Program Admission

General Admission Information

Before applying to the Registered Nursing Program, please review the following admission requirements and recommendations.

• • You must have the ability to communicate safely, accurately, and effectively in both written and spoken English during rapidly changing clinical environments. 
  • An assessment/readiness test (TEAS) is required. This is a basic test of reading, vocabulary, math and science that is highly correlated with success in a nursing program. A minimum score of 62 is required to apply to the nursing program. Study material to prepare for or help raise your TEAS score can be found in ATI's Smart Prep for TEAS at www.atitesting.com. Register and pay the test fee through ATI and take proctored exam in person or online. Official transcripts must be sent to PCC Nursing for consideration in admission. Students who apply that have met all other admissions criteria and do not meet the established TEAS eligibility criteria will be given the option to participate in a TEAS remediation plan. After successful completion, students are eligible to retake the TEAS exam and reapply for entry into the nursing program. If the remediation plan is not complete by the deadline, the student is encouraged not to retake the TEAS exam or re-apply to the program.
  • If you have previously purchased your TEAS transcript to be sent to Pasadena City College ADN program electronically, you will not be able to resend your TEAS transcript if you are reapplying to the program. Once the TEAS transcript has been sent electronically, it will be saved in our system. You must upload a PDF file of your TEAS transcript to your application each time you apply.
  •  ATI TEAS 7 score will be accepted.
  • NOTE: Beginning with the August 1 through August 15, 2023 application, only the TEAS 7 score will be accepted.
  • We do not keep transcripts or applications on file. We shred prior applications and transcripts after the completion of the selection process. Therefore, if you are reapplying, you must resubmit transcripts and an application each application period.

  • All applicants should submit a PDF copy of official transcripts from any college attended outside of Pasadena City College. All applicants are required to upload a copy of official transcripts from each college (including Advanced Placement transcript scores) attended with your online application. Official transcripts may be requested throughout the process for verification or upon admission to the program.

  • Individuals applying to participate in the Registered Nursing Program at Pasadena City College who have previously attended or were dismissed from another nursing program may be asked to submit a letter of patient safety in clinical practice. The Nursing Program Director from the nursing program the student attended should provide the letter. The patient safety letter should be addressed to the Dean of Health Sciences, who will share the letter with the Pasadena Nursing Program Director to determine if any other action needs to be taken.

For the online Registered Nursing Application:

Follow these basic directions for scanning documents to your online application:

• • Open your official transcripts that you will be uploading to the nursing application

  • Scan the official transcripts using a device such as a printer or scanner

  • Follow the scanner manufacturer's directions to scan each document to your computer or USB drive

  • Select the PDF file format option before scanning. Only PDF files of your transcripts and other supporting documents will be accepted. Formats such as JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIF, screenshot, word documents, etc. will not be accepted for the application process.

  • Save your PDF document to a folder in a location on your computer or removable drive that you can easily access (Desktop or Documents folder is suggested)
    
    NOTE: Students who do not have access to a personal scanner may choose to use a commercial copying center to have their required documents scanned and made into PDFs that then may be uploaded as part of your application.

    Follow these basic directions for uploading documents to your online application:

  • When prompted on the application to upload your documents marked "Drop Files here or Select Files" click on this button

  • Find the PDF files you want to upload from your computer or flash drive

  • Select the file by double clicking on it (tap twice)
    Your file will be uploaded.

  • English, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology must be completed with a minimum 2.5 GPA before you can apply to the RN program. We strongly recommend that you complete all non-nursing courses prior to beginning the RN program. The program is very rigorous and students will generally not be able to manage additional classes or work during the semesters they are in the program. View Prerequisites.
    
    Note:  Online lab courses will be accepted.  Pass/Fail grades for lab courses will be accepted for the Spring 2020 semester only.
  • Questions regarding course equivalency for coursework taken at colleges other than Pasadena City College should be directed to the Counseling Office.  The Counseling Office can be reached at https://pasadena.edu/academics/support/counseling/index.php
  • We prefer that basic science courses: chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology are completed within the past five years with a grade of “C” or higher. Science courses must be 4 semester units or more with a documented lab component. The BRN requires a C or better in all BRN coursework in order to be considered for licensure.
  • A Social Security number is required to be admitted to the program because most clinical sites require students' social security numbers to meet federal requirements for use of Electronic Medical Records. 
  • Covid 19 vaccination and current influenza vaccine (flu shot) are required for admission to the program. Access to the annual flu vaccine is limited to the fall of each year. All clinical sites require yearly proof of vaccination. As a requirement to access the clinical affiliate sites which are a required part of the curriculum, all students must show proof of completion of an approved Covid-19 vaccination series. Additionally, to register for in-person classes beginning with Fall 2022, all students must submit proof of a Covid-19 vaccination.  Although students might be eligible to obtain an exception to participate in activities on campus, our clinical affiliate sites do not afford trainees this option for the safety and protection of their patients and staff.
  • Late submission of application, transcripts, or other supporting documents is not accepted.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.