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Associate Degree in Nursing Program

Train hands-on to earn your ADN and become a registered nurse! Online classes available.

20
months
2
locationsLos Angeles and Ontario
Want more details about the Associate Degree in Nursing program?

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from American Career College using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at American Career College, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 877-832-0790. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

Prepare to become a registered nurse and serve as an important part of the patient care team.

Registered nurses (RNs) work directly with patients, physicians and healthcare professionals to provide care and monitor required treatments.

When you pursue your associate degree in nursing and work towards becoming, you get a hands-on, career-focused education that helps prepare you to treat patients in a variety of settings.

Find a reputable registered nurse program near you. Learn from experienced healthcare professionals at our Los Angeles or Ontario campuses as you hone your skills.

ACC's ADN program offers a convenient blend of online and in-person classes to accelerate your success.

Program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Apply Now Schedule an info session

In ACC's Associate Degree in Nursing Program, You'll Learn to:

Learn to Run Diagnostic Tests

Run Diagnostic Tests

Practice measuring and recording patients vital signs.

Learn about Patient Care

Care for Patients

Provide safe and compassionate care during an individual’s most vulnerable time.

Learn to Manage Treatment Plans

Manage Treatment Plans

Administer medicine and treatments to patients.

Associate Degree in Nursing Course List

Learn more about what's in store for you in the Associate Degree in Nursing associate of science degree program. For more on associate degree in nursing courses, visit the college catalog.

General Education Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Quarter Credits

ENGL100 Written Communications I 40 4.0
MATH100 College Mathematics I 40 4.0
PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology 40 4.0
SOCY116 Introduction to Sociology 40 4.0
SPCH117 Oral Communication 40 4.0
HUM118 Cultural Pluralism 40 4.0
 

Totals

240

24.0

Course Number: ENGL100

Title Written Communications I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: MATH100

Title College Mathematics I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: PSYC100

Title Introduction to Psychology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: SOCY116

Title Introduction to Sociology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: SPCH117

Title Oral Communication
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: HUM118

Title Cultural Pluralism
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

240

Quarter Credits

24.0

Core Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Clinical Hours

Quarter Credits

NURS101 Professional Communication & Role Transition Seminar 10 0 1.0
ANAT111 Human Anatomy 50 0 4.0
PHYS111 Human Physiology 50 0 4.0
NURS112 Fundamentals of Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS112C Fundamentals of Nursing, Clinical 120 120 4.0
MICR112 General Microbiology 50 0 4.0
NURS113 Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS113C Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
PHARM113 Pharmacology for Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS114 Maternal/Child Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS114C Maternal/Child Nursing, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
NURS115 Intermediate Medical/Surgical Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS115C Intermediate Medical/Surgical, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
NURS116 Behavioral Health Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS116C Behavioral Health Nursing, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
NURS117 Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing 40 0 4.0
NURS117C Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
NURS118 Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing II/Leadership 40 0 4.0
NURS118C Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing II, Lab/Clinical 120 120 4.0
NURS102 Professional Communication & Role Transition Advanced Seminar 20 0 2.0
 

Totals

1340

840

75.0

Course Number: NURS101

Title Professional Communication & Role Transition Seminar
Clock Hours10
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits1.0

Course Number: ANAT111

Title Human Anatomy
Clock Hours50
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: PHYS111

Title Human Physiology
Clock Hours50
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS112

Title Fundamentals of Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS112C

Title Fundamentals of Nursing, Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: MICR112

Title General Microbiology
Clock Hours50
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS113

Title Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS113C

Title Beginning Medical/Surgical Nursing, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: PHARM113

Title Pharmacology for Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS114

Title Maternal/Child Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS114C

Title Maternal/Child Nursing, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS115

Title Intermediate Medical/Surgical Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS115C

Title Intermediate Medical/Surgical, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS116

Title Behavioral Health Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS116C

Title Behavioral Health Nursing, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS117

Title Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS117C

Title Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS118

Title Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing II/Leadership
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS118C

Title Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing II, Lab/Clinical
Clock Hours120
Clinical Hours120
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: NURS102

Title Professional Communication & Role Transition Advanced Seminar
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

1340

Clinical Hours

840

Quarter Credits

75.0

Courses offered online.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 99.0

Associate Degree in Nursing
ADN Program Overview

ACC’s ADN program is designed to provide a comprehensive nursing education that combines foundational knowledge with hands-on clinical experience. Over the course of the program, you will learn the essential skills needed to become a registered nurse.

ACC helps prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN with confidence to attain their RN licensure. With dedicated faculty guidance, hands-on training, and a curriculum aligned with the exam's content, our ADN program sets you on a path to success.

Registered nurses are integral to a thriving healthcare ecosystem. RN responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Patient Care – Assessing, planning, and providing direct care to patients, including administering medications, treatments, and therapies based on medical orders
  • Monitoring – Monitoring and observing patients' conditions, vital signs, and progress, and promptly reporting any changes to healthcare providers 
  • Collaboration and support – Working under the supervision of and alongside doctors, nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans that address patients' needs 
  • Patient Education – Educating patients and their families about medical conditions, treatment plans, medications, and self-care practices to promote wellness and prevent complications. 
  • Maintaining records – Maintaining accurate and detailed patient records, documenting assessments, interventions, and outcomes according to regulatory standards and institutional policies.

Find a registered nurse school near you. The Associate Degree in Nursing program is available at our Los Angeles and Ontario campuses.

From lectures to real-world experience, our ACC programs are designed with your career in mind.

Apply Now

From lectures to labs, our ACC curriculum is designed with you in mind.

FAQs

What do registered nurses do?

Often called the backbone of the healthcare industry, registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, playing an essential role in their treatment and recovery. Students in ACC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program will be trained to do the following:

  • Evaluate patients’ health problems and needs
  • Provide care to ill, injured, convalescing, or disabled patients
  • Administer treatment and medications
  • Educate patients and their families on health maintenance and disease prevention1

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Registered Nurses in California in California

Am I a good fit for the ADN program?

If you have a passion for helping others in their time of need, nursing might be right for you. Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great registered nurse:

Service orientation – A great nurse has a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Communication – Nurses must be able to communicate accurately with patients, doctors and fellow nurses.

Critical thinking – Nurses use critical thinking skills to make decisions on the job and find solutions.

Time management – Time management helps nurses balance their different tasks and provide timely care when needed by their patients.

Customer and personal service – Nurses provide more than just physical care. They provide emotional support for their patients. Good customer and personal service skills can help them provide better patient-centered care.

Where do registered nurses work?

Registered nurses can work in a variety of settings, including:

  • General medical and surgical hospitals
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Home health care services
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Physicians’ offices

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Registered Nurses in California in California

What are different types of nursing positions I can pursue?

Graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program may pursue a variety of nursing positions. Here are some additional examples:

Addiction nurses care for patients who need help to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, tobacco and other substances.

Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with heart disease and people who have had heart surgery.

Critical care nurses work in intensive care units in hospitals, providing care to patients with serious, complex and acute illnesses and injuries that need very close monitoring and treatment.

Genetics nurses provide screening, counseling and treatment of patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.

Neonatology nurses take care of newborn babies.

Nephrology nurses care for patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse or other causes.

Rehabilitation nurses care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.

How long is the ADN program?

This is a 20-month associate degree program. The ADN program is composed of eight 10-week quarters.

Upon completion of the program, you can apply to the state to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, you will receive your RN from the state.

What are the ADN program prerequisites?

No pre-requisite classes are required. All general education and core nursing classes are included in the program.

Is the ADN program part-time?

No, the ADN program is currently only offered as a full-time program.

What are the ADN program admission requirements?

A high school diploma or completion of a High School Equivalency program is required to apply.

All applicants are required to take the HESI exam, which consists of three sections: Math, Reading Comprehension and Science. A score of 75% or higher is required for admission. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on the second attempt on the HESI exam, they must wait three months from the date of the last attempt to take the HESI a third time and would be applying for admission to the next cohort.

Information regarding how to obtain this clearance will be given to the applicant during the admissions interview. Health screening examinations, pathology tests (if applicable), drug testing, and/or immunizations for the associate degree programs are conducted on campus prior to clinical assignments. A background check is done after enrollment. Though a prior background will not prevent you from starting the program, depending on the offense, it could prevent placement at a clinical site and present difficulty obtaining your license.

Is this an LVN to RN bridge program?

No, this is not a completion or bridge program.

Will my prerequisite classes from another institution transfer?

ACC has a transfer policy to review transcripts to assess if credits will be transferred. We cover this in more detail in our info sessions. You may schedule an info session to learn more and speak with an admissions advisor.

When does the ADN program start?

View the ADN program start date calendar to learn more.

*Each class has a set number of seats available and it is possible that classes can be filled in advance of a start date. You may schedule an info session here to learn more and speak with an admissions advisor.

Is the ADN program online?

Not entirely. Some of the courses are offered in a blended format combining online classwork with in-person labs.

What will I learn in the ADN program?

The nursing program is divided into eight 10-week quarters and is in a blended format with each course sharing a percentage of instruction online and a percentage of instruction face-to-face. Graduates of this college program may pursue entry-level positions as registered nurses in a variety of health care settings. In addition to general education courses, core courses in American Career College's Associate Degree in Nursing program include:

Human Anatomy* – Provides an in-depth introduction to the physiology of the human body. Provides students an opportunity to study the functions and physiological mechanisms of several important organ systems from the molecular level to the body’s gross entirety. Organ systems are studied with respect to their interactions under normal and abnormal conditions. Major topics include cell function, tissues, organization of the human body and physiology of all body systems.

General Microbiology* – Representative examples of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and multicellular parasites are studied, with special concentration given to microorganisms that are significant to human health. Aspects of classification, metabolism, genetics, control mechanisms, chemotherapy and antibiotic/resistance are considered. Topics covered include principles of infectious disease transmission, immunology, biotechnology, bioterrorism and environmental remediation.

Fundamentals of Nursing* – The purpose of this course is to understand the practical science of nursing as it applies to caring for patients through the continuum from illness to wellness using Dorothea Orem’s Theory of Self-Care and the three important nursing systems: wholly compensatory, partial compensatory and supportive-educative. The Nursing Process, legal and ethical considerations, patient rights/privacy, growth and development as related to the patient’s therapeutic self-care demands are introduced. This course also provides basic patient care skills and focuses on the essential principles and practices of safe, effective care in the multifaceted and multicultural nursing field.

Introduction to Psychology* – Introduction to scientific study of behavior, lifespan development, learning & cognition, personality, social interaction, psychotherapy and other selected topics.

Introduction to Sociology* – This course questions basic sociological concepts, such as socialization and culture; social organizations; stability and change in societies; cooperation and conflict among human groups; and religious, political, economic, technical and scientific institutions. Sociological concepts and issues such as culture and subculture; development of the self; gender and age roles; social class and caste; groups, communities, collectives and organizations; deviance; racism; human institutions: family, religion, education, government, economics and population change in society are discussed.

Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing* – The purpose of this course is to present the principles of nursing care utilizing the nursing process and concepts of Orem’s Theory of Self-Care. The focus will include assessment, identifying the client’s universal self-care requisites: air, water, food, elimination, activity, social interaction, safety and normalcy in the adult and geriatric patient. The three models of nursing systems recognized by Orem’s Nursing System Theory will be addressed: wholly compensatory, partial compensatory and supportive-educative. Students will gain theoretical knowledge using the nursing process for patient-centered, evidence-based nursing care of adult and geriatric patients with critical health deviations related to sensory (neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries, CVA, brain tumors and cranial surgeries) and cardiorespiratory disorders (acid-base balance, ARDS, COPD, VAP, pulmonary hypertension, tension, hemo, and pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, chest trauma, thoracic surgical, dysrhythmias, AMI, ACS, CHF, valve disease and aneurysms), maintenance of central venous catheters and blood transfusions. Content threaded throughout the course includes cultural diversity, nutrition, pharmacology, patient advocacy, and physical/behavioral/social aspects of human development.

Other core courses in the school's program include:

College Mathematics I*

Professional Communication & Role Transition Seminar

Human Physiology*

Fundamentals of Nursing, Clinical

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

How much does the ADN program cost?

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the ADN school cost and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program cost, access our tuition info.

Is there financial aid for the program?

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available to those who qualify. We have financial aid advisors that can provide you with information regarding financial aid options ranging from government-backed loans, private loans, scholarships, support for members of active-duty military, and employer reimbursement. All financial aid options are subject to student eligibility. You would need to apply to determine what you qualify for.

You can call (877) 832-0790 or click here to schedule a virtual info session to learn more about the Associate Degree in Nursing program.

Will I get real-world RN training?

Yes! ACC's ADN program includes over 800 hours of clinicals, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.

Associate Degree in Nursing
After less than two years of schooling and your clinical and simulation hours, you'll be ready to jump-start your new career.

Our ADN Program is a full-time commitment that covers all the knowledge to prepare you for the NCLEX RN. We give you the skills and confidence to start your new career at the top of your game.

Schedule an info session

"This was a most difficult yet exciting time of my life. But, I believed and then...I DID!"

- Kristopher P.

Associate Degree in Nursing
What's Happening at American Career College
Want more details about the Associate Degree in Nursing program?

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from American Career College using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at American Career College, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 877-832-0790. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

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