Nursing FAQs

ADN Associate degrees (two-year programs) are offered at technical schools, community colleges or universities. They focus on the core of nursing information, sciences, and general education to support nursing. These programs provide the foundation to enter the nursing discipline at a beginning level.

BSN Baccalaureate degrees (four-year programs offered at colleges and universities) prepare nurses to provide comprehensive service to individuals, families, groups, and communities. These programs are designed to develop critical thinking and nursing skills at a higher level.

*All programs prepare students to sit for the same National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The difference is in the academic degree conferred by the college or university. Many facilities hire RNs from any level; others hire only those with baccalaureate degrees or higher. Most management opportunities go to those with the higher degrees. A baccalaureate degree in nursing is needed to pursue graduate nursing education.

GWC, School of Nursing is currently approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) https://rn.ca.gov/ and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) https://www.acenursing.org/. Golden West College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC) https://accjc.org/.

Updated results can be found at: https://www.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml scroll down until you see Golden West College. You can also review our program stats found at the bottom of the Nursing Page under the Achievement Data link.

No, all information regarding the application, eligibility, the selection process, cost, etc. can be found on our website and Online Orientation.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is an ATI pre-admission nursing exam used by nursing programs to assess competency in Math, Science, English, and Reading.

Applicants must save a copy of the unofficial test score and attach it to application (even if the exam was taken at GWC).

Only admitted students will have to submit an OFFICIAL copy electronically from ATI.

GWC School of Nursing offers the TEAS exam twice a year. Check the nursing website for dates and times. If the exam is not being offered, please contact ATI Testing directly for exam dates offered elsewhere.

Golden West College School of Nursing does not have a counselor in the School of Nursing office. Contact the Counseling Department directly where counselors are available to assist you with educational planning, course selections, and transcript evaluations.

GWC School of Nursing does not currently offer individual nursing courses. All nursing content must be completed in its entirety as a Program.

Students must contact each university directly. GWC Nursing is an ADN (Associates Degree in Nursing) program, we do not offer a BSN (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing). Students must be accepted and enrolled in our program before they can co-enroll at a university. Co-enrollment schools: Grand Canyon University. Co-enrollment does not happen automatically; you must follow up with the university’s application process.

Please review the information on our website, https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/nursing/index.html by scrolling down & clicking on the links. Most of your questions can be answered there. We accept applications once a year for Fall and Spring admission. We do not maintain a waitlist. Selection is based on meeting the eligibility requirements and the Multi-Criteria Guidelines but does not guarantee admission. Please refer to the Application Information tab for the application and detailed instructions.

Review the Application Information tab for the updated filing dates.

We receive approximately 250-400 applications during each application cycle.

No. We do not maintain a waitlist. Qualified applicants who are not selected for entry are encouraged to reapply during the next application period.

All complete applications that are submitted by the deadline are evaluated based on the Multi-Criteria Guidelines. Qualified applicants are ranked based on points earned in the Multi-Criteria. Admission is awarded to applications with the highest points for the total number of cohort space available. Lottery selection will be awarded to ten (10) qualified applicants. A limited number of alternate applicants are also selected to replace any selected applicants who do not meet requirements, deadlines, or decline their offer.

Each new cohort consists of 45-50 accepted applicants.

The number of alternates admitted varies each application period. Alternates are only offered an open position into the cohort contingent on availability and their Multi-Criteria point score for their application.

Students will receive and fulfill the program requirements once they are officially accepted into the program and contacted by the GWC School of Nursing.

No, required documentation for applicants is listed on the GWC School of Nursing Application checklist.

We only accept transfers based upon space availability and applicant eligibility.

Yes, Transfer/Advanced Placement applicants must apply when the Transfer/Advanced Placement application period is open.

Please visit our transfer web page for further information.

www.goldenwestcollege.edu/nursing/transfer-students/

No, you must apply as an incoming student.

“Transfer” refers specifically to a student enrolled previously in another college’s nursing program. If you have not enrolled in another nursing program, you are not a transfer student. A new applicant is one who is applying for admission into the GWC Nursing program. You are considered a new applicant even if you took your prerequisite courses at a college other than GWC.

Yes, you can still apply to GWC School of Nursing. If you are accepted, you are then required to complete a background check to be eligible to participate in the clinical component. Students currently serving a court-ordered probation may not attend clinical at most hospitals, based on contractual requirements. This may prevent a student from completing the nursing program. If your background is not cleared, you will need to meet with the Director of Nursing to discuss your situation. This is required of all students who have any records. All records must be reported to the Board of Registered Nursing after completion of our program, it does not matter if it was expunged. Please visit the Board of Registered Nursing website https://www.rn.ca.gov/ to research which background issues would prohibit you from taking the licensing exam.

**Students who complete the program are not guaranteed the ability to take the licensing exam that is determined by the BRN**

The application and filing instructions are posted under the How to Apply link: www.goldenwestcollege.edu/nursing. Complete the Online Orientation for more information. Please read this section in its entirety and utilize the checklist found in the application.

If you still have questions, you can email us at: NursingOffice@gwc.cccd.edu

No, all prerequisites must be completed with a passing grade of C or above at the time of filing an application.

Yes, a Social Security number or ITIN is required and I-9 Visa if applicable. Note that a Social Security number/ITIN is now required by the Board of Registered Nursing to take the licensing examination and for mandatory participation at off-campus clinical sites.

Note: For further information, please re-read application requirements. Failure to meet application requirements will result in an ineligible status.

All academic courses, including Microbiology, Anatomy, and Physiology, need to be equivalent to our required courses curriculum. They are considered pre-requisites and co-requisites to the courses designated specifically for our nursing program curriculum. If your current courses are not equivalent, then your application will be deemed ineligible.

If you need to request a transcript evaluation, you must have a Student ID# from one of the Coast Community College District Colleges: Golden West College, Coastline College or Orange Coast College.

If you have had official transcripts sent to Golden West College, you may request an official transcript evaluation to see how your previous coursework may apply toward your studies at GWC. Please allow two to four weeks for your evaluation to be completed. You will receive a notification once your evaluation is complete.

Students may also make an appointment with a Counselor and request an official evaluation for the meeting.  This is more beneficial as you can work with a Counselor to apply your previous credit as you develop your Student Education Plan (SEP). Please contact Counseling and request an appointment for Transcript Evaluation. DO NOT send them to the School of Nursing.

https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/counseling/forms/index.html

Please contact our counseling department directly if you have any questions regarding course equivalency. Do not rely on any other outside sources.

Students may also make an appointment with a Counselor and request an official evaluation for the meeting. This is more beneficial as you can work with a Counselor to apply your previous credit as you develop your Student Education Plan (SEP). Please contact Counseling and request an appointment for Transcript Evaluation. DO NOT send them to the School of Nursing.

https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/counseling/forms/index.html

The minimum points required is 14 (9 for prerequisites and 5 for lowest TEAS score). Historically, students with points below 70 have not been admitted. The total points of selected applicants’ changes based on the application pool; therefore, we cannot provide an exact number. The more points you have the more competitive applicant you are.

Science courses must have been completed within the last 7 years. The cut-off would be 7 years from the time you apply to the ADN program.

Example: March 2023 application period for Fall 2023/Spring 2024 Admission, your science courses cannot be older than Spring 2016.

Your application will be deemed ineligible if the GPA in Anatomy G220, Microbiology G210, and Physiology G225 is below 2.5.

Use the lecture grade to compute your points. The Online application will automatically compute the GPA.

In order meet college standards and maintain multi-criteria guideline eligibility a letter grade C or higher is required and considered a passing grade for coursework.

It is highly recommended to apply to the college prior to sending official transcripts. The Admission and Records Department is a separate department from the GWC School of Nursing; we cannot guarantee your transcripts will be assigned to your student ID number at the time of the nursing application evaluations

Applicants will only need to resubmit an additional copy of the official transcript if there has been an update since the last application period, such as a new course grade or degree conferral. Unofficial copies must be submitted with the application each submission.

Yes, you will no longer be an eligible candidate if our evaluation committee is unable to review your official transcripts during the application evaluation process.

You must prove 2 years of high school coursework with transcripts of a C grade or higher. Test scores are also accepted; an AP score of 3 or higher or an SAT subject test score will suffice. College level coursework consists of two semesters of more, with completion of the intermediate level or higher. A letter proving your ability to speak a second language or native language will not be accepted for the multi-criteria points.

Yes, most languages count if they are taught within the parameters required on the application.

Yes. It is highly recommended as an introduction to the nursing profession and to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for success in the educational setting and the clinical environment. Course emphases are nursing process, learning style, study skills, medical terminology, and the professional nursing role.

To receive points on the multi-criteria, volunteer and work experience must be from the last 3 years.

Direct patient care may involve any aspects of the health care of a patient, including treatments, mobility assistance (walking assistance, assistance with wheelchairs, etc.), patient education, care of a patient provided personally by a volunteer member.

A clinical or hospital site, unless you can provide a company letterhead, company contact numbers, and appropriate direct patient care documentation.

Please provide a company letterhead and official documentation of direct patient care.

For course curriculum, units, and class descriptions please refer to the GWC catalog by visiting this link https://catalog.cccd.edu/golden-west/ (please be advised that all courses are subject to revision). You can also review the School of Nursing Student Handbook for more information.

No, GWC School of Nursing does not offer an evening or weekend program, however, some courses are now offered online due to the current Pandemic. The program is a full-time commitment.

The nursing program is a full-time commitment.

Clinical Time: mandatory 12-15-hour shifts in clinical agencies (day or night).

Patient Workup/Hospital Time: assigned as a separate date from the clinical shift.

On-campus mandatory class lectures and HPS/Skills Lab times.

Lecture schedule and clinical assignment varies each semester throughout the program.

Please review the Estimated Cost PDF which can be found under the Getting Started tab.

*estimated costs include all materials & fees, books, stethoscope, uniform, tuition, parking, CPR, malpractice insurance, etc. **Costs subject to change

Yes. Our simulation lab covers the disciplines of Health and Illness, Environment, and Nursing with high-fidelity scenarios and high-fidelity mannequins. Emphasis is placed on healthcare concepts such as: fluid and electrolyte balance, metabolism, central nervous system regulation, oxygenation, perfusion, tissue integrity, infection, mobility, comfort, emergencies, safety & infection control, diversity, health promotion, communication, professional behaviors, clinical reasoning/judgment, healthcare system, ethics, and clinical competency.

Our clinical contracts are currently with local hospitals close to GWC community and vary each semester.

All clinical rotations are assigned/mandatory; none of the hours are elective.

Most clinical requirements should not be started yet. However, due to the lengthy process for vaccines and titers, you could have titers drawn for MMR, Varicella and Hepatitis B by your physician now. If the results are negative, you should either start the vaccination series over or receive a booster.

Positive titers proving immunity to MMR, Varicella and Hepatitis B are mandatory for the program. Lab reports for titers must have been dated within the past 3 years. Equivocal or negative results not acceptable.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): Positive IgG antibody titer for all 3 components (lab report required). If your titer is negative, you must repeat the vaccination series or booster and provide a positive titer after completion of the series or booster.

Varicella: Positive IgG antibody titer (lab report required). If your titer is negative, you must repeat the vaccination series or booster and provide a positive titer after completion of the series or booster.

Hepatitis B: Positive IgG antibody titer (lab report required). If your titer is negative, you must repeat the vaccination series or booster and provide a positive titer after completion of the series or booster.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine - 3 Doses
• HEPLISAV B Vaccine – 2 Doses (This series is recommended)

TB Skin Test: One of the following is required:

• 2 step TB Skin Test (1-3 weeks apart)
• QuantiFERON Gold Blood Test
• If results are positive, provide one of the following:
• Provide a clear Chest X-Ray (lab report required) AND completed Symptom Review signed by a Physician.
• Negative QuantiFERON AND completed Symptom Review signed by a Physician.

Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap): Provide documentation of a Tdap booster within the past 10 years.

Influenza: There must be documentation of one of the following:

Flu shot administered during the current Flu Season (Lot # is required to be documented)

COVID Vaccination: There must be documentation of one of the following:

COVID-19 doses and booster. Your booster will be required along the following timeline:

• 2 months after your single dose of Johnson & Johnson
• 5 months after your second dose of Pfizer
• 6 months after your second dose of Moderna

CPR Certification: Provide your American Heart Association BLS Provider card. Your CPR card should have the emblem for the American Heart Association which is a torch with a heart on it. Your card will be good for 2 years.

Detailed Pre-Enrollment Requirements will be provided upon formal admission into the program. It is not recommended to start anything beyond checking for positive titers as mentioned above. A complete physical, background check and drug test will also be required upon admission. DO NOT start that process until being formally invited to do so.

The LVN-RN Career Bridge Program is contingent upon grant funding. Please check the website for updated information regarding the program and the application process.

Applicants who hold a current California Vocational Nurse or the equivalent, may qualify for the California Registered Nurse licensure examination without completing the entire Associate Degree Nursing Program outlined above. LVNs may elect to take a non-degree program consisting of not more than 30 units in nursing and related science courses. Licensed PTs may challenge theory and clinical portions of the Nursing Program when they believe they already have the required knowledge and skills.

The option is available, but limits growth within the current job market due to bachelor’s degrees in Nursing trending with higher marketability success. In addition, it does not qualify for licensure by endorsement (reciprocity) outside of California as an RN.

Note: The LVN Bridge Program is a requirement for the 30 Unit Option candidate, however our LVN Bridge Program is not offered at this time.