Nurses use their knowledge and skills to improve lives, counsel patients on living better lives, and advocate for patients and their families. A sharp increase in employment for nurses has attracted a lot of prospects. However, the rigors of the profession require a special calling. New nurses work unorthodox, and sometimes inconvenient shifts, perform duties that are less than desirable, and care for patients who might be unappreciative of their efforts. For those who are naturally compassionate, flexible, committed, and patient, the career will be personally fulfilling in spite of the challenges.
Nursing is one of the few careers that allow for continued advancement, change of specialty, and environment. Registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing can improve their job outlook by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A Master of Science Degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice is the next step for nurses who want to step up their practice by moving into specialized care, administration, education, research, or leadership.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
The Registered Nursing Program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College incorporates up-to-date health care technology with evidence-based practice to help students achieve their learning and career goals. Through partnerships with affiliate agencies, LA Trade Tech gives students the unique opportunity to practice at leading healthcare institutions in the community. Classroom instruction will be reinforced with laboratory experiences and patient care in hospitals and other medical institutions. Non-licensed candidates will complete the program in 4 semesters following admissions. Licensed Vocational Nurses will complete the requirements for an RN degree in three semesters. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the State Board of Registered Nursing Licensing Exam. New students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters. Students are admitted on a first-come, first served basis.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 41
Duration: 4 semesters
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Microbiology, General Psychology I, Life Span Psychology: Infancy to Old Age, College Reading and Composition I, TEAS 5.0 Exam (passing grade 62%)
Core courses – Introduction to Nursing, Nursing Process, Fundamentals of Nursing, Nursing Communication, Nursing Pharmacology, Basic Skills Enhancement Lab, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Gerontology and Community Based Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Basic Skills Enhancement Lab, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Reproductive and Women’s Health, Basic Skills Enhancement Lab, Medical-Surgical Nursing III, Nursing Care of Child and Family, Nursing Leadership and Management
Competencies – Use the nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate care for clients of all ages, collaborate with other health care personnel to provide coordinated care, function within the guidelines of the California Nurse Practice Act, demonstrate commitment to the profession of nursing
Admission criteria:
- Complete the program prerequisites and take the TEAS test
- Attend a Nursing Information Sessions and Prerequisite Verification Workshop
- Submit the forms collected at the Prerequisite Verification Workshop to Health Science Pathway Counselors who will verify and submit to the Nursing Program Office
- Complete the Application for the Nursing Program – given to qualifying candidates – there may be a wait time of 1 to 2 semesters for admission to the program
- Take the nursing entrance exam (ATI TEAS 6.0) and score 62% or higher
- Submit official high school or GED transcripts and official college transcripts of the prerequisite courses.
Program Cost
In addition to the regular rate for tuition, students will be responsible for purchasing uniforms, textbooks, malpractice insurance, ATI software, and background check.
Website: http://www.lattc.edu/academics/pathways/hrs/certificates-degrees/nursing-registered
Address: 400 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90015
Phone: (213) 763-7170
Email: washinca@lattc.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.82%
Los Angeles Valley College
The Los Angeles Valley Nursing Program operates with the approval of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the California Board of Registered Nursing (CABRN). The curriculum will include classroom lectures, laboratory practice, and supervised patient care experiences in affiliate health care facilities. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a registered nurse. The program admits new students twice a year in the Fall and Spring semesters. Applications for the Fall semester must be submitted by April and by September for the Spring semester.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 4 semesters
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Chemistry I, General Microbiology, College Reading and Composition I, General Psychology I, Life-span Psychology; From Infancy to Old Age, Elementary Algebra
Core courses – Introduction to Nursing, Nursing Process, Fundamentals of Nursing, Nursing Communication, Nursing Pharmacology, Basic Skills Enhancement Lab, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Gerontology and Community Based Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Reproductive and Women’s Health, Medical-Surgical Nursing III, Care of Children and Family
Competencies – Perform basic nursing skills to meet health care needs, assess and analyze the needs of patients in acute and long-term care, apply the components of the nursing process to develop a nursing diagnosis, differentiate various communication techniques, identify pharmacological principles, assess, analyze and prioritize the needs of patients
Admission criteria:
- Submit an application for admission to LAVC
- Request transcripts to be sent directly from the college attended to LAVC Admissions Office
- Schedule an appointment with a counselor to evaluate transcripts to ensure that prerequisite courses are completed with a grade C or better
- Submit an application to the nursing program during the application period
- Submit TEAS admission exam results after receiving a “cut score” of 80 or above on the Chancellor’s Office Validation Study. Candidates must obtain a minimum TEAS score of 62% to pass the program
Program Cost
California residents pay $46 per unit for classes. Additional expenses will include uniforms, textbooks, background, and malpractice insurance.
Website: https://www.lavc.edu/nursing-program/index.aspx
Address: 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen, CA 91401
Phone: 818-947-2600
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.06%
Los Angeles Harbor College
The Registered Nursing Program at Los Angeles Harbor College is designed to be completed in four semesters after completing the prerequisite courses. The curriculum will blend theoretical instruction with small group discussions and clinical activities in a hospital, home health care agency, clinic, or other health care setting. Students will develop skills on campus through participation in simulated clinical activities in the state-of-the-art laboratory. Students who successfully complete the program will receive an Associate of Science Degree and will be qualified to take the NCLEX for Registered Nursing.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 4 semesters
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – Introduction to Human Anatomy, Introduction to Physiology, Introductory Microbiology or General Microbiology, General Psychology, Life Span Psychology, College Reading and Composition
Core Courses – Introduction to Nursing Process and Practice, The Nursing Process, Fundamentals of Nursing Process and Practice, Communication in Nursing, Introduction to Sociology or Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology, Nursing Process and Practice in the Care of the Adult Client I, Nursing Process and Practice in the Care of the Adult Client II, Humanities Requirement, Nursing Process and Practice in the Health Care of Women and Families, Nursing Process and Practice in the Care of Children, Nursing Process and Practice in the Care of the Geriatric Client, Oral Communication or Interpersonal Communication, Nursing Process and Practice in the Psycho-Social Adaptation of the Client, Nursing Process and Practice in the Care of the Adult Client III, Leadership and Management Preceptorship, US History or Political Requirement
Admission criteria:
- Apply to Harbor College
- Obtain an application form on the LAHC Nursing website and complete in type
- Obtain two copies of official transcripts – one copy must be submitted with the application, and the other must be sent to LAHC Admissions and Records
- Take the nursing entrance exam – ATI TEAS and obtain a minimum overall score of 62% on the first attempt
Program Cost
In addition to the regular rate for tuition, students will be responsible for purchasing uniforms, textbooks, malpractice insurance, ATI software, and background check.
Website: https://effectiveness.lahc.edu/academic_affairs/healthsci/nursing/SitePages/Home.aspx
Address: 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, CA 90744
Phone: 310-233-4000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
American Career College
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at American Career College encourages the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and nursing skills that students need to deliver competent and patient-centered care in various health care settings. Students will learn how to use informatics to communicate, access, and evaluate patient data and improve patient outcomes. Students must complete 97 quarter credits to graduate from the program and receive an Associate Degree. The program is approved by the California Board of Nursing, so graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Quarter Credits: 97
Duration: 8 10-week quarters (20 months)
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – Introduction to Human Anatomy, Introduction to Physiology, General Microbiology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical, Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology for Nursing, Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing Lab/Clinical, Maternal Child Nursing, Maternal Child Nursing Lab, Intermediate Medical/Surgical Nursing, Intermediate Medical/Surgical Nursing Lab/Clinical, Behavioral Health and Geriatric Nursing, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Lab/Clinical, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Leadership, Cultural Pluralism, Oral Communication, College Mathematics, Written Communications
Admission criteria:
- Visit the campus and meet with an Admissions Counselor
- Fill out an Admissions Form for American Career College
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Take the Wonderlic SLE entrance exam
Program Cost
The program costs $71,775. Books and supplies are an additional $2,050.
Website: https://americancareercollege.edu/programs/associates-degree-nursing.html
Address: 4021 Rosewood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 668-7555
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 74.63%
Los Angeles City College
Enrollment in the Registered Nursing Program at Los Angeles City College is limited to 20 to 40 students in the Fall and Spring Semesters. The school employs a lottery to select students if the number of qualified applicants exceeds the space available. The course content will be delivered by lectures in the classroom and hands-on experiences in a simulated environment. Students must also participate in clinical experiences where they will use nursing skills to treat clients in hospitals and other health care facilities. Students who successfully complete the requirements will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN examination upon graduation. The Board of Registered Nursing has the prerogative to deny licensure to candidates found guilty of committing a crime, drug abuse, acts of dishonesty, and mental illness.
Program Outline
Units: 39
Duration: 2 years
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy 1, Physiology 1, Microbiology 1, Chemistry 65, English 101, Math 125, Psychology 1, Psychology 41, Sociology 1 or Anthropology 102, Communication Studies 101 or 121, 3 units of American Institutions, 3 units of Humanities, 1 unit of Kinesiology
Core Courses – Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Foundations, Beginning Medical Surgical, Nursing Sills Competency 1, Nursing Care of The Childbearing Family, Nursing Care of the Pediatric Client, Nursing Skills Competency II, Nursing Care for the Client With Psychosocial Needs, Intermediate Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing Skills Competency III, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Management
Admission criteria:
- Attend a mandatory information session
- Complete the Nursing Program Application – an LA City College Nursing Counselor must approve and qualify the candidate before submitting the application. Applications are accepted twice a year in the Fall and Spring Semester
- Download and review the E-10 Guidelines on the Registered Nursing Program
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Complete the co-requisite coursework before applying to the nursing program
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS exam with a composite score of 62.0% or higher
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or equivalent
- Meet the health and other requirements mandated by the program
- Obtain a satisfactory “cut score” of 80 or higher based on the Chancellor’s Validation Study.
Program Cost
The program costs $7115 and includes the cost of supplies, textbooks, and fees.
Website: https://www.lacitycollege.edu
Address: 855 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles California 90029
Phone: 323-953-4000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.49%
Pierce College – Center for the Sciences
Los Angeles Pierce College facilitates an Associate in Science Degree Nursing (ADN) Program that is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students must be admitted to the nursing program before registering for nursing courses. Admission is available in the Fall and Spring semesters. Clinical experiences run concurrently with classroom instruction for 25 to 30 hours per week. Students will have the opportunity to administer nursing care in hospitals and other health care facilities under the supervision of nursing faculty. There is an LVN to RN option available for eligible applicants. Students who complete the course requirements will be eligible to apply for the licensure exam to become a registered nurse in California.
Program Outline
Units: 39
Duration: 2 years
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy 1, Physiology 1, Microbiology 1, Psychology 1, Psychology 41, English 101, Math 115, Chemistry 51
Core Courses – Adult Health I, Pharmacology, Geriatric Health, Psychosocial Aspects, Adult Health II, Psychiatric Health, Adult Health III, Maternal/Newborn Care, Adult Health IV, Pediatric Health, History, Trends, Issues
Admission criteria:
- Complete the Los Angeles Pierce College application
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher
- Submit one set of official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Take and pass the TEAS V to demonstrate Reading, Mathematics, Science, English and Language Usage.
Program Cost
The program costs $6000 and does not include the cost of supplies, textbooks, and fees.
Website: http://www.piercecollege.edu/departments/nursing/
Address: 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91371
Phone: (818) 719-6477
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.67%
Los Angeles Southwest College
The ADN program at Los Angeles Southwest College is built on a strong foundation in the sciences and general education. Students learn how to use the nursing process and critical thinking to make clinical judgments and take a lead role in care. The clinical rotations will be conducted in several health care environments and will cover care across the lifespan. Graduates will have foundational knowledge of nursing to qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam, entry-level practice, and continuing studies in the field. The curriculum will focus on building strength in medical-surgical nursing, application of the leadership process, and leadership in community-based health care facilities. Students who successfully complete the requirements will earn an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing.
Program Outline
Units: 45
Duration: 2 years
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – College Reading & Composition, Public Speaking, General Psychology, Life-Span Psychology, Intro to Sociology, Intermediate Algebra, Fundamentals of Chemistry, Intro to Human Anatomy, Intro to Human Physiology, Intro to Microbiology
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Nursing A, Fundamentals of Nursing B, Communication in Nursing, Nursing Process, Medical-Surgical Nursing A, Psychiatric Nursing, Directed Studies, Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Directed Studies, Medical Surgical Nursing B, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Senior Seminar, Directed Studies
General Education Courses – Humanities, American Institution, Kinesiology, Math 125
Admission criteria:
- A U.S. high school diploma or equivalent
- An overall GPA of 2.5 (no less than a grade C) for prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Microbiology
- Be free from communicable diseases, infection, psychosocial disorders
- Complete a physical exam prior to admission
- Demonstrate, by titers, immunity to MMR, varicella, hepatitis B
- Have current Health Care Provider CPR certificate
- Have student liability insurance prior to participation in the clinical component of the course
- Obtain membership in the national and local chapters of the National Student Nurses’ Association
- Have reliable transportation to the clinical sites
- Take the ATI TEAS test to demonstrate math computation proficiency. The Benchmark score for the college is 62%
- Complete criminal background check and drug testing
Program Cost
The approximate cost of the program is $4926 for California residents. The cost includes tuition, books, supplies, malpractice insurance, BLS for Healthcare Provider, and health requirements.
Website: https://www.lasc.edu/programs/divisions/Math-Science-Health-Kinesiology-Nursing/nursing/index
Address: 1600 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, California 90047
Phone: (323) 241-5461
Email: lascnursing@lasc.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 76.09%
L.A. County Department of Health Services
The focus of the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing at LA County Department of Health Services is the preparation of students capable of meeting the Standard of Competent Performance as defined in California Code of Regulations. Students who complete the educational requirements will earn the ASN degree and be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN. The curriculum will cover an in-depth study of nursing as well as a broad knowledge of other areas – general education. An advanced placement (LVN) option is available for state Licensed Vocational Nurses. Students must submit transcripts for general education courses.
Program Outline
Units: 73 – including General Education and Prerequisites
Duration: 2 years
Course Titles
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy with Lab, Human Physiology with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, College English Composition, Life Span Psychology, Sociology
Core Courses – Nursing Pharmacology, Introduction to Professional Nursing Role, Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing, Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical, Nutrition (Elective), Nursing Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Nursing Role, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical II, Maternal-Child Nursing, Maternal-Child Nursing Clinical, Introduction to Sociology, Nursing Pharmacology, Specialized Nursing Role, Intermediate Medical-Surgical & Psychiatric Nursing, Intermediate Medical-Surgical & Psychiatric Nursing Clinical, Oral Communication, Nursing Role in Leadership, Management, Current Issues & Gerontology, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing & Gerontology Nursing, Advanced Medical-Surgical & Gerontology Nursing Clinical
Admission criteria:
- Complete the prerequisite science courses before submitting an application
- Complete the official online application
- Request official high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent to be sent to directly to the program administrator
- Submit an official transcript from each college attended
- Submit an official transcript from the vocational nursing program – if applicable
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS exam with a score of 64.7% or above
- Application and documents must be submitted before the deadline
Program Cost
Tuition costs $9,600 for the four semesters of nursing courses. Other expenses include testing, administrative costs of the School of Nursing, textbooks, uniforms and shoes, supplies, challenge exams, and general education courses.
Website: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/
Address: 1237 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, 90033
Phone: 323-409-5911
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.87%