Associate in Arts Degree

Associate Degree programs DO NOT necessarily constitute the first two years of a program leading to a bachelor's degree.

Los Angeles Pierce College offers an Associate in Arts Degree Nursing Program accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The graduate is prepared to function as an entry-level nurse. Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the graduate is qualified to apply for licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California.

Nursing students receive clinical experience concurrently with classroom instruction. Nursing faculty teach and supervise clinical experiences. Local hospitals and other community health care agencies provide the clinical facilities where students under supervision administer direct nursing care to patients. Students must provide their own transportation.

Students must first be admitted into the Nursing program before they may take nursing courses. Details are available in the Counseling and Nursing Departments.

The following programs are also available for qualified individuals seeking career mobility: LVN-to-RN, LVN 30 Unit Option, Transfer and Challenge options, and Foreign Nurse Graduate placement. These programs provide a certificate of completion or an Associate in Arts degree with a major in Nursing. See the Department of Nursing for detailed information.

Portions of completed coursework from this program may be applied toward the attainment of a bachelor’s degree in nursing. See your counselor for advice and information on transfer and G.E. certification.

Students must complete all of the following general education prerequisites prior to entering the program:

GENERAL EDUCATION

                                                                                                                                                  UNITS

Psych 1                     General Psychology                                                                               3

                                   or

Psych 6                     Human Behavior                                                                                     3

Anatomy 1                Intro to Human Anatomy                                                                        4

                                   and                                                                                                             4

Physiol 1                   Intro to Human Physiol                                                                          4

                                   or

Physiol 8 & 9            Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiol                                            8

Micro 1                      Intro to Microbiology                                                                                5

                                   or

Micro 20                    General Microbiology                                                                             4

English 101             College Reading and Composition                                                    3

Soc 1                         Intro to Sociology                                                                                     3

                                   or

Soc 2                         American Social Problems                                                                   3

                                   or

Anthro 102                Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology                                      3

Speech 101             Oral Communication I                                                                            3

Psych 41                   Life Span Psychology                                                                             3

                                   Math Competency                                                                                   

Some prerequisites may be required for these general education courses. These may be satisfied through challenge examinations or high school course equivalencies. Courses meeting the general education requirements above may be taken at LAPC or at other institutions. To receive credit, course equivalency must be approved through the LAPC Counseling Department.

NURSING CURRICULUM

                                                                                                                                                  UNITS

FIRST SEMESTER

Nursing 400             Fundamentals of Nursing                                                                     4

Nursing 402             Preparation for Drug Therapy                                                               1

Nursing 407             Gerontic Nursing                                                                                     3

Nursing 408             Mental Health Nursing                                                                           1

Nursing 401             Client Care Seminar I (optional)                                                          1

SECOND SEMESTER

Nursing 403             Medical-Surgical Nursing I                                                                    5

Nursing 405             Psychiatric Nursing                                                                                4

Nursing 424             Client Care Seminar II (optional)                                                         1

THIRD SEMESTER

Nursing 404             Maternity Nursing                                                                                    4

Nursing 406             Medical-Surgical Nursing II                                                                   5

Nursing 444             Client Care Seminar III (optional)                                                        1

FOURTH SEMESTER

Nursing 414             Medical-Surgical Nursing III                                                                  5

Nursing 415             Pediatrics Nursing                                                                                  4

Nursing 441             History, Trends and Issues of Nursing                                              1

Nursing 417             Client Care Seminar IV (optional)                                                        1

Courses in government, humanities (3 units each) and physical education (1 unit), must be completed prior to graduation. Refer to Graduation Requirements in this Catalog. Health Education is not required for Nursing Students.

The faculty strongly encourages the completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program to enhance learning experiences.

For further information concerning course planning contact the Counseling Department at (818) 719-6440 or the Nursing Department at (818) 719-6477.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

All nursing and required general education courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. The Nursing curriculum for the Associate Degree follows Graduation Plan B.

Specific program policies governing grading, withdrawal, readmission, probation and dismissal are available in the Nursing Student Handbook and from the Department of Nursing.

The California Board of Registered Nursing may deny a license regulated by the Business and Professional Code, Section 480, on such grounds as: being convicted of a crime, acts of dishonesty; fraud or deceit, etc. Applicants who have questions regarding limitations related to licensure should contact the Board of Registered Nursing.