Nursing Program Enrollment Information

To enroll in nursing coursework, all selected applicants must meet the academic, contractual and safety requirements.
Accepted students who is presently under treatment for substance abuse, or who has been under such treatment within six months of the date of application, do not qualify for enrollment in the Nursing Program.
All selected applicants must be able to perform specified manipulative and/or sensory functions, as follows:

1. Be able to hear well enough to respond to calls for help from individuals remote from the location of the student. See Nursing Student Handbook, located on the Nursing website for specific details.
2. Be able to safely maneuver the equipment used to administer medications orally and intramuscularly and be able to see and hear well enough to monitor indications on the instruments regarding the medications being administered.
3. Be able to start effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4. Be able to maneuver a totally helpless adult to the side of a bed and to turn and position the patient.
5. Be able to physically maneuver and support a helpless adult.
6. Be able to see well enough to observe critical symptomatology; have sufficient manipulative ability to record such symptomatology in writing.
7. Be able to maneuver well enough to physically protect himself or herself from possible injury caused by emotionally disturbed or combative patients.
8. Have sufficient physical mobility to respond rapidly to situations involving the health and safety of patients in compliance with the state Board RN Guidelines. 

Previous Education Credit

Challenge Policy

In accordance with the CA Board of Registered Nursing regulations, students who have previous education in a specific area of nursing or other knowledge in the field of nursing may challenge the Golden West College nursing course(s). To do so, the student must meet the following Nursing Program entrance requirements:

1. Must be accepted into the Golden West College RN Program.
2. Must complete a minimum of 12.0 college credit units with a minimum of 2.0 GPA.
3. Must obtain qualifying test scores on the college placement test in English and Math.
4. Evidence of physical and emotional fitness by medical examination.
5. Meet the specifics of the School of Nursing Challenge policy as delineated outlined in the School of Nursing Student Handbook.

Transfer Credit/ Advanced Placement 

To receive previous credit for nursing courses completed at an accredited nursing program, the student must 

1. Candidates must be accepted into the Golden West College RN program. Transfers are accepted on a space availability only.
2. Candidates must submit a recommendation from the nursing program director of the previous school of nursing.
3. Coursework must have been completed within the last two years and passed with a grade of C+ or better.
4. Credit will be given for nursing courses equivalent to those offered at Golden West College. 
5. Credit for general education courses will be granted according to the college policy.
6. A minimum of one academic semester must be spent in the Golden West College Core Nursing Program and the student must complete at least 12 units at GWC

Military Education and Experience

Individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, specifically Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic) or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT 4N0X1C) may achieve advanced placement into the 2nd semester of the nursing program with documentation of education and experience qualifying them for the specific Military Health Care Occupation and upon successful completion of the challenge exam, dosage calculation exam, and skills competency exam.

1. Applicants must meet all general entrance requirements of the Associate Degree Nursing Program as outlined on the Multi-Criteria grid. 
2. Acceptance of Military Challenge students into the Associate Degree Nursing Program is contingent upon space availability, the successful passing of the skills competency exam, achievement of 75% or above on the Challenge Exam and 90% on a dosage calculation exam. 
3. Military Challenge students who have earned a grade of C- or lower or W in a previous nursing program will not be eligible for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program 

More detailed information is available on the GWC Nursing website.

LVN 30-Unit Option

Applicants who hold a current California Vocational Nurse license (LVN) may qualify for the California Registered Nurse State Licensure Examination without the completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. LVNs may elect to complete a non-degree program consisting of 30 units in nursing and related science courses. Certificate of Achievement is awarded at the completion of the program. Admission of LVNs to the Nursing program is on a space-available basis. More detailed information is available on the GWC Nursing website.

Credit Courses