Programs | Courses

Nursing Program

Handbook
Related Information

Programs | Courses

Nursing Program

 

 

Expand All | Collapse All

Associate Degree in Nursing

 

Associate Degree in Nursing

2-Year ADN

 

Requirements


All courses in the major must be completed with a "C" grade or higher. Prerequisite science courses (Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology) must have a minimum combined GPA of 2.5. Restrictions apply regarding repeatability and recency. 

 

Students are required to meet with a counselor to ensure all other college degree requirements are met prior to entering the nursing program.

 

Please see the ADN Program Curriculum/Program of Study below for required degree coursework and additional information.

 

Prerequisite Course Units Notes
Human Anatomy
with Lab #		 BIO 140 4  May take combined A&P BIO 144 & BIO 145. If taking a combined A&P course both part 1 and part 2 must be taken. 
Human Physiology
with Lab #		 BIO 141 &
BIO 141 Lab		 4  May take combined A&P BIO 144 & BIO 145. If taking a combined A&P course both part 1 and part 2 must be taken. 
Microbiology
with Lab #		 BIO 152 5 N/A

English *

College Composition & Reading

or

Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning & Writing

or

College Rhetoric

ENG 120

or
ENG 124

or
ESL 122

 3-6

N/A
Psychology *
Introductory Psychology		 PSY 120 3 N/A

Sociology * 
Introductory Sociology

or

Intro to Race & Ethnicity

SOC 120

or
SOC 114

 3 N/A

Communication *

Interpersonal Communication

or

Public S

COMM 120

or
COMM 122

 3 N/A

Math *

Quantitative Reasoning 

or higher 

 MATH 120 or higher 3 N/A

# used to calculate science GPA     

* used to calculate fixed set GPA

 

First Semester

NURS118 Pharmacology 2

2
NURS120 Fundamentals 8

3.5 lecture
13.5 lab
NURS101 Clinical Reasoning 

2

(Elective)

2
NURS099 Open Skills Lab

Non Credit

Varies
Course Units - 12 Hours Per Week



Second Semester

NURS130 Medical Surgical Nursing I 5

3 lecture

6 lab

NURS132 Obstetric

& Pediatric Nursing

 5

3 lecture

6 lab
NURS102 Clinical Reasoning  2
(Elective)		  2
NURS099 Open Skills Lab Non Credit Varies
Course Units - 12 Hours Per Week

 

 

Third Semester

 

NURS220 Medical Surgical Nursing II 5.5

3 lecture

7.5 lab 

NURS222 Psychiatric

& Community Health Nursing

 5.5

3 lecture

7.5 lab

NURS103

Clinical Reasoning

 2
(Elective)		 2

NURS099 Open Skills Lab

 Non Credit Varies
Course Units - 13 Hours Per Week

 

 

Fourth Semester

 

NURS230
Medical Surgical Nursing III		 8

3.5 lecture

14 lab
NURS104
Clinical Reasoning 		2
(Elective)		 2
NURS099 Open Skills Lab Non Credit Varies
Course Units - 10 Hours Per Week

 

 

 

LVN to RN Pathway

 

LVN to RN Transition
LVNs with an active California license may apply to the LVN-RN transition program. Applications accepted every January and July for those qualified. Selected applicants will be notified and registered for NURS 210 LVN-RN Bridge Course. 

Associate Degree Requirements


LVN applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a current LVN license in California. 
  • Meet the same requirements as the traditional ADN applicants listed on the How to Apply page. 
  • Selected qualified applicants enroll in NURS210.

Advanced Placement in the program is on an individualized basis and dependent upon passing challenge exams from Fundamentals, Pharmacology, and Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing courses offered in NURS210.

 

Nursing Course

Title

Units

NURS210

LVN-RN Bridge course*

2

NURS130

Medical-Surgical Nursing I

5

NURS220

Medical-Surgical Nursing II

5.5

NURS222

Psychiatric and Community Health Nursing

5.5

NURS230

Medical-Surgical Nursing III

8

 *TOTAL CREDITS AWARDED FOR NURS 118, NURS 120, AND NURS 132 UPON PASSING CHALLENGE EXAMS IN NURS210.

15

Required General Education Courses for Program and Degree

 

 

Anatomy & Physiology 
(BIO 140, 141, & 141L OR-  BIO 144 & 145)		 8
Microbiology (BIO152) 5
English Composition (Eng 120 or 124 or ESL 122) 3
General Psychology (Psy 120) 3
Introductory Sociology (Soc 114 or 120) 3
Communication (Comm 120 or 122) 3
Mathematics (Math 120 or higher)  3
1 Humanities Course 3

 

 

 

General Education Units

31

 TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED

72

 

 

30-Unit: LVN to RN

 

30-Unit: LVN to RN

Transition Program Only

 

Background

 

The 30-unit option is prescribed by the Board of Registered Nursing in California as an alternative for applicants who are Licensed Vocational Nurses in the state of California. This pathway to becoming a Registered Nurse was designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become Registered Nurses. The students who choose the 30-unit option take fewer courses to become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN® and become Registered Nurses in the state of California. These students typically do not have to repeat courses that they have already taken (e.g., Pediatrics and Obstetric Nursing). This option is only available on a space available basis.

 

Active LVN license is required to Apply. 

 

Policy

 

  • Students who are considering the 30-unit option must meet with the Associate Dean of Nursing to discuss all options that can be explored prior to beginning the application process.

  • Students are required to complete the same application process as for the generic/traditional Associate Degree Nursing Program.

  • Students can apply during the application periods that occur twice a year only after all pre-requisites are completed.

 

Pre-requisite

 

Course

Units

Bio 141

Physiology

3

Bio 141L       

Physiology Lab                                            

1

Bio152

Microbiology

5

 

 

The 30 Unit Option includes the Following Nursing Courses:

Nursing:

 

Course

Units

NURS210 

LVN-RN Bridge Course

2

NURS220

Medical-Surgical Nursing II

5.5

NURS222

Psychiatric and Community Health Nursing

5.5

NURS230

Medical-Surgical Nursing III

 8

 

 

Total # of Units                                                                                                 

30

 

Advantages & Disadvantages

 

Advantages:

 

  • There are fewer courses to complete to become licensed.

  • There is no repeat of content
    (i.e. pediatrics and maternity) that has already been completed in their vocational nursing program.

Disadvantages:

 

  • STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COURSE CURRICULUM CONTENT OF ALL WAIVED COURSES. 
  • NO DEGREE IS GRANTED UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM

    (Students who complete the program do not earn the Associate Degree in Nursing).

  • THOSE COMPLETING THIS OPTION WILL NOT BE GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM THEREFOR, ARE NOT ENTITLED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NURSING PINNING CEREMONY OR OBTAIN A NURSING PIN.

  • MOST OTHER STATES DO NOT RECOGNIZE CALIFORNIA’S 30 UNIT OPTION AND WILL NOT ISSUE REGISTERED NURSE LICENSURE TO THESE STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED THE 30 UNIT OPTION

    (Students may not practice outside of the state of California)

  • STUDENTS COMPLETING THE 30 UNIT OPTION AND ARE CONSIDERING CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION FOR ADVANCED DEGREES IN NURSING (RN-BSN OR RN-MSN) MAY FIND APPLYING DIFFICULT
    (rn.ca.gov/careers/steps.shtml)
  • ONCE ADMITTED TO A 30 UNIT OPTION STUDENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO SWITCH TO THE LVN-RN ADVANCED PATHWAY. 

 

Before considering the 30-unit option, please consult with the Associate Dean of Nursing at Grossmont College to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.  Please contact the Nursing Program office at (619) 644-7300 to set up a time to speak with the Associate Dean of Nursing.


Applicants who desire this option will complete the same application form required for LVN-RN Step-Up students and should indicate this choice on the application form where appropriate. Students may apply upon completion of the program pre-requisite courses. 

 

Military-Trained Healthcare Personnel

 

Military-Trained Healthcare Personnel

CHALLENGE/ADVANCED PLACEMENT FOR MILITARY-TRAINED HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL POLICY

 

Background

This policy has been updated to be in compliance with the information provided by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) in EDP-I-37, revised in September 2019. According to current BRN California Code of Regulations (CCRs), individuals who present with relevant military education and experience equal but not limited to Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic), or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT 4N0X1C) are eligible for advanced placement in a pre-licensure nursing program. Any nursing courses can be challenged; however, individuals must have prior relevant education and experience that meet the specific requirements of each course. The Nursing Program limits the total number of units of nursing courses which may be challenged to 8 units of nursing.

 

  1. Military experience and/or education must be within the previous 2 years prior to the application period. The following are examples of documentation to be submitted.

    1. DD Form-214 demonstrating honorable military discharge.

    2. Official transcripts with syllabi of relevant military education and clinical experience demonstrating satisfactory completion of coursework and clinical experience.

  2. Applicants must meet all general entrance requirements of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, including but not limited to completion of science pre-requisite courses and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

  3. In order to be eligible to challenge nursing courses, individuals must score in the top 40 of the applicants applying to the Nursing Program as determined by the California State Chancellor’s multi-criteria screening tool.

  4. Applicants considering this option should review the College Credit by Examination Policy in the College Catalog (Under Credit by Examination) and Class Schedule.

  5. Advanced placement of Military-trained students into the Associate Degree Nursing Program is contingent upon space availability and successful passing of the challenge exams:
    1. Written Course challenge exam with minimum score of 75%.

    2. Dosage Calculation challenge exam with a minimum score of 75%.

    3. Passing score on Skills competency challenge exam.

  6. Candidates who completed Nursing courses from other colleges in which they earned a grade of C- or lower will not be eligible for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

  7. Information regarding evaluation and granting equivalency credit through challenge exams is available on the Grossmont College nursing website.

 

 

Procedure:

 

  1. Interested candidates must request an appointment with the Associate Dean of Nursing prior to applying to the nursing program to discuss eligibility requirements for the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

  2. Interested candidates must complete the entire nursing application which can be found on the Grossmont College Nursing Website. Additional information that must be included with the application is evidence of relevant military experience and education. 

  3. If a candidate is accepted into the nursing program, they must make an appointment with the Associate Dean of Nursing to arrange for scheduling of the challenge exams.
    1. The challenge exams must be completed at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester in order to allow time for placement in the appropriate clinical group.

    2. If space is not available in the class, the candidate will be given the following options:
      1. Enter the nursing program in the entry level courses (NURS118 and NURS120).

      2. Defer entry to the nursing program and check with the Associate Dean of Nursing the following semester to see if space is available in the class. The candidate will not have to reapply to the nursing program. The deferment can be done only once.

  4. The following materials will be available to the applicant once challenge confirmation is made:
    1. Course syllabus, including course objectives, content outline, and Textbook list.

    2. Example of style and format of challenge examinations.

  5. The applicant will be informed of the results of the challenge exams within one week of taking them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

† This course meets all Title 5 standards for Associate Degree Credit.

Expand All | Collapse All

NURS - 099 †

Nursing Skills Lab 

 

0 Units - 10.0 Hours Laboratory 

 

This course is designed to provide nursing students with individual and small-group redemonstration of basic and advanced bedside nursing skills. Supervised practice is available on a recurring, as-needed, and/or drop-in basis to improve student's performance levels. This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only. This is a no fee/no credit course.

 

Requisites:

 

Prerequisite: 

Admission to the Nursing Program 

 

NURS - 101 †

Clinical Reasoning Skills for First Semester Nursing Students

 

2 Units - 2 Hours Lecture 

 

This course is designed to help first-semester nursing students develop clinical reasoning skills to provide care for patients with basic medical-surgical problems. A variety of experiences are used to enhance clinical reasoning skills such as verbal discussion of various patient care scenarios, evolving patient case studies, simulations, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) practice questions. This course is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. This is an elective course in the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:

 

Corequisite: 

NURS 120  

 

NURS - 102 †

Clinical Reasoning Skills for Second Semester Nursing Students

 

2 Units - 2 Hours Lecture 

 

This course is designed to help second semester nursing students develop clinical reasoning skills to provide care for medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric patients. A variety of experiences are used to enhance clinical reasoning skills such as verbal discussion of various patient care scenarios, evolving patient case studies, simulations, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) practice questions. This course is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. This is an elective course in the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:

 

Corequisite: 

NURS 130 or NURS 132

 

NURS - 103 †

Clinical Reasoning Skills for Third Semester Nursing Students

 

2 Units - 2 Hours Lecture 

This course is designed to help third semester nursing students develop clinical reasoning skills to provide care for patients with advanced medical-surgical and mental health problems. A variety of experiences are used to enhance clinical reasoning skills such as verbal discussion of various patient care scenarios, evolving patient case studies, simulations, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) practice questions. This course is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. This is an elective course in the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:

 

Corequisite: 

NURS 220 or NURS 222

 

NURS - 104†

Clinical Reasoning Skills for Fourth Semester Nursing Students

 

2 Units - 2 Hours Lecture

 

This course is designed to help fourth-semester nursing students develop clinical reasoning skills to provide care for patients with advanced medical-surgical problems including critical, life-threatening events that the students might not ordinarily encounter in the clinical setting. A variety of experiences are used to enhance clinical reasoning skills such as verbal discussion of various patient care scenarios, evolving patient case studies, simulations, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) practice questions. This course is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. This is an elective course in the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:

 

Corequisite: 

NURS - 230

 

NURS - 118 †

 

Nursing Pharmacology 

 

2 Units - 2 Hours Lecture

 

This course is designed to familiarize nursing students with the knowledge needed for safe administration of medications in the clinical setting. Students will be introduced to basic pharmacological concepts, including pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics. Special consideration for the nursing role in administering drugs from a variety of major drug classifications will be presented. As the students utilize the nursing process, emphasis will be placed on safety, critical thinking, pharmacologic principles related to aging, patient education and effective communication across the healthcare continuum. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:
Admission to the Registered Nursing Program. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Corequisite:
NURS 120 or equivalent. - Must be taken at the same time as this course

 

Transfers to:

CSU

 

 

NURS - 120 †

 

Fundamentals of Nursing

 

8 Units - 3.5 hours lecture, 13.5 hours laboratory

 

Nursing 120 is the introductory nursing course. The focus is on the development of technical nursing skills and related theory as a basis for further nursing coursework. Nursing theory addresses assessment of persons and their environment in determining their state of health. The focus is on adult patients throughout the lifespan. Nursing care planning is introduced. Course content includes: the normal aging process, communication skills, physical assessment, and the nursing process. Scientific principles are used to support the nursing diagnosis. The nursing care of patients with disorders such as stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and COPD will be introduced. Concurrent clinical experience is in acute settings. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:
Admission to the Registered Nursing Program. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Corequisite:
NURS 118 or equivalent. - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

 

Transfers to:

CSU

 

 

 

NURS - 130 †

 

Medical-Surgical Nursing I

 

5 Units - 3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory

 

This course focuses on the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual changes patients and their families experience from diagnosis through treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions. This course builds on previous coursework, utilizing the nursing process, therapeutic communication, and critical thinking in meeting the health care needs of adult individuals and families across the healthcare continuum. The focus is on adult patients throughout the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on genitourinary, orthopedic, neurologic, and gastrointestinal disorders requiring surgery. Concepts of evidence-based practice will be integrated throughout the course. Concurrent clinical experience in acute care settings, the operating room, and post-anesthesia care units are designed to reinforce concepts learned and practiced during the course. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

***A required $50 fee will be charged for materials.

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:
Admission to the Registered Nursing Program at the second semester level or equivalent. - Must be completed prior to taking this course

Transfers to:

CSU 

 

 

NURS - 132 †

 

Obstetric & Pediatric Nursing

 

5 Units - 3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory

 

Building on the knowledge and skill of Nursing 120, the student learns about nursing care of obsteric and pediatric patient populations.  Obsteric nursing addresses the physiologic and psychosocial changes women and their families experience during pre-conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as the impact of the childbearing cycle on the family, population health, and outcomes.  Pediatric nursing addresses the nursing management of children with alternations in health, many of which result in chronic illnesses.  Environmental factors such as physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural elements are discussed in the way they impact the pediatric and obstetric patients and their families.  Refinement of critical thinking skills, clinical decision-making, and a focus on growth and development are emphasized.  Concurrent clinical experience is in acute and ambulatory care settings.  This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:
"C" grade or higher in NURS 120 or equivalent. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Transfers to:

CSU 

 

 

NURS - 210 †

LVN-RN Bridge Course

2 Units - 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory  
 
This course is designed to prepare the licensed vocational nurse for entry into an associate degree nursing program. This course focuses on the theory and application of concepts of critical thinking, physical assessment, nursing process, disease process, and nursing skills for the care of medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric patients. A variety of experiences are used to broaden nursing knowledge and skills to encompass the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse. These experiences may include verbal discussion of various patient care scenarios, evolving patient case studies, simulations, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) practice questions.
 
Prerequisite: 
A current, active California LVN license in good standing. Admission to the Nursing Program.  
 
NURS - 220 †

 

Medical-Surgical Nursing II

 

5.5 Units - 3 hours lecture - 7.5 hours laboratory

 

This course addresses patient focused nursing care of individuals with alterations in body organ systems to include endocrine, neurologic, renal, hepatobiliary, and immune diseases or disorders. The care of patients with cancer will also be addressed. The focus is on adult patients throughout the lifespan. The nurse considers the unique characteristics and abilities of the person, including the impact of the environment on the state of health and illness in the context of acute and chronic disorders, with a focus on the effects of aging on organ function. Concurrent clinical experience is in acute settings. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

***A required $64 fee will be charged for materials.

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:
"C" grade or higher in NURS 130 and 132 or NURS 210 or equivalent. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Transfers to:

CSU

 

 

NURS - 222 †

 

Psychiatric & Community Health

 

5.5 Units - 3 hours lecture - 7.5 hours laboratory

 

This course focuses on the nursing management of patients who have psychosocial and behavioral disorders. This course will also explore the role of the nurse caring for individuals, families, communities, and populations, with an emphasis on designing, implementing, and evaluating population-based interventions to promote health. Emphasis is placed on health promotion and prevention of population-based health problems. Consideration is given to populations experiencing chronic health problems being cared for in the home and community. The focus is on nursing considerations regarding environmental factors such as physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural elements and the way they impact hospitalized patients as well as those in outpatient and community settings throughout the lifespan. Concurrent clinical experiences are in acute, outpatient, and community settings, including day treatment centers. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

***A required $50 fee will be charged for materials.

 

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:

"C" grade or higher in NURS 130 and 132 or NURS 210 or equivalent. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Transfers to:

CSU

 

 

NURS - 230 †

 

Medical Surgical Nursing III

 

8 Units - 3.5 hours lecture - 14 hours laboratory

 

This course focuses on the nursing theory and nursing management of adult patients across the lifespan with multi-system alterations in health, which are more complex than those studied previously. There is an emphasis on diseases and disorders in the cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, and neurologic systems. There is a strong emphasis on the application of critical thinking and clinical decision-making in high acuity settings. The course also offers a campus laboratory designed to teach the students technical skills necessary to manage high acuity patients. Advanced airway management, ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, ECG interpretation, advanced neuro assessment, and other complex skills are presented. Concurrent clinical experience is in acute care and critical care settings. Concepts related to current issues in nursing as well as those related to the role transition from student to new graduate will also be integrated throughout the course. This is a required course for the Nursing Program.

 

***A required $190 fee will be charged for materials.

 

 

Requisites:


Prerequisite:

"C" grade or higher in NURS 220 and 222 or equivalent. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Transfers to:

CSU