Nursing

• Registered Nurse

• Registered Nurse

• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy
• Communication Skills for Nursing Students
• Home Health Aide

The following requirements must be completed and not in progress to be eligible:

• Be at least 18 years of age at time of admission.
• Completion with a 2.8 GPA or higher in the following BIO prerequisites: BIO 11 - Human Anatomy, BIO 12 - Human Physiology (must be completed within 7 years upon applying), BIO 15 - Microbiology. 
• Completion of prerequisite English 1A- Principles of Composition I or equivalent with a "C" or better. 
• Taken and passed the ATI TEAS exam version 7 with a 62% or higher (either proctored online or in seat does not matter with which institution you take it with). No longer accepting version 6. If you do not pass the exam, you should remediate and wait to retest approx. 365 days from previous attempt. If you pass the exam, but want to earn a higher score you need to wait to retest approx. 365 days from previous attempt. 

It is recommend you wait to take the ATI TEAS exam AFTER you have completed all of your RN prerequisites and the math requirement for an AA/AS degree.

We encourage all students interested in applying to the RN program, to make an appointment with a counselor ahead of time to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Click here to make a counseling appointment. 

The Saddleback College Associate Degree Nursing Program requires background/drug tests on all students entering the nursing program. This policy was instituted because the Joint Commissions requires any health care facility that requires employees to have personal criminal background checks must also require the same background check for students and volunteers involved in patient care.

Applications are not accepted via email, by mail or in-person. The registered nursing program receives approximately 250-300 applications each period. The program accepts between 50 to 55 students twice a year (for fall and spring), and varies based on how many clinical spots we have. The program does keep an alternate list, in case students are unable to move forward. Please read below for information on submitting your RN program application.

Spring 2024

The application period for Spring 2024 entry is now closed. The last day to apply was on July 8th, 2023.

The point cut off for Fall 2023 entry fell at 77 points with alternates ranging from 70-77 points.

Please see next application date(s) below:

NOTE: See "Steps to Take prior to Applying" for details. We are only accepting Version 7 of the TEAS exam. No older versions will be acceptable.

Duration of the program: 2 year (fall & spring). Lectures are held on Wednesdays (in person) 1 day per week and skills labs/clinical days 2 days a week (day of the week depends on clinical site assigned to). The program is considered full time, not encouraged to work more than 20 hours week.

• Applicants must have submitted an application for admission to Saddleback College and have a Saddleback/IVC student ID# to apply to the Nursing program. To apply for admission to Saddleback College, click here.
• All official relevant nursing transcripts must be sent to the Admissions & Records office prior to submitting your application. 
• No official transcripts need to be sent if all relevant nursing coursework was taken at Saddleback/IVC college. We have access to these transcripts.
• Previously submitted transcripts are kept on file and do need to be resubmitted, unless additional relevant nursing coursework has ben completed and you need to update your records.
• International transcripts must be evaluated by an acceptable third party, at https://www.naces.org/member.
• You do not need to submit an official HS transcripts if you are using this solely for the purpose to show second language proficiency. However, if you are using it for a pre-requisite credit the official does need to be sent to Admissions & Records and on file. 
• All course petitions (if applicable) should be submitted in advance prior to submitting your application to allow time to be processed/reviewed. If you are trying to earn credit for a course taken outside of Saddleback/IVC college a course petition may be needed. If you are unsure if the course you took is equivalent to a prerequisite or relevant nursing coursework, you should speak with a counselor at Saddleback.

NOTE: If you wait to submit a course petition during the application period, you jeopardize not being awarded points for that course or receiving a non-qualified notice due to being deficient in a prerequisite course. 

The next ATI TEAS Exams will be held on the following dates:

• TEAS Version 7: Monday, June 12th at 9 a.m.
• TEAS Version 7: Monday, June 26th at 9 a.m.

NOTE: We are currently at capacity for our ATI TEAS Exam and are no longer taking reservations.

Please complete and review the following information prior to testing:

• Create an ATI account, if you have not already done so.
• Make sure your demographic information is completed or updated in your ATI account.
• Complete a dry run at least 3 days prior to testing to ensure no issues day of the test. To complete a dry run, log into your ATI account, select the "My ATI" tab at the top, then select the "Test" tab, then select "Add Product" and enter the Assessment ID: 18137817 and password: 28S7845A58.
• If you encounter issues, please review the ATI Resolutions to Common Issues page before calling support.

NOTE: Testing is only offered to students applying to the Saddleback College Nursing Program. 

If you are unable to attend the information session but would like to hear the information provided, the session will be recorded and be made available the next day.

Students who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony are required to disclose this information on their application to take the RN licensure exam. A conviction may affect your eligibility to take this exam. Students who have concerns about these circumstances should speak with the Nursing Program Director or contact the Board of Registered Nursing before starting the nursing program.

1. If you are not student at Saddleback College or IVC, complete an application online. You will need a student ID to fill out the nursing application once it becomes available.
2. Submit all official (unopened) relevant transcripts from other colleges/universities other than Saddleback/IVC/ATEP to Admissions & Records before you submit your nursing application. This includes any high school AP scores being used for course credit. Previously submitted transcripts are kept on file and do not need to be resubmitted unless, additional relevant nursing coursework was completed, and you need to update. International transcripts must be evaluated by an acceptable third party, at https://www.naces.org/member
3. Set up an appointment to speak with a counselor to ensure you meet the requirements to apply to the RN program and to discuss any additional courses you may need to take, including GE requirements. You also want to verify course equivalencies to ensure that any relevant coursework taken outside of Saddleback is equivalent. If determined that a course has not been previously petitioned you may need to fill a petition for course substitution or waiver. A counselor can help you fill this petition out and direct you on where to submit it. To set up a counseling appointment, please visit the Counseling page or call (949) 582-4572.
4. Start gathering the documents that you may be using to submit with your application, such as:

• Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing where you took the prerequisites and any relevant coursework, including where your degree was earned if applicable, (official transcripts should also be on file with A&R if taken outside of Saddleback/IVC)
• Unofficial copy of your ATI TEAS score (can obtain a copy through your ATI account)
• If you are proficient in a second language you want to include one of the examples of verification. No self written letters will be accepted.
• If licensed as an LVN, LPT, CNA, EMT, EMT-P, or Respiratory Therapist you will need to include a copy of your license (must valid). No other licenses will be accepted.
• If you have some work experience within the last 5 years as any of the job duties listed above, please have your employer fill out our employment verification form.

It is to the student’s advantage to complete the following required courses prior to entering the RN program as they be used to earn points:

• N 165 - Lifecycle 1, Fundamentals of Aging
• N 160 - Pharmacology for Nursing
• N 161 - Lifecycle 2,  Growth and Development
• COMM 1 - Communication Fundamentals or COMM 5 - Interpersonal Communication
• PSYC 1 - Introduction to Psychology
• Math requirement to fulfill AA/AS degree or higher 

If these courses are not completed prior to entering the program, these must be completed concurrently with 1st, 2nd and 4th semesters of the program as indicated in the nursing program curriculum. *The nursing core courses are in person, not online.

 This Multi-Criteria is used to determine who will enter the Nursing program. The criteria consists of 100 total points possible. Students with the highest points will be selected to enter the program. In the event of a tie breaker, candidates will be selected based off the following in order:

1. Completion of relevant Nursing course work- Pharmacology, Lifecycle I, Lifecycle II, Psychology 1, Communication Studies (formerly Speech 1 or 5), and Math requirement for AA/AS or higher.
2. GPA of Biology Prerequisites- Anatomy, Microbiology, & Physiology
3. ATI TEAS score
4. Work experience

For additional questions, please email scnursing@saddleback.edu

NOTE: this is subject to change. Official transcripts must be on file with Admissions & Records prior to submitting your application.

Once invited into the program, the student must accept or decline admission during the required response time as indicated in their letter. If a student declines the invitation into the program, he/she must re-apply. A student is allowed only one declination of invitation.

If invited as an alternate, the student must accept or decline admission during the required response time and complete the same requirements being asked as the invited student to remain an alternate.

Those invited into the program must be in adequate health to perform the duties of a nurse. Students will be required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines within 3 months of admission and should get started on these right away:

• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• TDAP
• Hepatitis B
• TB Skin test
• COVID-19 (full immunity)
• Annual Physical
• Annual Seasonal Flu shot

More details can be found on the Mandatory Health Assessment packet. Students will also need to complete a background/drug test, obtain liability insurance, and have health insurance, BLS CPR card through American Heart Association and more. 

Students who are in need of financial assistance are encouraged to apply for financial aid online. Get started on the Financial Aid page.

Denial of Licensure-The California Board of Registered Nursing may deny a license regulated by the Business and Professional Code, Section 480, on such grounds as: being convicted of a crime, acts of dishonesty, fraud or deceit. All students selected for enrollment in the nursing program will be assessed for past criminal activity prior to clinical experiences. Should you have any concerns, please contact the Program Director. 

• Advanced Placement LVN Transfer Packet - Coming Fall 2024
• Dean Grievance Form
• Nursing Student Handbook 2023-2024
• Nursing Re-entry Petition Form
• Military Challenge Policy
• Saddleback College ADN Curriculum/ Recommended Courses
• Saddleback College ADN Program Multicriteria for Enrollment Form

The mission of the Saddleback College Nursing Program is to:

• provide high quality, innovative education
• support student success
• instill in the learner the need for life long learning and professional development, and
• prepare competent entry level registered nurses to provide quality patient-centered care