Nursing: AS Degree

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is designed to prepare Napa Valley College graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings. Nursing education prepares the learner for generalist practice across the lifespan with diverse populations. The role of the RN is to collaborate with the healthcare team in the coordination and delivery of patient care.  Students will participate in a variety of experiences, such as case studies, lectures, skills practice, simulation, and direct patient care in clinical settings. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded an A.S. Degree in Nursing and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Students planning to transfer to a four-year college should consult the catalog and a Napa Valley College counselor for specific requirements. All students are encouraged to complete courses that may qualify them for transfer as we partner with several schools for concurrent or post-licensure Bachelor’s Degrees. Program Admission Requirements: Refer to BRN Curriculum document and our website for more details. To remain in the nursing program once admitted, a student must maintain a "C" grade or above in all courses, inclusive of a satisfactory clinical grade, all of which is explained in detail in the Student Handbook for the admitting cohort. Our clinical partners require a background check, a drug screen, & vaccination record. The California BRN may deny applications to test in the case of criminal convictions. 

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognize the patient as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for the patient.
  2. Use information and technology (IT) to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making.
  3. Integrate ethical and legal guidelines from the Nurse Practice Act, ANA Code of Ethics and Nurse Practice Standards.
  4. Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve optimal patient care.
  5. Integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise, patient/family preference and values for the delivery of optimal healthcare.
  6. Use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes in order to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems.
  7. Demonstrate the use of clinical reasoning skills while providing, coordinating, & prioritizing care.
Degree Requirements 
Prerequisite Courses
BIOL-218Human Anatomy 15
BIOL-219Human Physiology 15
BIOL-220General Microbiology 15
COMM-120Interpersonal Communication
or COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking
or COMM-124 Career Communication
or COMM-126 Intercultural Communication
or COMM-128 Critical Thinking: Argumentation and Debate
ENGL-C1000Academic Reading and Writing
PSYC-125Human Development3-4
or CHEM-110 Introduction to Chemistry
Total Units18-19
1

Students transferring 4 unit, Anatomy, Physiology or Microbiology courses from other colleges may do so.

Required Courses
NURS-151Nursing Fundamentals5.5
NURS-152The Role of the Nurse in Health & Wellness, Chronic Illness and Geriatric Care5
NURS-153Maternal/Newborn Nursing Care4
NURS-154Mental Health Nursing Care3.5
NURS-155Pediatric Nursing Care3
NURS-251Community and Acute Medical- Surgical Nursing Care I10
NURS-252Nursing Care of Patients With Acute Illness II8
NURS-253Nursing Capstone2
Total Units41

To receive an Associate Degree, students must complete 60 degree applicable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students must also complete the NVC General Education pattern and the Health, Wellness and Self Development graduation requirement to earn an Associate degree. Consultation with a Counselor is highly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.