Living life in the fast lane has its benefits. If you’ve made up your mind to become a registered nurse and don’t have the luxury of time, then an Associate Degree Registered Nursing might be what you need. The ADN is just one option to a career in registered nursing. The program is designed to be completed in just 18 to 24 months. It comprises of courses in nursing and liberal arts, which will prepare you for success on the National Council Licensing Examination, the NCLEX-RN, to begin working as a registered nurse. Licensed practical nursing may also move into professional nursing through direct entry into the ADN program or through bridge LPN to ADN pathways.
Despite the push to boost the nursing workforce to 80 percent, ADN RNs are still prevalent. They work under the supervision of BSN and MSN nurses and physicians to manage patient care. Due to stricter guidelines surrounding the education of nurses, ADNs might work primarily in nursing homes, schools, private practices, and entry-level positions in some hospitals. You can increase your salary potential and opportunities for employment through specialty certification or the pursuit of the BSN. Registered nurses with an associate degree can complete the requirements for the BSN in 12 to 18 months.
Xavier College School of Nursing
The pre-licensure Associate Degree Registered Nursing at Xavier College operates with the approval from the Board of Registered Nursing. The program includes general education and core nursing courses to prepare students for professional practice. Courses include a laboratory and clinical component to give students the opportunity to apply the theoretical principles. The theory and practical components cover 30 to 40 hours per week. After completion of the classroom and simulation lab on campus, students will participate in the clinical rotations at health care facilities in Stockton, Lodi, and French Camp. Rotations will also be scheduled at the Stockton Unified School District health care services for Pediatrics Nursing practice. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 62
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Core courses – Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, English Reading & Composition, English Communication, Microbiology, Algebra, Psychology, Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Obstetrics Nursing, Pediatrics Nursing, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing III, Nursing Leadership
Admission criteria:
- Must not be younger than 17 years of age at the time of admission
- Must show evidence of 12th-grade education or equivalent – official diploma or transcript or GED certificate
- LVN to RN bridge applicants must submit an active LVN license and a minimum of 6 months of LVN practice, a sealed official transcript from an accredited VN program, three letters of recommendation (one personal and two professional), and complete an LVN Transition to RN course with a passing grade
- Submit a completed application and fee of $100
- Must take a proctored entrance test – HESI A2 for Science, Reading, English, and Mathematics with a score of 75% or above
- Submit evidence of current CPR certification
- Must have a negative TB test (skin or chest x-ray)
- Must have updated immunizations – Hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, and influenza
- Submit a report of the physical exam – completed within 90 days of the program start date
- Attend an interview with the Director or a designated staff member
Program Cost:
The total program cost of $47,000 includes tuition, lab supplies, books, uniforms, liability insurance, and online exam and review. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://xavier-college.com/
Address: 1340 North El Dorado St, Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: 209-941-0968
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
San Joaquin Delta College
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at San Joaquin Delta College prepares adults to provide patient care within the scope of practice of a registered nurse. Students will learn how to apply the nursing process to facilitate optimum client outcomes, manage care and promote maintenance of health, meet the emotional, mental, social and cultural needs of clients, provide a safe environment for clients, and provide evidence-based care to multiple clients. Upon successful completion of the theory and practical components of the program, graduates will receive the Associate Degree Registered Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX to practice as registered nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 73.5 units
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Core courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Human Development, Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing, Maternal, Newborn and Reproductive Health Nursing, Infancy Through Young Adult Nursing, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Transition to Nursing Practice, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Medical Microbiology or General Microbiology
Admission criteria:
- Must be a Delta College student before applying to the nursing program
- Submit a completed application online before the stipulated deadline
- Submit an official transcript from regionally accredited US colleges or universities
- Copy of current license with license number if currently licensed as an LVN, Psychiatric Technician, Radiologic Technician, Respiratory Therapist, or Paramedic
- Copy of current certificate including certificate number, issue date, and expiration date if currently certified as a CNA, HHA, or EMT
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C on prerequisite coursework – Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology
- Take the TEAS with a minimum adjusted individual score of 62%
- Submit a report of a physical exam completed within the past year including evidence of titers for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, Flu vaccine, and 2-step TB
- Complete a background investigation including criminal history record search, SSN trace, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, Nationwide Sex Offender Register, and urine drug screening
- Provide proof of social security number
- Current CPR certification – CPR for Health Care Provider or CPR for Professional Rescuer
Program Cost:
The enrollment fee is $46 per unit for resident students. Costs for books, supplies, fees, CPR certification, liability insurance, background check, physical, immunization, and evaluation tests are additional.
Website: https://www.deltacollege.edu/
Address: 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207
Phone: 209-954-5151
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.32%
Solano Community College
The registered nursing program at Solano Community College operates with full approval from the CA Board of Registered Nursing. The curriculum adheres to the guidelines for the education of registered nurses and includes both theory and practical learning opportunities on campus and at offsite facilities. Students will learn how to use the nursing process and critical thinking to care for individuals, families, and communities, integrate technology and evidence-based concepts of nursing practice across the health care continuum to provide patient-centered care, and educate patients, families, and communities for the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. Graduates will receive an Associate in Science Degree after completing the major and general education requirements with a grade of C or higher or a P if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. They will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 81 units
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Principles of Microbiology, College Composition, Lifespan Human Development, Nutrition, Pharmacology for Nursing, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Public Speaking or another selection from Critical Thinking
Core courses – Foundations of Nursing I, Foundations of Nursing II, Nursing Simulation Lab I, Medical Surgical Nursing I and Geriatrics, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Skills Lab II, Issues and Leadership in Health Care Today, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Nursing Simulation and Skills Lab III, Medical Surgical Nursing III, Pediatric Nursing, Nursing Simulation and Skills Lab IV
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or completed the GED
- Must have a composite score of 73% or greater – calculated using the college GPA. Core Biology GPA, English GPA and Core Biology repetitions
- Complete the registered nursing program prerequisites with a minimum grade of C
- Take and pass the TEAS with a minimum composite score of 62% within the first two attempts
- Meet with an SCC counselor before August of the application year
- Submit a completed application online
- Must provide a Health History and Report of Medical Examination with required titers/inoculations – MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, Flu vaccine, and 2-step TB
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers card
- Must comply with specific healthcare partner
Program Cost:
At a cost of $46 per unit, the total anticipated cost of completing the program is $7,500. It includes tuition, NCLEX review, criminal background check, drug screen, health examinations, immunizations, nursing pin, fingerprinting, uniforms, shoes, BLS for Healthcare Providers certification, health insurance, and books.
Website: https://welcome.solano.edu
Address: 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 864-7000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.74%
Modesto Junior College
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Modesto Junior College prepares students for practice as a registered nurse in various health care facilities. Students will learn how to diagnose through observation of the patient’s physical behavior and condition, formulate a care in collaboration with the client, explain health treatment to patient and family members, delegate tasks to subordinates based on their scope of practice, evaluate the effectiveness of a care plan, and advocate for clients. Graduates are prepared to take the NCELX-RN for practice as a registered nurse. New students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters of each year. Classes are conducted in the day but they may be morning and evening schedules for the clinical rotations. During the final semester, students will participate in a five-week preceptorship and will be expected to training in a clinical setting full-time.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 65.5-67.5 units
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Principles of Microbiology, English 101, Introduction to Psychology, Sociology, Communication Studies, Activities, Humanities, Guidance
Recommended courses – Nutrition or equivalent, Medical Terminology, Introduction to Nursing Majors, Guidance for Nursing Majors
Core courses – Nursing Process: Pharmacology, Nursing Process: Fundamentals, Nursing Process: Geriatrics, Nursing Process: Maternal Child, Nursing Process: Mental Health, Nursing Process: Medical Surgical, Nursing Process: Advanced Medical Surgical
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or completed the GED
- Request transcripts from other colleges to be submitted to MJC Enrollment Services
- Demonstrate math competency – score of 3,4, or 5 on the AP exam, or complete MATH 89, MATG 989, or course from CSU-GE:B4, or score of 5 on IB exam
- Complete the prerequisites with a grade C or better – grade must be indicated on the transcript – anatomy, physiology, and microbiology must have a combined GPA of 2.5 or better
- Take and pass the TEAS with a minimum composite score of 62% within the first two attempts – Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English
- Must submit a medical history and physical exam completed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner within 6 months of the program start date
- Provide documentation of required immunizations – MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, Flu vaccine, and 2-step TB
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers card
- Must comply with specific healthcare partner
Program Cost:
The total program cost of $6,630 includes tuition, fees, textbooks, materials, nursing kit, uniforms, NCLEX review, BLS textbook, supplies, health clearance, graduation expenses, and licensure expenses.
Website: https://www.mjc.edu/
Address: 435 College Avenue, Modesto CA 95350
Phone: 209-575-6550
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.71%