Achieving Your Nursing Dreams: A Guide to the Sierra College Nursing Program Requirements

Nurses are indispensable members of the healthcare system. They provide direct patient care, advocate for patients and their families, and play a vital role in promoting health and wellness within communities. If you're considering a career in nursing, understanding the requirements for nursing programs like the one at Sierra College is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements, curriculum, and opportunities associated with the Sierra College Nursing Program.

The Role of Nurses in Healthcare

Nurses are an integral part of the health care team, helping patients cope with illness and providing the care needed for each patient. They may find employment in private and public health agencies, doctor’s offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, schools, industry, and nursing homes. Nurses also serve as advocates for patients, families, and communities.

BSN Degree and Career Advancement

To receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at any nursing school, the student will complete the prerequisites before applying to the nursing school of their choice. After being accepted, it can take anywhere from 2-3 years for a student to receive his or her BSN. At this time, the student is eligible to take the national licensing exam. The BS nurse is eligible for the masters in nursing if he/she has maintained a “B” average or above. Areas of further study open might include clinical specialty, teaching, a nurse practitioner role, administration, or nursing research.

Understanding the Sierra College Nursing Program

Sierra College offers a Registered Nursing Program where students earn an AS or AA degree in Registered Nursing. The curriculum, approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, consists of both nursing and related general education courses, plus additional general education degree requirements. The nursing courses include theory classes and supervised concurrent clinical practice in local health care agencies.

Admission Requirements and Eligibility

Application packets are evaluated for completeness and applicant admission eligibility. Application packets that are incomplete are not considered for admission. The qualifying score using the Chancellor’s Predictor of Success formula is 84% or higher.

Advanced Placement Opportunities

Licensed vocational nurses and others with previous nursing education and/or experience may receive credit and/or seek advanced placement in the program. Admission of any student eligible for advanced placement in the program following an academic evaluation is on a space available basis. The 30-unit Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) option is offered on a space available basis for LVNs currently licensed in California. Requirements include completion (or challenge) of acceptable college level courses in physiology and microbiology with grades of “C” or better prior to enrollment in the program and completion (or challenge) of NRSR 0023 and NRSR 0024 in sequence. Upon admission, the student must complete NRSR 0023, NRSR 0024, and the remaining required program and general education courses. LVNs interested in pursuing an Associate Degree Nursing and taking National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to be a Registered Nurse may be admitted to the Upward Mobility program on a space available basis.

General Education Requirements

Registered Nursing AS Degree Students must fulfill the nursing program requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns: Sierra College Associate Degree Requirements (Local General Education) California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Students already holding an associate degree in another major do not need to complete the general education requirements listed immediately above, unless they wish to obtain an AA or AS degree in Registered Nursing. 1 Students must be admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program before enrolling in the registered nursing courses.

Important Considerations

In accordance with Regulation 480 of the State Board of Registered Nursing, a person convicted of any offense, other than a minor traffic violation, may not qualify to be licensed as a registered nurse. At the expense of the student, a physical exam and proof of freedom of communicable disease and/or immunizations for the protection of the student and patients are required upon admission and prior to the first day of class. Students must also purchase an approved uniform and instructional materials required to achieve program objectives, maintain Basic Life Support training certification from the American Heart Association designated for Healthcare Providers and be responsible for transportation to and from clinical facilities. Drug testing and background screening are required. Readiness/assessment testing may be required.

LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program

The LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program is a one or one and a half-year, full-time program. LVN to RN Upward Mobility students join our Associate Degree Nursing program students in either the second or third semester to complete their pre-licensure education. The determination of semester entrance is dependent upon the results of placement exams that will be administered after candidate selection.

Course Overview

Here is an overview of some of the courses offered within the Sierra College Nursing Program:

Read also: Sierra College Resources

NRSR 0017: Provides the LVN Upward Mobility student with the content/concepts for the management of nursing care for the child with complex nursing needs, such as a high-risk medical condition and chronic or end-of-life care. The content rounds out the basic pediatric nursing content the student received in the vocational nursing program and meets BRN curriculum requirements.
NRSR 0021: Introduction to nursing with overview of its evolution, present trends and issues, legal and ethical aspects and the major concepts underlying today's practice. Theory and correlated clinical practice related to utilizing the nursing process based on Roy's Adaptation Model to provide direct care to stable adult and geriatric clients. Emphasis on basic human needs and promoting adaptive mechanisms for attaining and maintaining wellness. Students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform all basic nursing procedures.
NRSR 0022: Theory and correlated clinical practice related to utilizing the nursing process based on Roy's Adaptation Model to promote adaptation by adult and pediatric clients and their families experiencing common and/or remedial illnesses/stressors. Students further develop skills and apply theory introduced in NRSR 21 in varied and more complex settings, and gain additional theory and skills related to new clinical areas and levels of responsibility.
NRSR 0023: Theory and clinical practice related to application of the nursing process based on Roy's Adaptation Model. Students provide care for the adult client having a variety of complex medical-surgical health problems and learn to apply the nursing process for clients experiencing common mental health issues. Focus is on the role of the registered nurse in therapeutic communication, health teaching, leadership, management, and team work. Students further develop skills and apply theory introduced in NRSR 22 in varied and more complex settings, and gain additional theory and skills related to new clinical areas and levels of responsibility.
NRSR 0024: Theory and correlated clinical practice related to the application of the nursing process based on Roy's Adaptation Model for multiple adult and geriatric clients with complex health problems experiencing acute illness. Students learn to promote adaptation for the maternal-newborn clients experiencing illness/stressors. Students further develop skills and apply theory introduced in previous semesters in varied and more complex settings, and gain additional theory and skills related to new clinical areas and levels of responsibility.
NRSR 0025: Provides the LVN upward mobility student with the content/concepts for the management of nursing care for the obstetrical and newborn patient with complex nursing needs, such as a high-risk intrapartum, complicated birth, and post delivery care of maternal/newborn patients. Content builds upon the basic obstetrical nursing content the student received in the vocational nursing program and meets BRN curriculum requirements.
NRSR 0031: Focuses on preparing nursing students with the fundamental skills necessary for accurate dosage calculations in the context of medication administration. Through comprehensive instruction, students will gain proficiency in calculating dosages, ensuring precision and safety in the vital skill of medication delivery within a nursing context. This course emphasizes practical application, enabling students to develop the necessary competence in dosage calculations to excel in nursing practice.
NRSR 0032: Designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for safe and effective intravenous (IV) therapy. The course focuses on foundational concepts, principles, and techniques essential for nurses who administer IV therapy in diverse healthcare settings. This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to deliver safe and competent IV therapy.
NRSR 0033: Designed to provide nursing students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology as it relates to nursing practice. Students will explore the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, emphasizing the actions, uses, and adverse effects of commonly used medications across diverse patient populations.
NRSR 0034: Designed to equip Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students with the essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for a successful transition into the professional nursing workforce. With emphasis on the significance of professional identity in nursing, this course focuses on cultivating foundational principles and behaviors that result in the individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse.

NCLEX-RN Exam and Licensure

Completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program qualifies the student to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing the Exam, registered nurses are eligible to work in a variety of settings within the health care system as entry level staff nurses. Upon graduating from a nursing program, you must sit for your NCLEX-RN exam and pass this to receive your California nursing license. The cost of the NCLEX-RN exam in California is $350.

The Benefits of a Nursing Career in California

California is a great place to work. It offers the highest wages for nurses nationwide and employs the most nurses compared to any other state. Nurses in California have a competitive salary that is unmatched by other states. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the annual wage for nurses in California is $133,340, well above the national average of $86,070 (May 2023). The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6%.

Additional Nursing Courses

NURS 9. Reasoning and Critical Thinking on Health Topics. Provides students with an introduction to critical thinking and reasoning in evaluating societal issues related to health. Students will examine sources of health information, including mass and social media to critically examine fact versus fiction. Emphasizes logical steps in problem-solving, decision-making, reasoning, and the construction of arguments about health problems and promotion.
NURS 10. Health Care: Issues and Delivery Systems. today. Provides a format to debate current biomedical issues and explores crosscultural health practices.
NURS 14. Pharmacology. Basic principles of pharmacology with a focus on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and related therapeutic implications for major drug categories. May be taken by pre-nursing or non-nursing students. Lecture two hours.
NURS 21. First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person. A first-year seminar intended to provide students with an introduction to the meaning of higher education, resources of the University, and skills for lifelong learning. This course is designed to help students develop academic success strategies, and to improve information literacy, intercultural competence, and integrative thinking.
NURS 53. Paramedic Skills Part 1. Part 1 of foundational ALS skills content for pre-hospital care in the Emergency Medical System (EMS). Participants apply theoretical knowledge of Advanced Life Support in skills lab and simulated patient care experiences. Students will practice assessment and intervention of psychomotor skills for Advanced Life Support (ALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS).
NURS 54. Paramedic Skills Part 2. Part 2 of foundational ALS skills content for pre-hospital care in the Emergency Medical System (EMS). Participants apply theoretical knowledge of Advanced Life Support in skills lab and simulated patient care experiences. This is the skills section of NURS 52. Students will practice assessment and intervention of psychomotor skills for Advanced Life Support (ALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS).
NURS 111. Introduction to Professional Nursing. Provides a conceptual base for the practice of professional nursing. The changing and expanding roles of the professional nurse in the health care delivery system are explored, with an emphasis on professional behavior, ethics, evidence-based practice and informatics. Lecture three hours.
NURS 112. Nursing Care Of Adults. Introduction and application of nursing concepts in meeting health needs of adults. Emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease management across the adult life span.
NURS 113. Professional Nursing Communication, Assessment and Skills. Apply nursing practice concepts in assessment, skills, and professional communication in the context of laboratory scenarios and field experiences across the lifespan. Laboratory twelve hours.
NURS 119. Mental Health Nursing for the LVN 30-Unit Option. Theoretical basis for the nursing care of individuals who require nursing intervention to achieve and maintain mental health through adaptive processes. The course includes a supervised practicum which incorporates therapeutic modalities. A variety of psychodynamic theories related to anxiety, interpersonal relationships, crisis intervention, and group process are discussed.
NURS 120. Nursing Application of Research and Critical Analysis. Evaluation and application of research to nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on application of evidence to improve quality and safety in healthcare and advance nursing practice. Develop an understanding of the humanities and diverse cultures through the lens of nursing practice. Application of a critical framework of sociocultural, historical, and economic perspectives to analyze scholarly inquiry of health and healthcare.
NURS 123. Nursing Families in Complex Illness. Provides students with the opportunity to learn and apply nursing concepts through the care of individuals and families experiencing complex illness across the adult lifespan. The focus is on skill development and the synthesis of data from multiple sources to formulate nursing interventions. Lecture three hours; laboratory six-eight hours.
NURS 129. Mental Health Nursing. Provides an overview of multidimensional factors, perspectives, and approaches associated with mental health across the lifespan. Mental health concepts and interventions are applied across multiple settings. Lecture three hours; laboratory six-eight hours.
NURS 133. Leadership and Management for the LVN to RN. This course is designed to present leadership and management skills for the Licensed Vocational Nurse transitioning to the Registered Nurse role. The principle and processes of administration, management, and supervision will be discussed within an organizational framework. Lecture two hours.
NURS 136. Nursing Laboratory for the Childbearing Family. Application of skills and assessment in the care of the childbearing family and women experiencing reproductive health changes across the lifespan.
NURS 137. Nursing the Childbearing Family. Application of nursing concepts in the care of the childbearing family and women experiencing reproductive health changes across the lifespan. Lecture three hours; laboratory six-eight hours.
NURS 138. Nursing the Childrearing Family. Introduction and application of nursing concepts in meeting health needs of the child from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease management within the context of the family and applied across multiple settings. Lecture three hours; laboratory six-eight hours.
NURS 139. Nursing Laboratory for the Childrearing Family. Acquisition of knowledge and practice using tools and techniques for assessing the child and the family in a variety of settings. Laboratory three hours.
NURS 143. Leadership and Management in Nursing Practice. Integration of leadership and management principles to promote health across the lifespan and care settings. Application of leadership and management principles in the examination of organizational structures, processes, and approaches to quality and safety concepts in health care systems and practice environments. Emphasis will be placed on career development and transition to professional practice.
NURS 144. Community Health Nursing. Contemporary role of the community health nurse is presented within a public health framework, emphasizing the concept of community as client. Presents nursing interventions related to groups and aggregates identified as high risk for the development of health problems. Clinical experience is provided across community settings. Lecture and clinical hours.
NURS 145. Clinical Leadership and Professional Role Development. The purpose of this culminating senior practicum is to facilitate the transition of the nursing student into the role of a professional BSN graduate nurse. The course will integrate the theoretical and clinical nursing concepts acquired throughout the curriculum into a precepted senior practicum. Students will apply principles of clinical nursing, nursing management and nursing leadership in a selected clinical setting.
NURS 148. Running Quality Simulations: Start to Finish. This course is designed to prepare nursing students to develop and maintain high-quality, effective healthcare simulation programs that prepare nurses for real patient care experiences in a safe environment. Students will learn how to design and implement simulation scenarios including prebriefing, simulation activities, debriefing, and evaluation of students and instruction implementation. This will be evident by active engagement, reflection, discussion, checklists, and written evaluations. The study of simulation will be supplemented with readings, discussions, collaboration, presentations, dialogues, and written assignments.
NURS 160. Human Sexuality. Designed to explore the physiological, sociological, and psychological components of human sexuality in a sufficiently detailed manner to dispel the myths and confusion enveloping this sensitive subject.
NURS 165. Hospice and Palliative Nursing Care. Evaluation of the role of the nurse in providing family-centered care throughout the death and dying process within a historical and cultural context. Exploration of differences in organizational models to end-of-life care, including hospice and palliative care. Integration of nursing care into unique cultural values and beliefs.
NURS 167. Women's Health. Designed for people seeking knowledge about women's health, women's health risks, and the delivery of traditional and non-traditional medical interventions for the maintenance of health and management of illness. Covers the physiological and psychological components of women's health. The leading acute and chronic illnesses which affect women are introduced. Discussions include: means of sustaining a wellness lifestyle; identification, management and consultation for acute and chronic illness; normal physiological life changes and adaptations to aging; mind/body connection in the control of health and illness; pharmacology and drug therapy for women; health management for infants and children; access and control of care for women in traditional and non-traditional health settings; and research in women's health.
NURS 168. The Brain and Gender-Related Differences. Gender-related differences which are mediated by the brain are examined from the theoretical framework of evolution. The place of molecular genetics, hormone physiology, neural function, biomedical research, human development, personality theory and research, and crosscultural research are studied in an attempt to understand the processes that affect sex differences. Gender-related differences in normal and abnormal behavior resulting from chronic and acute disease, and pathological states, will be introduced.
NURS 170. Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. This course provides an overview of nursing research and application to practice. Students will identify components of evidence-based practice and develop skills in critiquing research and in professional writing.
NURS 171. Transitional Concepts: The Baccalaureate Nurse. This course expands students' knowledge of theories, concepts, and social issues which have implications for nursing practice. Assignments and experiences are designed to transition the RN to the baccalaureate level of proficiency.
NURS 171A. Transitional Concepts: The Baccalaureate Nurse Rol…