Registered Nursing
Associate of Science

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) pre-licensure program curriculum provides the student with a greater understanding of how health impacts patients and how patient care impacts the healthcare delivery system. Students will learn a multi-system approach to care using Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies. Pacific College’s pre-licensure program meets all educational requirements to apply for licensure by examination in California and attempt the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®).

Our program offers instruction in the classroom, and clinical experiences at hospitals, simulation labs, and community agencies.

ADN-BSN Collaborative Pathway

Our ADN pre-licensure students are eligible to pursue the ADN-BSN Collaborative Pathway and also earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Pacific College. This opportunity can allow students an earlier licensure opportunity than available from a Pre-licensure BSN program, and may allow our licensed ADN graduates to work as a Registered Nurses while continuing their education to earn a BSN degree.

CAREER OUTLOOK
REGISTERED NURSE (SOC CODE: 29-1141.00)

The primary focus for a Registered Nurse is to assess patient health problems and needs, implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. A Registered Nurse may advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. They work in various settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, mental health facilities and schools. In California, there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or an Entry Level Master’s Program in Nursing (ELM).

Upon successful completion of the program and upon successfully passing the NCLEX-RN, the student will be eligible to apply for their license through the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

A Registered Nurse must be licensed to work in the State of California.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DO REGISTERED NURSES DO?

A Registered Nurse (RN) works as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. They provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. RNs assess patient conditions, record patient medical histories and symptoms, administer patients’ medicines and treatments, set up plans for patient care, operate and monitor medical equipment, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze test results, teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries and explain what to do at home after treatment.

They may oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOR REGISTERED NURSE

California employment of RNs was 323,900 employees in 2020. The need is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030. It’s projected there will be 21,200 openings each year from 2020 until 2030.

Source: O*NET California Employment Trends for Registered Nurses

MEDIAN PAY FOR REGISTERED NURSE

Source: O*NET California Local Wages for Registered Nurses, 2022

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
REGISTERED NURSING

In addition to fulfilling the Undergraduate Admission Requirements, an applicant to the Registered Nursing program shall:

1. Demonstrate all six pre-requisite courses are completed with satisfactory grades.
   Science courses must average a 2.5 GPA.

2. Pass the program entrance assessment “Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)” with a composite score of seventy percent (70%) or greater.

3. Complete a background screening and drug panel to determine eligibility to participate in clinical activities.

4. Submit current professional resume.

5. Complete an interview with the Program Director or designee.

pre-requisite courses
registered nursing

PROGRAM COURSEWORK
registered nursing

Fundamentals: Care of Adult and Older Adult
NUR 101 - 4 credits, 64 lecture hours

This course is designed to introduce comprehensive beginning nurse concepts through the study of nursing history and theories, cultural diversity, human lifespan development teaching/learning, communication approach and legal, ethical moral and professional practice standard. Students will be introduced to the program philosophy, the wellness-illness continuum, Nursing Process and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN). Critical thinking, best practices, and scientific evidence will be employed to identify bio psychosocial alterations for age-appropriate client/patient centered care.

Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing
NUR 102 - 3 credits, 48 lecture hours

This course assists the nursing student with basic synthesis and integrates nursing knowledge and skills in providing care to patients who have health alterations. Focus will be for the students to identify client/patient needs and plan priority of nursing care.

Child and Family Nursing
NUR 103 - 2 credits, 32 lecture hours

This course focuses on the care of children within the family, emphasizing on acute illness, health promotion, and growth and development. QSEN concepts of safety, patient/family centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidenced-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics are emphasized.

Maternal Child Nursing
NUR 104 - 2 credits, 32 lecture hours

This course presents nursing concepts related to the dynamics of the growing family. Focus is placed on the care of families during childrearing years and includes normal and high-risk pregnancies, normal growth and development, and the promotion of healthy behaviors. Laboratory and Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe patient care to mothers and newborns in a variety of settings.

Mental Health and Gero-Psychiatric Nursing
NUR 105 - 2 credits, 32 lecture hours

This course focuses on the care of adults and older adults experiencing cognitive, mental and behavioral disorders. Emphasis is placed on management of patients facing emotional and psychological stressors as well as promoting and maintaining the mental health of individuals and families. Concepts of crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, anger management, and coping skills are integrated throughout the course.

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
NUR 106 - 3 credits, 48 lecture hours

This course focuses on advanced application of the nursing process in the care of critically ill adult and older adult clients. The student will organize and discriminate data to establish priorities of care.

Transition to Professional Practice
NUR 107 - 2 credits, 32 lecture hours

This course is a capstone course that examines the transition of the student to the role of a professional nurse. Emphasis is placed on contemporary issues and management concepts, as well as comprehensive review of legal and ethical issues are discussed with a focus on personal accountability and responsibility.

Introduction to Pharmacology
NUR 108 - 2 credits, 32 lecture hours

This course reviews the principles of pharmacology, legal parameters, and dosage calculations. It emphasizes the therapeutic use of drugs, drug categories and prototype agents in a broad variety of drug classes in relation to health problems.

General Psychology
PSY 101 - 3 credits

This course is a scientific consideration of the psychological foundations of behavior. It will investigate psychological development, motivation, sensation, perception, learning, thinking, language, psychological measurement, and principles of mental illness and mental health.

Introduction to Sociology
SOC 100 - 3 credits

This course analyzes human societies and relationships through a study of cultural origins, personality development, social interaction, and social change.