Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the Registered Nursing Program
[PLEASE NOTE: The following questions and answers are for the GENERIC Nursing Program only. ]
Q. Why do I have to take the English, math and science prediagnostic assessment after selection into the nursing program?
SB 1309 states that all accepted nursing students must pass a math, English and science diagnostic assessment prior to enrollment into the nursing program. The ATI TEAS V Assessment will be used. Passing score has been set statewide at 62.
Students who do not pass the diagnostic assessment must complete a remediation plan prior to enrollment into the nursing program.
Implementation of the diagnostic assessment will begin in Spring 2008.
Q. When can I apply to the Nursing program?
Applications will be accepted every April 1 to 15 for the following Fall and Spring semesters.
In order to be eligible to apply, prospective Nursing applicants must still meet all prerequisite requirements, attend the mandatory pre-nursing orientation, take the ACCUPLACER Reading Assessment, see a nursing counselor, and meet the 75% Chancellor’s Cut Score. All students who meet these requirements will be placed into the random selection “lottery” pool.
Those students accepted for the Fall semester will be notified by May. Those students who are accepted for the Spring semester will be notified by the end of September. No waitlist will be maintained beyond filling these two nursing classes. If a student is not selected for the Fall or Spring semester, their application can be picked up at the next scheduled orientation (check website for pre-nursing orientation dates) or by arrangement with the Health Sciences Division department. Students must reapply. Those students may reapply for the next “Annual Academic Application Cycle”.
Please continue to periodically check back at this website for further information regarding the orientation dates and times for “The Annual Academic Application Cycle”.
Q. Do I have to come to a Registered Nursing orientation session?
Attending a Registered Nursing orientation session is required of all applicants to the Nursing program.The application process, the application form, general education requirements, prerequisites, and testing are all discussed during the orientation sessions. A representative from the Counseling Department and from the Nursing Department are available at these sessions to provide information and answer questions. Registered Nursing orientation sessions are posted in the Counseling Department, and in the online Registered Nursing Orientation Schedule. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes early. You will be required to provide a photo ID for entrance to the orientation. Due to limited space, only prospective students will be allowed to attend.
Q. What are my chances of getting into the program?
Due to the fact that the nursing program is impacted, qualified California residents are admitted first. Students apply to the program each semester. We do not maintain a "waitlist". There have been sufficient applicants to fill the class each semester. If sufficient numbers of qualified applicants are not presented by the closing date, the application period may be extended.
Q. What is the Accuplacer Test?
The Accuplacer Test evaluates English and math competency. This is a placement test with three sections (reading, sentence structure, and math). English 101A or equivalent (ENG 1A) is required for admission. The English reading comprehension requirement is met through "clearing" English 163.
The math requirement is met through "clearing" Math 152, 153, or 155 (Intermedia Algebra). Students take the test at the Placement Testing Center in Room 7205, Building 7, second floor, Fremont campus. If students have completed a college course in Intermediate Algebra or higher, they do not need to take the Math Accuplacer Test.
Placement testing for pre-nursing applicants dates and times can be found on the Placement Testing Center website.
Students may arrive at the Placement Testing Center to start the test anytime during the open hours. Testing is done on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited to 30 students. Students must bring a photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and know their Ohlone College student ID number.
Sample questions and study guides are available.
If you have questions about the exam, contact the Placement Testing Center at (510) 659-6126. Be sure to specify that you are a pre-nursing student or inquire online on the Placement Testing Center website.
Q. Do I have to take the Accuplacer Test before entering the Nursing Program?
All students must take the reading portion of the Accuplacer Test. Some students may have already taken an English composition course that is equivalent to the English 101A requirement. Students who do not "clear" English 163 must take English 163 at Ohlone or a reading substitution course (see a counselor for the list). The math requirement can be cleared by taking the Accuplacer math test or taking a math course of Intermediate Algebra or higher from an accredited college in the U.S.A. Please see a counselor to verify equivalency.
Q. Do I have to take Chemistry and Introduction to Biology?
Chemistry (Chemistry 109 at Ohlone) and Introduction to Human Biology (Biology 130 at Ohlone) are prerequisite courses to Ohlone College's Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 103A and 103B). If you have taken this course work at another college contact the Counseling Department regarding equivalency or Dr. Quinta, Dean, Division of Science, Technology, and Engineering. If a student has an equivalent anatomy and physiology course from another college, chemistry and introduction to biology are not required.
Q. Do I have to take Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology?
Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology or equivalent courses are prerequisites to the Nursing program. If the course work was not completed at Ohlone check with a counselor to make sure the courses are equivalent to the Ohlone College courses. Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Q. What is the new California Community College math requirement?
All Community College students must complete intermediate algebra or a higher-level college math course in order to meet the general education graduation requirements.
All nursing students who apply for admission must have completed Intermediate Algebra, or Ohlone College Math 155, or any college math course higher than Intermediate Algebra to meet the California Community College Math graduation requirement.
Q. What other courses support the nursing major?
Please note this important change to Ohlone’s Nursing Program support courses:
The courses that support the nursing major are:
- CFS-109 (Nutrition)
- PSY-108 (Developmental Psychology), and
- SPCH-101 or SPCH-103 (Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication).
All three must be completed prior to applying to the Ohlone College Nursing Program in addition to completion of other required classes.
There will be a one time grace period this coming application period (April 1-15, 2012) where in progress support courses will be accepted as long as they are posted to the official sealed transcript, or are listed on an additional page added to the transcript showing in progress course work that is officially verified by the admissions and records department of the college the course(s) is being taken at. All in progress coursework taken during this one-time-only grace period will need to be completed by the end of the Spring 2012 semester.
Students must also meet the requirements for an Associate of Science degree to graduate [see Curriculum Guide/Worksheet].
Q. What are the minimum requirements to apply to the Nursing program?
Refer to the Admission to the Nursing Program form: Item 2. "Minimum Requirements to make application to the Nursing program" for further information.
Q. What grade point average (GPA) is needed?
A GPA of 2.7 or above from an accredited institution of higher learning in the U.S. is required.
Q. Do I need any special supplies for the Nursing program?
To start the program: A white nursing uniform with the Ohlone College Nursing Program patch and white nursing shoes are worn in most clinical rotations. Students also purchase a lab coat, stethoscope, pen light, nursing scissors, watch with a second hand (or digital), a surgical mask, surgical gloves, splash-proof protective eyewear, textbooks, many textbooks are available for purchase in the Ohlone College Bookstore as students progress through the program. The cost for these supplies is approximately $1500.
Q. How long is the Nursing program?
The nursing content is scheduled in four sequential semesters. Each course in the Nursing program has time each week identified for theoretical content, skills lab activities, and clinical application. Students spend six hours per week in lecture (theory) classes, two-three hours per week in the skills lab, and fifteen hours per week in the clinical setting. Students will also travel to the clinical site the day before their clinical assignment to gather information on their patient assignment for the next day.
Q. Are all the classes offered at the Ohlone College Fremont Campus?
The nursing theory courses and the skills labs are held at the Ohlone College Newark Center for Health Sciences and Technology. Clinical rotations are scheduled at Bay Area hospitals that meet the course learning activities. Hospital locations include those as far north as Kaiser in Oakland, as far east as Valley Care in Pleasanton, and as far south as San Jose. Students rotate to a variety of hospitals and may not necessarily be assigned to the hospital that is nearest their home. Students are not assigned to agencies where they are employed. Students are not assigned to agencies where they or immediate relatives are employed.
Q. What is the difference between the AS degree and the BS degree in nursing?
Both programs prepare the graduate for entry level practice at the bedside and to sit for the licensing exam. Entry level salaries are the same, as are the entry level job descriptions. The associate degree requires two years as a full time student. Most students take three years to complete the prerequisites and the nursing major coursework. The focus of Associate Degree (AD) Nursing is on delivering direct patient care to clients in acute care and community settings. Experiences in basic theory in managing groups of patients is provided.
The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree requires a minimum of four years of study. The course of study is similar to the AD program, but the focus is on management of clients and staff in acute and community settings. Additional content and theory is provided in leadership, research, and community health. Many agencies require the BSN of new nurses seeking management positions.
Q. Are the nursing courses transferable to CSU or UC?
Ohlone College nursing graduates are accepted for advanced placement in BSN programs at San Jose State University, California State University East Bay, San Francisco State University, Holy Names, Samuel Merrit University, and other colleges and universities.
Q. I am a recent high school graduate and have taken one year of chemistry and one year of biology do I need to take the college-level chemistry and biology?
Yes, college level chemistry and biology are prerequisites to other courses.
Q. My grade point average (GPA) is too low. what can I do?
There are a number of courses that are related to nursing that can be taken to improve your GPA. Recommended courses for students applying to the Nursing program include:
- AH-110 Medical Terminology
- AH-151 Applied Clinical Pharmacology
Q. I have recently moved to the U.S. I was enrolled in a foreign university, and would like to continue my education here at Ohlone, what should I do?
The Nursing program does not accept foreign coursework to support the Nursing major (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, developmental psychology). Please check with the Counseling Department regarding math, english and any other prerequisite or support courses for the Nursing major.
Q. Is financial aid available? Are there Grants and Scholarships available?
Contact the Financial Aid Office for information. There are a number of loans, grants, and scholarships available to students interested in nursing. In addition, the NursingScholarship.US website provides Scholarship & Financial Aid Resources to students who are preparing for a career in nursing.
Q. Is there a part-time option in the Nursing major?
There is not a "part-time" option once a student is enrolled in the Nursing major.
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