Academic Catalog

Health Sciencess web banner

Nursing Associate in Science

Refer to Admission: Registered Nursing (NURS) Programs in Admission Information for special admission procedures and criteria.

As defined by the American Nurses Association, professional nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual and high-risk health problems. The Associate Degree Registered Nursing program at Grossmont College prepares men and women for national licensure to practice professional nursing in critical, acute, chronic, ambulatory and home health-care settings. For students without previous nursing education, the nursing courses cover four semesters in addition to the prerequisite courses required to apply. Nursing didactic is coordinated with laboratory experience in local hospitals and health agencies under the supervision of nursing faculty members. In addition to the nursing courses, the major requires selected general education courses from the natural, behavioral and social sciences.

Students are admitted to the Nursing Program based on a multi-criteria selection process which includes the following criteria: GPA of 2.5 or higher in the required sciences and general education courses for the Nursing major, previous degrees or certifications, life experiences, proficiency in a California State chancellor’s office approved second language, and the individual composite score of 62 or greater for the Test of Essential Academic Skills exam. Program applications are accepted during specific application periods and is a separate process from an application to Grossmont College. No waitlist is maintained however, for those applicants not selected, the opportunity exists to reapply during future application periods.

For all information on admission criteria, see the Nursing Program website at https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs/nursing/index.php.

California Licensed Vocational Nurses are eligible to apply for an LVN-RN Transition Program. Upon successful completion of required nursing courses, students will receive a total of 13 units of credit for Fundamentals of Nursing and Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing. Placement in the program is done on an individual bases. Please refer to the website for more information.

Grossmont College prepares the student for an Associate Degree in Science in Registered Nursing. In addition to the nursing courses, the major requires selected general education courses to be successfully completed for the degree. Upon completion of all degree requirements, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Associate Degree Nursing Program is an approved School of Nursing by the California Board of Registered Nursing located at 1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834. The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Grossmont Community College located in El Cajon, California is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, CA 30326.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. 

Graduates of the ADN program are also eligible to transfer into a BSN program upon completion of the program. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University and by private four-year colleges and universities.  View the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/entry/2630/.

Important: Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may influence eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A flagged background check or drug screen may also prohibit participation in the Nursing program, eligibility for state licensure and securing employment. Applicants with prior convictions are urged to visit the California Board of Registered Nursing prior to applying to the program at https://www.rn.ca.gov/

Application Period

An online application for the nursing major is required and will only be accepted during the application periods specified on the Nursing Program website. The application must be complete and include all required documentation. Incomplete packets will not be considered for admission. No waitlist is maintained for the program. The application must be complete and include all required documentation.

All prospective nursing students must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills exam (TEAS). This is a pre-entrance test that covers basic Math, Reading, English and Science. All applicants must pass the most recent TEAS version in order to apply to the program; no previous versions will be accepted. Students may prepare for this exam by going to the ATI testing website (https://www.atitesting.com). TEAS study guides and online practice exams are available for purchase through the website https://www.atitesting.com/teas/teas-prep.

Under the multi-selection criteria, points are given for a successful TEAS exam score. All applicants are strongly advised to visit the program website for all TEAS policies, procedures and detailed information on remediation and repeating the exam at https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs/nursing/students/future/apply.php.

Please review the entire TEAS policy prior to taking the exam.

For all information on admission criteria, see the Nursing website at https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs/nursing/.

Career Opportunities

https://www.grossmont.edu/student-support/career-center/resources.php

Administrator1
Clinic Nurse (Ambulatory Care)
Critical Care Nurse1
Emergency Room / Lifeflight Nurse1
Home Health Nurse1
Hospital Staff Nurse
Industrial Nurse
Medical Researcher1
Nurse Anesthetist1
Nurse Midwife1
Nurse Practitioner1
Office Nurse
Public Health Nurse1
Teacher / Educator1

1

Additional education is required.

The Program-level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) below are outcomes that students will achieve after completing specific degree / certificate requirements in this program. Students will:

  1. Provide caring, patient-centered, safe and holistic care that is culturally sensitive and utilizes critical thinking within the framework of the nursing process and evidence-based principles.
  2. Communicate effectively when providing care for multicultural patients and effectively promote patient advocacy for patients and families with integrity.
  3. Safely implement the professional nursing role as defined by the California Nursing Practice Act and the American Nurses’ Association principles of ethical practice.
  4. Engage in life-long learning as part of the professional commitment of the Registered Nurse role.

General Education Requirements for Nursing Majors

All Allied Health and Nursing students adhere to the graduation requirements outlined in the college catalog for the academic year in which they enter the program.

Competency Requirement

  1. Competency in reading, writing, expression shown by achieving a “C” grade or higher or in courses listed under Area A, Section 1 – Written Communication.
  2. Competency in Mathematics shown by
    1. Completion of MATH-120 Quantitative Reasoning or a higher numbered math course with a grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “P”; or a statistics course from another discipline with a grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “P”; or placing into a math course numbered MATH-170 Analytic Trigonometry or above.

Area A - Language and Rationality

Three courses (a minimum of nine units) are required in written communication, oral communication, and analytical thinking. At least one course must be taken from each of the following three sections:

1. Written Communication

Must be completed with a “C” grade or higher to satisfy the competency requirement.

ENGL-120College Composition and Reading 13
ENGL-124Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing 13
ESL-122College Rhetoric 16
1

Course is required in the Nursing major.

2. Oral Communication

COMM-120Interpersonal Communication 13
COMM-122Public Speaking 13
1

Course is required in the Nursing major.

3. Analytical Thinking

Must be completed with a “C” grade or higher or “Pass” to satisfy the competency requirement.

ANTH-215Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences4
BIO-215Statistics for Life Sciences3
ECON-215Statistics for Business and Economics4
MATH-103Intermediate Algebra3
MATH-108Beginning & Intermediate Algebra for Business, Math, Science, and Engineering Majors6
MATH-110Intermediate Algebra for Business, Math, Science and Engineering Majors5
MATH-120Quantitative Reasoning3
MATH-125Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics I3
MATH-126Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics II3
MATH-150Introduction to Computer Programming Applications in Mathematics3
MATH-160Elementary Statistics 14
MATH-170Analytic Trigonometry3
MATH-175College Algebra4
MATH-176Precalculus: Functions and Graphs6
MATH-178Calculus for Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences4
MATH-180Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH-245Discrete Mathematics3
MATH-280Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
MATH-281Multivariable Calculus4
MATH-284Linear Algebra3
MATH-285Differential Equations3
PSY-215Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences4
SOC-215Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences4
1

Course is recommended for BSN/MSN transfer.

Area B - Natural Sciences

Two natural science courses (a minimum of seven units) are required. All required science courses for the Nursing Major must include a lab.

ANTH-130Introduction to Biological Anthropology 13
ANTH-131Biological Anthropology Laboratory 21
ASTR-110Descriptive Astronomy 13
ASTR-112General Astronomy Laboratory 21
ASTR-120Exploration of the Solar System3
One of the following sequences:8-9
Sequence A.
Human Anatomy 3
Human Physiology 1,3
Laboratory in Human Physiology 2,3
Sequence B.
Anatomy and Physiology I 3
Anatomy and Physiology II 3
BIO-152Paramedical Microbiology 35
BIO-105Marine Biology4
BIO-110Environmental Biology4
BIO-112Contemporary Issues in Environmental Resources 13
BIO-114Heredity, Evolution and Society 13
BIO-118Introduction to Human Biology 13
BIO-120Principles of Biology4
BIO-230Principles of Cellular, Molecular and Evolutionary Biology4
BIO-240Principles of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology5
CHEM-102Introduction to General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 45
CHEM-110Environmental Chemistry 13
CHEM-113Forensic Chemistry4
CHEM-115Fundamentals of Chemistry4
CHEM-116Introductory Organic and Biochemistry 44
CHEM-117Introductory Biochemistry3
CHEM-120Preparation for General Chemistry4
CHEM-141General Chemistry I5
CHEM-142General Chemistry II5
CHEM-231Organic Chemistry I5
CHEM-232Organic Chemistry II5
CHEM-241Organic Chemistry I Lecture 13
CHEM-241LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory 22
CHEM-242Organic Chemistry II Lecture 13
CHEM-242LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory 22
GEOG-120Physical Geography: Earth Systems 13
GEOG-121Physical Geography: Earth Systems Laboratory 21
GEOG-140Meteorology: Weather and Climate 13
GEOL-104Earth Science 13
GEOL-110Planet Earth 13
GEOL-111Planet Earth Laboratory 21
GEOL-121Earth History4
GEOL-210Geology of California 13
GEOL-220Geology of the National Parks 13
GEOL-230Natural Disasters 13
OCEA-112Introduction to Oceanography 13
OCEA-113Oceanography Laboratory 21
PSC-100Physical Science for Elementary Education 13
PSC-110Introduction to the Physical Sciences 13
PSC-111Introduction to Physical Sciences Laboratory 21
PHYC-110Introductory Physics4
PHYC-130Fundamentals of Physics4
PHYC-131Fundamentals of Physics4
PHYC-140Mechanics of Solids4
PHYC-201Mechanics and Waves5
PHYC-202Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat5
PHYC-203Light, Optics, and Modern Physics5
PHYC-240Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat4
PHYC-241Light, Optics, and Modern Physics4
SCI-110Introduction to Scientific Thought 13
1

Course does not contain a laboratory component.

2

Course is laboratory only.

3

Course is required in the Nursing major.

4

Course is recommended for BSN/MSN transfer.

Area C - Humanities

One humanities course (a minimum of three units) is required.

ASL-120American Sign Language I4
ASL-121American Sign Language II4
ASL-140Inside Deaf Culture3
ASL-220American Sign Language III4
ASL-221American Sign Language IV4
ARBC-120Arabic I5
ARBC-121Arabic II5
ARBC-122Arabic for the Arabic Speaker I5
ARBC-123Arabic for the Arabic Speaker II5
ARBC-148Language, Culture, and Literature of the Arab World3
ARBC-220Arabic III5
ARBC-221Arabic IV5
ARBC-250Conversational Arabic I3
ARBC-251Conversational Arabic II3
ART-100Art Appreciation3
ART-120Two-Dimensional Design3
ART-124Drawing I3
ART-126Ceramics I3
ART-129Three-Dimensional Design3
ART-140Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory Through Middle Ages3
ART-141Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance Through Modern3
ART-142Art of Africa, Oceania and the Americas3
ART-143Modern Art3
ART-145Contemporary Art3
ART-146Asian Art3
ART-147American Art3
ART-171Introduction to Digital Art3
CHIN-120Chinese I5
CHIN-121Chinese II5
CHIN-220Chinese III5
CHIN-221Chinese IV5
CHIN-250Conversational Chinese I3
CHIN-251Conversational Chinese II3
COMM-135Oral Interpretation of Literature3
COMM-137Critical Thinking in Group Communication3
COMM-144Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity3
COMM-145Argumentation3
DANC-110Dance History3
DANC-120Dance Appreciation3
ENGL-122Introduction to Literature3
ENGL-126Introduction to Creative Writing3
ENGL-134Creative Nonfiction Writing I3
ENGL-135Creative Nonfiction Writing II3
ENGL-136Creative Nonfiction Writing III3
ENGL-137Creative Nonfiction Writing IV3
ENGL-201Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Literature3
ENGL-203Children's Literature3
ENGL-215Mythology3
ENGL-217Fantasy and Science Fiction3
ENGL-218Shakespeare - His Plays and the Theatre of His Time3
ENGL-219Views of Death and Dying in Literature3
ENGL-221British Literature I3
ENGL-222British Literature II3
ENGL-231American Literature I3
ENGL-232American Literature II3
ENGL-236Chicana/o Literature3
ENGL-237American Indian Literature3
ENGL-238Black Literature3
ENGL-277Literary Theme3
ESL-115Exploring U.S. Cultures6
ETHN-126Chicano/Chicana and Mexican Art3
ETHN-127La Chicana3
ETHN-134Introduction to American Indian Art3
ETHN-143Images of Black Women3
ETHN-144Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity3
ETHN-236Chicana/o Literature3
ETHN-237American Indian Literature3
ETHN-238Black Literature3
FREN-120French I5
FREN-121French II5
FREN-152The French-Speaking World: A Cross- -Cultural Perspective3
FREN-220French III5
FREN-221French IV5
FREN-250Conversational French I3
FREN-251Conversational French II3
GERM-120German I5
GERM-121German II5
GERM-220German III5
GERM-221German IV5
GERM-250Conversational German I3
GERM-251Conversational German II3
HIST-100Early World History3
HIST-101Modern World History3
HIST-103Twentieth Century World History3
HIST-105Early Western Civilization3
HIST-106Modern Western Civilization3
HIST-113American Military History3
HIST-126History of Mexico3
HIST-135Ancient History of Western Civilization3
HIST-136Survey of Medieval History3
HIST-137History of East Asia3
HIST-148Modern Middle East History3
HUM-110Principles of the Humanities3
HUM-120European Humanities3
HUM-125Women and Western Culture3
HUM-130East Asian Humanities3
HUM-135Blues as Literature, History, and Culture3
HUM-140Humanities of the Americas3
HUM-160Humanities of the Future3
HUM-170Modern World Humanities3
ITAL-120Italian I5
ITAL-121Italian II5
ITAL-220Italian III5
ITAL-221Italian IV5
ITAL-250Conversational Italian I3
ITAL-251Conversational Italian II3
JAPN-120Japanese I5
JAPN-121Japanese II5
JAPN-149Japanese Culture and Civilization3
JAPN-220Japanese III5
JAPN-221Japanese IV5
JAPN-250Conversational Japanese I3
JAPN-251Conversational Japanese II3
MCOM-111Introduction to Film Analysis3
MUS-110Great Music Listening3
MUS-111The History of Jazz3
MUS-115The History of Rock Music3
MUS-116Introduction to World Music3
MUS-117Introduction to Music History and Literature3
MUS-123History of Hip Hop Culture3
MUS-189Multimedia and the Creative Arts3
PHIL-110A General Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL-111Philosophy and Popular Culture3
PHIL-115History of Philosophy I: Ancient and Medieval3
PHIL-117History of Philosophy II: Modern and Contemporary3
PHIL-140Problems in Ethics3
PHIL-141Bioethics3
PHIL-145Social and Political Philosophy3
PHIL-150The Philosophy of Art3
PHIL-155The Philosophy of Science3
PHIL-160Latin American Philosophy3
PHOT-150Introduction to Photography3
PHOT-154History of Photography3
RELG-120World Religions3
RELG-130Scriptures of World Religions3
RELG-140Religion and Culture3
RELG-150Scriptures of India and China3
RELG-170Introduction to Christianity3
RUSS-120Russian I5
RUSS-121Russian II5
RUSS-220Russian III5
RUSS-221Russian IV5
RUSS-250Conversational Russian I3
RUSS-251Conversational Russian II3
SPAN-120Spanish I5
SPAN-121Spanish II5
SPAN-122Spanish for the Native Speaker I5
SPAN-123Spanish for the Native Speaker II5
SPAN-141Spanish and Latin American Cultures3
SPAN-145Hispanic Civilizations3
SPAN-220Spanish III5
SPAN-221Spanish IV5
SPAN-250Conversational Spanish I3
SPAN-251Conversational Spanish II3
THTR-101Introduction to Narrative Theory3
THTR-110Introduction to the Theatre3
THTR-130Acting I3
THTR-143Historic Costume for the Theatre3
THTR-14420th Century Fashion and Costume3
THTR-205The American Musical on Stage and Screen3

Area D - Social Sciences

One social science course (a minimum of three units) is required.

AOJ-110Introduction to Administration of Justice3
ANTH-120Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH-122Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion3
ANTH-127Cultures of Latin America3
ANTH-140Introduction to Archaeology3
CD-115Changing American Family3
CD-125Child Growth and Development 13
CD-131Child, Family and Community3
CD-134Health, Safety and Nutrition of Young Children3
CD-145Child Abuse and Family Violence in Our Society3
CD-153Teaching in a Diverse Society3
COMM-124Intercultural Communication3
COMM-126Communication Studies: Health and Wellness3
COMM-128Global Communication3
ECON-110Economic Issues and Policies3
ECON-120Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECON-121Principles of Microeconomics3
ETHN-107History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States3
ETHN-114Introduction to Race & Ethnicity3
ETHN-115Introduction to Cultural Competence3
ETHN-118U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I3
ETHN-119U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspective II3
ETHN-125Cross-Cultural Psychology3
ETHN-128Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
ETHN-130U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I3
ETHN-131U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II3
ETHN-135San Diego County American Indian Tribes3
ETHN-137American Indian Culture and Heritage3
ETHN-138The History and Cultures of California Indians3
ETHN-145Introduction to Black Studies3
ETHN-160U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives I3
ETHN-161U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives II3
ETHN-180U.S. History: Black Perspectives I3
ETHN-181U.S. History: Black Perspectives II3
FS-115Changing American Family3
FS-120Human Development3
GEOG-100Introduction to Global Studies3
GEOG-101Global Issues3
GEOG-106World Regional Geography3
GEOG-130Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape3
GEOG-170The Geography of California3
GEND-116Introduction to Women's Studies3
GEND-117Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
GEND-154Early History of Women in World Civilization3
GEND-155Modern History of Women in World Civilization3
HED-120Personal Health and Lifestyles3
HED-201Introduction to Public Health3
HIST-107History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States3
HIST-108Early American History3
HIST-109Modern American History3
HIST-114Comparative History of the Early Americas3
HIST-115Comparative History of the Modern Americas3
HIST-118U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I3
HIST-119U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives II3
HIST-122Women in Early American History3
HIST-123Women in Modern American History3
HIST-124History of California3
HIST-130U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I3
HIST-131U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II3
HIST-154Early History of Women in World Civilization3
HIST-155Modern History of Women in World Civilization3
HIST-160U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives I3
HIST-161U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives II3
HIST-180U.S. History: Black Perspectives I3
HIST-181U.S. History: Black Perspectives II3
MCOM-110Mass Media and Society3
MCOM-210Social Media in the Digital Age3
MCOM-250Introduction to Representation in the Media3
NUTR-155Introduction to Nutrition3
NUTR-158Nutrition for Fitness and Sports3
NUTR-159Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition3
POSC-120Introduction to Politics and Political Analysis3
POSC-121Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics3
POSC-124Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics3
POSC-130Introduction to International Relations3
POSC-140Introduction to California Governments and Politics3
POSC-150Introduction to Political Theory3
POSC-160Politics in Film3
PSY-120Introductory Psychology 23
PSY-125Cross-Cultural Psychology3
PSY-132Psychology of Health3
PSY-134Human Sexuality3
PSY-138Social Psychology3
PSY-140Physiological Psychology3
PSY-170Abnormal Psychology3
PSY-220Learning3
RELG-165Religion in America3
SOC-114Introduction to Race & Ethnicity 23
SOC-120Introductory Sociology 23
SOC-125Marriage, Family, and Alternate Lifestyles3
SOC-130Contemporary Social Problems3
SOC-138Social Psychology3
SOC-140Sex and Gender Across Cultures3
SOC-150Latinx Communities in the United States3
1

Course is recommended for BSN/MSN transfer.

2

Course is required in the Nursing major.

Major Requirements for All Nursing Majors

Registered Nursing Program Associate Degree Major Requirements

Choose one of the following sequences:8
Sequence A.
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Laboratory in Human Physiology
Sequence B.
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO-152Paramedical Microbiology5
COMM-120Interpersonal Communication3
or COMM-122 Public Speaking
Select one of the following:3-6
College Composition and Reading
Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing
College Rhetoric
NURS-118Nursing Pharmacology2
NURS-120Fundamentals of Nursing8
NURS-130Medical-Surgical Nursing I5
NURS-132Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing5
NURS-220Medical-Surgical Nursing II5.5
NURS-222Psychiatric and Community Health Nursing5.5
NURS-230Medical-Surgical Nursing III8
PSY-120Introductory Psychology3
SOC-114Introduction to Race & Ethnicity3
or SOC-120 Introductory Sociology
Units in the major64-67
Plus Remaining General Education Requirements for Nursing Majors6
Total Units70-73

Maximum totals include the 4 unit Anatomy course and the 6 unit ESL-122 College Rhetoric course.