Nursing (AS Degree S1203)

Technology and Health Division
Degree S1203
The Mt. San Antonio College Nursing Program, approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, is a two-year program designed to prepare students to give direct nursing care to clients in various practice settings. The program consists of course work in nursing, science, general education, and clinical nursing practice at local hospitals and health agencies. Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Enrollment in the Mt San Antonio Registered Nursing Program – Generic Option – is open to persons regardless of sex, age, marital status, disability, ethnic group, religion or national origin. Applications are accepted twice a year for the Fall and Spring semesters via on-line application process.

ADN General Education Requirements

All courses below must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Due to the intensity of the program, students are highly encouraged to complete general education prior to admission into the program.

Must be completed before NURS 6 .

Must be completed before NURS 5 .

Additional General Education Required for the Associate Degree

(These requirements are waived for students who have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States.)

See Mt. SAC Catalog for applicable courses.

Requirements for Nursing

Requests for Equivalency

Request for equivalency for core sciences: Courses must meet or exceed the 4.0 unit minimum with a laboratory component, as required by the California Community College Chancellor’s office. If you are uncertain whether a course taken inside or outside the California Community College system is equivalent to the Mt. SAC course, please contact the Counseling Department.

Foreign Course Work

Course work completed in another country may be accepted to satisfy requirements for graduation. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized foreign evaluation service. If you are selected as a candidate for the Nursing Program, please submit an official, sealed copy of the foreign evaluation during your counseling appointment.

High School Education or Equivalent

Applicants must provide proof of graduation from:

1. An accredited high school in the United States by transcripts or diploma or;
2. Documentation of a passing score on the General Education Development (GED) exam or;
3. Associate degree, or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the
   United States or;
4. Official evaluation of international diploma/degree

Other Program Requirements

1. Meet the minimum physical and mental qualifications to perform essential nursing functions (see Essential Functions).
2. Criminal background check and drug screening must be completed prior to any patient contact.
3. A physical examination, including specific immunization is required of all candidates prior to the beginning of nursing classes.
4. Current Health Care Provider CPR certification

Requirements for the Associate Degree

Students must develop an education plan with a counselor or educational advisor to complete college academic requirements for the AS degree. Contact the Counseling Department at (909) 274-4380 to schedule an appointment.

Requirements for Nursing

CHLD 10 or PSYC 14 must be completed prior to entrance into NURS 6

PSYC 1A must be completed prior to entrance into NURS 5

NOTE: Applicants planning to continue their education and enter a baccalaureate program in Nursing will need to meet with a counselor or educational adviser to discuss transferability of courses.

Prerequisite Courses

Minimum grade of C.

Non-course requirements

1. An overall grade point average of 2.5 for the Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Microbiology prerequisite courses with no grade less than a “C” for each course and no more than one repetition of any one of these courses.
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all college coursework completed.
3. Eligibility for MATH 110 or MATH 110H or MATH 130
4. High school graduation or GED or academic degree from an accredited college/university in the United States.
5. A physical examination, including specific immunizations is required of all candidates prior to the beginning of nursing classes.
6. Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
7. Criminal background check and drug screening must be completed prior to any patient contact.

Generic (Registered Nursing) Option Prerequisites Taken Prior to Entry

The following prerequisites must be completed prior to entering the Generic ADN Option. These courses cannot be in progress.

Steps for Applying to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Generic Program

The application filing period does not begin until the announced application period. Two application periods in a year for enrollment of the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants can prepare for the filing period by following the seven steps below.

1. Get a Mt. SAC ID number (if you don’t already have one.) To do this, go to www.mtsac.edu/apply/ (Apply to Mt. SAC Now!). This can take up to two weeks to process. You need a Mt. SAC ID number in order to apply to the RN program. If you are a current or returning student and already have an ID number you do not need to apply again.
2. Prerequisites and general education requirements. Prerequisites must be completed prior to applying to the Nursing Program. Due to the intensity of the Nursing Program, it is highly recommended that all general education requirements also be completed prior to entry.
3. Review the multi-criteria screening process grid. This will help you determine your eligibility to enter the Nursing Program at Mt. SAC.
4. Take the TEAS Assessment Test. Students who have taken the TEAS at any location other than Mt. SAC will not be accepted.
5. Gather ALL required documents. Using the multi-criteria screening form, compile all required supporting documentation. Documents need to be in PDF format or you may use an iPhone/iPad to upload pictures of documents.
6. Apply online during the open application filing period. The online link will only be available during the application period. Please check on-line at http://www.mtsac.edu/nursing for the application period. Applications will only be accepted during this time frame. You will need to upload your supporting documentation. Before submitting your application, you must review all uploaded documents to verify that the documents are legible and clear. Unreadable or inaccurate documents will result in the rejection of your application.
7. Counseling Appointment: If you are selected as a candidate for the Nursing Program, you will need to make an appointment with a designated Nursing Educational Advisor or Counselor. During this appointment you will need to bring your official sealed transcripts for review.

All applicants are required to meet the essential functions for success in the nursing program.

Physical Demands

• Perform prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking, lifting positioning, pushing, and/or transferring patients
• Possess the ability to perform fine motor movements with hands and fingers
• Possess the ability for extremely heavy effort (lift/carry 50 lbs. or more)
• Perform considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Sensory Demands

(May be corrected with adaptive devices)

• Color vision: ability to distinguish and identify colors
• Distance vision: ability to see clearly 20 feet or more
• Depth perception: ability to judge distance and space relationships
• Near vision: ability to see clearly 20 inches or less
• Hearing: able to recognize a full range of tones

Working Environment

• May be exposed to infectious and contagious disease, without prior notification
• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
• Exposed to hazardous agents, body fluids and wastes
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Subject to hazards of flammable, explosive gases
• Subject to burns and cuts
• Contact with patients having different religious, culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, psychological and physical disabilities, and under a wide variety of circumstances
• Handle emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Requires judgment/action which could result in death of a patient
• Exposed to products containing latex

English Language Skills

Although proficiency in English is not a criteria for admission into the nursing program, students are encouraged to be able to speak, write and read English to complete classes successfully and to ensure safety for themselves and for others.

REGARDING LICENSURE

The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) protects the consumer by screening applicants for licensure in order to identify potentially unsafe practitioners. The BRN may deny applications for interim permits, temporary licenses, and permanent licensure, if the applicant has been found guilty of dishonesty, fraud or deceit, felony child abuse, sex offender crimes, acts involving narcotics, dangerous drugs or devices, assault and/or battery, and other crimes. Applicants who have questions regarding limitations related to licensure, should contact the California Board of Registered Nursing at (916) 322-3350 or access its website at www.rn.ca.gov.

Contact:

California Board of Registered Nursing
1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-3350
www.rn.ca.gov

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

• Satisfy employers with the educational preparation of the Mt. SAC Nursing graduates.
• Score above the national average on the comprehensive predictor exam.
• Take the NCLEX exam for the 1st time and will cumulatively score above the national average.
• Deliver safe and competent patient care as newly licensed registered nurses.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help. This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.