How to Apply

 

Application Period Program Start
Jan 1 - Jan 31 Fall 
July 1 - July 31 Spring 

 

Admission to the program is based upon the California Community College Chancellor's multi-criteria screening tool, Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS ) score, degrees, work experience, life experiences, and second language proficiency. See Criteria for Admission Grid for the criteria and point values for admission screening purposes. Re-applications are permitted. 

 

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Obtain a student ID number

 

All applicants must have a Grossmont College student ID to submit their nursing application. Apply now for free to obtain a student ID for the first time. It may take 24-48 hours for you to receive your student ID number.

This is a two-step process:

  1. Create a CCCMyPath account
  2. Complete the 'New Application' on CCCApply

When selecting a major it is recommended that students select “General Studies: Science and Quantitative Reasoning” as their major.  Students considering transfer to a four-year university following completion of the nursing program may consider selecting “University Studies: Mathematics and Natural Science & Computer Science” as their major. Students may select Nursing as their major ONLY after acceptance into the nursing program. For additional information and educational planning, please see a counselor

 

Complete the Science Prerequisite Courses

 

Science Prerequisites

 

Anatomy & Physiology 
(BIO 140, 141, & 141L OR -  BIO 144 & 145)


Microbiology
 
(BIO152)

 

Must satisfy the following:

  • Must be the course number listed above, or the equivalent course if taken at another college.
  • Combined GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Science GPA does not consider +/- grades.
  • No grade less than a 'C'.
  • Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit will not be accepted for all prerequisite courses. 
  • Each science course must have a lab component. Labs should be taken in person. 
  • Taken at a regionally accredited institution.
  • Physiology & Microbiology within 7 years, and Anatomy within 10 years of applying. Only one of the science courses needs to be within the recency requirement for the Grossmont College Nursing Program to accept all of them. 
  • No more than one repeated course within the prerequisite sciences within the last 5 years. A withdrawal (W) counts as an attempt.  Switching tracks from Anatomy (Bio 140) and Physiology (Bio 141/141L) to the combined A&P I (Bio 144) and A&P II (Bio 145) will count as course repeats. 
  • If applicants received an Excused Withdrawal (EW) due to COVID-19, the Grossmont College Nursing Program will not count those courses as attempts.
  • Courses must be fully completed before submitting an application to the Nursing program.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA): 
Grade points: A=4, B=3, C=2

Course Units

Multiply 

Grade points  
=
Units x Grade points
Bio 144 4 x A(4) = 16
Bio 145 4 x C(2) = 8
Bio 152 5 x B(3) = 15
Total 13       39
      Take total grade points and divide by total units   39/13 = 3.0 GPA

 

See the Criteria for Admission Grid (point system) for more information on the number of points awarded for your GPA. 

 

The applicant's prerequisite course information and grades will be submitted by filling out the Prerequisite Course Submission Form that will be uploaded to the online application. 

 

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, use the Counseling Center booking site, or use the Email a Counselor feature.

 

Complete the 'Fixed Set' General Education Prerequisite Courses

General Education Prerequisite

 

English Composition (Eng 120 or 124 or ESL 122)

Mathematics (Math 120 or higher meeting graduation requirements for Area A3. Math 160 recommended for transfer to BSN programs).

General Psychology (Psy 120)

Introductory Sociology (Soc 114 or 120)

Public Speaking (Comm 120 or 122)

 

Must satisfy the following:

  • Must be the course number listed above, or the equivalent course if taken at another college. (The Nursing Program will not accept Anthropology to fulfill the Sociology requirement). 
  • Combined GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • 'Fixed Set' GPA does not consider +/- grades.
  • No grade less than C. 
  • Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit will not be accepted for all prerequisite courses. 
  • Courses must be fully completed before submitting an application to the Nursing program.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA): 
Grade points: A=4, B=3, C=2

Course Units

Multiply 

Grade points  
=

Units x Grade points

Eng 120 3 x A(4) = 12
Math 120 3 x A(4) = 12
Comm 120 3 x B(3) = 9
Psy 120 3 x C(2) = 6
Soc 120 3 x A(4) = 12
Total 15       51
      Take total points and divide by total units   51/15 = 3.4 GPA

 

See the Criteria for Admission Grid (point system) for more information on the number of points awarded for your GPA. 

 

The applicant's prerequisite course information and grades will be submitted by filling out the Prerequisite Course Submission Form that will be uploaded to the online application. 

 

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, use the Counseling Center booking site, or use the Email a Counselor feature.

 

Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

 

TEAS Testing

Applicants are awarded points based on their passing TEAS score.

 

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) has been approved by the state as a pre-entrance exam for applicants to the Nursing Program. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science, and English.

  • Successfully complete the TEAS exam and submit your results with a minimum score of 62%.
  • TEAS tests must be taken in person at a testing site. Remote test-taking will not be accepted. Remote tests will count as an attempt but not accepted. 
  • Only the TEAS 7 will be accepted. 
  • All attempts within the current version must be included in the application. The best score from your first two attempts (within the same version) will be used as long as the attempts are a minimum of 30 days apart.
  • If an applicant scored below a 62% on their first attempt, they will need to complete the remediation requirement before taking the second attempt.
    • Remediation Requirement 

      For applicants with a Total Score less than 62% on their first attempt, the following remediation must be followed in order to apply to the Grossmont College Nursing Program.

      • Remediation is required for those scoring less than 62% on their first TEAS test. 
      • Evidence of completion of remediation must be provided with your application to the Nursing Program.
      • You may use one of the following methods for remediation 
        • 1. Attend a TEAS prep course. These are occasionally offered at various educational sites throughout the county.
        • 2. Review the TEAS study manual and take two practice TEAS tests.
  • Visit www.atitesting.com for further information and to register for the TEAS test
  • For questions, please contact the Grossmont College Nursing Program at 619-644-7301 
Prepare additional documents if applicable

 

Additional Documents

Applicants may earn additional points on their application by providing applicable documents below. See the Criteria for Admission Grid for details on how points are awarded.

 

All forms must be signed along with valid contact information for verification. 

 

Healthcare Certification

  • Active California LVN license information, OR
  • Official government document indicating past or present United States Navy Corpsman status, OR
  • Allied Health Certifications must be active. A copy of a current Allied Health Certification may include but not limited to the following: Certified Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant, Dietician, Emergency Medical Technician, Home Health Aide, Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant, Optometric Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Speech-Language Therapist, Surgical Technologist.
  • Veterinarian Technician, Home Care Aide, or Behavior Analysis Technician will not be accepted. 

Relevant Work or Volunteer Experience

 Submit one of the following to show proof of health care related work experience with at least 100 hours and within the past 3 years:

  • Work/Volunteer Certification Form (TOP SECTION ONLY) signed by an employer, OR
  • Letter from employer on company letterhead verifying experience and dates of employment

  OR

 

Submit one of the following to show proof of health care related volunteer experience with at least 100 hours and within the past 3 years:

Held a Job While Completing Required Prerequisite Courses

Proficiency in a Language Other than English

  This can be shown in one of the following ways. 

 

  If advanced level language coursework was taken:

  • Language Certification Form (TOP SECTION ONLY), AND
  • Unofficial transcripts showing three semesters of a language other than English. The courses must be equivalent to Grossmont College's 220 level, or 3 semesters.

  If verified by your employer:

  • Language Certification Form (BOTTOM SECTION ONLY), OR
  • A letter from your employer on company letterhead stating that they have directly observed your language skills and are qualified to determine that you are bilingual.

  If verified through a fluency test:

  • Fluency test results.
  • Highschool transcripts showing validation of fluency test. 

Military Service

  • Veteran status or veteran's spouse: DD214, OR
  • Active Duty status or military spouse: Answer 'yes' to active duty status question within the online application and upload proof (DD214 or copy of active military ID) on application. 

Refugee

  • Official government document demonstrating refugee status

Disability

 

Grossmont Nursing promotes equity in our admission practices but does not require applicants to disclose their specific disability

  • Disability Certification Form signed by a healthcare provider, OR
  • Other documentation of a disability with sensitive diagnosis information removed. 
  • Please note people with documented disabilities must still perform essential nursing skills. 

Low Income

  • Documentation of eligibility for one of the following: Financial Aid, Cal Works, BOGFW-B (California Promise Grant Method B), Federal Pell Grant or EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services).
  • Please do not submit pay stubs or W-2s

 

Submit Application

Applications to the Grossmont College Nursing Program will be submitted electronically. Applications are accepted every January and July. 

 

 

 

Provisional acceptance letters will be sent within two months of the close of the application period. If you are invited into the program, the Nursing Program will notify you at the most recent email address submitted. All correspondence will be conducted through email only. It is extremely important that you maintain a valid account with the Nursing Office. Students are considered provisionally accepted, and become officially accepted once the requirements below are complete.

 

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Transcripts

 

Those accepted into the program will be required to submit transcripts from all schools attended. 

Immunizations & TB Tests

 

The following immunizations and TB tests will be required after acceptance to the program in order to attend clinicals. Please see the Immunization & TB Test Information Sheet for detailed requirements. No declinations are accepted COVID-19 or Flu Vaccine. 

 

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

Hep B (Hepatitis B)

Varicella (Chickenpox)

Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Acellular Pertussis)

COVID-19

TB (Tuberculosis)
Flu Vaccine 

 

Background Check & Drug Screen

 

All nursing students in all programs will be required to complete a background check and urine drug screen. This is a hospital/healthcare agency requirement. Students will be given the information to obtain these requirements upon admission to the program.

 

Important: Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may influence eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A flagged background check or drug screen may also prohibit participation in the nursing program due to the requirement for clinical experience.  All flagged background checks and drug screens are reviewed by the clinical facility the student may be assigned to.  The clinical facility makes the decision on whether or not to accept the student for clinical placement.  A denial of clinical placement due to a flagged background check or drug screen can occur at any point in the nursing program, including the final semester. Please visit the California Board of Registered Nursing website for related general info at https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-faqs.shtml#disc

 

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I have a misdemeanor or felony conviction. Will I be denied licensure?

 

Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may influence eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A flagged background check or drug screen may also prohibit participation in the nursing program due to the requirement for clinical experience.  All flagged background checks and drug screens are reviewed by the clinical facility the student may be assigned to.  The clinical facility makes the decision on whether or not to accept the student for clinical placement.  A denial of clinical placement due to a flagged background check or drug screen can occur at any point in the nursing program, including the final semester. Please visit the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) website for related general info at https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-faqs.shtml

 

Do I need a Social Security Number?

 

A social security number is not required to submit an application, but either a social security number or a taxpayer identification number will be required upon acceptance into the program. This is in order to meet the clinical agency requirements.

 

Am I still eligible if I have completed previous nursing coursework?

 

You must be in good standing with program in which you left with no indication of a failing grade in any nursing course. We do not accept applications from those who have been unsuccessful in-another nursing program.

Can I work during the program?

 

The nursing program is a rigorous program. It demands time and flexibility. The amount of hours a student can work is dependent on the individual. The amount of expertise in the area, i.e. experience in the field and academic level of the student all relate to how demanding the program is of his/her time. Typically the class time hours involve 6 hours of lecture per week and 14 hours of clinical in the hospital per week. This schedule is an APPROXIMATE. This does not count the number of hours required to study each week. The college uses hospital facilities as they are available, so having a flexible schedule is important. Often hospital assignments are not available until just before the beginning of the semester so flexibility is key.

 

I am just starting out, where do I begin?

 

If you have never taken a college course, first enroll as a student in the college by completing an application from the Admissions Office. The application is free and will allow you to select the classes you need. See admission criteria for the required prerequisite coursework. It is highly recommended that you 1. Attend a Nursing Program Information Session  2. Meet with a counselor to discuss a plan for completion of your prerequisite and General Education requirements. 

 

How long will it take me?

 

Students must complete their prerequisite courses before applying to the program. Once accepted and nursing course work begins the time to completion is 2 years. Nursing courses are offered in the spring and fall semesters. 

 

Is there a nursing counselor?

 

Yes. There is a dedicated counselor for the Nursing Program and Allied Health programs. However, all counselors at Grossmont College are knowledgeable about the requirements necessary for completion of the Associates Degree in Nursing. Follow this link to schedule an appointment with a Grossmont College Counselor. The Nursing Program website can answer most questions you may have regarding the program. If you need additional assistance, the Health Professions Specialist for Nursing can answer most questions.

 

How many hours a week of study is it?

 

The RN programs at Grossmont College involve intensive community college level coursework. A student could easily dedicate 40 hours a week to class-time and coursework.

What is the difference between an Associate Degree Registered Nurse (ADN) and a Bachelor's Degree Registered Nurse (BSN)?

 

Actually, graduates from an ADN program and graduates from a BSN program take the same national board exam (NCLEX-RN). The state license is the same whether you graduate from an ADN program or a BSN program. Entry level patient care is similar. The baccalaureate degree has additional education in leadership, research, and community health. The BSN nurse may have more management opportunities. There are many types of nurse specialties that require a BSN or MSN to be employed. For example, a public health nurse typically requires a bachelor's degree. Grossmont College School of Nursing strongly encourages our students to continue their nursing education and seek a BSN and MSN.

I want to be a Pediatric Nurse. Can I do that with just my Associate Degree in Registered Nursing?

 

Associate Degree nurses can work in any setting that requires a Registered Nurse. During the program students are educated in Geriatric, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Medical/Surgical, and Obstetric nursing. If a student feels inclined toward a specialty, the student is encouraged to seek employment in the area of interest and allow the particular health care delivery system employing them to assist in the specialization/certification, during New Graduate Programs.

I am have accepted a seat in another Grossmont College health Professions Program. Can I still apply to the nursing program?

 

Students who are enrolled/have accepted a seat in another Grossmont College Health Professions program are ineligible to receive an invitation to the Nursing program. Students wishing to apply to the program must apply for an entry date which does not conflict with the completion of the program currently enrolled in.

How do I determine whether the college I obtained my degree from is regionally accredited?

 

If you are attempting to receive points on your application for having a degree, the degree must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution. Follow the steps outlined in the Determining Regional Accreditation PowerPoint 

Am I able to transfer to Grossmont Nursing from another nursing program?

 

Limited opportunities exist for transfer form an accredited diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree nursing program into the Grossmont College Nursing Program. Transfer into the Grossmont College Nursing Program is based on space availability for those qualified transfer applicants. Students seeking transfer into the Grossmont College Nursing Program are encouraged to review the Grossmont College Transfer Policy found in the Grossmont College Catalog under Transfer Credit.

 

  • The transfer applicant must submit a letter in good standing on official letterhead from the previous Nursing Program to the Grossmont College Nursing Director. 
  • Good standing is considered passing all previous nursing courses with a C or better and have satisfactory clinical evaluations. Students who are seeking to be admitted as a transfer student and who have previously failed a nursing course at a previous college are not considered in good standing. 
  • Students transferring from another college or program of nursing must have completed all Grossmont College Nursing Program pre-requisites as well as general education courses in the Nursing Major before transfer will be considered.  See the Applying page for more information.
  • The Director of Nursing will evaluate previous coursework to determine equivalency of course work taken from another College or University. Current copies of transcripts and course syllabi are necessary for the evaluation of nursing courses.
Do I need the COVID-19 Vaccine?

 Yes. As a student in the Nursing Program you will be required to have the COVID-19 Vaccine. Declinations are not accepted. 

 

 

 

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, nationality, gender, age, or disability in admission or access to, treatment of, or employment in, its programs and activities.

 

GCCCD Nondiscrimination Notice