Eligibility requirements, additional program information and applications are available from the health sciences program office in building M and at the counseling office in student services in building A on the Santa Maria campus. For more information, please contact the sciences program office at:

Allan Hancock College is a California public community college in northern Santa Barbara County serving more than 11,000 credit students each semester.

The college offers degrees and certificates in more than 100 fields of study from accounting to welding. The college has a campus in Santa Maria and centers in Lompoc, Solvang, and at Vandenberg AFB.

Registered Nursing (RN)
The registered nursing program, fully accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing, is a two-semester program offered every year starting spring semester. California licensed vocational nurses and graduates from accredited vocational nursing prorgrams are eligible to apply upon completion of AHC program prerequisites.

The LVN-to-RN program is specifically designed to provide the LVN with an opportunity for career advancement and prepares the LVN for the additional responsibilities required of the registered nurse. Students accepted into the program must comply with background checks and drug screening required by clinical agencies. In addition, the program has a 30-unit certificate option, completion of which qualifies the successful graduate to take the RN licensing examination. The student would NOT be a graduate of the Allan Hancock Nursing Program or of the college. Applicants to this curriculum alternative must meet with the Director for advisement.

Employment Opportunities
An entry level wage is approximately $28-33 per hour, with veteran nurses earning $30 per hour and up. There is presently a major nursing shortage, and jobs are plentiful in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, research study programs, and more. Specialties include obstetrics, surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, intensive care, and emergency room/trauma.

Prerequisites
The following courses or programs must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the end of spring semester of the application deadline.
Current California LVN or graduate of an accredited LVN program
Biology 124, 125, and 128
English 101
Math 331
Psychology 101
Merit Based Admission Requirements: The following formula validated for the Allan Hancock College Student population will be utilized.

(2.12 x overall GPA)+(1.296 x English 101 GPA) > 8.24

To qualify for the program your score must be 8.24 or higher. The GPA is made up of all college level course work. Additional testing may be required.

Spring

NURS 101*	Foundations of Caring	2 units
NURS 102*	Caring for People at Risk in the Community	3 units
NURS 103	Clinical Practicum I	5 units
NURS 104	Medical/Surgical Nursing I	3 units
NURS 111	Skills for Health Professionals	.5 units

Fall

NURS 112	Skills for Health Professionals	.5 units
NURS 106	Leadership and Management	2 units
NURS 108	Clinical Practicum 2	5 units
NURS 109	Medical/Surgical at Risk Populations	2.5 units
NURS 110	Psychiatric Nursing	2.5 units

* Required for the associate in science degree, but not the 30-unit certificate option.

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
Monitor Observer
Prospective students must be current CNAs, LVNs, RNs or MAs. Upon successful completion of NURS 422 - EKG/Monitor Observer, students will receive a certificate for monitor observer.
This 1.5 unit course is offered for six weeks of the summer session, once a week, for four hours.
Course completers learn to function as monitor observers in a clinical area where patients receive cardiac monitoring. The students learn to identify the role and responsibilities of the monitor observer as a member of the health care team. They will be able to recognize normal electrical patterns of the heart, recognize life-threatening abnormal rhythms of the heart, apply monitor leads correctly and understand the use of the cardiac monitor as a diagnostic and monitoring tool. 24 CEUs.

IV Therapy
Prospective students must be current licensed RNs or LVNs or RN or LVN students concurrently enrolled in a nursing program. NURS 370, a one-semester, two unit course, is offered each year in the fall semester, and it includes both theory and lab practice. Upon completion, the student will receive IV certification.
The course, approved by the BVNPT, is designed to prepare the professional nurse for starting and superimposing IV fluids, such as solutions of electrolytes, nutrients, vitamins, blood and blood products. Course completers are able to safely perform a venipuncture while maintaining the physiological and psychological well-being of the recipient during the entire process.