On-Line Nursing Brochure

General Information

Nursing Informational Meetings: 

• Orientation for prospective students is held on the first Tuesday of every month with the exception of January, June and July.

• Time: 3 p.m. (6:00pm for the May and December meetings) Location: Please call (760)744-1150, ext. 2279 for the location.
  The orientation will last approximately one hour.  Reservations are not required and are open to anyone interested in pursuing the program.

• OR take the PowerPoint Orientation
   

Cost: The total cost, including the $20.00 per unit enrollment fee per semester, is approximately $1,800.00 per year for California residents.

Admission Procedures: Admission procedures vary with each level of entry.

Employment Opportunities for ADNs: In San Diego County, a recent graduate of an ADN Program can expect to start at approximately $4,000 per month in acute hospitals and other community health agencies. Entry level salaries will be higher in Orange County and Los Angeles.

Time in Class:  View the college class schedule on line  Go to Palomar College Home Page 

Disclaimers:
Convictions: Applicants for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) are required under law to report all prior convictions to the Board of Registered Nursing unless they are ONLY minor traffic violations. Failure to report prior convictions or disciplinary action is considered falsification of application and is grounds for denial of licensure or revocation of license. Fingerprint identification is required in the application process. All incoming students in the Nursing Program are now required to complete a background check and a drug test prior to entry. The Company doing the check is mandated by the San Diego Nursing Consortium.
Physical Abilities: The job of Registered Nurse requires specific physical abilities.  Contact the Health Programs Specialist for more information.

The Basic Program

This program is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing (1170 Durfee Avenue, Suite G, El Monte, CA 91733-4400)(Phone: 626 575-7080) and the National League of Nursing (61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006)( Phone: 800 669-1656 ext. 153).(Fax: 212 812-0390).  Students who complete the course of study in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Palomar College Catalog are eligible to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination for licensure as a registered nurse, and also to receive an Associate in Arts Degree in Nursing. Those who pass the examination are designated as a registered nurse (RN) and are qualified for employment as an entry level practitioner to provide care in acute hospitals and other community health agencies. Students interested in this program should contact the Nursing Education Office at Palomar College.

Recommendations

1. High school students are urged to complete algebra, biology and chemistry before graduation if they wish to prepare themselves for entry into the ADN Program at Palomar College. College level science courses are required before entering the ADN Program.
2. Students might consider obtaining a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) certificate prior to entry.

Advanced Standing Programs

DEGREE PROGRAMS (ADN)

A. Diploma RN to ADN: Available to students who have a valid active California RN License, in good standing and have graduated from a diploma school of nursing. (Click here for more info)

B. LVN to RN Eligibility: Applicants must have a valid active California LVN License and have graduated from an accredited LVN/LPN program.  This provides entry into the second year of the nursing program.

Note: LVNs who did not graduate from an accredited program (i.e., challenged the LVN Board) must consult  the Health Programs Specialist in the Nursing Education Office (N. O. Building) concerning the Credit by Examination process if the A. A. degree is desired (Click here for more info) or consider the 30-unit option.

C. Advanced Standing by Transfer: Available to Students who have been enrolled in an accredited registered nursing program within the last two years.  For Transfer Evaluations Forms click here:

D. Credit by Examination:  Available to students who have had previous education or training that provides the knowledge and skills required to meet the objectives of one or more courses in the nursing program. For more info click here:

NON-DEGREE PROGRAM

LVN to RN (30 Unit Option): Available to any LVN licensed in the state of California. The program is prescribed by the Board of Registered Nursing and provides an RN License for California only. The college acts as a facilitator. A maximum of 30 units of nursing and support courses are required to fulfill the unit requirement for licensure by the BRN. For more information concerning this option click on 30-unit Option.

Pre-entrance Requirements for Admission to the Nursing Program
 

Note	Requirement	Basic	Transfer	LVN to RN	30-unit
1.	Nursing Orientation & TEAS testing (effective Fall 2008)
2.	High School Graduation or Equivalent
3.	Math Competency
4.	GPA in Prerequisite Sciences
5.	Human Anatomy & Lab          (4-5 units)
6.	Human Physiology & Lab        (4-5 units)
7.	Microbiology & Lab(4-5 units)
8.	Nursing 110

Other Requirements for ADN
(May be completed after admission to program)

Note	Requirement	Basic	Transfer	LVN to RN	30-unit
9.	Psychology
10.	Sociology
11.	English
12.	Speech
13.	Competency & GE Requirements

Program Requirements
(Admission to Nursing Program Required)

Note	Requirement	Basic	Transfer	LVN to RN	30-unit
14.	Nursing 117 & 103
15.	Nursing 118 & 203
16.	Nursing 217
17.	Nursing 218

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Table Notes:

"C" grade or better required in all *pre-entrance requirements, support courses, and Nursing courses.

*Except requirement of a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in the three prerequisite sciences for the program (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology). 

1. Attend a nursing orientation meeting. All orientations are at 3 p.m. & located in the N.O. Building on main campus.  Call (760) 744-1150, ext. 2279

2. High school graduation or GED certificate or college degree from an accredited institution. *

3. Same as AA degree Math Competency requirement (Intermediate Algebra or higher or specific results of a math competency exam).  

4. Requirement of a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in the three prerequisite sciences for the program (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology). 

5. ZOO 200 and lab.* (Ten year time limitation) 4-5 units

6. ZOO 203 with lab.* (Five year time limitation) 4-5 units

7. MICRO 200 with lab.* (Five year time limitation) 4-5 units

8. Nursing 110 - LVN-RN transition course.* (2- year time limitation) (Offered Fall semesters only)

9. Psychology - any 3 Unit Course except 140 or 205.

10. Sociology - any 3 Unit Course except 140 or 205.

11. English 100 (English Composition).

12. Speech - any 3 Unit Course except 145 or 150.

13. Students must meet competency and GE requirements for the AA Degree. A counseling appointment with an academic counselor should be made through the Counseling Office at Palomar College (760)(744-1150, Ext. 2179).

14. Nursing 117: Nursing I and Nursing 103: Nursing Foundation I.

15. Nursing 118: Nursing II and Nursing 203: Nursing Foundation II.

16. Nursing 217: Nursing III (entering LVNs must also take Nursing 203)

17. Nursing 218 - Nursing IV

* Time Limits do not apply to 30-unit option candidates and Nursing 203 is not required.

Steps In Applying To The Nursing Program

Applications are issued and accepted:

SEPTEMBER 1st through NOVEMBER 1st
FEBRUARY 1st through APRIL 1st

READ THOROUGHLY ALL MATERIAL ON THIS WEB PAGE

Attend a Nursing Orientation or view the PowerPoint Orientation  
Dates and location of the Orientation are listed above under "General Information."

Only COMPLETE packets will be accepted.  Verify that your packet is complete by checking for the following:                    

         Sample grade point average calculation based on a 4 pt. grading system: 
         (A=4pts., B=3 pts., C= 2 pts.)

If you received an "A " in Physiology, a "B' in Anatomy and a "C" in Microbiology and all the courses were 5 unit courses then you calculate your grade point average as follows:

5 units x A (4 pt) =	20 grade points
5 units x B (3 pt) =	15 grade points
5 units x C (2 pt) =	10 grade points
15 units	45 grade points

Divide the grade points (45) by the units (15) = 3.00 grade point average 

After your complete application packet has been received a letter verifying your status will be mailed to you. The current wait period to enter the Basic Program is 6-8 semesters.

Selection Process

Candidates are selected for the Palomar College Associate Degree Nursing Program from among those applicants who have met the pre-entrance course requirements and  the cumulative 2.5 or higher GPA (Grade Point Average) in the science prerequisites (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology). Meeting eligibility requirements will NOT guarantee immediate admission. If there are more qualified applicants than spaces available within the Program, applicants will be randomized into Group A and Group B and then added onto the existing waiting list.

Group A: This group will consist of applicants who have completed ALL science and math pre-entrance requirements to the Program with a grade of "C" or better PRIOR to application to the Program.

Group B: This group will consist of applicants who have Work-in-Progress for the science or math pre-entrance requirements during the period of application to the Program.

Who To Contact

Applications and all questions regarding the Nursing Program should be submitted to:

Cathy Hawkins

Health Programs Specialist

Nursing Education Office
Palomar College
1140 West Mission Road
San Marcos, CA 92069

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