Requirements for Pre-enrollment to the Program

1.   Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) as defined by the current requirements of the Nurse Practice Act, Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1412, prior to time of application:

a)  Students with a high school diploma from a school outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent agency.  Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

b)   Students who possess an Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree or higher from a regionally accredited college are exempt from the educational requirement stated above.

c)   Students who have attended college outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency, demonstrating AA/AS degree or higher. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

2.   A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 in the following science prerequisites: BIOL 430, BIOL 431, and BIOL 440 or BIOL 442

3.   A grade of "C" (C- is not acceptable) or better and a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 in the following support courses:

    ENGWR 300

    NUTRI 300

    PSYC 300

    SPEECH 301* or SPEECH 331*(COREQUISITE to NURSE 400)  

SOC 300* or ANTH 310* (COREQUISITE to NURSE 410)

4.   Eligibility for ENGRD 310 or 312. See Nursing Information Sheet for further details.

a)  Students who possess an Associate of Arts/Associate of Science Degree or higher from a regionally accredited college are exempt from the requirement stated above.

5.   Current Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet

NOTE: For the initial evaluation of all transcripts and previous coursework and to determine if the above eligibility requirements have been met, an appointment must be scheduled with an ARC counselor at 484-8572.  For course equivalency of pre-nursing and degree major courses completed outside of the Los Rios Community College District, students must provide course descriptions (from the semester in which the courses were completed).

Application to the Nursing Program

The nursing program admits students twice a year. Applications for the fall semester are available the beginning of February. Applications for the spring semester are available the beginning of September. They are available in Enrollment Services, the Nursing Dept., the Health and Education division office, or downloadable from this site.

Selection and Admission Process

1.   Selection is based on a computerized random selection process from among the qualified applicants.

2.   Only students who meet the educational and pre-nursing requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.  Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 

3.   Acceptance of pre-nursing courses taken outside the Los Rios Community College District will be determined by the Allied Health Admissions Committee.

4.  The student accepted into the Nursing program is required to have a physical examination, inoculations,  background check and drug screen prior to the start of the semester.

Requirements for Degree Major (71-72 Units)

BIOL 430, BIOL 431, BIOL 440 or BIOL 442, ENGWR 300, NUTRI 300, PSYC 300, SOC 300 or ANTH 310, SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331, NURSE 400, 410, 420, 430

NOTE:  BIOL 430, BIOL 440 or BIOL 442 have a prerequisite of an introductory college chemistry course with a grade of "C" or better.  Please check catalog course descriptions.

Courses Required for the Associate Degree in Nursing  

Pre-Nursing Courses

BIOL 430

BIOL 431

BIOL 440 or BIOL 442

ENGWR 300

NUTRI 300

PSYC 300

In-progress grades will not be accepted for the above courses

SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331

SOC 300 or ANTH 310

NOTE: 

SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331: Can be taken concurrently with NURSE 400, if not previously completed.

SOC 300 or ANTH 310: Can be taken concurrently with NURSE 410, if not previously completed.

Course Sequence for Degree Major

NURSE 400 (Semester 1)

NURSE 410 (Semester 2)

NURSE 420 (Semester 3)

NURSE 430 (Semester 4)

Additional Graduation Requirements  

Humanities

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Living Skills

Ethnic/Multicultural Studies

Competency in reading and math (Strongly recommended that math competency be met prior to entering Nursing program)

LVN-to-RN Career Mobility

(For LVNs only)

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) accepted into the career mobility phase of the Associate Degree Program are required to complete a combination of general education and nursing courses with related laboratory experience in local health agencies. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to take the National Licensing Examination to become registered as a nurse and eligible for employment. A grade of “C” or better is required in each nursing course for progression in the program and for an Associate Degree in Nursing.

Startup costs are approximately $2,000.  The student is responsible for providing uniforms, laboratory fees, malpractice insurance, necessary equipment, and transportation to off-campus laboratory locations.  Upon completion of the Nursing program, students should expect fees of approximately $350.00 to take the R.N. licensure exam. All costs/fees are subject to change.

NOTE:  In accordance with Regulation 480 of the State Board of Registered Nursing, a person convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation, may not qualify to be licensed as a registered nurse. If there are any questions regarding this matter, please contact the State Board of Registered Nursing.

Requirements for Pre-enrollment to the Program    

1.   Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) as defined by the current requirements of the Nurse Practice Act, Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1412, prior to time of application:

2.   Possession of a current California Vocational Nurse license at the time of application

3.   Completion of a minimum of six months of recent LVN work experience, preferably in the medical-surgical area

4.   A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 in the following science prerequisites: BIOL 430, BIOL 431, and BIOL 440 or (BIOL 442 ARC only)  

5.   A grade of "C" (C- is not acceptable) or better and a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 in the following prerequisite

      courses: 

ARC:  ENGWR 300, NUTRI 300, PSYC 300, SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331, SOC 300 or ANTH 310

SCC:  COMM 301 or 331, ENGWR 300, FCS 324, FCS 340, PSYC 300, SOC 300 or ANTH 310

6.   Eligibility for ENGRD 310 or 312 (ARC) and ENGRD 310 (SCC). See Nursing Information Packet for further

details.

7.  Current Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet (within the semester in which the pre-enrollment packet is being submitted)

Application to the LVN-RN Career Mobility Program

Applications are available the first week in February from this site and the following locations:

ARC Nursing Dept., Room 731 or the Health and Education Division office, Room 770

SCC Science and Allied Health Division office, Mohr Hall, Room 18

Selection and Admission Process

1.    Selection is based on a computerized random selection process from among the qualified applicants.

2.   Only students who meet the educational and pre-nursing requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.  Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 

3.   Acceptance of pre-nursing courses taken outside the Los Rios Community College District will be determined by the Allied Health admissions committee.

4.  The student accepted into the Nursing program is required to have a physical examination, inoculations, background check and drug screen prior to the start of the semester.

Requirements for Degree Major (71-76 Units)

BIOL 430, BIOL 431, and BIOL 440 or BIOL 442, ENGWR 300, NURSE 305, NUTRI 300, PSYC 300, SOC 300 or ANTH 310, SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331, (Credit for NURSE 400 and 410), NURSE 420, NURSE 430

NOTE:  BIOL 430, BIOL 440 or BIOL 442 have a prerequisite of an introductory college chemistry course with a grade of "C" or better.  Please check catalog course descriptions.

Courses Required for the Associate Degree in Nursing      

Pre-enrollment Courses (LVN Career Mobility)

BIOL 430

BIOL 431

BIOL 440 or BIOL 442

ENGWR 300

NUTRI 300

PSYC 300

SPEECH 301 or SPEECH 331

SOC 300 or ANTH 310

Above courses must be completed by the Spring 2010 semester

Course Sequence for Degree Major

NURSE 305 (Summer Session)

NURSE 420 (Semester 3, Fall Semester)

NURSE 430 (Semester 4, Spring Semester)

Additional Graduation Requirements  

Humanities

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Living Skills

Ethnic/Multicultural Studies

Competency in reading and math (Strongly recommended that math competency be met prior to entering Nursing program)

Credit for NURSE 400 and NURSE 410:  Requirement waived in lieu of LVN licensure

Transfer-In Policy

Students who wish to transfer into the Nursing Program at American River College must complete a transfer packet. Transfer packets are available in the Nursing department. Please remember that admittance is based on space availability.  In addition, you should know that:

• American River College prerequisite requirements must be met.  Course equivalencies need to be validated.

• Currently, the program takes one (1) transfer every three years.

• Nursing course content varies from college to college. You would need to enter the semester on track without missing nursing content.

Nursing Baccalaureate Degree

Since the various Schools of Nursing are constantly changing prerequisite and admissions procedures, it is important that nursing students who are contemplating transfer to a four-year institution consult with a counselor as early as possible. 

Diploma RN Pursuing Associate Degree

We are currently updating this section.  If you have any questions, please contact our Counseling department at 484-8572.

            Certificates of Completion Offered By the Nursing Department

For students who are interested in vocational training and who are not necessarily seeking a college degree, we offer the following courses: (Click on course to download latest information sheet).

Certified Nurse Assistant

Home Health Aide

These courses are designed for students who:

• Are seeking employment as an entry level provider

• Are interested in the direct patient care experience

• Desire exposure to a health care environment to assess their interest in health care as a career

• Want to prepare for the State of California Department of Health Services Nurse Assistant and/or Home Health Aide Certification 

• Need entry level course as an avenue to a higher level program such as Licensed Vocational Nurse or Registered Nurse

Students successfully completing the above courses (grade of "C" or better) will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by the Nursing Department.  A Certificate of Completion certifies that the student has completed the course.

Requirements for the Nurse Assistant Certificate 

NURSE 100

Requirements for the Home Health Aide Certificate 

NURSE 100

NURSE 101

Requirements for the Acute Care Nurse Assistant Certificate

NURSE 100

NURSE 102

More information on Job Openings for Nurses:

• ARC Career & Job Opportunity Center

• Catholic Healthcare West

• Kaiser Permanente Employment Web Site

• Shriners Hospital for Children (Northern California)  

• Sutter Health

• UC Davis Health System

• AfterCollege Job Resource Center

• ARC AfterCollege Alumni Directory

• California Employment Development Department Labor Market Info

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