RN & LVN-RN Advanced Placement Program Admission Requirements (prior to application):

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED equivalency

• Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher for all courses at or above collegiate levels

• Must pass Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and English 1 with a minimum ‘C’ grade

• Accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on combined Biology prerequisite courses

• Must complete 4 semester units including a lab component in each Biology prerequisite course

• No more than one (1) repetition in each Biology prerequisite coursework is allowed, W’s count as a repeat

• All Additional Graduation Requirements must be passed with a minimum ‘C’ grade and can be taken either before entry into the program or during completion of nursing courses

• ATI TEAS exam must be taken and passed with a score of 62% or higher

  • You must achieve this score in your first two attempts at the TEAS. If you cannot achieve a score of at least 62% in your first two attempts, you will not be considered for the COS Nursing Program. A minimum of 45 days between test taking is required. 

Additional LVN-RN Advanced Placement Program Admission Requirements (prior to application):

• LVN Program Certificate

• LVN License

*Local area hospitals require background checks and urine drug screen prior to clinical placement

Registered Nursing is an academic discipline concerned with the study of biological, behavioral, and physical sciences and will require critical thinking, effective communication, physical assessment, cultural competency skills, and abilities. A higher degree may be required to meet minimum job requirements depending on the position.

For additional information regarding minimum admission requirements and separate RN application process visit:

https://www.cos.edu/en-us/academics/nursing-allied-health.

Program Outcomes

• Provide safe, quality, compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care to diverse patients across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Engage in clinical judgment when making patient-centered care and other nursing decisions.
• Participate in quality improvement processes to improve patient care outcomes.
• Participate in teamwork and collaboration with all members of the healthcare team including the patient.
• Employ information management systems and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support clinical judgment.
• Use leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a Registered Nurse. 

Transfer & Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be prepared for the role of care provider across the healthcare continuum, as managers of care and as an active member of the nursing profession. As a staff nurse, graduates may work in the following: acute care, home care, long-term care, physicians’ offices, public and private facilities, and specialty units (Intensive Care, Geriatrics, Dialysis, Operating Room, etc.). Bachelor of Science in Nursing collaborative programs and transfer opportunities available. High school preparation for Nursing should include a good foundation in math, science, and English.

Note

This degree is not designed for transfer; however, the courses included in this degree may be transferable and apply to other degrees designed for transfer.

 Program Requirements

*

Courses meet General Education requirements and 13 units may double count above in COS-GE. Students earning a degree in Registered Nursing are exempt from the 2-unit PE subject requirement, and the 1-unit Information Competency requirement. Registered Nursing students are also exempt from the 3-unit Health & Wellness requirement; however, one of the following must be completed as an alternative: PSY 001, SOC 001, or NURS 106.

**

For more information on Advanced Placement visit the LVN to RN Program Requirements webpage. 

The Associate Degree requirements include completion of the:

1. Required major courses and restricted elective courses with a "C" or better grade in each course (required and restricted elective courses may be substituted with the approval of the Division Chair),
2. General Education requirements,
3. Subject requirements including *PE, *Health & Wellness, and American Institutions, and
4. A minimum of 60 units of degree applicable courses numbered 1-299, at least 12 of which must be taken in residence at College of the Sequoias, with a "C" (2.0) average (see Associate Degree Requirements for additional details).

Students who anticipate continuing their education for a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 020 and MATH 021.

Students should be advised that this program requires 71 units or more for traditional student and 55 units or more for LVN to RN students. Applicants will be required to complete background checks and drug screenings.