NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING (ADN) PROGRAM
Registered Nursing (ADN) (napavalley.edu)
The Associate Degree Program in Nursing (ADN) is a four-semester program approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
(BRN). It is designed to prepare qualified men & women to practice nursing in entry-level positions. Upon completion of the program,
the student is awarded an AS Degree in Nursing & is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing
(NCLEX-RN). Opportunities are provided for advanced placement, transfer and challenge exam credit.
The Associate Degree Nurse is prepared to coordinate, plan & provide nursing care in hospitals & community settings. The
Registered Nurse assists patients with personal care, provides teaching & counseling to prevent illness and promote health, performs
specialized treatments, & administers medications. Registered Nurses function as team leaders & direct the care provided by Licensed
Vocational Nurses (LVNs), nursing assistants (aides), as well as unlicensed health-care workers
.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
• Complete a Napa Valley College Application, do this online at www.napavalley.edu.
• Meet with an NVC counselor to review prerequisite requirements. Obtain and bring to them “Official Transcripts” from your High School (or
equivalent GED certificate, CHSPE Certificate) and College(s). If they are sent to you instead of directly to Napa Valley College, DO NOT
OPEN THE ENVELOPE; WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT SEALED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. If your High School or College transcripts are from
outside the U.S. they must be evaluated by an International Evaluation service prior to submission of your application.
• Submit an official transcript with a score of 62% or better on the Test of Essential Academic Skills, the NEW TEAS exam. The
TEAS exam measures basic essential skills in the academic areas of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language use. The objectives
assessed are those which nurse educators have deemed most appropriate and relevant to measure entry-level skills and abilities in nursing
program applicants. The TEAS exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions and has been proven to be a statistically significant predictor of
early nursing school success. Please click here to get more information on TEAS testing.
• Complete the Prerequisite courses found on the “Applicant Information” link on the ADN webpage: Applicant Information (napavalley.edu)
• Hep B, MMR and Varicella TITERS and COVID vaccination series. NEW INFORMATION (5/21/24): We no longer require the
yearly COVID booster. If accepted into the program, you may be subject to weekly COVID testing at certain
clinical sites. Please note, this may change again as clinical sites' policies and procedures change.
You can add them to
the application, or email to cmiller@napavalley.edu prior to application period. Please visit
Health & Safety Requirements (napavalley.edu)
for more information.
• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) State Certificate. Please see “Frequently Asked Questions” for more detailed information. Please note: Your
CNA state certification must remain current throughout the program.
When you have met all requirements, you may then submit your application to the Admissions & Records (A&R) office as per the description on the
“ADN Applicant Information” link on the webpage.
Eligibility to enter the Nursing Programs is determined by meeting admission requirements as above and meeting
the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Formula with a score of 70% or better. This “composite
score” includes a combination of: (a) overall college GPA (b) English GPA (All English Classes with letter grades)
(c) core Biology (Anatomy, Physiology & Microbiology) GPA & (d) core Biology course repetition(s).
While waiting to begin the Program, you should start working on completing your General Education requirements (page 4, courses listed in bold
and underlined) and some of the highly recommended courses listed below.
• ANTH 121 - Introduction to Cultural
Anthropology
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COURSES/ADVISORY
• HUMA 104 - Comparative Religions
• PSYC 128 - Cross Cultural Psychology
• ANTH 150 - Cross-Cultural Study of Sex
Roles
• ANTH 180 - Childhood: A Cross-Cultural
Perspective
• ASL 120 - American Sign Language
• CISA 130 - Computer Literacy
• ENGL 125 - Critical Thinking
• HEOC 171 - Medical Terminology (available
online)
• MATH 232 - Statistics (Required by CSU’s)
• PSYC 135 - Introduction to Human
Sexuality
• HEOC 101 – Pharmacology (available
online
• SPAN 120 - First Semester Spanish
• Drug Dosage Calculation (not currently
offered at NVC)
ESTIMATED COSTS
In addition to usual college tuition and fees, ADN students will have added expenses for uniforms, books, lab kits, orientations,
standardized examinations, background checks and drug screening, HealthStream modules and licensing expenses. Fees may be paid
using a variety of payment methods including online. (Approximately $6,000.00)
HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Please visit our Health & Safety page on our website Health & Safety Requirements (napavalley.edu) for guidelines and
requirements.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/DRUG SCREENS
The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) may deny licensure to any person who has been convicted of a crime. If you have had such a
conviction, you should review the California Nurse Practice Act-Section 480 at www.rn.ca.gov. T
he program requires background checks for all
students because hospitals require background checks and drug screens. Students will need to pay online for background checks and drug screenings.
If they do not clear, they may not be able to meet clinical requirements and may have to be dropped from the program. See student handbook for
additional information.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Students transferring from other nursing programs may be considered for entrance into the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semester of the ADN program as long
as there is space and resources available. They must also have passed a Nursing class within two years and be able to demonstrate competent
skills at the level of admission. Admission requirements are as per page one. Submit nursing course descriptions with your unofficial transcripts to the
Director of Nursing via email, with your request for transfer. The Director will complete a transcript evaluation of nursing courses and then discuss
potential placement in the NVC program dependent on space and resources available at that time. Re-admits to the program take priority.
Please note: Nursing programs offer different content within semesters. For example: 2
nd
semester students from XYZ college does not necessarily
mean you will enter 3
rd
semester at NVC.
Please contact Napa Valley College Counseling Department should you have any academic related (prereq or degree requirement) questions at
707-256-7220. Any transferring student must complete at least 12 units of courses at Napa Valley College to earn your A.S. Degree.
LVN to ADN Requests
There is no “VN/Paramedic to ADN program” currently. At this time, VN’s may apply to the ADN program as a new applicant, so
long as all prerequisites are met.
Students requesting placement should contact the Program Director via email with request, brief educational and work
experience, as well as unofficial transcript attached. LVN applicants who desire to enter the ADN program will be subject to the same eligibility requirements as other
ADN students indicated in preceding pages. As indicated, students may be admitted to the ADN program only on a space/resource available basis when there is a bridge
program available.
Required Prerequisites:
• A current valid California LVN license
• Successful Skills demonstration
• ENGL 120 – Reading & Composition I
• BIOL 218 – Human Anatomy AND BIOL 219 – Human Physiology (4-5 units)
• BIOL 220 – General Microbiology (4-5 units)
• PSYC 125 – Human Growth & Development (Life Span)
30 Unit Option: The 30-unit option was created by the legislature for LVN's. LVN's complete 30 units of nursing and related sciences, but do not
meet graduation requirements for the ADN Program. They may be able to take the NCLEX-RN in California ONLY and may not be able
to become licensed by endorsement in other states. Students choosing the 30-unit option are enrolled on a space/resource available basis only and
must declare their intent for the 30 unit option to the Director of Nursing prior to evaluation / acceptance into the program.
Once enrolled in the ADN program, a graduation-track student may not decide to change to the 30 unit option, nor may a 30 unit option student
decide to change to graduation- track.
MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VETERANS:
Military Personnel and Veterans may be eligible for enrollment into Napa Valley College Associate Degree Nursing Program based on the following
requirements:
1. Recency of education and experience within the last two years prior to application. However, competency may be verified for each course, per
program policy.
2. Education and experience meet the basic requirements per college guidelines.
3. Honorable discharge (DD214) or current active honorable service required (letter from supervisor). Military records and transcripts must be
reviewed by a counselor.
Pathways have been established to assist with obtaining nursing credit for previous education and experience. These guidelines apply to ADN
program applicant only, not to include Veteran’s spouses or children.
Pathway 1- Including but not limited to Basic Medical Technician (Navy Hospital Corpsman) or USAF Basic Medical Service Technician or Army
Medical specialist.
a) Challenge exam per college policy for the first semester of the ADN program.
• The course(s) challenged are based on the needs and prior experience of the individual requesting.
• Candidates must meet the same eligibility requirements for admission into the ADN program as other
applicants, including completion of prerequisites.
Pathway II- Including but not limited to Basic Medical Technician (Navy Hospital Corpsman) or USAF Basic Medical Service Technician or Army
medical Specialist with an active California LVN license (Licensed Vocational Nurse) either through challenge (BVNPT Method 4) or successful
completion of an LVN program.
a) Credit given to applicants as an LVN to RN candidate per school admission policies.
b) An LVN to RN transition course is required and must be completed with a passing grade.
c) Program shall determine which course(s) the veteran or corpsman will need to complete based on the criterion established by the program.
d) Admission to the program is on a space available basis.
e) Applicants need to demonstrate theory and clinical competency in Obstetrics and Pediatrics.
f) All ADN prerequisites must be completed prior to the LVN to RN transition course.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION (CHALLENGE)
See the NVC Catalog concerning credit by examination. In accordance with college policy, credit by examination may not be used to change a
previous grade, to remove a “W” (Withdrawal) notation or to change an “I” (Incomplete grade). The grade and credit on a challenge exam, including
grades of “D” and “F”, will become part of a student’s permanent record. Students seeking to challenge a nursing course must (1) take the exams in
sequential order and achieve a minimum grade of “C” (75%) or equivalent (per student handbook) and (2) pass a demonstration of clinical proficiency
for the course being challenged. *Please note that the failure of either of these indicators of proficiency will be considered a failure in the course and
give a grade of “F” and cannot be repeated via challenge exam process.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
The Napa Valley Community College District, in compliance with state and federal policies, regulations and statues, does not unlawfully
discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital
status, gender, sexual orientation, or age. The college encourages participation by minorities, women and persons with disabilities in the
district’s employment and educational opportunities.
The college is committed to overcoming gender discrimination and stereotyping in vocational education programs. The lack of
English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career education programs.
For information regarding the college’s equal opportunity/affirmative action policies or to file a complaint, contact Dr. Oscar DeHaro, Vice President, Student Services (707)
2567365,.For information regarding the requirements of Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act or to file a complaint,
contact Special Services, 707-253-3080 (voice), 707-253-3085 (TDD).
SOME CLINICAL FACILITIES AFFILIATED WITH NVC
• Queen of the Valley Medical Center & • Kaiser Hospital – Vallejo/Vacaville • Piner’s Nursing Home
Community Sites • Veterans Home – Yountville • Napa Valley Care & Rehab Center
• Sonoma Valley Hospital • St. Helena Behavioral Health- Vallejo • Meadows Napa Valley Facility
• St. Helena Hospital • North Bay Medical Center
• Napa State Hospital
The following sequence of courses is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing and the Chancellors Office currently. The only
way to reduce the time demand is to take the non-nursing courses BEFORE starting the program.
PREREQUISITES
Nursing Assistant Certification in the State of California is required.
APPROVED
SEQUENCE OF COURSES
UNITS
THEORY HOURS
LAB/CLINICAL
HOURS
TOTAL HOURS
TITLE OF PREREQUISITE COURSES
BIOL 218–Human Anatomy AND
5
3/week
6/week
9/week
BIOL 219–Human Physiology or Equivalent
5
3/week
6/week
9/week
BIOL 220 – General Microbiology or Equivalent
5
3/week
6/week
9/week
ENGL 120 – Reading and Composition I
3
3/week
0
3/week
PSYC 125- Human Growth & Development (Life-span)
3
3/week
0
3/week
SPCOM 124- Career Communications or Equivalent (includes
Public Speaking and Interpersonal communication)
3
54
0
54
TOTAL
24
*Math requirement is a pre-requisite for the Sciences and should
include Math 106 (College Algebra) or Math 232 (Statistics) or
equivalent, which will also make you transfer ready for a higher
degree, if desired. Those who do not do this are often unprepared
for the medication calculations required to pass the nursing courses.
FIRST SEMESTER
NURS 151 – Nursing Fundamentals
4
36
108
144
NURS 152 – Health & Wellness, Chronic Illness & Geriatric Care
7.5
72
192
264
TOTAL
11.5
SECOND SEMESTER
NURS 153 – Maternal Newborn Nursing Care
4.5
48
100
148
NURS 154 – Mental Health Nursing Care
4.5
48
100
148
NURS 155 – Pediatric Nursing Care
2.5
24
64
88
TOTAL
11.5
THIRD SEMESTER
NURS 251 – Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness I
12
108
324
432
Social Science elective (except PSYC 125) from approved A.S.
3
3
0
3
Degree list
TOTAL
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
*NURS 252 – Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness II
8
72
216
288
*NURS 253 – Capstone Course
4
24
144
168
Humanities from approved A.S. Degree List
3
3
0
3
TOTAL
*Required for LVN’s
– Advanced Placement – NURS 156 Transition
Prior to second year (and not currently available)
15
• Courses listed above in BOLD AND UNDERLINED can all be taken before starting the nursing courses.
• Students must complete MATH 106 (College Algebra) or higher, or equivalent, to meet graduation requirements at NVC.
• To remain in the nursing program, and qualify for the A.S. degree, students must maintain a “C” grade or above, in all required Arts &
Science courses & Nursing theory courses, have satisfactory evaluations in all clinical experiences & meet national standards in
standardized tests.
• SPCOM 124 includes Public Speaking as well as Interpersonal Communications. Equivalent coursework may substitute.
• Humanities is a degree requirement. It is not required for eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN. Students who do not receive an A.S. degree in
Nursing probably will not be eligible for licensure by endorsement in other states.
• Students may select a Social Science or Humanities elective that meets the Cultural Diversity requirement for graduation.
• Multicultural/Gender Studies is a degree requirement (Course may double count for one other general education area, where that
particular course appears). Courses will explore cross-cultural views, including male/female perspectives and contributions.
• Computer literacy is required in the program.
The best way to ensure all requirements have been met for the program and graduation is to keep in contact with your
NVC college counselor.
BSN PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
NVC counselors & the Transfer Center can help you prepare for transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing program at a 4-year college after you
finish your ADN at NVC. Review catalogs in the Transfer Center & meet with a counselor for appropriate advice in setting your educational
goals.
Other Opportunities for BSN (MSN) by way of concurrent collaboratives with NVC ADN Program:
Sonoma State University- For information, go to http://www.sonoma.edu/nursing/bsn-post/cnecm.html
University of Phoenix that allows students to work on their ADN and BSN concurrently. For information
please email: gloria-[email protected] or laura.burch@phoenix.edu or hauntel.jac[email protected].
Ohio University- For information, please contact Renee Morris at [email protected].
Grand Canyon University- For information, please email Monique Hollis Patrick at
monique.hollisp[email protected]du.
WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP! www.napavalley.edu
Financial Aid Office: for your questions about eligibility for Financial Aid
and Scholarships. 707
-256-7300
Testing and Tutoring Center: All students are encouraged to complete
Math and English placement testing before they register. 707
- 256-
7437 or [email protected].
Counselor: for help understanding Nursing program requirements,
setting an Ed Plan, or with plans for a transfer to a 4
-year Nursing
degree program. 707
-256-7220
Admissions & Records: Administration Building (A & R)
Margarita Ceja
- Nursing Admissions Coordinator Contact
by email
Diagnostic Learning Service Department: Diagnostic assessments for
those who might have a learning disability. 707
-256-7345
Program Coordinator: Karen Canepa RN, MSN, CCRN, CWCN, PHN
707
-256-7611; 707-256-7609 (Fax); Email-
Revised/Posted 4/2024
