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So, you want to get intonursing school.Are you sure you want to be a nurse? Do you want to help people?Can you deal with blood?Vomit?Hurting people?Can you work with medical doctors?Patients’ families?Helping people survive?Can you work in an environment that includesdeath? Do you like to problem solve? Or, is it great money that has sparked yourinterest?

Have you done your research?Here is information about what nurses do, the pay, theworking conditions, and the employment outlook.Registered Nursing Labor Market Information

Have you decided where you want togo to school? Here is a list of programs in California.Pre-Licensure RN Programs You can get an Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or aBachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). With eitherprogram you will take a state exam (NCLEX) at the end.If you pass the state exam, you will be a registerednurse. Here is a good article about ADN vs. BSNBSN Degree vs RN DifferencesNote: In collaboration with California State University Sacramento (CSUS)we are now able to offer students an opportunity to pursue their Bachelorof Science Nursing degree concurrently during the Associate DegreeNursing program.ADN to BSN Collaborative - BSN Merger Track

What do you need to do to get into a nursingprogram?It depends on the program. It is very important to research the program(s)you want to apply to. Look for the following: Prerequisite classes Grade point average required Experience needed Additional graduation requirements Preference for special populations and skills, such as veterans andbilingualism Letters of recommendation or reference needed Application deadlines Additional documentation to include with application, such astranscripts Whether classes can be in-progress Is the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) required?

Sierra College Nursing ProgramRequirementsNursing programprerequisites:These classes must be completed (not in progress)before applying to the program. Anatomy (BIOL 5 or 7A and 7B)* Physiology (BIOL 6)* (Requires CHEM 2A as aprerequisite.) Microbiology (BIOL 4 or 8A and 8B)* General Principals of Psychology (PSYC 100) Nutrition (NUTF 10)* Introduction to Composition (ENGL 1A) Human (Lifespan) Development (HDEV 1) Math – 2 years of high school algebra orelementary or intermediate algebra (MATH A orD) or college algebra (MATH 12) or calculus orpre-calculus (MATH 16A, 29, 30, or 42) orstatistics (MATH 13)* Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology,and Nutrition need to be completed within 7 years ofapplying to the nursing programAlso, CHEM 2A is one of the required prerequisites for BIOL 6,but is not required course to apply to our nursing program .REQUIRED – TEASThe TEAS must be successfullycompleted prior toenrollment in the program.TEAS results fromAssessment TechnologiesInstitute (ATI) may be sentelectronically to the SierraCollege Nursing office; ormay be included in thenursing application packet.Students must achieve acumulative score of 62% tobe accepted into theprogram.

Here are the criteria used for admission into our nursingprogram. You can also find this information here.

Can I get into the Sierra College nursing program if I havea “C” in one of my science classes?Here are some examples of the multi-criteria points:Student A:Has an AA degreeMicrobiologyAAnatomyAPhysiologyCOverall GPA3.5No science repeatsReceived a TEAS score of 91Is a VeteranTheir score is: 70Student B:Does not have AA degreeMicrobiologyAAnatomyBPhysiologyAOverall GPA3.01 science repeatReceived a TEAS score of 91Their score is: 65

So, what do I need to be sure that I get goodenough grades to be eligible to apply? Be realistic about how many units you can successfully complete eachsemester. The average 3-unit class requires about 6 hours of homework per week.The average science class may require up to 15 or 20 hours per week of studyoutside of class. It would be difficult to be successful in science classes if youcannot spend the amount of time needed to study.Slow and steady wins the race. It is better to take it slowly, with one science classper semester, and take the time to get good grades. Students who try and rushthrough the prerequisite classes find that they finish faster, but don’t have the gradesneeded to get into a nursing program.Be sure to take any prerequisite classes needed for the nursing prerequisiteclasses first. For example, physiology and microbiology have a chemistryprerequisite. Chemistry has a math prerequisite. Anatomy has a reading prerequisite.It’s important to make sure you are fully prepared before signing up for classes.Get help if you need it. Speak with your instructors or your counselor if you arehaving difficulties in your classes. Use the campus resources, such as the tutoringand math centers. Put together study groups.Continued

So, what do I need to be sure that I get goodenough grades to be eligible to apply,continued If you cannot get into the impacted science classes that you need, you mightconsider taking some recommended courses to help you to succeed in thosedifficult classes. Here are some to consider: BIOL 55 is a very good class to take before taking BIOL 5 and 6. CHEM A is a good preparation for CHEM 2A. CHEM 2A is one of the required prerequisite for BIOL 6.

Here is a sample plan for a student who hasplaced into MATH A and English NSemester 1ENGL NMATH AHDEV 1PSYC 100Semester 4BIOL 4MATH 13ART/HUM44331454312Semester 2ENGL 1ACHEM AMATH DNUTF 10Semester 5BIOL 5ENGL 1BHIST 17A34431443310Semester 3CHEM 2ACHEM 2XANTH 2COMM 1Semester 6BIOL 6HIST 17B513312538

How does the application process work?Each college may have a different process. Be sure to check eachprogram you want to apply to.For Sierra College: All of the nursing program prerequisite classes must be completedbefore applying. Applications are accepted from February 1 through April 15 for thenursing program starting each fall. Once the application acceptance period has ended, all applicationswill be evaluated, with multi-criteria scores confirmed. All qualifiedapplications will be randomized and a cohort will be chosen. SUCCESSFFULLY SELECTED applicants ONLY will becontacted via the email address provided on the application within 4weeks of the close of the acceptance period (April 15). Please besure the email address is legible.

What is the TEAS?The TEAS is the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Itconsists of 170 multiple choice questions covering math,English, science and language.There are practice tests and a study manual available tohelp you prepare.You must take it before applying to the nursing program.A minimum cumulative score of 62% is required.

Other nursing programs to apply to in this area: American River College – uses a similar multi-criteria points system. Sacramento City College – uses a similar multi-criteria pointssystem. Yuba College – uses a similar multi-criteria points system CSU Sacramento – uses a point system based on GPA of theprerequisite courses, TEAS test score, second language proficiency,health related work experience, economic background, andenvironmental background.

Are there other careers similar to nursingthat I should consider? Here is a list of health occupations and educationprograms at Community Colleges in Northern m Some other careers to consider would be:Nutritionist or DieticianPhysical Therapist or Physical Therapy AssistantCommunity Health EducatorPhysician AssistantOccupational TherapistSpeech Therapist or Speech Therapy AssistantSocial WorkerDental HygienistRespiratory TherapistRadiological Technologist

What can I do while waiting to get into anursing program? Take the co-requisite courses- cultural anthropology or sociology,public speaking Take the additional degree requirements – art or humanities,intermediate algebra See what you need to get an AS degree in Natural Science Take additional classes toward the BSN. There would be additionalclasses needed for transfer such as critical thinking, history, andmath. Get training to be a CNA or EMT or Medical Assistant Take classes in a second language Research additional programs Volunteer

What are my chances for getting in to theSierra College nursing program?We receive approximately 300 applications each year. 40 students are accepted into theprogram. Our application process is based on multi-criteria, then random selection. So,each qualified applicant has an equal chance of being selected. To increase yourchances of getting into our program, be sure that your application is complete, alltranscripts are included, that you have completed all prerequisite courses, and that youhave at least a score of 70 on the multi-criteria enrollment form. To increase yourchances of getting into a nursing program, apply to as many programs as you can.

I applied, but didn’t get in.Now, what should I do?Here are some recommendations from ourcounselors: Be sure you have submitted a completed application. Check to see that you haveincluded everything required from the list on the application.Be sure you have received at least a 70 on the multi-criteria enrollment form. If not,you may want to meet with a counselor to see how you can improve your score.Apply again next time.Apply to additional nursing programs.Take the additional classes needed to transfer to a Bachelor’s degree nursingprogram.Consider other health related occupations.Get training to be an EMT or CNA or do volunteer work while waiting to apply again.

You’ve completed the nursing information workshop. If youhave additional questions that are not answered on ourwebsite Sierra College Registered Nursing Information thenyou may use our online counseling for assistance OnlineCounseling Center or, you may call the counseling office at(916) 660-7400 to schedule an appointment to meet with acounselor.

Thank you for viewing the Sierra CollegeNursing Program information workshop.

nurse. Here is a good article about ADN vs. BSN BSN Degree vs RN Differences Note: In collaboration with California State University Sacramento (CSUS) we are now able to offer students an opportunity to pursue their Bachelor of Science Nursing degree concurrently during the Associate Degree Nursing program. ADN to BSN