Santa Barbara City College Nursing Program Review
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is considered to be in the top 10 community colleges in the nation. Serving Santa Barbara County since 1909, SBCC is an ideal choice for those looking for small classes, top faculty, and new facilities. SBCC offers a variety of degree and certificate programs, and transfer opportunities to four year institutions for baccalaureate degrees.
Nursing Programs
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The ADN program at SBCC is structured to prepare nursing students to learn the necessary skills to be able to graduate, pass the licensing exam offered by the state board to become a registered nurse (RN), and to become employed by a hospital or other health agency.
The program boasts a 90% satisfaction rating by graduates. Of those that start the program, 75% end up completing it, and 80% of graduates taking the licensing exam pass it on the first attempt. In addition, employers favor SBCC nursing graduates and rate 90% of them as adequate or higher.
Applications to the nursing program are accepted all year. To apply, students must be high school graduates or equivalent, unless they already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree. They must also have taken Chemistry, Math, English, Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology, and have received a course grade of C or better in each. They must have a physical exam and a background check, and receive a satisfactory score on the TEAS assessment test.
Those who have left the program and wish to re-enter, or want to transfer from another state accredited ADN program may apply for entry into the ADN program. They must meet all the prerequisites for the ADN program, and will be considered as space becomes available in the program. Any nurse that is required by the Board of Registered Nursing to complete required classes for the licensing exam will be required to complete the prerequisites and apply for the ADN program, and will be admitted when there is space available.
High school students at San Marcos High School Health Academy are encouraged to take advantage of the articulation agreement between their school and SBCC. They may take the four year pre-nursing program to prepare to enter the ADN program.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) with current California licenses have two ways to enter the ADN program, either as an LVN to RN student (earning a degree) or in the 30 Unit Option (no degree). LVNs must have completed the same requirements as for the ADN program above, and are only admitted to the program during the spring semester.
Vocational Nursing (LVN)
Students pursuing the three semester LVN program will earn a Certificate of Achievement and are allowed to sit for the state licensing examination for LVNs. Students may also earn an Associate in Science: Vocational Nursing (LVN) degree by completing the LVN certificate program, and taking at least 18 additional credits of General Education classes to meet the Associate of Science degree requirements.
To apply for the program, students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a grade of C or better in Anatomy and Speech, be eligible to take English, and have either a current Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) license or recent CNA experience.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/Home Health Aide (HHA)
SBCC offers the Dorothy D. Rupe CNA/HHA program, designed to train students to provide basic patient care, especially to the elderly. This is a one semester program when the CNA and HHA courses are taken concurrently.
To apply, students must apply to SBCC for admission, and be eligible to take English.
After completing the CNA class with a grade of C or higher, students are eligible to sit for the State Certification Exam in California to become a CNA. Students may take the Acute Care CNA course and the Home Health Aid course to gain skill competency awards in both areas. Both of these courses may be taken at the same time as the CNA course.
Contact:
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394
[wpgmza id=”107″]
