Registered Nursing Associate of Science Program (Advanced Placement/Transfer)

The Registered Nursing Associate of Science Program (Advanced Placement/Transfer) option is intended for students who have met all application requirements and are seeking nursing course credit for prior learning or experience such as transfer students, military veterans or other healthcare professionals, including Licensed Vocational Nurses. Students will receive credit for prior learning and be placed in the Registered Nursing Associate of Science Program accordingly.

Learn more about all Registered Nursing Program Options

Course Requirements

RN Programs and Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)

All requirements must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and students must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college.

• ENGL B1A - Expository Composition
• BIOL B32 - Anatomy & Physiology I
• BIOL B33 - Anatomy & Physiology II
• BIOL B16 - Microbiology
• COMM B1, B4, B8 or B11 - Oral Communication
• SOC B1 - Intro to Sociology or ANTH B2 - Cultural Anthropology
• PSYC B1A - General Psychology

VN Program and Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)

All requirements must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and students must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college.

• ENGL B1A - Expository Composition (prior completion of ENGL B50 will be accepted)
• BIOL B18 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or completion of both BIOL B32 and BIOL B33
• PSYC B1A - General Psychology
• MATH B27- College Algebra or TECM B52 - Mathematics for Career Education or higher level of Math placement

Program Requirements

• Good standing student status (academic and in progress)
• Meet the minimum Essential Technical Standards
• Must pass background, drug/alcohol screening
• Must possess valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card
• Must have valid Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

Application Period

All application forms and transcripts must be received in the Allied Health Office (MS-178) during the designated filing period outlined below. Applications received prior to, or after these dates will not be accepted.

January 1 - January 31 (RN) and February 1-28 (VN) for the Program scheduled to start in the Fall (RN and VN)

July 1 - July 31 for the Program scheduled to start in the Spring (RN)

• Applications must be accompanied by an official or unofficial BC transcript. (All required coursework must be on transcript.)
• Transcripts from other colleges/universities needing evaluation for this period must be submitted to the Admissions & Records Office no later than Nov 1st for Fall RN/VN programs and no later than May 1st for the Spring RN along with a Request for Evaluation Form. This form can be obtained in the Admissions & Records office.
• Please note, The Admissions & Records office will need a minimum of 12 weeks to complete the evaluation process.

Bakersfield College General Education Pattern - RN Program only

General education courses are required to graduate from BC with an ADN. Students are encouraged to follow the CSU General Education pattern if there is a desire to pursue their Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN). See catalog for the CSU General Education requirements. It is strongly suggested that most of these courses be completed prior to beginning the Nursing Program:

Associate Degree Nursing Program Brochure - refer to Bakersfield College General Education Pattern

Vocational Nursing Program is a Certificate of Achievement - no General Education courses are required. However, if you are thinking of pursuing the RN program, you will want to complete the RN General Education Pattern

Application Procedure

• Read ALL instructions in their entirety before completing the application.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to complete ALL application requirements/procedures. Failure to meet these requirements will result in an incomplete application and will not be considered for selection.
  • Access Application for RN program or VN program
  • Print and complete all sections. Check the box for Advanced Placement consideration. The application must be legible. (Appendix A / Multi-Criteria Point Allocation is not required)
  • Submit the application AND all supporting documents, including: Official or Unofficial Bakersfield College transcripts showing all pre-requisite courses posted.
  • Program Transfer students: Course syllabi and college catalog course descriptions from previous Nursing school at the time attended. Print out from pages of the catalog that includes year will be accepted. These can be located on each college's website. Official letter of good standing from Nursing Director.
  • LVN's: submit copy of current CA Vocational Nurse license, IV certification, support of work experience
  • Psychiatric Technicians: submit copy of current CA Psychiatric Technician License, IV certification, support of work experience
  • Paramedics: must submit copy of current (CA) Paramedic license, support of work experience
  • ATI TEAS TRANSCRIPT with score reflecting 62% or higher (must have been completed in the last 5 years)
  • Veterans: submit copy of DD214 and Official Joint Services Transcript

If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College:

• Apply for Admission to BC either in person at the Admissions & Records office or apply online.
• Order an official copy of your transcripts from your previous college(s);
• Submit the official copy of your transcripts along with a Request for Evaluation to the Admissions & Records office.
• If you have taken courses from Porterville College or Cerro Coso Community College you do not need to submit official copies of transcripts for evaluation, but rather you ONLY need to submit the Request for Evaluation form to the BC Admissions & Record Office so they can convert the coursework to BC equivalent courses.
• Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your BC transcripts, either order an official copy from the Admission & Records, OR print your unofficial BC transcript, AND submit along with the Application Form and supporting documentation to the Allied Health/Nursing Office, in the Math Science building, Room 178, during the appropriate application period.
• Please note, it takes a minimum of 12 weeks for transcripts to be evaluated by BC's Admissions & Records Office.
• Upper-division course work will not be posted on a BC transcript, therefore the student must meet with the BC Department Chair of the appropriate course and discuss the possibility of accepting that upper-division course as a BC equivalent course. Allow time for review given program deadlines.

Application Selection Process

Applications will be considered that meet the requirements and have followed the application procedure. Dependent on seat availability and placement, applications will be selected through a lottery process. Those not selected will need to re-apply following the same application procedure for consideration during the next cohort.

Essential Technical Standards

Bakersfield College nursing faculty have the responsibility to educate and prepare students to become competent nurses who safely care for their patients and families using critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and refined technical skills. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review the Essential Technical Standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully progress in, and graduate from our programs. To be qualified for the BC ADN Program, individuals must be able to meet Essential Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. For further information regarding services and resources to students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations please contact the Disabled Student Programs & Services located in the Center for Student Success (CSS) Building, 1st floor, CSS 10 ((661)395-4334).

See RN brochure and VN brochure

Physical Examination Requirements

A physical examination completed by the Student Health and Wellness Center or Healthcare Provider of the student's choice, is required upon entering the Program. This is to demonstrate that a student is in good physical and mental health, and meets the Essential Technical Standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required, and are performed at the student's expense. Starting November 1, 2021, all students, staff and faculty are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an exemption to access district property. All individuals who do not submit their vaccination information or receive an exemption will receive a red pass on their KCCD Campus Pass app and are not allowed to access in-person services.

Drug/Alcohol Screening

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to, and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening at the student's expense. Although the State of California has legalized cannabis use, it is still illegal under federal law.

Background Screening and Licensure Eligibility

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to complete and submit a background check, at the student's expense. Please note:

• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.
• If students are unable to attend clinic due to background restrictions, then the student's seat will be forfeited as they will not be able to meet Program/Course Objectives.

Basic Life Support

Students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card. This BLS card must be valid at all times. *This requirement may be fulfilled by completion of MEDS B52 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Healthcare Providers)

Estimated Program Costs (Gainful Employment)

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off-campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees. Dependent on your placement into the program, applicants can refer to the Estimated Program Costs for RN program and Estimated Program Costs for VN program.

Program Accreditation and Approval

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The RN and VN programs have retained ongoing program approvals since their inception.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Registered Nursing at the time of application for licensure. For clarification contact the ADN Program Director or the Board of Registered Nursing, 400 R Street, Suite 4030, Sacramento, California, 95814, (916) 322-3350. Board of Registered Nursing-Enforcement Division

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians at the time of applications for licensure. For clarification contact the Program Director or the BVNPT, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, California, 95833, (916) 263-7800. Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians-Enforcement Division

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, Bakersfield College provides services and benefits to students regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, medical condition or disability. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to administration and participation in vocational education programs. (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.)

Baccalaureate Degree

Pursuant to SB 1393, a student of a registered nursing program with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution is not required to complete any coursework other than that which is unique and exclusively required to earn a nursing degree from that institution. All course work must meet the graduation requirements and licensure eligibility requirements as set forth by the Board of Registered Nursing.

Associate Degree Nurse Program Curriculum

The following courses are taken AFTER the student enters the Program. Background and training will determine placement in program.

Second Semester (8.5 Units)

Third Semester (11.0 Units)

Fourth Semester (7.0 Units)

Vocational Nurse Program Curriculum

The following courses are taken AFTER the student enters the Program. Background and training will determine placement in program.

Second Semester (15 Units)

Third Semester (15 Units)

Important Information

Math Requirement

Students in the RN program are required to take MATH B27 or a higher placement level as of Summer 2022. Previously offered MATH B75 or B70 will still be accepted.

Military Veterans

Military Challenge Advanced Placement Policy - Individuals with military health education and experience who have held Military Health Care Occupations may be eligible to obtain credit for ADN program courses.

Priority Placement for Veterans

Students will be admitted to the program based on their scholastic eligibility and placement on a nursing assessment test as per SB 1309.

If the program is receiving Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding, in accordance with the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA), priority will be given to applicants with proof of military, naval, or air service and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable; students must work with Admissions & Records to determine eligibility.

An eligible spouse/widow(er) or dependent will also be extended this priority status. This eligibility is determined by proof of valid Certificate of Eligibility (C.O.E.) along with the eligible DD-214 support.

Estimated Program Costs (Gainful Employment)

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off-campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees. See the Registered Nursing Program Projected Costs Per Semester for estimated cost for books, uniforms, fees and required equipment for the first term of the Program. Second and third semesters usually only require registration fees and books. In addition to registration fees and books, the ADN fourth semester's expenses will include Program Completion activities, Program pin, ATI test, Board or Registered Nursing application fees and NCLEX Licensure.

Program Accreditation and Approval

The California Board of Registered Nursing accredits the BC Associate Degree Nursing Program. Bakersfield College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Currently in process of securing National Certification through Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Basic Life Support Certification

Prior to the beginning of the nursing program, and then throughout the program, students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association BLS card. This BLS card must be valid until the end of the 2-year ADN Program. It is your responsibility to provide a copy of the current BLS card to the nursing department and to carry a copy of this card while attending clinical in the healthcare facilities, preferably in your portfolio.

Students Transferring to CSUB

Students who plan to obtain their Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Cal State University Bakersfield after completing the Bakersfield College ADN Program should consult the CSUB Nursing for current requirements.

Technology Requirements