to deny licensure to applicants convicted of crimes substantially related to nursing. The BRN requires all licensure applicants to provide a valid Social Security Number.

The R.N. program has three options:

Option I-Generic R.N., academic program of two years.

a. Completion of the prerequisites.

b. Admission into the Santa Ana College R.N. program at the first year of the program.

Option II-L.V.N. to R.N., academic program of one year.

Eligibility for the entry level is based upon successful completion of an accredited licensed vocational nursing program or equivalent*, and:

a. Completion of the prerequisites.

b. Admission into the Santa Ana College R.N. program for advanced placement into the beginning of the second year of the program and college credit granted for 18 units of L.V.N. courses.

c. Advanced placement is dependent upon space available in the program.

d. Completion of the Role Transition course with “C” or better is required while on the entry list.

*To apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse one must be licensed in California as a Vocational Nurse.

Option III-30 unit option* (BRN regulation 1429).

Completion of the Role Transition course with “C” or better is required while on the entry list.

Information on this option for L.V.N.’s is available in the nursing department.

*Application for licensure as a Registered Nurse 30 unit option requires licensure in California as a Vocational Nurse.

Major requirements for the associate degree in nursing:

*Nursing 103 and 112 may be taken while on entry list.

**Advanced placement students only; not required for generic students.

Recommended electives: Biology 217; Chemistry 119; Nursing Registered 045, 098, 105, 144, 198; Nursing-Continuing Education 095,145.

The California Board of Registered Nursing stipulates that R.N. students MUST complete sixteen units of natural, behavioral, and social sciences as well as six units of communication skills, to qualify for examination and licensure.

Graduation requirements for the Associate Degree in Nursing:

*The asterisk before courses indicates they are not required for Option III- 30 unit option students.

Math proficiency for graduation: Successful completion of the Santa Ana College Math Proficiency Exam or Elementary Algebra060.

Lifelong learning, Computer Skills competency, and cultural breadth requirements are met upon completion of the nursing program.

See Nursing Counselor to determine catalog rights and Santa Ana College graduation requirements which include mathematics.

Educational Concerns:

Students or concerned parties have the right to contact the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) regarding concerns about the educational program. It is recommended that this is done after all college means for resolving problems/issues have been exhausted.