About the Registered Nursing Program

Program Description

The PCC Registered Nursing Program provides a sequence of learning experiences that will enable you to achieve desired educational outcomes in the areas of patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. You will gain the competencies to successfully fulfill the roles of advocate, clinician, leader, and teacher in the nursing profession. Completing our RN Program will prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the health care system.

Program Length

The required nursing classes for the RN Program can be completed in four semesters. Additional time will needed to complete the AS degree requirements. We strongly recommend completing this before you begin the nursing program.

Program Completion

Upon completion of the Nursing curriculum and meeting PCC graduation and BRN requirements, you will receive an Associate in Science Degree with a Certificate of Achievement in Registered Nursing. You will also be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and should file to do so as soon as possible, as the sooner you take the exam the more likely you will be successful. There is a fee to take the NCLEX and a separate fee for licensure application. When you pass the NCLEX-RN, you may then qualify to receive a license from the Board of Registered Nursing to practice nursing in the State of California or whatever state or US territory they desire.

Note that completion of the program does not guarantee licensure or employment.

Essential Job Functions

To be successful in the Registered Nursing program, you should be able to meet the following job functions.

Work hours:

    1. Must be able to work at various clinical sites, including the hospital, at least 8 -12 hours per day two days per week.
    2. Must be able to attend the nursing and other college theory classes an additional 1-3 days per week.
    3. Must be able, on some days, to take theory and clinical classes lasting as much or more than 12 hours per day.
    4. Nursing Program courses may be scheduled on any instructional day approved by the college and may involve evening or weekend courses.

Physical demands:

  1. Must be able to complete all physical demands required in the Nursing Handbook and the hospital unit where the clinical course is scheduled.
  2. Must be able to use all physical senses, i.e., seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling in a manner that allows the nurse to be able to accurately assess the patient and clinical situation.
  3. Must be able to use fine motor skills of the hands to carry out clinical procedures accurately and safely.
  4. Must be able to operate varied medical equipment.
  5. Must be able to perform such duties as, but not limited to:
    • Lifting patients of various sizes and weights into, onto, and out of bed, chairs, stretchers, and other surfaces.
    • Maneuvering, pulling, pushing, lifting, and turning of patients in awkward positions.
    • Performing related tasks which require the use of hands, arms, shoulders, legs, and feet.
    • Participating in work-related activities that require extensive bending, kneeling, crouching, stooping, standing, and critical movements.

Work Environment

  1. Must be aware of potential risks in healthcare settings which require wearing of safety equipment, such as masks, head coverings, glasses, latex or non-latex gloves, shoe coverings, etc.
  2. Must be able to meet hospital and college performance standards.
  3. Must be able to travel to and from academic and clinical training sites.

Cognitive Abilities

  1. Must be able to understand and work from written and verbal orders.
  2. Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English sufficient to safely work in academic and clinical settings.
  3. Must be able to understand and implement related academic and health regulations, healthcare facilities, and hospital policies and procedures.
  4. Must follow all state, federal, and local hospital policies regarding confidentiality rules on patients’ personal, family, and health-related information.
  5. Must possess technical competency with nursing procedures, equipment and computers in patient care and related areas.
  6. Must be able to perform mathematical calculations to determine correct medicine dosage and intravenous flow rates.
  7. Must be able to speak and communicate effectively in English to individuals and small groups in a manner that can be readily understood.
  8. Must be able to conduct personal appraisals and counsel patients and families.
  9. Must be in a functional state of mental health.
  10. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing patient care and professional situations.
  11. Must not have any disability that would interfere with cognitive, physical, or sensate ability to function safely in patient and nursing situations.

Program Approval

The Registered Nursing Program at Pasadena City College is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing: BRN, 400 R Street, Suite 4030, Sacramento, CA, 95814-6200, (916) 322-3350.

All nursing programs offered in California must be approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, in order for students to be eligible for possible licensure upon successful completion of the approved educational program.

Already a LVN?

We offer a special Career Ladder options for current Licensed Vocational Nurses who wish to become a Registered Nurse. For program requirements and admission information, please visit our Career Ladder Nursing program site.