Established in 1971, the Saddleback College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is renowned for its excellence in preparing nursing professionals. This two-year (four-semester) program follows the completion of prerequisite coursework.
Graduates of the Saddleback College Nursing Program have successfully pursued a wide range of nursing careers, with many advancing to upper-degree nursing programs.
Please note that Saddleback College has not determined if the Registered Nursing Program meets the educational requirements for licensure in states outside of California, U.S. territories, or the District of Columbia. For further information, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Mission Statement
Saddleback College’s Nursing Program delivers equitable, student-centered, and innovative education that prepares diverse learners to think critically and provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Through a supportive and inclusive environment, we help students build the competence, confidence, and professional identity needed to advance health, promote social and economic mobility, and serve their communities with compassion and excellence.
The Saddleback Nursing Program does not offer weekend or evening classes at this time. However, there is a possibility that students may be assigned a clinical day on a weekend. Clinical days, skills days, and hours will vary depending on the clinical site to which you are assigned. All lectures are held in person on campus on Wednesdays. Nursing core courses — N 170, N 171, N 172, N 173, and N 176 — are offered in person only, with no online options.
Admission Requirements and Application Information
Saddleback College offers multiple pathways to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Please review the options below carefully to determine which pathway best fits your educational background and career goals.
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Traditional 2-year Nursing program
Leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing
Eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
LVN to RN (30-Unit Option)
Designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) only
No degree is granted upon completion
Eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure in California
Most other states don’t recognize this pathway for RN licensure
Program Overview
The LVN to RN 30-Unit Option is a non-degree pathway designed for California Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) seeking eligibility for RN licensure.
This option allows qualified LVNs to complete up to 30 units of nursing and science coursework required to become eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Admission is based on space availability and individual applicant evaluation.
Designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) only
No degree is granted upon completion
Eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure in California
Most other states don’t recognize California’s LVN 30-Unit Option for RN licensure
Students completing this option will not graduate from the Saddleback College Nursing Program.
Eligibility Requirements
Hold a current California LVN license or provide proof of satisfactory completion of an accredited vocational nursing program
Complete the following courses with grades of “C” or better and a minimum GPA of 2.5:
BIO 12 - Human Physiology
BIO 15 - General Microbiology
N 162 - Successful Transition to Professional Nursing (within a max of three semesters of program entry)
Attend an LVN to RN guidance session
Complete required ATI assessments at or above designated cut scores
Provide proof of at least one year of direct patient care experience as an LVN
Submit an application with the Director/Assistant Director of Nursing
Submit a written commitment to the 30-Unit Option pathway prior to or during application
Admission Information
Admission is based on space availability
Qualified applicants are placed on a waitlist
Each applicant is individually evaluated based on prior education
All classes are challengeable
Required Coursework (30 Units)
Students must complete the following required coursework:
Science Courses:
BIO 12 - Human Physiology (4 units)
BIO 15 - General Microbiology (5 units)
Nursing Courses:
N 162 - Successful Transition to Professional Nursing (1 unit)
N 162L - Skills Lab (0.5 units)
N 165 - Lifecycle 1: Fundamentals of Aging (1.5 units)
N 171 - Mental Health Nursing (2 units)
N 171L - Mental Health Nursing Lab (1 unit)
N 173 - Nursing Care of Children and Families (1.5 units)
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at Saddleback College is a two-year, full-time program designed to prepare students for entry-level practice as Registered Nurses (RNs).
The program combines classroom instruction, skills lab, simulation training, and supervised clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings throughout Orange County.
Graduates of the program earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Saddleback College admits approximately 60 students each application cycle (Spring and Fall) and invites an additional 25–30 alternate candidates per cycle. Alternate candidates may be offered admission if spaces become available prior to the start of the semester. Alternates must complete all required onboarding and compliance requirements to remain eligible for admission.
Due to the rigorous nature of the program, students are strongly encouraged to work no more than 20 hours per week and maintain a flexible schedule that accommodates classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical requirements.
Program Structure
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program consists of four consecutive nursing semesters (Fall and Spring only; no summer sessions). Each semester is approximately 16 weeks in length and includes lecture, skills lab/simulation, and clinical coursework completed concurrently.
Students are required to complete each semester in sequence. Nursing courses are offered during Fall and Spring semesters only.
Program Components
Lecture
Lecture courses are generally held on Wednesdays during morning hours and are attended by the full nursing cohort. Lecture sessions are typically approximately five hours in length; however, schedules may vary by semester.
Skills Lab and Simulation
Skills lab and simulation training are conducted on campus in the Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs. Dates and times vary throughout the semester and are provided to students at the beginning of each term.
Clinical
Clinical courses are held at affiliated hospitals and community healthcare sites throughout Orange County. Clinical rotations are typically scheduled once per week and consist of a 12-hour shift.
Clinical placements and schedules are assigned by the Nursing Program based on site availability and course requirements. Students are not permitted to request specific clinical sites or schedules.
The semester breakdown below reflects nursing and selected support coursework only. Additional general education and graduation requirements are required for the ADN degree.
First Nursing Semester:
N 170 - Nursing Process (3 units)
N 170L - Nursing Process Lab (4.5 units)
N 171 - Mental Health Nursing (2 units)
N 171L - Mental Health Nursing Lab (1 unit)
**N 160 - Pharmacology for Nursing (3 units)
**N 165 - Lifecycle 1: Fundamentals of Aging (1.5 units)
Second Nursing Semester:
N 172 - Medical-Surgical Nursing (3.5 units)
N 172L - Medical-Surgical Nursing Lab (5 units)
**PSYC 1 - General Psychology (3 units)
**N 161 - Lifecycle 2: Growth and Development (1.5 units)
Third Nursing Semester:
N 173 - Nursing Care of Children and Families (1.5 units)
N 173L - Nursing Care of Children and Families Lab (2 units)
N 174 - Women’s Health Nursing (1.5 units)
N 174L - Women’s Health Nursing Lab (2 units)
Fourth Nursing Semester:
N 176 - Advanced Nursing (3 units)
N 176L - Advanced Nursing Lab (5 units)
** Recommended to be completed prior to admission
RN Application Support
If you would like assistance with:
Completing your RN Application for Spring 2027.
Submitting or confirming Course Substitutions for nursing prerequisites and supplemental courses (Please complete with a counselor prior to application opening to ensure petition completion prior to application deadline.)
Confirming equivalent courses for nursing prerequisites and supplemental courses.
Confirming number of points, you currently are applying with.
Receive Support In Person
During the hours indicated as "In Person" below:
Location: Saddleback College Gateway Counseling Office Room 201
The initial admission offer cut-off for the Fall 2026 Nursing cohort was 82 points.
As accepted applicants declined their admission offers, alternate applicants were subsequently invited and the point cut-off decreased.
Final Fall 2026 Admission Cut-Off: 75 points
Please note that not all applicants with 75 points received an admission offer. Admission decisions are based on the program's multi-criteria screening process, available seats, and established tie-breaker criteria.
Current Minimum Eligibility Requirements to Apply to the Saddleback College Nursing Program:
Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission.
Social Security Number or ITIN
Applicants must possess a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to allow for a background check and eligibility for NCLEX licensure upon program completion.
Completion of Science Prerequisites
The following courses must be completed with a grade reflecting on our official transcript.
Anatomy
*Physiology
Microbiology
*Physiology must be completed within 7 years of the application deadline.
For example, for the July 15, 2026 application deadline, Physiology must have been completed in Summer 2019 or later.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 across these three courses is required.
Please note:
+/- grades are not factored into the GPA calculation
Grades are not rounded when calculating GPA
If a course has been repeated, the highest grade earned will be used when calculating GPA
Additional Note:
Online science courses taken between 2020–2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic are acceptable. Otherwise, science courses must be completed in person, although hybrid courses with an in-person lab component are permitted.
English Requirement
Completion of English C1000 (formerly ENG 1A - Principles of Composition I) or an equivalent transferable course with a grade of C or higher.
A minimum overall score of 62% is required to qualify.
Preliminary scores will not be accepted.
Applicants must upload an unofficial TEAS score report with their application and send official TEAS scores directly to Saddleback College. The applicant’s name must be clearly listed on the score report.
Testing Policy
Applicants must take Version 7 of the TEAS exam.
There is no minimum waiting period required between attempts.
The highest qualifying score will be used for evaluation.
All eligibility requirements must be met and documented before submission of your application. It is strongly recommended that applicants meet with a counselor before applying to confirm they meet all eligibility criteria.
Admission to the Nursing Program is based on a 100‑point multi‑criteria selection process. Applicants with the highest total points will be offered placement.
If multiple applicants receive the same total score, applicants will be ranked using the following criteria in order:
Completion of relevant nursing coursework as indicated on the criteria.
GPA in biology prerequisite courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology)
+/- grades are not factored into the GPA calculation.
Grades are not rounded when calculating the GPA.
If a course has been repeated, the highest grade earned will be used when calculating the GPA.
3. Relevant Coursework (Maximum 20 Points)
Course
Points
*N160 – Pharmacology
5
*N165 – Lifecycle 1: Fundamentals of Aging
3
*N161 – Lifecycle 2: Growth & Development
3
*Introduction to Psychology
3
*Communication Course (COMM C1000 / COMM 5 / Cal‑GETC Area 1C)
3
*Math Requirement for AA/AS Degree
3
* Courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses that are in progress will not receive points, and an official grade must be posted on your transcript at the time of application review.
If you completed prerequisite or relevant courses at another college, you are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Saddleback College counselor to review course equivalencies before submitting your application. To schedule an appointment, please call (949) 582-4572.
4. Life Experience (Maximum 3 Points)
All applicants automatically receive 3 points in this category. No documentation is required.
5. Second Language Proficiency (Maximum 2 Points)
Applicants may submit ONE of the following forms of verification. The applicant’s legal name must appear on the document submitted.
Accepted forms of verification include:
A letter on official letterhead from an employer, professor, or clergy verifying language proficiency. View a sample letter here.
A transcript from a foreign school showing coursework completed in the language.
A high school transcript demonstrating completion of at least three years of the same second language with a grade of C or better.
A college transcript demonstrating completion of at least two years of the same second language with a grade of C or better.
An official AP exam score report with a score of 3 or higher.
Please note:
Only the documentation listed above will be accepted as proof of second language proficiency.
Self-written letters, emails, or other documentation not listed above will not be accepted.
Coursework must demonstrate completion of a sequential level of the same language.
Applicants must take the ATI TEAS exam. A minimum overall score of 62% is required to qualify. Preliminary scores will not be accepted. Applicants must upload an unofficial TEAS score report with their application and send official TEAS scores directly to Saddleback College. The applicant’s name must be clearly listed on the score report.
Overall Score
Points
85% - 100%
25
78% - 84.9%
20
71% - 77.9%
15
64% - 70.9%
10
62% - 63.9%
5
Testing Policy:
Applicants must take Version 7 of the TEAS exam.
There is no minimum waiting period required between attempts.
The highest qualifying score will be used for evaluation.
7. Healthcare Work Experience (Maximum 15 Points)
Applicants must have work experience within the past five years in one of the following roles:
LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse)
LPT (Licensed Psychiatric Technician)
CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
EMT-P (Paramedic)
EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
Respiratory Therapist
Only the work experience roles listed above will be accepted. No other types of work experience will be considered.
Applicants must also hold a current and valid license or certification for the respective role.
NOTE: Applicants must provide both qualifying work experience and a current, valid license or certification to receive full points. Partial points will not be awarded. Any amount of work experience hours will be accepted, provided the work experience is directly related to the license or certification listed above.
For all applicants, work experience must be obtained through a licensed healthcare facility, agency, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or other healthcare employer. Private-duty caregiving, private caregiving arrangements, or employment directly by an individual or family will not be accepted.
Required Work Experience Documentation (must be included with your application):
A copy of your current and valid professional license or certification.
An employment verification letter from your employer on official company letterhead. The letter must include the applicant's name, job title, employment dates, job duties, and total hours worked.
Students admitted to the Saddleback College Nursing Program are required to meet all clinical compliance and health clearance requirements prior to participating in clinical rotations.
Clinical education is an essential and mandatory component of the nursing curriculum and is required to meet California Board of Registered Nursing regulations, program learning outcomes, and national accreditation standards.
Health Clearance Requirements
Students admitted to the program should anticipate completing the following clinical compliance requirements.
Immunity Titers
Laboratory-confirmed immunity titers for:
Measles (IgG)
Mumps (IgG)
Rubella (IgG)
Varicella
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
One of the following:
Two-step TB skin test (TST/PPD), or
IGRA blood test (QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot)
Students with a positive TB result will also be required to provide additional documentation, such as a chest X-ray.
Required Vaccinations
Current seasonal COVID-19 vaccine/booster
Tdap
Current seasonal influenza vaccine
Physical Examination
A completed physical examination form signed by a licensed healthcare provider, including a vision screening.
Additional Clinical Compliance Requirements
Additional program and clinical onboarding requirements may include, but are not limited to:
Background check
Drug screening
American Heart Association (AHA) BLS CPR certification
Student nurse liability insurance
Health insurance verification
Clinical compliance tracking platform enrollment
Completion of required policy acknowledgements and onboarding documents
Site-specific onboarding and training modules
Annual renewal of time-sensitive requirements
Additional requirements may vary by clinical agency and are subject to change without notice.
Important Information
Clinical placement sites establish their own onboarding, health, and safety requirements. These requirements may vary by facility and may change without notice.
Because students must be eligible to attend any assigned clinical site, the Nursing Program applies the most stringent requirements across all affiliated clinical partners.
Students are responsible for:
Maintaining compliance throughout the duration of the program
Monitoring expiration dates for all requirements
Renewing documents prior to expiration
Retaining copies of all submitted documentation
Failure to maintain required clinical compliance documentation may impact a student’s ability to participate in clinical coursework and progress in the program.
Student Health & Wellness Center
Admitted students will complete the health clearance process through the Student Health & Wellness Center at Saddleback College and will receive detailed instructions upon acceptance into the program.
NOTE: Students should not begin the Mandatory Health Packet until officially admitted into the program and instructed to do so by the Nursing Department.
We recommend that nursing students work no more than 20 hours per week while enrolled in the program. If working is necessary for financial reasons, it is advised to schedule work during weekends or holidays, and ideally in a role that offers flexibility to accommodate the rigorous demands of the nursing program.
Weekly Schedule Overview
Lectures: Held once a week on campus every Wednesday.
Simulation Days: Occur on campus approximately two days per week.
Clinical Days: Clinical placements are assigned to students and will vary depending on the assigned clinical site. All clinical sites are located within Orange County.
Students should be prepared for a demanding schedule balancing theory, clinical practice, and simulation activities throughout the program.
Course Hours Breakdown
Course
Theory Hours
Clinical Hours
N 170 (10 weeks)
49.8
224.1
N 171 (6 weeks)
33.2
49.8
N 172 (16 weeks)
56.1
249
N 173 (8 weeks)
24.9
99.6
N 174 (8 weeks)
24.9
99.6
N 176 (10 weeks + 6-week preceptor)
49.8
249
Saddleback College Nursing Program - Approximate Costs
This form is intended only for students who were previously enrolled in the Saddleback College Nursing Program and are seeking re-entry for the Fall 2026 term.
Who Should Use This Form
Students who were previously enrolled in the Saddleback Nursing Program.
Students requesting to return after a leave of absence.
Important Information
Submission of this petition does not guarantee re-entry into the program.
Re-entry is based on space availability and program requirements.
All required documents must be submitted for your application to be considered.
Required Documents
Completed Re-Entry Petition Form.
Completed Remediation Plan Form.
Any additional requirements listed in the remediation plan.
Deadlines
All materials must be submitted by the April 1st, by 11:59 a.m.
Late or incomplete applications may not be reviewed.
Notification
Applicants will receive notification of the re-entry petition decision no later than April 15, 2026.
All students selected for enrollment in the Nursing Program are required to complete a criminal background check prior to participating in clinical experiences. Please be aware that the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) may deny or delay licensure pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code, including for certain criminal convictions or acts involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit.
Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony are required to disclose this information when applying for RN licensure. A criminal history may impact eligibility to take the licensure examination and/or obtain a Registered Nursing license.
If you have concerns regarding how a prior conviction may affect your eligibility for licensure, you are strongly encouraged to consult with the Nursing Program Director and/or contact the California Board of Registered Nursing before beginning the Nursing Program.
The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.
Expenses
Living With Parents (2 Semesters)
Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition and Fees
$1,432
$1,432
Books and Supplies
$1,089
$1,089
Living Expenses: Food and Housing
$13,942
$25,461
Personal & Misc
$4,140
$5,067
Transportation
$1,818
$1,989
Total Resident
$22,421
$35,038
Total Non-Resident
$36,921
$48,538
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living Away from Parents
Tuition and Fees
$574
$574
Books and Supplies
$363
$363
Living Expenses: Food and Housing
$4,627
$8,487
Personal and Misc
$1,380
$1,689
Transportation
$606
$663
Total Resident
$7,570
$11,776
Total Non-Resident
$12,970
$17,170
Expenses
Living With Parents
Fall and Spring
Living With Parents
Summer
Living Away from Parents
Fall and Spring
Living Away from Parents
Summer
Tuition and Fees
$1,432
$712
$1,432
$712
Books and Supplies
$1,089
$363
$1,089
$363
Transportation
$1,818
$606
$1.989
$663
Total Resident
$4,339
$1,681
$4,510
$1,738
Total Non-Resident
$17,839
$7,081
$18,010
$7,138
Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and 12-units for Summer
Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $450 per unit ($400 non-resident tuition fee + $50 capital outlay fee)
Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)
