ADN Programs in Sacramento, CA

Associate Degree Nursing graduates are prepared and energized to function as vital members of the healthcare team. As new nurses, they should demonstrate specific qualities that employees recognize in strong candidates for hire. Compassion, strong communication, attentiveness, stamina, critical thinking, willingness to learn, leadership, and organizational skills are some skills – not acquired in the classroom – that help professional nurses navigate and thrive in the complex health care environment. The job security that the industry affords draws a lot of interest from many who are making critical career decisions. But, ultimately, nurses work with patients, other nurses, and health care professionals to promote healing and restoration. It is, therefore, vital that compassion for people be a primary trait as it will determine success in the field of nursing.

Sacramento City College

The Associate in Science Degree Registered Nursing offered by Sacramento City College operates with the approval of the California Board of Registered Nursing. The curriculum requires completion of general education, science and nursing courses in the classroom with clinical experiences at local health care facilities. The nursing courses must be completed in sequence, and a minimum grade of 75 percent is required for progression to the next course in the sequence. Due to the complexity and pace of the program, full-time employment is not recommended. The AAS degree will be awarded to students who complete the requirements by the end of the fourth semester. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Interested persons must attend an information session. Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking entry to the program must have a current, valid license. Admission is subject to space availability.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 74-75
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Cultural Anthropology or Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, Introduction to Public Speaking or Group Discussion, College Composition, General Principles

Core Courses – Fundamentals of Health and Nursing Care, Nursing and Health Maintenance Through the Lifecycle, Nursing Complex Health Problems Through the Life Cycle, Nursing in Complex and Multiple Patient Care
Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to Sacramento City College
  • Submit an application for admission to the AS Registered Nursing
  • Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent – applicants with an AA/AS do not need to submit proof of high school graduation
  • Submit all college transcripts documenting completion of prerequisite courses
  • Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better – BIOL 430, BIOL 431, BIOL 440
  • Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better – PSYC 300 or PSYC 480; ENGWR 300 or ENGWR 488; COMM 301 or COMM 331; SOC 321 or SOC 482 or ANTH 310 or ANTH 481
  • Take and pass the Registered Nursing Multi-Criteria Enrollment Form with a score of 70 or higher
  • Complete all general education requirements and competency requirements (reading, writing, and mathematics) before applying to the program – recommended
  • Complete the latest education of the TEAS and obtain the minimum composite score of 62%
  • Submit a copy of current relevant Healthcare Certification/License if applicable
  • Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers certification

Program Cost:
The program cost of $5,680 includes tuition, background check, drug screen, physical exam, immunizations, CPR certification, books, uniforms, identification badges, licensure exam, live scan, malpractice insurance, and supplies.

Website: https://scc.losrios.edu/
Address: 3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone: (916) 558-2111
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.54%

Sierra College

Sierra College’s Associate in Science Degree Registered Nursing is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students will prepare for a career as a professional nurse in acute and long-term health care facilities through classroom lectures and specific clinical experiences at local health care facilities. General education and science courses must be completed before the nursing courses. The core nursing courses are offered in sequence and require a passing grade of 75 percent on the previous course before progressing to the next. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking entry to the program must have a current, valid license. LVN applicants may need to complete prerequisites before applying to the program.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 74-75
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Composition and Literature, Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, Elementary Algebra or Practical Math, Psychology, Sociology

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals and Geriatric Nursing, Medical Surgical I and Pediatric Nursing, Medical Surgical II and Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Medical Surgical and Maternal Newborn Nursing

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to Sierra College
  • Submit official transcripts for all prerequisite courses except Sierra College
  • Submit official transcripts for all courses referenced in the Program Application
  • Submit official high school transcript if using high school math to meet math prerequisite
  • Complete and submit the multi-criteria entrance form – 70 points is required to qualify
  • Must have an active, legible email address
  • Include a legible email address
  • Complete the latest education of the TEAS and obtain the minimum composite score of 62%
  • Submit copy of current relevant Healthcare Certification/License if applicable
  • Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers certification

Program Cost:
Tuition for the four semesters is $2,024. Books cost an additional $1,050 and supplies cost $1,260.

Website: https://www.sierracollege.edu/index.php
Address: 5100 Sierra College Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone: (916) 624-3333
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Napa Valley College

The Associate Degree Program in Nursing offered by Napa Valley College is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The four-semester program includes theory and practical instruction designed to prepare students for practice as a registered nurse in entry-level positions. Graduates will receive an AS degree in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nursing. They will be prepared to coordinate, plan and provide care to patients in acute and long-term care facilities. The school does not currently offer an LVN to ADN program but VNs may apply to the program as a new applicant after meeting the prerequisites. Admission is competitive and subject to space/availability.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 76.5
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Microbiology, Reading and Composition I, Human Growth and Development (Life-Span)

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Health & Wellness, Chronic Illness & Geriatric Care, Career Communication or equivalent, Maternal Newborn Nursing Care, Mental Health Nursing Care, Pediatric Nursing Care, Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness I, Social Science Elective (from approved list), Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness II, Capstone Course, Humanities (from approved A.S. Degree List)

Admission criteria:

  • Complete an Application to Napa Valley College online
  • Meet with a counselor to review prerequisite requirements
  • Obtain and bring official transcripts from high school or equivalent GED certificate – only unsealed, official transcripts will be accepted
  • Submit an official TEAS transcript with a score of 62 or better
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
  • Submit documentation of immunization records – Hep B, MMR, Varicella
  • Must have a current CNA state certificate
  • Complete a satisfactory background check/drug screen
  • Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers certification

Program Cost:
The approximate program cost is $5,500. Apart from tuition and fees, students will have added expenses for uniforms, lab kits, books, background checks, drug screening, licensing exams, and orientations.

Website: https://www.napavalley.edu/Pages/default.aspx
Address: 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 256-7000
Toll-Free: (800) 826-1077
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%

Gurnick Academy

Gurnick Academy offers two different pathways to the Associate Degree Nursing. Both pathways include didactic and hands-on training in the core nursing courses. Students must also complete general education and science courses as part of the degree requirements. Non-nursing students can complete the requirements in six semesters. Licensed Vocational Nurses can enroll in the LVN to RN pathway providing they have a current, active license to practice. They will complete the program in two semesters and a three-week transition course after fulfilling the general education requirements. Program graduates will receive an AS Nursing degree and be eligible to take the board exam to become a registered nurse.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 80
Clock hours: 1,785
Duration: 6 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:

General Education Courses – Human Body in Health & Disease I w/Lab, General Microbiology with Lab, English Reading and Composition, Algebra I, General Psychology, Human Body in Health and Disease II with Lab, Critical Thinking, Introduction to Sociology, Public Speaking – Basics of Effective Communication

Core Courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical and Lab, Health Assessment Theory, Health Assessment Skills Lab, Fundamentals of Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Medical Surgical Nursing, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Care of Children, Advanced Medical Surgical I, Mental Health Nursing, Complex Medical Surgical, Leadership

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to Gurnick Academy
  • Submit transcripts of prerequisite courses – must complete each course with a minimum grade of C
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all college course work
  • Must meet the College’s immunization requirements
  • Complete a satisfactory background check
  • Must have current CPR certification
  • Must take an Admission Assessment – TEAS and obtain a minimum score of 62%
  • Attend a pass an interview with the Nursing Program Director
  • Submit a 2-3 page written essay on your reason for choosing professional nursing as a career

Program Cost:
The total program cost of $90,614.70 includes the registration fee, books, and tuition.

Website: https://www.gurnick.edu/
Address: 2121 South El Camino Real, Building B-200, San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: 1-877-GURNICK
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.31%

American River College

The Nursing Program at American River College leads to an Associate Degree Nursing. The curriculum consists of general education and nursing courses designed to produce entry-level nurses capable of providing competent care in the complex healthcare environment. Simulated activities in the school’s modern lab and actual patient care experiences in the real world give students the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in the classroom. Clinical rotations may be scheduled in the early morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend. The nursing courses are offered in sequence and require a minimum grade of C for progression in the program. Program graduates will demonstrate entry-level competencies and meet the educational requirements needed to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 71-72
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, General Microbiology, and Public Health, College Composition, Nutrition, General Principles

Core Courses – Nursing, Patient and Healthcare Concepts I, Public Speaking, Nursing Patient and Healthcare Concepts II, Cultural Anthropology, Nursing Patient and Healthcare Concepts III, Nursing, Patient and Healthcare Concepts IV

  • Apply for admission to American River College
  • Must have graduated from an accredited high school or completed GED or CHSPE
  • Complete the science prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better and  a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better – BIOL 430, BIOL 431, and BIOL 440 or BIOL 442
  • Complete other prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better – ENGWR 300 or ENGWR 480, NUTRI 300, and PSYC 300 or PSYC 480
  • Take and pass the latest edition of the TEAS with a minimum composite score of 62
  • Must meet the College’s immunization requirements
  • Complete a satisfactory background check
  • Must have current CPR certification

Program Cost:
Tuition costs $1,288 per year for resident students. Students must also cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, malpractice insurance, background checks, drug testing, and health requirements.

Website: https://arc.losrios.edu/
Address: 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: (916) 484-8011
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.18%

 

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.