Santa Rosa Junior College

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Program Details

The Nursing Program has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, and prepares the student for entry into the practice of professional registered nursing. Students receive clinical experiences in a variety of clinical facilities and community agencies throughout Sonoma County.

The successful completion of this major entitles the student to an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN, the professional licensing examination to become a registered nurse.

It is strongly advised that all applicants attend a Counseling Pre-nursing Information Meeting and consult with a health sciences counselor prior to beginning the program prerequisites. The evaluation worksheet is an advising tool only. Program requirements are subject to change and students are strongly advised to consult with the nursing department regarding all requirements.

Registered nurses administer nursing care to ill and injured persons. The majority of jobs are in hospitals and clinics, but opportunities are also available in public health, education, and industrial settings. Nurses may also choose a specialty area, e.g. surgical, pediatrics, psychiatric, labor and delivery, emergency room, etc. As the population ages and the nursing workforce nears retirement, there is a significant demand for nurses regionally, and in California.

The selection process is in compliance with Title 5 of the California Education Code. Screening is based on a probability of student succeeding in an ADN program. The score is determined by a formula using the following four criteria:

-Overall college GPA
-Overall English GPA (ENGL 1A or ENGL 100, or ESL 100)
-Overall GPA in the following prerequisite sciences (anatomy, physiology, microbiology)
-Minus the number of repeats, withdraws, no credits, and incomplete grades in the core sciences (negative predictor of success)

LPN Program Details

The program provides training in vocational nursing. A minimum of 1,530 hours of instruction and clinical experience are required by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Clinical sites are arranged at local health care facilities and community agencies for a wide range of clinical hands on experiences. The SRJC vocational nursing program is accredited by the California BVNPT. No wages or stipends are paid to students during their training period.

Upon successful program completion, eligible graduates will be allowed to sit for NCLEX-PN (National Counsel of Licensed Examiners for Practical/Vocational Nurses) examination required by the BVNPT. Successful passing of the NCLEX-PN exam is required to receive the Vocational Nursing license from the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The vocational nurse (LVN) is an important member of the health team who works under the direct supervision of an RN or physician. The LVN provides direct personal nursing care and is able to perform numerous technical skills such as administering oral and injectable medications; performing cleansing, palliative, and remedial treatments; using specialized equipment and instruments in giving treatments; and documenting facts related to the nursing process and client care in written and electronic medical records.

The employment outlook for vocational nurses is excellent. Vocational nurses are employed in skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, MD offices, clinics, home care, the prison system, developmentally delayed facilities, public health departments, visiting nursing associations, Peace Corps, and other agencies.

Students completing the LVN program and who are interested in becoming Registered Nurses have many options including the SRJC LVN to AD Nursing Career Ladder Program, and many online college programs for LVN to BSN. It is strongly recommended that students interested in pursuing the ADN program take ANAT 1 and PHYSIO 1, not ANAT 58 and PHYSIO 58 to avoid repeat of ADN program prerequisites. See a Health Sciences counselor for more information.