Cracking the Code: A Comprehensive Guide to Santa Ana College's Nursing Program Requirements

For aspiring nurses in Orange County, California, Santa Ana College (SAC) offers a well-regarded Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Known for exceptional student outcomes, the SAC Nursing Program aims to "inspire, transform, and empower a diverse community of learners," preparing them for a fulfilling healthcare career. This article provides a detailed overview of the program's requirements, application process, and other essential information for prospective students.

Santa Ana College: A Legacy of Nursing Education

Established in 1915, Santa Ana College is one of California's oldest community colleges. Its Nursing Program builds upon this legacy, focusing on providing an environment focused on teaching, learning, and the development of students to reach their fullest potential. The program's administration, faculty, and staff are committed to helping students write their own success stories within the Orange County workforce.

Program Options: Tailoring Your Path to Becoming an RN

Santa Ana College of Nursing offers several pathways to becoming a Registered Nurse, including a generic RN program, an LVN to RN program, and a non-degree LVN program.

Option I: Generic RN Program

This is a traditional, two-year academic program designed for individuals without prior nursing experience.

Requirements:

Read also: A Guide to Santa Clara University Academics
- Complete the admission prerequisites.
- Be admitted into the Santa Ana College Registered Nursing (RN) program at the first year of the program or be advanced placed.

LVN-RN Entry: Advanced Placement

The SAC Nursing Program is currently accepting advance placement to second and fourth semester.

Requirements:
- Be licensed in California as a Vocational Nurse.
- Be admitted into the Santa Ana College RN program in the beginning of the second year of the program (third semester) with college credit granted for 21.1 units of LVN courses (21.5 units beginning Fall 2017).
- Complete the Role Transition course with a "Pass" grade before entering the program.
- Be advanced placed into the third semester which is dependent upon space availability in the program.

Policy Governing the Thirty (30) Unit LVN Option

This option is a non-degree option.

Requirements:
- Must be licensed in California as a Vocational Nurse.
- Complete the admission prerequisites required for the 30 Unit LVN Option.
- Be admitted into the Santa Ana College RN program in the beginning of the second year of the program (third semester).
- Complete the Role Transition course with a "Pass" grade before entering the program.
- Be placed into the third semester which is dependent upon space availability in the program.

Essential Requirements for All Applicants

Regardless of the chosen program option, all applicants must meet specific requirements to be considered for admission.

Read also: Explore Santa Clara University

General Eligibility

Be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission.
Have graduated from high school (or equivalent) or have earned a college/university degree.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher:

General Human Anatomy (Bio 239)
Human Physiology (Bio 249)
Microbiology (Bio 139 or 229)
Freshman Composition (English C1000 or C1000H)

Important Notes on Prerequisites:

Science prerequisites must have been completed within the last seven years prior to application.
Face-to-face/in-person or online theory courses are accepted.
Lab courses must be face-to-face/in-person. If a hybrid course was taken, the lab component must be face-to-face/in-person.
Science prerequisite courses must have a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Each prerequisite course can be repeated one time for a better grade.
No penalty will be assessed for withdrawing from prerequisite courses.

TEAS Exam

All students entering the Santa Ana College Nursing Program must pass a diagnostic assessment test. Santa Ana College utilizes the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS test) which must be passed with a score of 62% or higher. It tests math, English, reading and science.

Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) ATI TEAS version Seven with a 62% or higher on the first attempt, after documented remediation, or after one year from the previous attempt
SAC is a limited TEAS testing site option. The test is administered twice a year: in February and in August.

Application Process

Complete and submit the appropriate application with all relevant materials attached.
Submit copies of OFFICIAL transcripts along with the Multi-Criteria Admission application directly to the Nursing Department. If selected, submit OFFICIAL transcripts directly to Admissions & Records department.
Licensed Psychiatric Technicians must meet with the Program Director to determine if entry will be in Second or First semester. If to be advanced-placed into Second, submit the Prerequisite Verification Form, not the Multi-Criteria Admission Application. See Advanced-Placement / LVN-RN Information.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) are eligible to apply to First or Third semester. LVNs will use the Prerequisite Verification Form.

Multi-Criteria Admission

Admission to the SAC Nursing Program is competitive. The college utilizes a multi-criteria grid to evaluate applicants.

75% of available spots: Highest points earned, based on the Multi-Criteria Grid. In the case of a tie in points, a lottery will be conducted.
An additional 20 students will be selected as alternates.
Students who decline entry are required to re-apply for possible selection through the multi-criteria admission process.

Program Structure and Requirements

Program Length and Schedule

The Traditional Program admits students twice each year and is four semesters in length and begins with RN 170/171/171L.
The semesters are 16 weeks.
Theory courses meet 2 times per week on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the day.
Clinical courses are 12 to 24 hours per week generally on Mondays and/or Tuesdays with some possible Saturdays and/or Sundays.
The Traditional Program (T2) admits students once each year in the Fall. T2 has 16-week semesters and meets two evenings per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) for theory except fourth semester when they meet twice per week during the day. Clinical time for T2 are 12 hours on every Saturday with some Sundays and other days as needed or every other Saturday and Sunday with other days as needed.

Essential Program Requirements

Students are required to have transportation to and from off-campus clinical sites.
This is considered a full-time program. Students are advised to limit outside employment.
Students may turn down entry to the program once. A second refusal for entry will result in the student's name going to the end of the entry list.
Evidence of a physical examination by a M.D., Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner is required prior to entry in the program and on an annual basis.
Evidence of a physical exam, titers, and immunizations must be submitted on the Nursing Program's form verifying the applicant's health and physical ability to perform the academic and clinical requirements of an RN student.
A cleared drug test result is required of all Nursing Students after acceptance into the Nursing Program.
A current (within one year of issue date) CPR card for BLS Provider from the American Heart Association is required upon entry to the Nursing Program and must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program.
Students with an incomplete or expired physical information, CPR card, malpractice insurance, background check, or drug testing will not be allowed into the clinical setting because of mandatory hospital and program requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

Due to the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 vaccine mandates have been implemented in many institutions including clinical sites that our nursing students need to attend in order to fulfill the nursing program educational requirements. Due to these current events, please be aware that the majority of the clinical sites are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine in order to be able to go into their site and participate in clinicals. Please have in mind that you are required to be fully vaccinated in order to participate and fulfill the educational requirements unless an exemption option becomes available. If an assigned clinical facility that accepts exemptions is not available during the student's assigned rotation, the student who is not vaccinated may be at risk for not meeting the course objectives or clinical hours. In this situation, the student would need to step out of the program.

Licensure and Accreditation

Successful completion of the Program will result in an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) as well as being eligible to take the nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-RN).
The California Board of Registered Nursing requires California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation review prior to licensure (upon completion of the program).
The Santa Ana College Nursing Program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science Degree nursing program is continuing accreditation to the associate nursing program and the next scheduled evaluation visit is for Spring 2031.

Transfer Options

Completion of the ADN degree prepares a student to transfer to a four-year institution for completion of a baccalaureate degree. Unfortunately, the transfer policy at Santa Ana is basically non-existent. For those interested in transferring, successful theory and clinical courses must be completed within the last three years.

Additional Information and Resources

Cost and Financial Aid

Santa Ana is surprisingly affordable and offers an exceptional educational value. The fees are very very low. Santa Ana does offer free tuition for the full-time Santa Ana Unified School District. Many students want to know if the cost of Santa Ana College of Nursing is worth the expected salary. Truthfully, the tuition cost is so low and there are so many financial resources available at Santa Ana that the cost of tuition is 100% worth it. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earn a median annual salary of $81,220 or $39.05 per hour.

Contact Information

Address: 17th StreetSanta Ana, CA 92706
Office: (714) 564-6825
Counseling: (714) 564-6100 [For Nursing counseling, press #6 and request an appointment]

Hours of Operation

Monday: 7am-4pm
Tuesday: 7am-4pm
Wednesday: 7am-4pm
Thursday: 7am - 4pm
Friday: 7am - 3pm
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Upcoming Closures:

9/5/25 - Office Closure
11/11/25 - Veteran's Day

Nursing Information Orientation

It is suggested that students attend a Nursing Information Orientation given by the Counseling Department.

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