Registered Nursing
Pre-Application Tutorial
Objectives of This Tutorial

In this program you will learn
– General information about nursing
– Requirements of the Mendocino College Registered Nursing
Program
– Estimated costs and considerations before entering a
nursing program
– Tips on how to prepare for a nursing program
– Where/how to get an application to the Mendocino RN
Program
What is an R.N.???

R.N. stands for Registered
Nurse

A Registered Nurse is a key
member of the health care
team who uses critical
thinking, assessment skills
and organizational skills to
care for patients of all ages
What about an LVN?

LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse

LVN training is usually 18 months in duration

LVN training is available locally through Ukiah
Adult School (463-5217)

Mendocino College does not have an LVN
program
Do I have to be an LVN first?

No, Mendocino College has both a 2 year
RN program as well as a year and a half
LVN to RN Bridge Program

You can take LVN training and get
experience at that level and then apply to
the RN program as an “LVN to RN Bridge”
student at Mendocino College
What Kind of Person Makes a Good
Nurse?







Intelligent
Motivated
Honest
Likes working with people
of varied backgrounds,
ages, and health
conditions
Communicates clearly in
both verbal and written
formats
Works well with hands
Caring and
compassionate
Has good physical,
mental, and emotional
health
 Has good math skills at
the algebra level
 Has good attention to
detail
 Able to attend to lots of
things at once
 Flexible
 Likes learning new things
 Self driven

Nursing is Challenging

Nursing is both mentally and
physically challenging

Nurses must always be thinking,
problem solving, assessing
patients and situations

Nurses must be able to lift
patients, help them move, and
perform other physical tasks

Nurses must stand and be
functional for 12 hour shifts
Comfort Around Others

Nurses do have to work
VERY closely with other
people

You need to be able to
relax and work in close
quarters with patients,
doctors, and other nurses

You need to be able to
assist others with their
bathing, dressing, oral
care, toileting, etc.
Other Options Besides an RN
Program?

If you want to work with people in a
health related field, but do not want
to be an RN at this time, you may
want to consider:
– Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) training
(contact Ukiah Adult School at 463-5217)
– Certified Nursing Assistant training
(contact Mendocino County Office of
Education at 467-5000)
– Medical Assistant training
– EMT/Paramedic training
Other Ways to become an RN?

Hospital Based Training
Programs (large cities mostly)

Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
(such as at Sonoma State
University)

The Board of Registered Nursing
website, www.rn.ca.gov has
links to all California Registered
Nurse training programs
The Mendocino College RN
Program
Mendocino College RN Program

There are two entry points to the RN
Program:
– Each February there is an application cycle for
the two year RN program (no previous
experience as a nurse required)
– Each November there is an application cycle
for the LVN to RN Bridge program (for
those who have an LVN license)
RN Program

Once your prerequisites
are near completion (see
explanation further in
tutorial) you are eligible
to apply to either:
– the two year RN Program
– or the LVN to RN Bridge
Program
About the RN Program

The Mendocino College Registered Nursing
Program is a four semester sequence of full-time
nursing coursework that takes place after
completion of prerequisite courses
LVN to RN Bridge Program
The LVN to RN Bridge Program is a three
semester sequence of courses designed to
allow those who are licensed as an LVN to
pursue their RN license
 There are the same prerequisites for the
LVN to RN Bridge Program as the full RN
program

Prerequisites to the Program



Courses that must be taken prior to entry to the program
include:
– Anatomy (at least 4 semester unit course, with lab)
– Physiology (at least 4 semester unit course, with lab)
– Microbiology (at least 4 semester unit course, with lab)
– Nutrition
– Sociology
– English
– Speech
– Psychology
Specific course requirements and numbers are available through the
counseling department or the nursing office
All prerequisite course work must be passed with at least a grade of
“C” and be completed by the end of the term your application is
submitted and you must have a minimum 2.5 GPA (no rounding
up) overall.
Other General Ed. Courses

There are general education (GE) courses to
meet college graduation requirements
– These include math (intermediate algebra or above),
social sciences, and humanities areas

You must have all general education
requirements completed prior to entry into the
nursing courses
– See your academic counselor for your specific
graduation course needs
The RN Program

Consists of classroom
(lecture, discussion,
seminar) activities as well as
clinical (hospital, clinic,
medical office) hours

Formal application and
acceptance to the RN
Program is required before
you can enroll in any nursing
(NUR) courses.
Do I have to get my degree?
 Yes!!
– The RN program is an Associate
Degree program
How do I get In???
Admission Process

You must attend a pre-application workshop (at
either Ukiah or Lake campus) to receive
authorization to submit an application
– See nursing website for dates/times of upcoming
workshops

All applications are accepted during a specific
application period (February for 2 year program,
November for LVN to RN Bridge)
Admission Process

All applications are evaluated according to a grade based
formula
– Overall college GPA
– Science GPA (anatomy, physiology and microbiology grades)
– College level transferable English GPA

All complete/valid applications that make the initial grade
“cut” are then placed into a computerized lottery

Those pulled in the lottery are invited for admission and
move on to testing and background checks
Background Checks

Applicants who are chosen in the lottery draw are then
obtain a criminal background check online. This is sent
automatically to the Program Director from the
background agency.

“Clear” background checks are required for admission to
clinical facilities, so are required of students admitted to
the program

Offenses that would prohibit admission include, but are
not limited to, assault, sexual offenses, felony
possession and/or furnishing, felony drug and alcohol
offenses, other crimes involving weapons or violence,
theft, fraud, and murder.
After That?

Once a ‘clear’ background check is received by the
nursing program director applicants are sent further
information and forms.

Next the applicants need to obtain a physical exam and
several lab tests. Immunizations may also be required
depending on the lab results.

In addition, you would need to obtain CPR for
Healthcare Provider training, as well as malpractice
insurance
Once in, How Much Work is it??
Unit Load

The RN coursework is full
time is approximately 12
units per semester (4
semesters)

The LVN to RN Bridge
coursework is one
semester of two units,
followed by two
semesters of 12 units
How Much Work is That???

There is an average of 20 hours of
nursing classes per week

You need to plan several hours per
day to study on top of your class
hours

There is lots of reading, written
assignments and oral presentations
as part of the program

You will need to be familiar with
computer usage, have Internet
access and be able to do word
processing for assignments
Unit Load and Required Grades

The full-time sequence of
courses is required of all
RN students

Students may not take
courses on a part-time
basis

Nursing courses must all
be passed with at least a
“C” grade at 75%
When is the Hospital/Clinical
Training?

It is expected that students will have clinical
training for 15 hours per week in the first
and second semesters, and 12 hours per
week in the third and fourth semesters.

Shifts may be eight hours, twelve hours or
four hours depending on clinical site.

These hours may be during the day, evening,
or on weekends depending on the specific
clinical rotation
Clinical/Hospital Training

Hospital shifts may start as early as
5:30 am

Some shifts last until 6:00 pm

Shifts are arranged based on facility
availability so hours and days can vary

In the final semester there are also
clinical hours that must be arranged
with an RN mentor/preceptor which
may not conform to the above
schedule
Where is the Hospital/Clinical
Training Located?

Currently clinical facilities are located
in Ukiah, Lakeport, Willits, Santa
Rosa and Oakland

Transportation to all clinical facilities
is the responsibility of the student

Since the clinical hours are
mandatory for success as a student,
it is essential that you have
dependable transportation and child
care (if applicable)
Program
Costs*

First semester of program
–
–
–
–

Tuition and fees $350
Materials Fees $250
Books $950
Uniform and Equipment $350
Second semester of program
– Tuition and fees $350
– Materials Fees $150
– Books $300

Third semester of program
– Tuition and fees $350
– Materials Fees $150
– Books $200
*Prices are estimates &
subject to change. Does
not include
prerequisite/GE courses.
Does not include
transportation which is
responsibility of student.

Fourth semester of program
–
–
–
–
–
Tuition and fees $350
Materials fees $150
Books $100
Nursing Graduation Pin $20-150
Licensing Exam Application Costs $400
How to Prepare for a Nursing
Program
Tips on Preparing

Apply only when you are
mentally, emotionally, physically
and financially ready to dedicate
yourself to two years of rigorous
study

Develop good study habits and
retain information from your
prerequisite courses

Develop a good support system
(family, friends) to help you
through this challenge
Ready to Apply?

Applications will be available
– On-line at Mendocino College
nursing webpage
– At one of the mandatory on-site
pre-application workshops

Applications will only be accepted
during specific dates/times as posted
on the nursing webpage and must
have a valid sticker showing the
applicant attended a pre-application
workshop
Other Questions???

Contact
– your academic
counselor (4683048)
– the Nursing
Education
Department at the
College (468-3099)