Registered Nurse: Generic

Associate of Science Degree Nursing Education · San Diego City College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Summary

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) curriculum prepares entry-level Registered Nurses (RN) as providers of care across the health/illness continuum and as members within the profession. The curriculum respects the individuality of the student and aims to provide a positive, innovative learning model that fosters the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills so that the Registered Nurse is equipped to deliver care to a culturally diverse population in a variety of healthcare settings. Registered Nurses collaborate with members of the health care team, are effective communicators, are politically aware, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. Upon successful completion of program requirements, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requires 6 units of Communication, verbal, written and group; and 16 units of Natural, Behavioral and Social sciences. For more details, visit the San Diego City College Nursing Education webpage.

This degree is designed to accommodate the differing requirements of a wide variety of transfer institutions. Students interested in transfer should meet with the nursing education counselor.

It is strongly recommended that all of the general education requirements be completed prior to admission to the nursing education program or during summer sessions.

Award Note: The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Registered Nurse: Generic Program will be able to:

  1. Apply nursing concepts and skills to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN.
  2. Make clinical judgments and management decisions to ensure accurate and safe client care.
  3. Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of professional nursing practice.
  4. Use standards of nursing practice to perform and evaluate client care in entry level practice.
  5. Participate in life-long learning.

Accreditation

The San Diego City College Nursing Education program is fully approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Inquiries regarding accreditation may be made by contacting the BRN at P.O. Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244, 916-322-3350 or ACEN at 33343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000.

Directed Clinical Practice Requirement

Students accepted into this program will be required to successfully complete Directed Clinical Practice/clinically-based courses held in health care facilities. These facilities require background checks and urine drug screening as a condition of placement.

Refusal to submit to a background check, or failure to meet clearance criteria established by the health care facility, may prevent placement in the Directed Clinical Practice/clinically-based course and thus, it may not be possible to successfully progress in or complete the program.

Health care facilities also require adherence to strict standards of conduct. Facilities may refuse educational access to any person who does not adhere to the facility’s standards of safety, health and ethical behavior. This may be cause for removal from the program.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the program is by special application. Information packets and applications are available San Diego City College Nursing website.

Prospective students are responsible for obtaining these materials in order to acquaint themselves with the admission policies and procedures. Information is also available at the Nursing workshops, held once a month. Schedule found on Nursing website.

Returning students previously accepted to the City College’s Nursing Education Program (NEP) may be required to repeat a successfully completed course prior to program re-admittance. Consult a Nursing Advisor for more details.

Progression in the Nursing Education Program (NEP) requires a passing grade of 75% or higher in each NRSE course. Successful completion of each course is required to progress in the NEP regardless of the course taken. The student may re-apply to return the following year.

Requirements

CourseTitleUnits
Program Prerequisites13
BIOL 205General Microbiology5
BIOL 230Human Anatomy4
BIOL 235Human Physiology4
COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:49
ENGL C1000Academic Reading and Writing3
PSYC C1000Introduction to Psychology3
COMM C1000Introduction to Public Speaking3
orCOMS 135Interpersonal Communication3
ANTH 103Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
orSOCO 101Principles of Sociology3
orSOCO 110Contemporary Social Problems3
NRSE 140Foundations of Nursing4.5
NRSE 141Pharmacology for Nursing1
NRSE 142Medical Surgical Nursing I4.5
NRSE 144Medical Surgical Nursing II4.5
NRSE 146Maternal-Child Health Nursing4.5
NRSE 240Medical/Surgical Nursing III4.5
NRSE 242Mental Health & Gerontological Nursing4.5
NRSE 244Medical Surgical Nursing IV4.5
NRSE 246Leadership in Nursing4.5

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