Associate Degree Nursing Program Brochure

Advanced Placement/Transfer is defined as entering the program at a level beyond the first semester of the traditional Registered Nursing (RN) program. Applicants who may qualify for this option include Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN’s), Paramedics, individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, and those looking to transfer from another eligible RN program where they hold “good standing” status. A challenge exam may be required for appropriate placement.

Applications will be accepted during the RN application periods and acceptance will be dependent on available seats for the cohort that applicant is eligible for.

Course Requirements

RN Program and Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)

All requirements must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and students must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college.

• ENGL B1A – Expository Composition
• BIOL B32 – Anatomy & Physiology I
• BIOL B33 – Anatomy & Physiology II
• BIOL B16 - Microbiology
• COMM B1, B4, B8 or B11 – Oral Communication
• SOC B1 – Intro to Sociology or ANTH B2 – Cultural Anthropology
• PSYC B1A – General Psychology

Program Requirements

• Good standing student status (academic and in progress)
• Meet the minimum Essential Technical Standards
• Must pass background, drug/alcohol screening
• Must possess valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card
• Must have valid Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

Application Period

All application forms and transcripts must be received in the Allied Health Office (MS-178) during the designated filing period outlined below. Applications received prior to, or after these dates will not be accepted.

January 1 - January 31 (RN) for the Program scheduled to start in the FALL

July 1 - July 31 for the Program scheduled to start in the SPRING

• Applications must be accompanied by an official or unofficial BC (All required coursework must be on transcript.)
• Transcripts from other colleges/universities needing evaluation for this period must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office no later than Nov 1st for Fall and no later than May 1st for the Spring along with a Request for Evaluation form. This form can be obtained in the Admissions & Records
• Please note, the Admissions and Records office will need a minimum of 12 weeks to complete the evaluation

Bakersfield College General Education Pattern

General education courses are required to graduate from BC with an ADN. Students are encouraged to follow the CSU General Education pattern if there is a desire to pursue their Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN). See catalog for the CSU General education requirements. It is strongly suggested that most of these courses be completed prior to beginning the Nursing Program:

Associate Degree Nursing Program Brochure-refer to Bakersfield College General Education Pattern

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Application Procedure

• Read all instructions in their entirety before completing the application.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete ALL application requirements/procedures.  Failure to meet these requirements will result in an incomplete application and will not be considered for selection.
  • Access Application for RN program
  • Print and complete all sections. Check the box for Advanced Placement consideration. The application must be legible. (Appendix A / Multi-Criteria Point Allocation is not required)
  • Submit the application AND all supporting documents, including:
    • Official or Unofficial Bakersfield College transcripts showing all pre-requisite courses posted.
  • Program Transfer Students: Course syllabi and college catalog course descriptions from previous Nursing school at the time attended. Print out from pages of the catalog that includes year will be accepted. These can be located on each college’s website. Official letter of good standing from Nursing Director.
  • LVN’s: submit copy of current CA Vocational Nurse license, IV certification, support of work experience
  • Paramedics: must submit copy of current (CA) Paramedic license, support of work experience
  • Veterans: submit copy of DD214 and Official Joint Services Transcript

If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College:

• Apply for Admission to BC either in person at the Admissions and Records office or apply on-line.
• Order an official copy of your transcripts from your previous college(s);
• Submit the official copy of your transcripts along with a Request for Evaluation to the Admissions and Records office.
• If you have taken courses from Porterville College or Cerro Coso Community College you do not need to submit official copies of transcripts for evaluation, but rather you ONLY need to submit the Request for Evaluation form to the BC Admissions and Record Office so they can convert the coursework to BC equivalent courses.
• Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your BC transcripts, either order an official copy from the Admission and Records, OR print your unofficial BC transcript, AND submit along with the Online Application Form and supporting documentation to the Allied Health/Nursing Office, in the Math Science building, Room 178, during the appropriate application period.
• Please note, it takes a minimum of 12 weeks for transcripts to be evaluated by BC’s Admissions and Records Office.
• Upper division course work will not be posted on a BC transcript, therefore the student must meet with the BC Department Chair of the appropriate course and discuss the possibility of accepting that upper division course as a BC equivalent course. Allow time for review given program deadlines.

Application Selection Process

Applications will be considered that meet the requirements and have followed the application procedure. Dependent on seat availability and placement, applications will be selected through a lottery process. Those not selected will need to re-apply following the same application procedure for consideration during the next cohort.

Essential Technical Standards

Bakersfield College nursing faculty have the responsibility to educate and prepare students to become competent nurses who safely care for their patients and families using critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and refined technical skills. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review the Essential Technical Standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully progress in, and graduate from our programs. To be qualified for the BC ADN Program, individuals must be able to meet Essential Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. For further information regarding services and resources to students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations please contact the Disabled Student Programs & Services located in the Center for Student Success (CSS) Building, 1st floor, CSS 10 (661-395-4334).

Please visit the RN Brochure webpage

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Physical Examination Standards

A physical examination completed by the Student Health and Wellness Center or Healthcare Provider of the student's choice, is required upon entering the Program. This is to demonstrate that a student is in good physical and mental health, and meets the Essential Technical Standards necessary to meet the Program objectives.

Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required, and are performed at the student's expense.

Drug/Alcohol Screening

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to, and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening at the student’s expense. *Although the State of California has legalized cannabis use, it is still illegal under federal law.

Background Screening and Licensure Eligibility

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to complete and submit a background check, at the student’s expense. Please note:

• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical
• If students are unable to attend clinic due to background restrictions, then the student’s seat will be forfeited as they will not be able to meet Program/Course

Basic Life Support

Students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card. This BLS card must be valid at all times.

*This requirement may be fulfilled by completion of MEDS B52 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Healthcare Providers)

Estimated Program Costs (Gainful Employment)

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off- campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees. Dependent on your placement into the program, applicants can refer to the Estimated Program Costs for Advanced Placement RN program.

Program Accreditation and Approval

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The RN and VN programs have retained ongoing program approvals since their inception.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Registered Nursing at the time of application for licensure. For clarification contact the ADN Program Director or the Board of Registered Nursing, 400 R Street, Suite 4030, Sacramento, California, 95814, (916) 322-3350. Board of Registered Nursing-Enforcement Division

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians at the time of applications for licensure. For clarification contact the Program Director or the BVNPT, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, California, 95833, (916) 263-7800. Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians-Enforcement Division.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, Bakersfield College provides services and benefits to students regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, medical condition or disability. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to administration and participation in vocational education programs. (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.)

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Baccalaureate Degree

Pursuant to SB 1393, a student of a registered nursing program with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution is not required to complete any coursework other than that which is unique and exclusively required to earn a nursing degree from that institution. All course work must meet the graduation requirements and licensure eligibility requirements as set forth by the Board of Registered Nursing.

Associate Degree Nurse Program Curriculum

The following courses are taken AFTER the student enters the Program. Background and training will determine placement in program.

Fourth Semester Total Units: 7.0

Program Units - Grand Total: 18-26.5

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