Our Program:

The Nursing Education Department at Palomar College offers a quality program of study to individuals from varied backgrounds leading to an associate degree in nursing. The program provides theoretical and clinical learning experiences in nursing, incorporates knowledge from related disciplines, and adapts to the ever changing world. The curriculum reflects all competencies identified in the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN) standards.

The goal of the program is to prepare a competent entry level nurse to provide quality care in diverse health care settings. On completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).

Palomar College has two Associate Degree options available in nursing. The Associate in Arts (AA) in Nursing and the Associate in Science (AS) in Nursing. The nursing coursework required for both is identical except the AA degree requires additional general education units in American History and Institutions.

Generic RN Program:

4 Semesters after Prerequisites and General Education

SEMESTERS	COURSES	DESCRIPTIONS
1st Semester	NURS 117-MS	Fundamentals, Med/Surg Stable Adult Patient
2nd Semester	NURS 118-P / NURS 118-BH / NURS 118-OB	Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, and Obstetrics
3rd Semester	NURS 217-MS	Gerontology, Advanced Med/Surg
4th Semester	NURS 218-MS	Advanced Med/Surg, Rotation to Intensive Care, Preceptorship

*Check out our Application schedules and requirements for the Generic RN Program.

*Students who take the LVN to RN Program path will complete the three semesters (2nd to 4th semester courses) after prerequisites and general education. 

Please join us for an Informational Meeting to learn about the Palomar Nursing Program and the application process.

Our Philosophy:

Individuals are holistic in nature. They are unique biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual beings who possess dignity, worth, and the right to self-determination. Individuals operate within a unique framework based on inherent factors, values, cultural heritage, ethnic background, and personal life experiences. Each person has the ability to seek personal meaning for their lives, manage their own care, adapt to change, and strive to meet their optimal level of functioning.

Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems. Nursing is a dynamic, evolving discipline that involves application of knowledge from the arts and sciences as well as technical skills. The practice of nursing provides an essential service to clients across the lifespan, families, and individuals within a variety of community settings. Evidence based nursing interventions are directed toward disease prevention, wellness promotion, health maintenance, and restoration of health, or the creation of an environment supportive of a dignified death.

Nurses function in a variety of health care settings as teachers, communicators, coordinators, and decision makers. Nurses serve as advocates, collaborators, and leaders working toward the provision of appropriate resources and availability of complete basic health care for all individuals. Through nurse-client collaboration, caring, and empathy, the health needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and lifestyles are addressed in order to promote optimal levels of functioning.

In an ever-changing health care system, nurses make complex decisions, adapt to new situations, utilize technology, and continually update knowledge and skills. Nursing process and critical thinking are the basis for the nurse’s application and use of knowledge and experience in making ethical clinical decisions. The ethics of nursing contributes to moral choices based on legal and ethical principles.