Nursing, Registered

The Registered Nursing Program at Merced College prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) and is designed to prepare competent nurses for service in the community. The Registered Nursing Program requires two academic years beyond the completion of the prerequisite courses and non-nursing breadth requirements. Graduates will earn the Associate of Science Degree upon completion of designated courses and competency requirements.

Program Requirements and Information

Prerequisites: BIOL-16, BIOL-18, BIOL-20, ENGL-C1000 (formerly ENGL-01A) or ENGL-C1001 (formerly ENGL/PHIL-13) / ENGL-C1001H (formerly ENGL/PHIL-13H), and STAT-C1000 (formerly MATH-10) or transfer level math course. All program prerequisites must be passed with a grade of “C” or better and combined GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Minimum of 62% on FIRST ATTEMPT of the ATI TEAS Testing Version 7.

Program Application and Additional Information

Applications will be accepted during the spring semester only.

Selection Process

The Merced College RN Program selection process is determined using the multi-criteria screening process established by the California Community College Chancellor’s office in accordance with AB 239 (expires January 2025). A multi-criteria score is determined for each candidate based on previous degrees/certificates, work/volunteer experience in a healthcare setting, identified coursework GPA, life experience/special circumstances, foreign language proficiency and ATI TEAS assessment score. These students will be sequentially numbered from one to the maximum allowed for the in-coming class, including a predetermined number of alternate students. Depending on the number of qualified applicants and constraints of the Chancellor’s Office multi-criteria screening model, the selection pool will vary in size from year to year.

Accepted students must provide proof of the following requirements: Tdap, MMR, HEP B, Varicella, Current Flu Vaccine, Negative TB Test or Negative chest X-Ray, CPR Certification (American Heart Association - BLS), Physical, criminal background and drug screening clearances.

Note: Criminal background check and drug screening clearances are repeated between the third and fourth semesters as a requirement prior to the mental health rotation.

Further information will be provided at the MANDATORY orientation. If a student is unable to provide proof of these requirements within the designated timeframe, the student will be deemed ineligible for admission.

While enrolled in the program, you will be assigned to various clinic facilities in addition to the on-campus portions of the program. By enrollment into the program, you agree to accept clinical assignments in whatever clinical site you are assigned. Clinical assignments will be scheduled during the normal working day hours.

Policy for Denial of Licensure

The California BRN protects the public by screening applicants for licensure in order to identify potentially unsafe practitioners. Statutory authority for denial of licensure is contained in the Business and Professions Code. Any student considering a career in nursing who has a criminal record is advised to go to the BRN website at rn.ca.gov and search Enforcement and then License Discipline and Convictions prior to applying to the nursing program.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Merced College Registered Nursing Program is to prepare our students for careers as professional Registered Nurses that will best serve the community to a recognized standard of excellence. The Merced College Registered Nursing program focuses on:

1. student success;

2. cultural diversity;

3. interrelationships of life experiences and knowledge;

by providing a continually improving educational program which is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The Merced College Registered nurse graduate is educated for full participation in the life of the community, both professionally and as a citizen, and is instilled with a commitment to continue professional growth and lifelong learning.

Highlights

The Allied Health Center houses a complete Registered Nursing Skills Lab, large computer lab, conference rooms, study rooms and multiple large and small classrooms. The Registered Nursing Program has state-of-the-art equipment and software that assist students with learning current procedures, including 3 high-fidelity manikins for Simulation.

Transfer

Credits earned in the Merced College Registered Nursing Program may be transferable to California State Universities. Since prerequisite science and social science courses vary at each institution, students are advised to consult the catalog of their intended transfer school and establish a transfer plan with the Allied Health Counselor.

Accreditation:

The Registered Nursing Program is accredited by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Board of Registered Nursing 1747 N. Market Bldv., Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834-1924 (916) 322-3350 California Board of Registered Nursing

The Registered Nursing Associate Science Degree is available for students who successfully complete the graduation requirements and complete the following program. For successful completion, a student must complete the requirements with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

A. Administer quality, safe, patient-centered nursing care through evidence-based practice.

B. Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team to provide and improve patient care.

C. Connect critical thinking skills, strategies, and clinical reasoning necessary to provide quality patient care.

D. Demonstrate leadership in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patient populations.

E. Use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.

F. Practice as a competent nurse, assimilating all professional, ethical, and legal principles.

Program Prerequisites:

Prerequisite courses: (19-22 Units)

Note: **It is highly recommended that once enrolled in these classes, students do not drop them. Program applicants need to understand that multiple attempts to improve grades earned in these classes can negatively affect their eligibility.

Program Requirements:

Required courses (non-nursing)

Note: Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to ensure all other graduation breadth requirements have been met to complete an AS Degree in Nursing.

Required courses (nursing): ( 41 Units)

Prerequisite for Admission: (19-22 Units) Additional BRN Requirement: (3 Units) Completion of MCCD-GE Breadth : (24 units) Double Counting   (15 Units) Total units: (72-73 Units)

Competencies as required by Merced College for graduation: Writing: Met by completion of ENGL-C1000 (formerly ENGL-01A) within program prerequisites. Math: Met by MATH-C or MATH-62 or MATH-61 or equivalent or higher level Math course. Reading: Met by completion of A.S. Breadth courses with “C” grade or better.