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1. Can I work during the program?
It depends 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. Many students do work a part-time job
successfully while in the program. Typically the class time
hours involve 6 hours of lecture per week and 12 hours of
clinical in the hospital per week. This schedule is an
APPROXIMATE. 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 a key
success.
2. I am just starting out, where do I begin?
If you have not ever taken a college course, first enroll as
a student in the college by completing out an application
from the Admissions Office. It costs nothing and will allow
you to select the classes you need. The required science
prerequisite courses for the Nursing Program must be
completed before applying to the program. A G.P.A. of 2.5
is required in the science prerequisite classes. It is
highly recommended that you meet with a counselor to discuss
a plan for completion of your prerequisite and General
Education requirements.
3. How long will it take me?
The 2 year ADN and the Weekend-Evening Programs are 2 years
of sequential Nursing courses. This means you cannot take
any nursing courses part-time or out of sequence. The summer
between the first and second year is typically not scheduled
with nursing courses.
4. Is there a Nursing Counselor?
There is not a dedicated counselor for the Nursing Program
however all counselors at Grossmont College are
knowledgeable about the requirements necessary for
completion of the Associates Degree in Nursing. The Program
secretary can answer most questions that you may have
regarding applications.
5. 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 the class-time and coursework.
6.
What is the difference between an Associate degree
Registered Nurse (ADN) and one with a Bachelors Degree
(BSN)?
Actually, the state license is the same. Entry level patient
care is similar. The baccalaureate degree nurse may have
more management opportunities available to him/her in the
particular hospital facility. He/she may also have a higher
salary differential and unit responsibility because of
his/her education. There are many types of nurse specialties
that require a BSN to be employed in that area. 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.
7. I want to be a Pediatric Nurse. Can I do that
with just my Associate Degree in Registered Nursing?
Associate Degree Nurses work in most every specialty known
to the profession. During the program students are educated
in Geriatric, Pediatric, and Psychiatric, Medical / Surgical
and Intensive Care areas of specialty, among others. If a
student feels inclined towards 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.
8. I have a conviction, will I be denied
licensure?
There is a possibility that a prior conviction may keep you
from becoming a licensed health care practitioner. If you
feel that you might not be eligible for licensure due to a
prior arrest or conviction, please contact the California
Board of Registered Nursing at
www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-faqs.shtml
9. I have taken nursing courses at another
community college, will they transfer?
In order to be considered for transfer status, official
transcripts must be submitted to the Nursing office along
with an Advanced Placement application (available on the
Nursing website or upon request in the Nursing Office). The
application must also be accompanied by official course
outlines of each Nursing course and a letter of
recommendation from the previous school of nursing.
Considerations are made bi-annually in December and May.
Advanced Placement may be awarded for students seeking
placement in 2nd semester only. The Grossmont College
School of Nursing does not accept transfer students in the
first semester or 2nd year of the program.
10. I am a foreign educated Registered Nurse. Can I
be licensed here in the US?
Contact the Board of Registered Nursing with your foreign
transcripts. Transcripts and foreign Nursing Programs are
evaluated for eligibility by the Board of Registered
Nursing. If the student is found lacking in one subject,
often that deficiency may be completed here at Grossmont. A
copy of the letter from the Board of Registered Nursing and
an application for BRN Single Subject study can be obtained
at the Nursing office. The student must also demonstrate
proficiency in English by passing an assessment test with a
score of ESL 103 or higher.
11. I turned in my application and I haven’t heard
whether I was accepted, what should I do now?
It is advisable to follow up with a phone call if you have
not received a letter within one month of your transcripts
being sent to the Nursing office. If requesting transcripts
from another college, please allow one month for receipt of
those transcripts in the Nursing Office. Applications are
not processed daily; however they are time and date stamped
when received in the Nursing Office.
12. Tell me about the waiting list.
The School of Nursing accepts students on a
'first-come-first-served' basis once the required science
prerequisites are completed. We accept applications year
round for our 2 year ADN and Weekend/Evening Programs. Once
an application is complete the applicant will receive a
letter of status in the mail. We give applicants an
approximate entry date based on the number of applicants
currently on the waiting list. Placement “Numbers” are not
issued. Please do not call the office and ask for your
“number on the waiting list” it will not be given to you.
As nursing programs in the San Diego area expand, our
waiting list changes. We accept 40 RN and 30 LVN to RN
Transition students for the day programs in the spring and
40 RN students for the day program in the fall.
13. Do you have a Weekend & Evening program?
Yes, the weekend and evening program was started in the
spring of 2002. This program has been grant funded by
Scripps Healthcare and Sharp Grossmont hospital. Based on
continued funding, if the “Weekend & Evening Program” does
continue, seats are filled with applicants from our current
waiting list. In such cases, 30 RN students are accepted
from the waitlist. The next possible Weekend & Evening
Program will begin in the fall of 2009.
14.
If there is a Nursing Shortage, why is there a waitlist
for all the area RN programs?
Clinical facilities can only accommodate a limited number of
students in training. Safety of the patient is the highest
priority. There are over 40 RN programs in Southern
California. All RN programs are highly regulated by the
Board of Registered Nursing and are carefully evaluated. As
much as is possible, Grossmont College continues to adjust
its enrollment capacity. We graduate the maximum number of
candidates as possible each semester.
15. How much does the Nursing Program cost at
Grossmont College?
The
approximate cost of the program is $3500.00. This is
based on the the college's current
tuition fees of $20.00 per unit, health fees, parking
permits, immunizations and hospital requirements.
Uniforms, testing and materials for each class and books are
also included in this estimate. The approximate cost
is not due all at once and Financial Aid is available
to those who qualify. Upon acceptance to the program
the individual is encourage to visit the Financial Aid
office for needed assistance prior to registering for
nursing classes.
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