ADN-RN Program Information
General Information
The Nursing Department at Gavilan College offers a comprehensive sequence of courses leading to the Associate in Science in Nursing (RN) degree. The program includes a traditional ADN-RN pathway as well as advanced placement pathways for qualifying applicants, including licensed healthcare professionals and military personnel.
The ADN-RN pathway prepares graduates to apply for RN licensure and, after meeting all requirements, take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
California Board of Registered Nursing
California Board of Registered Nursing
P.O. Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
(916) 322-3350
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an information workshop or nursing application workshop to learn more about the program and the application process. For additional information and a current list of workshops, call (408) 848-4883 or email nursing@gavilan.edu.
Program Structure
The required nursing classes for the ADN-RN program can be completed in four semesters. Additional time may be needed to complete all Associate in Science degree requirements, and students are strongly encouraged to finish general education requirements before beginning the nursing sequence when possible.
Lecture and skills laboratory courses are typically scheduled Monday through Friday. Clinical rotations vary and may include days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Clinical schedules depend on clinical site availability and may not be confirmed at the time of registration.
Students are admitted in the Fall and Spring semesters based on program planning, available space, and clinical placement capacity.
Program Completion
Upon completion of the nursing curriculum and all Gavilan graduation requirements, students earn an Associate in Science Degree and a Certificate of Achievement in Registered Nursing.
Graduates may then be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN. There is a fee to take the NCLEX-RN and a separate fee for licensure application. When you pass the NCLEX-RN, you may then qualify to receive a license from the Board of Registered Nursing to practice nursing in California or another jurisdiction, subject to that jurisdiction’s requirements.
Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure or employment.
Nursing Program Goals / Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
- Provide holistic, patient-centered care with professionalism, compassion, authenticity, altruism, and equanimity.
- Apply knowledge from nursing and general education courses to support evidence-informed clinical judgment and decision-making that enhance patient outcomes.
- Incorporate principles of disease prevention, health promotion, health care policy, fiscal stewardship, delivery systems, and regulatory environments to meet the needs of diverse individuals across the lifespan.
- Engage in intentional collaboration with healthcare professionals, patients, families, communities, and stakeholders to ensure high-quality care, improve patient experiences, and achieve positive health outcomes.
- Incorporate legal, moral, ethical, and global professional standards into nursing practice.
- Leverage technology and data to support evidence-based, humanized nursing care that improves healthcare safety, quality, and efficiency in accordance with industry best practices and professional and regulatory standards.
- Navigate complex healthcare systems to advocate for and coordinate safe, high-quality, and equitable care for diverse populations across cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and developmental backgrounds.
- Engage in activities that demonstrate accountability for personal and professional growth by practicing self-reflection, adhering to ethical and legal standards, and exhibiting leadership behaviors that support safe, high-quality patient care.
Technical Standards (ADA Compliance)
All applicants to the Gavilan College Nursing Program must be able to meet the program’s Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation. These standards are essential to ensure student success in the program and patient safety in clinical settings.
Applicants who believe they may require accommodation to meet these standards are encouraged to contact the Gavilan College Accessible Education Center (AEC) at aec@gavilan.edu.
Requests for accommodation are reviewed on an individual basis to determine whether reasonable accommodation can be provided without compromising patient safety or altering essential program requirements.
| Domain | Ability Standard | Examples of Necessary Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive | Ability to apply critical thinking, logical reasoning, and clinical judgment in patient care situations | Identify cause-and-effect relationships; develop, evaluate, and modify nursing care plans; adapt to rapidly changing clinical situations |
| Communication (Written) | Ability to communicate effectively in writing for documentation and reporting | Document nursing assessments, interventions, and patient responses; prepare care plans, reports, and professional correspondence |
| Communication (Verbal) | Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members | Explain procedures and health education; collaborate with healthcare professionals; participate in patient care discussions |
| Sensory – Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor patient status and respond to clinical cues | Detect alarms and emergency signals; recognize changes in breath sounds, heart sounds, and patient monitors |
| Sensory – Vision | Visual acuity necessary for observation and patient assessment | Observe patient responses; monitor equipment; assess wound healing and changes in skin condition or behavior |
| Sensory – Tactile | Ability to use touch for physical assessment and clinical procedures | Perform palpation; insert IVs, catheters, and other clinical devices requiring precise tactile control |
| Affective / Interpersonal | Ability to establish professional relationships with patients, families, and healthcare team members | Provide culturally sensitive care; establish rapport; manage conflict professionally and respectfully |
Important notice: Meeting the Technical Standards is necessary for participation in clinical experiences and successful completion of program requirements. The Nursing Program is committed to supporting students through reasonable accommodation while maintaining the essential competencies required for safe nursing practice.