Advanced Placement
Advanced placement allows qualifying applicants to enter the ADN program beyond the first semester. Use the sections below to review requirements for licensed healthcare professionals, military personnel, and the LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option.
Applicants should also review the general ADN admission and application information pages before applying.
Admission Information Application Information
Overview
Advanced placement is defined as entering the program at a level beyond the first semester. Applicants must follow the same general application process. Advanced placement applicants are reviewed in a pool designated for advanced placement applicants.
Eligible applicant groups
This pathway is intended for qualifying licensed healthcare professionals such as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs), Paramedics, and other approved applicants with relevant prior education and experience.
Placement pathway
Candidates accepted for advanced placement complete role transition and bridge coursework before entering the third semester of the ADN sequence upon successful completion.
Bridge / role transition coursework
| Bridge / Role Transition Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NURS 120 | 2 |
| NURS 121 | 0.5 |
| NURS 123 | 3 |
Third-semester coursework after successful bridge completion
| Third Semester Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NURS 130 Medical-Surgical Nursing III | 5 |
| NURS 131 Maternity Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 132 Skills Lab 3 | 0.5 |
Fourth-semester coursework
| Fourth Semester Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NURS 140 Medical-Surgical Nursing IV | 3 |
| NURS 141 Pediatric Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 142 Leadership & Preceptorship | 3 |
Prerequisite courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 7 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO 8 | Microbiology | 5 |
| BIO 9 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| AH 11 | Nutrition | 3 |
| AH 3 | Personal Life Cycle | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Composition | 4 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| SOC 1A | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSYCH C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| STAT C | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
Total prerequisite units: 38
A minimum grade of C (75%) is required in all prerequisite courses. A grade of C- is not acceptable. All prerequisites must be completed prior to application and are included in GPA calculations.
Science course policy: Online science courses with virtual laboratories are not accepted. Exception: courses completed between Spring 2020 and Fall 2022 will be accepted.
Purpose and eligibility
In compliance with California regulations and in recognition of military service, the Gavilan College Nursing Program offers advanced placement for qualified individuals with relevant military education and experience, including but not limited to Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM), Air Force Basic Medical Technician (BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Combat Medic), and Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT / 4N0X1C).
All nursing courses may be challenged; however, individuals must demonstrate prior relevant education and experience that meet the specific requirements of each course.
- General requirements
- Provide a current résumé and official academic and military transcripts (for example, Joint Services Transcript, CCAF, or equivalent).
- Demonstrate education and/or experience completed within the last ten years prior to applying to the Gavilan Nursing Program.
- Meet basic education and experience requirements as defined by Gavilan College and the Nursing Program.
- Provide verification of honorable service through a DD214 showing Honorable Discharge, or for active-duty students, an official letter from the student’s military supervisor verifying current honorable service.
- Successfully complete designated transition and skills coursework prior to challenging eligible nursing courses.
- Identification of students with military experience
- The Division Assistant identifies applicants with qualifying military experience based on the application and supporting documentation.
- The Division Assistant arranges a meeting with the Nursing Director or designee to review military advanced placement and challenge requirements.
- The student brings military transcripts and all relevant documentation of prior medical or clinical experience to that meeting.
- Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) evaluation
- The student submits a Military Request for Credit for Prior Learning form with supporting documentation, including official military transcripts and experiential verification as appropriate.
- The Nursing Director or designee reviews the request to determine eligibility for challenge by examination, remedial coursework, and/or acceptance of prior credit transfer as appropriate.
- The decision is forwarded to Admissions and Enrollment Services, and next steps are communicated to the student.
- Eligibility to challenge courses
- If recency requirements are not met and competency cannot be verified, the student may not challenge the course and must complete the course within the ADN curriculum.
- If approved for challenge, the Nursing Director or designee notifies the appropriate nursing faculty and assigns a content expert or designee to coordinate the challenge process.
- Challenge by examination
- Written or computer examination using Elsevier or an equivalent standardized examination meeting the program benchmark.
- Medication calculation examination, if applicable, with a minimum passing score of 90%. One additional attempt is allowed if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
- Skills competency evaluation on a pass/fail basis using program skills criteria. One additional attempt is allowed if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
- All competency testing must be completed in person at the designated location.
- Course information and preparation
- The assigned content expert or designee provides the course outline for each course being challenged.
- The student also receives required preparatory resources, such as reading lists, skills checklists, or practice modules, before scheduled examinations and skills assessments.
- Completion of testing and reporting
- The student completes all approved challenge components for each designated course.
- Upon completion, the content expert or designee reports results to the Nursing Director/Chair or designee.
- CPL processing after successful challenge
- The Nursing Special Program Assistant notifies the student of next steps.
- The student completes or updates the Military Request for CPL form as needed and submits the form with supporting documentation to Admissions.
- Admissions compiles the documentation and forwards it for final review.
- If approved, Enrollment Services notifies the student. If denied for any course, the student must enroll in and complete that course as part of the ADN plan.
- Completion timeline
All challenge examinations, skills competencies, and CPL processing for approved military advanced placement courses must be completed prior to the start of the student’s third semester in the ADN curriculum sequence. - Admission and re-entry
- Advanced placement students are admitted on a space-available basis.
- Military personnel and veterans receive priority consideration through additional points for military service on the ADN multicriteria application, in accordance with program policy.
- If space is not available, an alternate list is created from qualified advanced placement applicants.
- Military challenge students who previously experienced academic failure at another institution will not be eligible for re-entry at Gavilan College if they are dismissed for academic failure, or withdraw to avoid academic failure, from the Gavilan College ADN Program.
Registered Nursing – Certificate of Achievement (Non-Degree Option)
The LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option is a non-degree pathway available to Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) who wish to qualify for the NCLEX-RN without earning an Associate of Science degree. Admission to this option is based on space availability and is not guaranteed.
This option permits LVNs to complete a prescribed course sequence in nursing and related sciences in accordance with California Board of Registered Nursing requirements. Upon successful completion of the required coursework, students may be eligible to apply for licensure as Registered Nurses in California.
This pathway does not result in the awarding of an Associate of Science degree in Nursing.
Important licensure and educational mobility information
- Students may not be eligible for RN licensure in states outside California.
- Students may not qualify for licensure by endorsement in other states.
- Additional coursework may be required if seeking licensure outside California.
- Students may experience significant limitations when applying to BSN or higher degree programs.
- Additional general education and nursing coursework may be required to meet degree or transfer requirements.
Licensed Vocational Nurses interested in this option are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Nursing Counselor or ADN Program Director before enrollment to fully understand the academic, licensure, transfer, and mobility implications of this pathway.
| 30-Unit Option Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| BIO 9 Human Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 8 General Microbiology | 5 |
| NURS 120 | 2 |
| NURS 121 | 0.5 |
| NURS 123 | 3 |
| NURS 130 Medical-Surgical Nursing III | 5 |
| NURS 132 Skills Lab 3 | 0.5 |
| NURS 140 Medical-Surgical Nursing IV | 3 |
| NURS 142 Leadership & Preceptorship | 3 |