REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. Where can I find the most current information about the Cuesta College RN Program?
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Check the Nursing program website at: academic.cuesta.edu/nursing. On the home page, look in the
‘Announcements’ section. The RN program application will also be posted there when available.
2. How can I learn about and plan for prerequisite courses and/or pre-program requirements before
applying to the RN program at Cuesta College?
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Read this FAQ.
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Review the ‘RN Admission Criteria Point Allocation’ and ‘RN Information Powerpoint’ on the Nursing
program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing.
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Attend an RN program Information Session, offered once every fall and spring semester. Check the
Nursing program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing for dates and times.
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Attend a Pre-RN Group Advising Session. Check the ‘Announcements’ section of the Nursing program
website for dates academic.cuesta.edu/nursing, then call the Counseling Department at 805-546-3138
to schedule.
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If necessary, after attending a Pre-RN Group Advising Session, you can request an individual
appointment with a Cuesta College counselor. The Counseling Department schedules appointments on
Mondays for the following week, so it is best to call as close as possible to 8:30 am on a Monday for an
appointment. Call 805-546-3138.
3. Why should I attend a Pre-RN Group Advising Session and how should I prepare for it?
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The Counseling Department offers several Pre-RN Group Advising Sessions each semester. At these
sessions, a pre-nursing counselor will review and evaluate your academic transcripts (courses you have
completed to date) to create your Student Education Plan (SEP). Your SEP will map what prerequisites
and additional required courses you need to complete to be eligible to apply to the RN program. The
counselor can also determine if you are eligible for Pre-RN priority registration in some of the
prerequisite courses and can advise you on how to apply.
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Pre-RN Group Advising Sessions are limited to 8 students. Pre-registration is required. Check the
‘Announcements’ section of the Nursing program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing for dates and
then call the Counseling Department at 805-546-3200, ext. 2172 or 805-546-3138 to schedule.
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BEFORE making your Pre-RN Group Advising Session appointment:
 Apply for admission to Cuesta College at www.cuesta.edu/apply. You must apply for admission
to Cuesta if you have never been a student at Cuesta, or if it has been more than two semesters
since you last attended classes at Cuesta.
 Complete Assessment Testing for Math and English. If you have never attended any college
Math or English courses or you have never completed college assessment testing, you must
complete assessment testing to find out what courses you place into. Call 805-546-3951 to
schedule your assessment testing at Cuesta College.
 Order official, sealed transcripts from every college you have attended other than Cuesta. You
can request that your transcripts be sent to you or to Cuesta. If you choose to receive them, the
envelope must remain sealed (unopened) or the transcripts will no longer be official and cannot
be accepted. You will then need to bring your official, sealed transcripts to your group
Counseling appointment. The counselor will open them, and then scan them into the Cuesta
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system so they will remain on record for your application. You do not need to bring or send
transcripts for courses completed at Cuesta College, or for transcripts from other colleges that
you have already sent to Cuesta.
 After sending your all official transcripts from other colleges to Cuesta, verify that Cuesta has
received them by calling the Records Department at 805-546-3139.
 Review all information posted on the Nursing program website at academic.cuesta.edu/nursing,
including this FAQ, the ‘RN Information Powerpoint’ and ‘RN Admission Criteria/Point
Allocation’ documents.
4. Can I make an individual Counseling appointment? What should I take with me to this appointment?
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Individual Counseling appointments are reserved for students with unique situations, or those needing
extra assistance after attending a group session.
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Before making an appointment, it is strongly recommended that you attend a group session first, as they
are geared to answer questions specific to pre-nursing students, and they are generally more available.
The group session will also provide you with a personal Student Education Plan (SEP) that maps what
prerequisite courses you need to take and when to take them in order to be eligible to apply for the RN
program.
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To schedule an individual appointment, call the Counseling Department at 805-546-3138 and request to
meet with a pre-Nursing counselor. Individual appointments can be made for up to thirty minutes and
take place in the counselor’s office. Out-of-area students may request a telephone appointment, also for
up to thirty minutes.
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Prior to attending your individual Counseling appointment, review the information on the Nursing
program website at academic.cuesta.edu/nursing, including this FAQ, the ‘RN Information Powerpoint’
and ‘RN Admission Criteria Point Allocation’ pages.
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If you have not already applied for admission to Cuesta College, apply online at: www.cuesta.edu/apply.
You must apply for admission to Cuesta if you have never been a student at Cuesta, or if it has been
more than two semesters since you last attended classes at Cuesta.
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Bring your official, sealed (unopened) college transcripts for all colleges you have attended outside
Cuesta to your appointment. If you have previously submitted your official transcripts at your group
Counseling appointment or at another time, you do not need to bring them to your individual
appointment. You also do not need to bring transcripts for courses taken at Cuesta. If meeting by
phone, request your official, sealed transcripts be sent to Cuesta electronically, or mail your official,
sealed (unopened) transcripts several weeks prior your appointment time. To verify that Cuesta has
received and recorded all of your official transcripts, call the Records Department at 805-546-3139.
•
5. What prerequisite courses must be completed before applying to the RN program at Cuesta?
Prerequiste courses:
1. Microbiology, with lab
2. Human Anatomy, with lab
3. Human Physiology, with lab
4. English Composition
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Semester credits:
Cuesta equivalent:
4.0 credits minimum
BIO 204 (5 credits)
4.0 credits minimum
BIO 205 (4 credits)
4.0 credits minimum
BIO 206 (5 credits)
3.0 credits minimum
ENGL 201A (4 credits)
Grades of ‘C minus‘ and below are not accepted.
A combined GPA of 2.5 or higher is required in the science courses.
Online and distance education science labs are not accepted.
Three or more repeats results in ineligibility for admission . Repeats include courses taken after
receiving grades of C-, D, F, I, U and W and FW.
Courses not taken at Cuesta should be evaluated for equivalency by a Cuesta counselor. Call the Counseling
Department at 805-546-3138.
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6. Does the Cuesta College RN program accept online, internet or distance education coursework?
• No. The Cuesta College RN program does not accept any online science labs for Human Anatomy,
Human Physiology, or Microbiology.
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For all course equivalency questions, contact the Cuesta College Counseling Department at
(805) 546-3138.
7. Does Cuesta College have a recency policy for prerequisite coursework?
• A prerequisite recency policy does not currently exist, but is being considered. If a recency policy is
adopted, it will be announced on the nursing program website and in the RN application approximately
1 year in advance.
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Applicants are required to demonstrate current knowledge of math, science, reading and English skills
on the TEAS V test, which is required for admission.
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Meet with a Cuesta counselor to understand repeat policies if you are considering taking a prerequisite
over to refresh content.
8. Do you need a 4.00 grade point average (GPA) to be admitted to the RN program?
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No. However, the Cuesta College RN program is highly impacted. Applicants are offered admission
based on a multi-criteria selection process, which awards a maximum total of 100 points for areas
including: prerequisite coursework GPA; assessment test score (TEAS V); academic degrees & relevant
certificates; prerequisite repeats; work or volunteer experience in healthcare; life & special
circumstances; and foreign language proficiency. The ‘RN Program Admission Criteria Point Allocation’
document can be reviewed on the Nursing program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing.
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A combined science prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher is required to be eligible for admission.
9. If I completed prerequisite science or English courses another college (not at Cuesta), how do I confirm
these courses will be accepted for the RN program?
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Make no assumption about equivalencies! To confirm that any prerequisite courses you completed at
another institution meet Cuesta’s RN application requirements, attend a Pre-RN Group Advising Session
to have your transcripts reviewed, or call the Counseling Department to ask if you need to complete a
‘Pre-RN Course Equivalency form’.
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The ‘Pre-RN Course Equivalency form’ is available on the program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing
Look under ‘Counseling Information’ in the ‘Announcements’ section on the home page.
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You do not need to make a Counseling appointment to determine prerequisite course equivalency. If,
after attending a Pre-RN Group Advising Session and/or calling the Counseling Department, a ‘Pre-RN
Course Equivalency form’ is required, you can mail it and all required documents to the address
provided on the form. Keep a copy of all pages submitted for your own records.
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All science prerequisites must have a hands-on lab to be accepted for the RN program. No online
science labs are accepted.
10. I completed a combination “Anatomy & Physiology” course at another college. Will this course be
accepted for the Anatomy and Physiology course requirements for the RN program?
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Combination Anatomy & Physiology classes are generally not accepted by the Cuesta RN program.
Contact the Counseling Department with questions.
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If you have taken only a single Anatomy/Physiology course, you will most likely be required to take a
single, stand-alone course in Human Anatomy (minimum 4 semester units) and a single, stand-alone
course in Human Physiology (minimum 4 semester units). You will not be deducted points towards RN
selection for having taken a single combination course in “Anatomy/Physiology.”
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All science prerequisites must have a hands-on lab component to be valid for RN selection
consideration. No online labs are accepted.
11. What additional required courses must I complete before final admission to the RN program?
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In addition to the four prerequisite courses required to apply to the RN program, the following six
additional required courses must be completed before beginning the RN program:
Cuesta College Associate Degree Required Courses:
1. History/Political Science (American Institutions)
2. Arts/Humanities
3. Intermediate Algebra (or higher)
RN Licensure (Board of Registered Nursing) Required Courses:
4. Introduction to Sociology
5. Speech/Communication
6. General Psychology
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All of above courses must be completed by applicants as an admission requirement, and before final
acceptance to the RN program. Depending on their personal situation, applicants may complete some
or all of these courses after applying to the RN program at Cuesta. However, all six additional required
courses must be successfully completed, with official, sealed transcripts provided to Admissions and
Records before the program begins. Check the current application for course completion and transcript
due dates.
12. I already have a Bachelor’s degree (or higher). Do I still need to complete the Associate Degree
requirements to obtain my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Cuesta College?
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In accordance with California Education Code 66055.8 and 78261.3, and based on the current college
catalog and policies, applicants to the RN program who have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher
from a regionally accredited institution are not required to complete the three Cuesta College Associate
Degree required courses in order to be admitted into the RN program and earn an Associate’s Degree in
Nursing from Cuesta College. These courses are:
1. History/Political Science (American Institutions)
2. Arts/Humanities
3. Intermediate Algebra (or higher)
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Regardless of any previously earned degree, all applicants to the Cuesta College RN program must
successfully complete all pre-requisite science and English coursework as well as all RN Licensure
required coursework, in addition to meeting all other program admission and nursing curriculum
requirements.
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All applicants to the Cuesta College RN program are also required to take the TEAS V assessment test as
part of the RN application, regardless of previous degree.
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If you have earned a previous degree, it is recommended that you contact the Counseling Department at
(805) 546-3138 to ensure that you understand the coursework required obtain your Associate Degree
Nursing (ADN). If you have not previously submitted to Cuesta College your official, sealed (unopened)
transcripts for all colleges you have previously attended, please submit them in advance of or bring
them to your appointment.
13. I have attended a foreign college/university, and would like to use the coursework completed to clear
my RN program prerequisites, what must I do to get an evaluation?
• Contact the Cuesta College Counseling Department at (805) 546-3138 for more information.
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14. How do I transfer my Advanced Placement (AP) scores to Cuesta College for credit?
• Contact the College Board at www.collegeboard.org, or call (866) 630-9305 to obtain your official AP
transcript.
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Schedule an appointment with a counselor to confirm if your scores can be used.
15. When and how do I apply to the RN program at Cuesta College?
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Applications are available on the Nursing program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing during the
application period. Beginning with the October 2015 application, applications are submitted online
only. No printed applications are accepted.
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After successfully completing the four RN program prerequisites, you are eligible to apply to the RN
program. Applications are currently accepted during the month of October, for admission in August of
the following year. NOTE: Application information, including dates, deadlines and other information is
subject to change from year to year.
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Prerequisite courses must be completed by the due date stated in each application. Typically, this date
is expected to be August 31st, in order to be eligible to apply in October.
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After submitting your application, you will take the TEAS V Assessment Test during the testing window
stated in the application. Cuesta College provides the TEAS V to all eligible applicants, one time per
application period, on a pre-assigned date and at no charge. Pre-assigned test dates will be stated in the
application. Applicants may take the exam elsewhere during the testing window stated in the
application; it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that test results are received by Cuesta by the
due date. Refer to the TEAS V Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more details.
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Notification of admission status will be mailed to applicants on or before February 15 of each year.
Applicants must meet all admission and final program requirements to remain eligible to begin the
program in August.
16. Can I apply to the RN application before completing all four of the prerequisite courses?
• No. Prerequisite classes must be completed by the deadline stated in each application in order to be
eligible to apply to the RN program.
17. Can I repeat a course in which I received a C-, D, F, I, U, W or FW grade in order to become an eligible
applicant?
• This is possible under certain circumstances. Discuss your situation with a Cuesta College counselor.
The “Petition to Repeat Course Substandard Grade” policy can be found on the Admissions and Records
webpage at http://academic.cuesta.edu/admrreg/polforms.htm .
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Points are deducted in the RN application for each repeat of a prerequisite course. Three or more
repeats make an applicant ineligible.
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A minimum combined GPA of 2.5 in the three science prerequisites and no less than a “C” in any of
these three prerequisites is required to be eligible for admission. Appeals cannot be considered for this
requirement. In order to be eligible to apply, you must increase your combined prerequisite science
GPA above 2.5. Contact the Counseling Department for more information.
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An appeals committee exists for applicants with three or more repeats. It is also possible to petition to
waive point deductions due to 1 or 2 repeats, on an individual basis. Instructions to appeal or petition
to waive point deductions are included inside the online application. Not all appeals or petitions are
granted. Contact the Counseling Department for more information.
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18. Can I ever be an eligible applicant if I have three or more repeats in the prerequisite sciences and English?
• There is no guarantee, but there is a possibility that you could be deemed eligible through the appeal
process. See question #17 for more information.
19. Is it possible to improve my points if I have repeats in the prerequisite sciences and English?
• There is no guarantee, but there is a possibility that some or all of your point deductions could be
waived through the appeal process. See question #17 for more information.
20. What is the TEAS V test? Am I required to take this test before I begin my RN program prerequisites?
• For complete information about the TEAS V test, read the TEAS V FAQ on the Nursing program website
academic.cuesta.edu/nursing .
21. When will I know if I am accepted into the nursing program?
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Conditional notification of admission status letters are mailed in February for admission into the
program that begins in August of the same year. Final acceptance into the program is given after final
admission requirements are cleared by the Director of Nursing following a mandatory orientation.
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It takes several months to process applications. Please be patient and do not call the Nursing
Department or Counseling Department to confirm the status of your RN application. No information can
be given regarding your admission status until all applications are processed and admission status letters
mailed.
22. If I am accepted into the RN program, what are the Final Admission Requirements?
The admission requirements that must be met before final acceptance into the program include:
• Successful completion of all additional required coursework, with official, sealed transcripts sent to the
Cuesta Admissions and Records office by the due date stated in the application.
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Mandatory attendance at the pre-program orientation in June.
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Background Check and Drug Screen completed by the due date. The policy can be viewed on the
Nursing program website at: academic.cuesta.edu/nursing. Current Healthcare Provider CPR
certification, completed per instructions provided at the mandatory orientation.
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Physical examination completed and submitted by the due date on the form provided at the mandatory
orientation.
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Proof of immunization or immunity for the following:
 MMR X 2
 Hepatitis B series X 3
 Varicella X 2
 Tuberculosis Testing
 Tdap
 Annual Influenza ( flu) shot
23. How many students are accepted into the Cuesta RN program each year?
• Forty-three students were selected for admission to the RN program beginning in fall 2015, with 3
spaces reserved for eligible LVN’s into the 2nd semester LVN to RN program. The number of accepted
students is carefully considered each year and is subject to change due to funding resources, the labor
market and clinical opportunities available. The Cuesta College RN program receives district, state, and
federal funding, as well as time restricted grants, all which may vary the number of admissions from
year to year.
25. Does Cuesta College RN program have a wait list?
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No. There is no wait list for the RN program. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply
during a future application period in order to be considered for admission in that year. However, an
Alternate Pool list of eligible applicants based on points is maintained during the current application
cycle up through the first week of class in case any admitted students drop or decline their position.
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26. What is an Alternate Pool list and how does it work?
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Eligible applicants not selected for admission will be offered an opportunity to remain on an “Alternate
Pool list” for the current admission cycle only. These applicants will be ranked according to their points
on the application. If an initially admitted applicant declines or becomes ineligible, the next person on
the Alternate Pool list will be notified and offered admission, until all seats in the class are full.
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This alternate pool is only in effect for the current application cycle, and applicants who are not
admitted need to reapply in a future application cycle. There is no wait list from year to year.
27. How long is the Cuesta College RN program and when does it begin?
• The RN program begins once every year in the fall semester (August).
• The RN program is 4 semesters, or 2 years, in length, with the summer session off between the 2 years.
• There are no nursing classes required during the summer session.
28. Is there a part-time or evening or week-end RN program at Cuesta College?
• No. The RN program at Cuesta is a dayprogram, Monday through Friday at the San Luis Obispo campus.
• Research other RN programs at www.rn.ca.gov.
29. What are the days and times of the RN program?
• The program consists of lecture classes, skills lab practice, simulation lab training and patient care in the
clinical setting. You can review what the program schedule currently looks like below. NOTE: this is
only an example to help your planning, because it may change from year to year.
Approximate RN Program Weekly Schedule:
First Semester (fall):
o Monday: 8am - 12 noon Academic courses
o Skills Lab Practice: Monday afternoon with an additional minimum 2 hours per week in lab
o Tuesday: 9am - 1:30pm. Academic courses followed by clinical research at the hospital
o Clinical is every other week on Wed. & Thursday; the hours may be 6am – 3pm or 7am – 4pm
Second Semester (spring):
o Monday: 8am - 12 noon Academic courses
o Skills Lab Practice: 2 hours Monday afternoon with an additional minimum 2 hours per week in lab
o Tuesday: 9am - 1:30pm. Academic courses followed by clinical research at the hospital
o Clinical is every week on Wednesday & Thursday; the hours may be 6am – 3pm or 7am – 4 pm
Third Semester (fall):
o Wednesday: 9:30am - 2pm. Academic courses
o Thursday: 9:30am - 2pm. Academic courses
o Skills Lab Practice: Wednesday afternoon with an additional minimum 2 hours per week in lab
o Clinical is every other week on Monday & Tuesday, the hours may be 6am – 3pm or 7am – 4pm
Fourth Semester (spring):
First half of Semester:
o Wednesday: 12 noon -3pm. Academic courses
o Thursday: 9am -12 noon
o Clinical is every week Monday & Tuesday, 6 am – 3 pm or 7 am – 4 pm
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Second half of Semester:
o Practicum
o NCLEX Preparation
30. What is the cost of the two year Cuesta College RN program & is there financial aid available?
• Refer to the RN Program Cost Estimate page on the Nursing program website
http://academic.cuesta.edu/nursing/ for specific items and cost breakdown.
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Computer access, printer, printer paper are also necessary items.
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Transportation to Cuesta College and to clinical site is required all four semesters. Clinical sites vary per
semester and car-pooling is not always an option.
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The Financial Aid Department on the San Luis Obispo campus is located in the Student Services Building
3100 and has “walk-in” hours for assistance in completing the FAFSA, the free financial aid application.
They also offer loan workshops and scholarship information.
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On the North County Campus, the Financial Aid Department is located in Building N3000, call
805-591-6200, extension 6202.
31. What personal resources to I need to have in place before entering the full-time nursing program?
• Reliable transportation is required to drive to clinical sites in north and south San Luis Obispo County.
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Adequate support systems are necessary to handle day to day responsibilities, including childcare and
employment.
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Sufficient finances must be available to sustain your living costs throughout the two years of the nursing
program. We recommend students do not work more than 20 hours per week because the program is
full-time, occurs Monday through Friday during the day, and the curriculum and clinical schedule are
demanding.
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Apply for financial aid and scholarships prior to the start of the RN program. Review financial aid info at
the Cuesta College Financial Aid Department website: academic.cuesta.edu/finaid/.
32. What accommodations are available during the RN program through the college Disabled Student
Program and Services Department (DSPS)?
• If you have a documented disability, you should make contact with the DSPS office, located in room
3300 on the SLO campus, and in room N3024 in the North County Campus. Visit their website for more
information http://www.cuesta.edu/student/servs_classes/dsps/index.html
33. Do I need a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certificate to apply to the RN program?
• Although students in the program consistently say how helpful this certification is or would be prior to
beginning nursing school, a CNA certificate is not required to be eligible for the RN program at this time.
34. Is the RN program at Cuesta a career ladder or bridge program?
• No. Cuesta College’s RN program is a standalone program and is not designed to be a career ladder or
bridge program that requires completion of another lower level nursing program (such as completion of
an LVN program as a prerequisite to admission).
35. Are there special admission policies for Veteran’s?
• 2.5 points may be awarded to Veterans in the “Life Experiences” category (Area 4) of the Multi-Criteria
section of the program application. However, please note that a maximum total of 2.5 points is
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awarded in this category. View the ‘RN Admission Criteria & Point Allocation’ pages on the Nursing
Program website academic.cuesta.edu/nursing/index.htm for more information.
36. I have a legal offense on my record; can I still apply to the RN program?
• Refer to the ‘Background Check and Drug Screen Policy’ on the Nursing Program website
academic.cuesta.edu/nursing/index.htm. If you still have questions contact the Director of the RN
program at 805-546-3119 to discuss.
37. I am interested in a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) after I complete the Cuesta College Associate
Degree Nursing (ADN) program, how should I begin to prepare for university admissions?
• Opportunities exist to transfer to a 4 year school or online BSN program following completion of your
Associate Degree in Nursing at Cuesta College.
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You can begin required coursework now for this pathway. Meet with a Cuesta counselor to discuss the
various transfer pathways for pre-nursing students, or for students currently registered in the Nursing
program.
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To locate other California BRN approved BSN programs, go to the California Board of Registered Nursing
website http://www.rn.ca.gov/
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