Admission Prerequisites

1. Apply to Santa Ana College and obtain a Student Identification Number.

2. Submit official high school transcripts, or GED scores and official transcripts from all colleges attended to: Santa Ana College – Admissions Office, 1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398. Transcript requests may take several weeks. Please alert the college to possible name changes (e.g. maiden name). It is the student’s responsibility to follow-up and make sure transcripts have been received.

3. Completion of the courses listed below, or equivalents (units are in semester units):

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

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

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

   4. English 101/101H, Freshman Composition (4 units). Please note: Science courses must have been completed within five (5) years prior to the student being added to the entry list for the Nursing Program.

      • For those students currently on the entry list, the completed prerequisites required a grade "C" or higher.
      • For any completed prerequisite prior to Fall 2010, a grade of "C" or higher is acceptable.
      • Effective Fall 2010, the completed prerequisites require a grade of "C" or higher with an overall prerequisite Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.

   Prior to July 2009, students must obtain a prerequisite verification form from the Nursing Office, Santa Ana College (714/564-6825; R-213) after completing the prerequisites. Students who have completed prerequisites are placed on the entry list.

   New applications will not be accepted for the first semester entry list after June 30, 2009, due to a transition in the admission process. For students completing prerequisites after June 2009, and wanting to enter the first semester, please refer to this website (www.sac.edu) for updated information.

   It is the student's responsibility to contact the Nursing Office (714/564-6825) when a change of address or phone number has occurred. If mail is returned due to a wrong address, the student's name will be removed from the entry list.

   Students on the first semester entry list will be notified when to enroll in N-RN112, Nursing Concepts, and N-RN103, Pharmacological Concepts for Nursing. It is recommended that students take Medical Terminology, MA051A.

    

• Admission into the program for students on the first semester entry list prior to July, 2009, will be based on: Half of the students are accepted for entry into the Nursing Program on a "first to complete all of the requirements, first admitted" basis. This is determined be the date of receipt of the prerequisite verification form. Half of the students are accepted based on a priority numerical ranking of grades in the 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 is not accepted because of limited class size, will be accepted as soon as space becomes available.

• Successful completion of the diagnostic assessment test of preparation. Assessment Technology Institute's Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), is required for students who are accepted into the first semester of the Nursing Program as mandated by the State of California (Scott Bill, 2006). Students will be notified when to take the test. Remediation is required if the test is not passed.

• Applications will continue to be accepted for advanced placed students. Students placed on the second, third, and fourth semester entry lists enter the appropriate semester after completing N-RN200, Role Transition, and when space is available. Students are notified when to take the role transition course as well as when to enter the program.

Upon acceptance to all semesters:

1. Evidence of a physical examination by a M.D., Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner will be required prior to entry in the program and on an annual basis. Evidence of a physical exam 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.

2. A cleared background check is required of all Nursing Students after acceptance into the Nursing Program.

3. A current (within one year of issue date) CPR card for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association (or an (BLS) Basic Life Support Card from the American Heart Association) is required upon entry to the Nursing Program and must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program.

4. Malpractice insurance must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program.

Students with incomplete or expired physical information, CPR, or malpractice insurance 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 must be provided upon re-entry.

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

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.