NURSING, REGISTERED
Completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program qualifies the student to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing the Exam, registered nurses are eligible to work in a variety of settings within the health care system as beginning staff nurses. The curriculum, approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, consists of both nursing and related general education courses, plus additional general education degree requirements. The nursing courses include theory classes and supervised concurrent clinical practice in local health care agencies. Some clinical practice evenings, nights, and weekends may be assigned.

At the expense of the student, a minor physical exam and proof of freedom of communicable disease and/or immunizations for the protection of the student and patients are required upon admission and prior to the first day of class. Students must also purchase an approved uniform and instructional materials required to achieve program objectives, maintain BLS-C certification, and be responsible for transportation to and from clinical facilities. Drug testing and background screening are required.

Licensed vocational nurses and others with previous nursing education and/or experience may receive credit and/or seek advanced placement in the program (see below). In order to be a graduate of the program and receive an associate degree in Registered Nursing, all program and A.A. or A.S. degree requirements must be met.

Students who complete the nursing and general education program courses (listed below) without completing the additional degree requirements (listed below) may take the Licensure Examination as NON-GRADUATES, but these students are not graduates of the program and do not receive a degree. Students who already have an Associate Degree or higher in another major do not have to meet the requirements for another degree, but must complete all nursing and general education program courses to become a graduate registered nurse.

Upon applying to the state for examination and licensure, students must be fingerprinted and submit documentation related to any received conviction; licensure may be denied. Interested students may obtain information and application packets from the Area Office in Room 101 at Roseville Gateway or from Counseling Offices at the Rocklin or Nevada County Campuses.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers.
2. Official transcripts on file in the Area Office and Records Office documenting completion of all required college courses.
3. Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking advanced placement must hold a current California license.
4. Completion of the Sierra College graduation reading proficiency requirement.
5. Completion of reading assessment testing.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers.
2. Official transcripts on file in the Area Office and Records Office documenting completion of all required college courses.
3. Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking advanced placement must hold a current California license.
4. Completion of the Sierra College graduation reading proficiency requirement.
5. Completion of reading assessment testing.

COURSES REQUIRED FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION AND DEGREE
(All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better)

PROGRAM AND DEGREE GENERAL EDUCATION
REQUIRED COURSES:
1. *Bio.Sci. 4 Microbiology (or general bacteriology course)**
2. *Bio.Sci. 5 Human Anatomy** OR
*Bio.Sci. 7A & 7B Principles of Human Anatomy**
3. *Bio.Sci 6, Human Physiology**
4. *Psych. 1 Intro. to Psychology
5. *Nut./Fd. 10 Nutrition**
6. *Hum.Dev. 1 Human Development
7. *English 1A Composition & Literature
8. Comm.St. 1 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
9. Soc. 1 Intro. to Sociology OR Anthro. 2 Cultural Anthropology
10. *Math. A Elementary Algebra or equivalent
*Prerequisites required before entry into the Registered Nursing Program.
**Courses must be completed within seven years of entrance into program.

REGISTERED NURSING COURSES REQUIRED FOR PROGRAM AND DEGREE:
N.R. 10, Introduction to Nursing and the Nursing Process
N.R. 12, Nursing the Adult with Common/Remedial Health Problems
N.R. 14, Nurse Management of Mental Health and Elderly Clients
N.R. 16, Nursing Management of Maternal and Child Clients
N.R. 18, Nursing Management of Patients with Complex Health Problems
+N.R. 20, Nursing Management-Multiple Patients with Complex Health Problems
+N.R. 20 may count for the registered nursing requirements as well as the multicultural requirement for an A.A./A.S. degree. Three of the six units may be applied to the multicultural requirement.

Students must be admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program before enrolling in the registered nursing courses. The registered nursing courses must be completed (or challenged) in sequence.

Students must fulfill General Education Requirements for the A.A./A.S. degree.
Students already holding an Associate Degree or higher in another major do not need to complete the general education requirements listed immediately above, unless they wish to obtain an A.A. or A.S. degree in Registered Nursing.

PLACEMENT POLICY FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM:
1. Transfer credit is granted for all lower-division courses taken at other accredited colleges, providing the courses are comparable to the required program and degree courses.
2. Adhering to the “Credit by Examination” policy of the college, students who have prior knowledge and/or experience may challenge program and degree required courses.
3. The 30-unit option plan is offered, on a space available basis, for L.V.N.s currently licensed in California. Requirements include completion (or challenge) of acceptable college level courses in physiology and microbiology with grades of “C” or better prior to enrollment in the program and completion (or challenge) of N.R. 14, 18, and 20 in sequence. Those who complete this option do not graduate or receive a degree.
4. Registered nurses who are graduates of hospital diploma programs may receive credit for their nursing program toward an associate degree.
5. Admission of any student eligible for advanced placement in the program following an academic evaluation is admitted on a first come, space available basis. Students re-entering the program, however, receive priority.
Students may obtain further information regarding program placement policies from the Area Office in Room 101 at the Roseville Gateway Campus.

CAREER MOBILITY LVN TO RN OPTION:
LVNs currently employed in a hospital or skilled nursing facility and licensed in California, who meet the college and program admission requirements and have completed the courses prerequisite to the second year nursing courses, may apply for advanced placement in N.R. 14. Upon admission, the student must complete N.R. 14, 16, 18, and 20, and the remaining required program and degree general education courses. Prerequisites Bio.Sci. 4, 5 or 7A/7B, and 6 must be completed within seven years of entrance into the program.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
The following time frames are important for completing, returning, and filing the necessary forms for processing the program applications. See nursing brochure for exact dates and more detailed information.
1. Beginning students applying for N.R. 10, L.V.N.s applying for N.R. 14, and other students returning or seeking advanced placement in other courses must have all applications and required documents in the Area Office by mid-April for Fall Semester.
2. Students returning or seeking advanced placement in the Spring Semester must have all application materials in as early as possible and no later than mid-October.
3. The following documents must be received in the Area Office by the appropriate application deadline identified above in order to be evaluated for admission:
- The completed application packet. (Incomplete applications will not be processed.)
- Official college/university transcripts from all colleges attended documenting all course work completed.
- Copy of current CPR card for health care professionals.
- L.V.N.s seeking advanced placement or the 30-unit option must submit a copy of their current license.
4. Completion of reading assessment testing.

NURSING, VOCATIONAL (L.V.N.)
The program is designed for three consecutive semesters, after completion of the prerequisites, summer session excluded. Students must be admitted to the Vocational Nursing Program before enrolling in Vocational Nursing courses. Students will be in class approximately 20-30 hours per week, with time divided between lecture and clinical practice in local hospitals and other community health agencies. Some clinical practice evenings, nights, and weekends may be assigned. At the expense of the student, a minor physical exam and proof of freedom from communicable disease and/or immunizations for the protection of the student and patients are required upon admission and prior to the first day of class. Students must also purchase an approved uniform and instructional materials required to achieve program success, maintain BLS-C certification, and be responsible for transportation to and from clinical facilities. Drug testing and background screening are required.

A.A. and A.S. degrees as well as certificates may be earned in Vocational Nursing. Vocational Nursing classes may not be taken on a credit/no credit basis. Grades of “C” or better are required in all courses listed for the degree or certificate. Obtain information/application packets from Area Office in room 101 at Roseville Gateway or from Counseling Offices at the Rocklin or Nevada County Campuses.

VOCATIONAL NURSING—
A.A. OR A.S. DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE
Completion of the required curriculum and fulfillment of the General Education requirements are necessary for an A.A./A.S. degree.

REQUIRED COURSES
*Bio.Sci. 5 Human Anatomy** OR
*Bio.Sci. 7A and 7B** Principles of Human Anatomy AND
*Bio.Sci. 6 Human Physiology** OR
*Bio.Sci. 55 Human Anatomy & Physiology** - 4-9 Units
*N.A. 3 Fundamentals of Nursing - 0-5.5 Units
*Nut./Fd. 10 Nutrition** - 3 Units
*Hum.Dev. 1 Human Development OR
*Hum.Dev. 1A,1B, and 1C Human Development - 3 Units
*Psych. 1 Introduction to Psychology - 3 Units
N.V. 2 Basic Human Needs & the Nursing Process - 11.5-12 Units
N.V. 4 Common Alterations in Basic Human Needs - 12 Units
+N.V. 6 Complex Alterations in Basic Human Needs - 12 Units
*Prerequisites required must be completed with grades of “C” or better before entry into the program. N.A. 3 is waived for currently employed certified nursing assistants.
**Courses must be completed within seven years of entrance into program.
+N.V. 6 may count for the vocational nursing requirements as well as the multicultural requirement for an A.A./A.S. degree. Three of the twelve units may be applied to the multicultural requirement.
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED: 48-59
The courses in the Vocational Nursing program are subject to change as a result of new or revised laws, policies, or regulations, as determined by the state.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Prospective students who have prior nursing education and/or experience may request evaluation for advanced placement. Upon qualifying for advanced placement, admission is dependent upon space being available. For further information, contact the Area Office.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Applications are due mid-October for Spring semester. See nursing brochure for exact dates and more detailed information. The following documents must be received by the stated deadlines in order to be evaluated for admission:
- The completed and dated application.
- Official high school transcript documenting graduation, State of California High School Proficiency Examination Certificate, General Education Development Examination Certificate, or an associate or higher degree. (Students wishing to use course work completed in a foreign country to meet this requirement need to submit an official verification document completed by an acceptable foreign transcript evaluator.)
- Official transcripts documenting prerequisites and other completed required courses.
- Completion of the Sierra College graduation reading proficiency requirement.
- Completion of reading assessment testing.
- Copy of current California CNA certificate or proof of satisfactory completion if course taken recently and awaiting certification.
- Documentation of satisfactory CNA work experience in a hospital or skilled nursing facility once CNA course work has been completed.
NOTE: Classroom instruction is offered concurrently with clinical experience. All courses are sequential, and the student must successfully complete the objectives of each semester before progressing to the next. Grades of “C” or better are required in all Vocational Nursing courses.

NURSING ASSISTANT
The Nursing Assistant courses are designed to prepare students for employment in home health or long term care facilities. There are no degree patterns or transfer majors in this area. Students desiring eligibility for certification must maintain grades of “C” or better in Nursing Assistant courses.

A minor physical exam and proof of freedom from common communicable diseases by immunization and/or serological testing is required (at the student’s expense) prior to the patient care experience as mandated by the state.

Drug testing and background screening are required.Students must be fingerprinted and submit a Declaration of Conviction/No Conviction form for the Department of Health Services prior to entrance to clinical facility.

Students must obtain an approved uniform and required patient care equipment, obtain BLS-C certification, and be responsible for transportation to and from clinical facilities.

NURSING ASSISTANT COURSES
N.A. 2 HOME HEALTH AIDE
Units: 1.5
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of N.A. 3 or current Nursing Assistant Certification issued by California Department of Health Services
Advisory: Not open to those who have completed N.A. 1
Hours: As scheduled for a total of 40 hours (20 lecture, 20 laboratory)
Nursing care in the home, to include home care of the sick and handicapped; patient accident prevention; personal care services adapted to a home environment; cleaning and care tasks in the home; nutrition; and food purchasing and preparation. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be eligible to receive a Home Health Aide Certificate from the California Department of Health Services and be qualified for employment through a home health agency.

N.A. 3 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Units: 5.5
Hours: 3 lecture, 7.5 laboratory (lecture and laboratory hours subject to California Department of Health Services regulations)
Introduction to nursing practice based on the humanistic philosophy of Abraham Maslow. Includes the basic skills necessary to assist in satisfying the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and cultural needs. Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the State of California Certification Examination to become a Nursing Assistant qualified for employment in an acute or long-term health care facility. Testing and certification fees are required.

N.A. 4 ACUTE CARE NURSING ASSISTANT
Units: 3
Advisory: Completion of N.A. 3 or equivalent
Hours: 4.6 (2.2 lecture, 2.4 laboratory)
The roles and responsibilities of the nursing assistant in the acute care hospital including professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.