Nursing Department

The primary purpose of College of the Canyons Nursing Program is to prepare entry-level registered nurses. The curriculum is designed to equip the graduate to function safely within the legal framework of registered nursing as set forth by the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, and The Board of Registered Nursing. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).

The ADN, Career Ladder (LVN-RN), transfer, and challenge options exist as multiple pathways to provide access to goal attainment and achievement by students. These pathways are designed to make available to students the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to serve as a foundation for success and excellence in nursing practice. The college reserves the right to determine if and when programs identified in this handbook or in the listing of programs will be offered.

In addition, the nursing faculty promotes the development of graduates who are committed to continuing their education and who are assets to the discipline of nursing, their communities, and society.

In pursuit of these purposes, the faculty endeavors, throughout all program pathways to:

1. Participate in the process of counseling and assisting interested students preparing for admission to the program.
2. Recruit, admit, and retain qualified, diverse applicants who progress through the program in a timely manner.
3. Maintain uniformly and consistently high standards of academic achievement.
4. Provide students with assistance to promote success.
5. Provide and maintain an integrated, current, and consistent curriculum which meets the needs of student, graduate, faculty, consumer, and health care providers.
6. Maintain department protocols which promote student expression and participation in class and program governance.
7. Produce graduates who attain licensure and demonstrate entry-level competence in initial employment.
8. Remain current as a faculty in nursing practice and community issues, adult teaching and learning theory, and technological advances.
9. Foster in students and graduates a commitment to excellence in practice and continued learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Lecture: Integrate the perspectives of the provider of care, manager of care, and member of the nursing profession into patient care situations.
• Clinical: Function in the roles of provider of care, manager of care, and member of the nursing profession.

Program Objectives

1. Utilize knowledge, skills, and attitudes, from the physical and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and nursing sciences to provide safe and effective care applying evidence-based practice.
2. Apply the steps of the nursing process integrating critical thinking strategies necessary to provide patient centered care to diverse populations.
3. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team utilizing multiple communication methods including personal interactions and information technology.
4. Demonstrate leadership by safely coordinating the care of multiple patients, while delegating to and collaborating with the healthcare team, patient, and family to provide the highest quality of care.
5. Integrate the professional, legal, and ethical components of nursing in clinical practice while demonstrating accountability and self-direction.

• Nursing Student Handbook
• Nursing Program Policy Handbook

Veterans applying to the Nursing Program may qualify for advanced placement.

Credit for Prior Education and Experience for Veteran Applicants (Required by the CA BRN)

SB466 (Hill, 2015) required the Board of Registered Nursing to adopt regulations requiring schools seeking approval to have a process to evaluate and grant credit, as defined, for military education and experience.

Click here to read the Veteran Admission Policy