Nursing (ADN)

Associate of Science (AS) School of Nursing · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Overview

The Registered Nursing Program is offered for qualified men and women to prepare for staff nurse positions in hospitals and similar health agencies. It is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduation from SBCC with an Associate Degree and a major in Nursing qualifies graduates to take the State Board Examination for licensure as a registered nurse.

The program includes progression through a four semester course of study in preparation for RN licensure. Nursing courses offered on campus are integrated with clinical nursing experience in community hospitals and health agencies. Advanced placement is dependent on past experience, clinical competence and knowledge of nursing content. A nursing course may be challenged based on a student's prior education or experience in accordance with college policy. Completion of the program requires a "C" minimum in all required and support courses, and a 2.0 average in all coursework taken at SBCC.

A separate application to the ADN program is required. Applications are available on the SBCC School of Nursing web page. Official High School transcripts or GED results, official college transcripts showing completion of program prerequisites, and official college transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted to the Health Technologies Office. Information meetings regarding application, curriculum, etc. are held one time each month during the school year. Please see the SBCC ADN website for dates and times.

Career Opportunities

Graduation from SBCC with an Associate Degree and a major in Nursing qualifies graduates to take the State Board Examination for licensure as a registered nurse.

Requirements ADN

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

  1. All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 50% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
  2. One of the following General Education options:
    1. OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
    2. OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
  3. A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
  4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
  5. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

Program Prerequisites: Required before admission

CourseTitleUnits
Major Requirements
Required Core
Semester 1
NURS 161Pharmacology Nursing1.5
NURS 162Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing I8
Semester 2
NURS 163Beginning Medical Surgical II6
NURS 165Mental Health Nursing2.5
Semester 3
NURS 166Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing III5.5
NURS 167Maternal Newborn and Pediatric Nursing4
Semester 4
NURS 168Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing IV5
NURS 169Gerontology-Community Nursing1.5
NURS 172Transition to Professional Nurse Practice2
Total Units36.00

** For students entering the ADN program without LVN license.

CourseTitleUnits
Other Course Requirements for Graduation from the Nursing program
COMM C1000Introduction to Public Speaking3
orCOMM C1000HIntroduction to Public Speaking - Honors
orCOMM C1004Interpersonal Communication
orCOMM 121HInterpersonal Communication, Honors
orCOMM 141Small Group Communication
PSYC C1000Introduction to Psychology3-4
orPSYC C1000HIntroduction to Psychology - Honors
orPSY 145Human Development
SOC 101Introduction To Sociology3-4
orSOC 101HIntroduction to Sociology, Honors
orSOC 113Sociology Of Sex and Gender
orANTH 103Introduction To Cultural Anthropology
orANTH 103HIntroduction To Cultural Anthropology, Honors

RN. These courses must be completed with a C or better to graduate and to qualify to take the California State Board Exam for RN (N-CLEX) BSN. For transfer to a BSN program, consult with an academic counselor and research specific BSN programs of your choice for appropriate course selections.

Requirements LVN to ADN

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

  1. All major requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 50% of the department requirements must be completed through SBCC).
  2. One of the following General Education options:
    1. OPTION 1: SBCC General Education Pattern OR
    2. OPTION 2: Cal-GETC Pattern
  3. A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
  4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
  5. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

Program Prerequisites: Required before admission

CourseTitleUnits
Major Requirements
Required Core
Semester 1
NURS 119Introduction to RN for the LVN4
NURS 165Mental Health Nursing2.5
Semester 2
NURS 166Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing III5.5
NURS 167Maternal Newborn and Pediatric Nursing4
Semester 3
NURS 168Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing IV5
NURS 169Gerontology-Community Nursing1.5
NURS 172Transition to Professional Nurse Practice2
Total Units24.50

** For students entering the ADN program with LVN license. LVN to ADN students start the program with the Semester 2 ADN cohort. During their first semester in the program, LVN to ADN students complete NURS 119 and NURS 165. During their second and third semesters in the program, LVN to ADN students complete the same courses as the students in Semesters 3 and 4 of the ADN cohort .

CourseTitleUnits
Other Course Requirements for Graduation from the Nursing program
COMM C1000Introduction to Public Speaking3
orCOMM C1000HIntroduction to Public Speaking - Honors
orCOMM C1004Interpersonal Communication
orCOMM 121HInterpersonal Communication, Honors
orCOMM 141Small Group Communication
PSYC C1000Introduction to Psychology3-4
orPSYC C1000HIntroduction to Psychology - Honors
orPSY 145Human Development
SOC 101Introduction To Sociology3-4
orSOC 101HIntroduction to Sociology, Honors
orSOC 113Sociology Of Sex and Gender
orANTH 103Introduction To Cultural Anthropology
orANTH 103HIntroduction To Cultural Anthropology, Honors

RN. These courses must be completed with a C or better to graduate and to qualify to take the California State Board Exam for RN (N-CLEX). BSN. For transfer to a BSN program, consult with an academic counselor and research specific BSN programs of your choice for appropriate course selections.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Evaluate nursing care provided to patients, families, groups, populations, and communities from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings to ensure that it is compassionate, age and culturally appropriate and based on a patient's preferences, values and needs.
  2. Collaborate with members of the inter-professional health care team to manage and coordinate the provision of safe, quality care for patients, families, and groups.
  3. Demonstrate use of best current evidence and clinical expertise when making clinical decisions in the provision of patient-centered care.
  4. Utilize evidence-based quality improvement processes to effect change in the delivery of patient- centered care.
  5. Demonstrate effective use of strategies to mitigate errors and reduce the risk of harm to patients, self, and others in healthcare, home, and community settings.
  6. Utilize evidence-based information and patient care technology to communicate relevant patient information, manage care and mitigate error in the provision of safe, quality patient-centered care.
  7. Assimilate integrity and accountability into practices that uphold established regulatory, legal, and ethical principles while providing patient-centered, standard-based nursing care.
  8. Utilize leadership, management and priority-setting skills in the provision and management of safe, quality patient-centered care.
  9. Utilize verbal and nonverbal communication strategies with patients, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds that promote an effective exchange of information and the development of therapeutic relationships.

Recommended Sequence

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.

View in the original catalog

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