BEFORE CALLING THE DIVISION OFFICE, PLEASE READ THESE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM

Q. How do I apply for the program?

A. Make an appointment to see a Sacramento City College Academic Counselor in the Counseling Department in Rhodda North. The counselor will be able to advise you as to whether you are ready to apply to the Nursing Program. You will be required to provide an Education Planner issued by an academic counselor with your application.

Application and deadlines will be available during open enrollment periods from the SCC Nursing Website at www.scc.losrios.edu. Prospective students are encouraged to attend our information meetings which are held several times each semester and provide information on program prerequisites, enrollment process, and other facts about the program. Dates and times for these meetings are also available on this website. The information meetings are usually one hour in length. It is suggested that you bring paper and pen to take notes at these meetings. Visit our website to view all nursing program options offered by the SCC Nursing Department.

Q. If I am applying to ARC and SCC, do I need to see a counselor at each college for an Educational Planner?

A. Yes. ARC applicants must see ARC counselor and SCC applicants must see SCC counselor.

Q. Can I use my high school diploma for verification of high school graduation? Do I really need a high school transcript in order to apply?

A. A copy of your high school diplomas will not be accepted. You need a transcript with graduation date highlighted from an accredited high school in the United States, GED Scores, CHSPE Certificate of Proficiency, or AA/AS degree or higher documented on an accredited college transcript. Transcripts from a high school or college outside of the United States must be evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency.

Q. Do I really have to have all my prerequisites completed before applying?

A. Yes. All prerequisites must be completed before applying.

Q. Do I have to be enrolled at SCC to apply?

A. No you do not have to be enrolled at SCC to apply to the nursing program.

Q. Should I get my CPR certification before I apply?

A. This is not required prior to application.

Q. Can I apply with my last few pre-requisites in progress?

A. No. This means that you must have completed all your pre-requisites before you apply. However, you may apply if you are completing your co-requisite or general education requirements, but it is highly recommended that they be completed prior to entry into the nursing program.

Q. Do I need transcripts?

A. Get three (3) sets of transcripts. If you have taken and completed any college courses at any time in the past, order your transcripts from all institutions right away. If you have taken courses outside the Los Rios Community College District, you will need course descriptions of pre-nursing prerequisite courses for equivalency evaluation. Descriptions must show clear page numbers, year, and catalog identification. Course equivalency approvals must be completed before application due date.

UNOFFICIAL transcripts from colleges within the Los Rios Community College District (ARC, SCC, CRC, FLC).

OFFICIAL (sealed) transcripts from colleges outside the Los Rios Community College District.

Q. Do I have my transcripts sent directly to the school?

A. One transcript is included with your application packet and a second one is sent directly to Admissions and Records. Save the third transcript for your own records.

Q. Is there a recency requirement on the pre-requisites for the Associate Degree Program? How about for the LVN Program?

A. There is no recency requirement for the pre-requisites for the Associate Degree Nursing Program. There is a five (5) year recency for the pre-requisites of the LVN Program.

Q. What if my application packet is not complete?

A. The enrollment application must be completed in its entirety or it will not be processed.

Q. Do I need evidence of having met reading eligibility?

A. Yes. A copy of written proof that reading eligibility has been met must be included in the enrollment application packet.

Q. How long does the Associate Degree Nursing Program take to complete? Does it include summer school?

A. The Associate Degree Nursing Program consists of four (4) semesters with no summer school. Each semester is 16 weeks long.

Q. How will the students be selected for the Nursing Program?

A. Initially applicants are screened for program eligibility. To be eligible for enrollment, the applicant must have satisfactorily completed all prerequisite courses as described below.

The minimum combined GPA for these three science courses must be at least 3.0 (requires a B grade or higher).

BIOL 430 Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 431 Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 440 General Microbiology

The minimum combined GPA for the following four prerequisite courses must be at least 2.5 (requires a C grade or higher).

The class plus "alternates" are selected using a computerized random selection of eligible applicants who have all prerequisites completed with the appropriate GPA. The top 30 students are assigned "admit" status. Following the top ranking, an additional 20 from random selection are assigned "alternate" status. All other students are either "eligible" or "ineligible."

Selected students and alternates must take a proctored assessment test and pass at a score established for California Community College Nursing Programs, prior to being enrolled in the program. Alternates who achieve the passing score will be offered enrollment as spaces become available. Alternates who are not enrolled are guaranteed enrollment in the next available semester.

Students and alternates who do not meet the composite passing score will be required to participate in free remediation and have one year to achieve a passing score. Students who do not complete remediation requirements within one year and achieve a passing score will forfeit their space and required to restart the application process.

Q. What is the TEAS test?

A. The test is a standardized assessment test for pre nursing candidates in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, English and language usage. This is one of three acceptable assessment tests that California Community College Nursing Programs may use.

Q. How often are applications accepted for the RN Nursing Program? How about for the LVN program?

A. Applications are accepted twice a year for the RN Nursing Program, in April for the following fall semester and October for the following spring semester. The same applies for the LVN program.