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Nursing

Nursing

Associate Degrees

Associate in Arts Degree

Licensed Vocational Nursing

Students may earn the above-named associate degree by completing a certificate of achievement and the general education courses required for MiraCosta College's Associate in Arts degree (see Associate Degrees). Students should meet with a MiraCosta counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written educational plan for the specific degree or certificate they wish to earn.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

  • Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to promote and maintain a safe environment by integrating nursing process and skill competency to intervene therapeutically for the health of the patient.

Associate in Science Degree

Registered Nursing

Track I - Generic ADN
Track II - LVN-RN (ADN)

The Registered Nursing program offers two tracks for students: Track I and Track II. Track II is for California Licensed Vocation Nurses only. Students must possess a valid LVN license to complete Track II.

Applications for admission are available on the Nursing webpage. Requirements include an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for Human Anatomy (BIO 210 or BIO 210H), Human Physiology (BIO 220), and Microbiology (BIO 230) with no grade less than "C" for each course and no more than one repetition of any of these courses. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all college coursework taken. The selection criteria for admission to the program is consistent with California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office standards for Statewide Alignment of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) prerequisites. The criteria can be found on the nursing webpage (www.miracosta.edu/nursing).

Students accepted into the Registered Nursing program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and receive a composite score of 62 percent or higher in order to begin the program. Study materials for the test can be found at www.atitesting.com. Students who do not receive at least a 62 percent will be counseled and have a remediation plan designed. They will have one year to complete the remediation plan before retesting for admittance. This program has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, PO Box 499210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

  • Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to manage and promote effective care while maintaining a safe environment by integrating nursing process, clinical reasoning, and skill competency to intervene therapeutically for the health of the patient.

Track I: Generic ADN

Students must have completed the following prerequisite courses before applying to the Registered Nursing (ADN) program:

BIO 110Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture/Lab) *3-4
or BIO 111 Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture)
BIO 210Human Anatomy4
or BIO 210H Human Anatomy (Honors)
BIO 220Human Physiology *4
BIO 230Introduction to Microbiology5
ENGL 100Composition and Reading *4
or ENGL 100H Composition and Reading (Honors)
Total Units20-21
Required courses: 
COMM 101Public Speaking *3
or COMM 106 Group Communication
or COMM 207 Interpersonal Communication
NURS 180Fundamentals of Nursing4
NURS 181Medical Surgical Nursing I4
NURS 182Maternal-Child Nursing5
NURS 183Medical Surgical Nursing II4.5
NURS 281Medical Surgical Nursing III7
NURS 282Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing3.5
NURS 283Medical Surgical Nursing IV7
NURS 284Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership1.5
PHAR 201Pharmacology Review and Update2
Select at least three units from the following: *3
Child and Adolescent Growth and Development
Introduction to Aging
Psychology of Personal Growth
General Psychology
General Psychology (Honors)
Social Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
Contemporary Social Problems
Additional associate degree requirements:3
GE Area C (Plan A) ***
Prerequisite Units20-21
Total Units67.5-68.5

Track II: LVN-RN (ADN)

California Licensed Vocational Nurses are eligible to apply for a one-year LVN-RN transition program, also known as the Registered Nursing (LVN-RN) Step-Up program in pursuit of the Associate Degree in Nursing. First-year nursing coursework credit is granted with evidence of an active California LVN license in good standing and evidence of graduating from a program approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Students complete a transition course and two subsequent semesters for eligibility to apply to take the National Council License Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX). For those students who have received their license through challenging the NCLEXPN, pediatric and obstetrical content will need to be verified by the ADN director. Please make an appointment with the ADN director to determine how to satisfy this requirement.

Students accepted into the LVN-RN (ADN) (Track II) program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and receive a composite score of 62 percent or higher in order to begin the program. Study materials for the test can be found at www.atitesting.com. Students who do not receive at least a 62 percent will be counseled and have a remediation plan designed. They will have one year to complete the remediation plan before retesting for admittance. This program has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, PO Box 499210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100.

Students must have completed the following prerequisite courses before applying to the Registered Nursing (LVN-RN) program:

BIO 110Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture/Lab) *3-4
or BIO 111 Introductory Biology: Preparation for Pre-Health Professions (Lecture)
BIO 210Human Anatomy4
or BIO 210H Human Anatomy (Honors)
BIO 220Human Physiology *4
BIO 230Introduction to Microbiology *5
ENGL 100Composition and Reading *4
or ENGL 100H Composition and Reading (Honors)
PHAR 201Pharmacology Review and Update2
Total Units22-23
Required courses: 
COMM 101Public Speaking *3
or COMM 106 Group Communication
or COMM 207 Interpersonal Communication
NURS 280Transition from LVN to RN2.5
NURS 281Medical Surgical Nursing III7
NURS 282Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing3.5
NURS 283Medical Surgical Nursing IV7
NURS 284Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership1.5
Select at least three units from the following: *3
Child and Adolescent Growth and Development
Introduction to Aging
Psychology of Personal Growth
General Psychology
General Psychology (Honors)
Social Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
Contemporary Social Problems
Additional associate degree requirements:**
GE Area C (Plan A) ***3
Prerequisite Units22-23
Total Units52.5-53.5
*

These courses may also satisfy a general education (GE) requirement and apply to GE Areas A, B, D and E. Cultural Diversity, which is a required GE category (Area F), is embedded throughout the Nursing program curriculum. Each course has a component that promotes sensitivity to cultural diversity and fosters an understanding of the student's role in the global community. Students completing this degree will substantially meet this requirement. Students are not required to satisfy the GE Area G: American Institutions and History requirement due to Board of Registered Nursing licensing requirements.

**

To obtain the associate degree, students must complete at least 60 units and satisfy the college's mathematics competency requirement. The Nursing Department recommends students take a statistics course to satisfy this graduation requirement. All means of demonstrating mathematics competency are explained in the college catalog and in the Administrative Procedure 4100.

***

Students with a bachelor's or an associate degree from a United States regionally accredited college in a non-nursing field are required to complete only the coursework necessary for the Registered Nursing program, including prerequisites and nursing coursework. These students are not required to complete any other courses required by the college for an associate degree.

Non-Degree 30-Unit Option for LVNs

Any LVN licensed in the state of California is eligible to apply for the non-degree 30-Unit Option LVN-RN program, for which MiraCosta College acts as a facilitator. Prescribed by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), this option allows students with a current California LVN license to meet the minimum requirements to sit for the Registered Nursing licensure exam by completing a maximum of 30 units.

At MiraCosta College this option requires the following:

Prerequisite course requirements:
BIO 220Human Physiology4
BIO 230Introduction to Microbiology5
Nursing course requirements:
NURS 280Transition from LVN to RN2.5
NURS 281Medical Surgical Nursing III7
NURS 282Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing3.5
NURS 283Medical Surgical Nursing IV7
Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership *
Total Units29
*

NURS 284 is optional.

The 30-Unit Option has both advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage is that students take fewer courses to become licensed and do not repeat any content included in their vocational nursing program (such as pediatrics and maternity). Disadvantages include the following:

  • Students who complete this option are not awarded a degree or certificate from MiraCosta College and are not entitled to wear the Nursing Program pin.

  • Students who complete this option, subsequently become California RNs, and then wish to become licensed in another state will likely find they do not meet RN licensure requirements outside of California.

Applicants who desire the 30-Unit Option complete the same application form required for LVN-ADN Step-Up students and indicate this choice on the application form where appropriate. Students may apply upon completion of the program prerequisite courses. Applications are available on the Nursing webpage.

Certificates

Certificate of Achievement

Licensed Vocational Nursing

 The MiraCosta College Licensed Vocational Nursing program is a six-quarter program leading to a certificate as a vocational nurse. Those who qualify for enrollment receive intensive training and in-class work as well as clinical practice in direct patient care. The clinical practice is constantly supervised by licensed or registered nurse specialists who guide and teach students. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Licensure Examination for Vocational Nurses to achieve licensure. The licensed vocational nurse may seek employment in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, physicians' offices, or various government agencies, as well as serve as a private-duty nurse in hospitals or homes.

NURS 151, NURS 60, and PHAR 100 are prerequisites and must be completed prior to applying for enrollment in the LVN program. Once prerequisites are completed, students may submit an application packet for admission into the program. For admission requirements, go to http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/nursing/lvnprogram.html.

Students accepted into the program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Version V and receive a composite score of 58 percent or higher in order to begin the program. Study materials for the test can be found at www.atitesting.com. Students who do not receive at least a 58 percent will be counseled and have a remediation plan designed. They will have one year to complete the remediation plan before retesting for admittance. This program has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, PO Box 499210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

  • Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to promote and maintain a safe environment by integrating nursing process and skill competency to intervene therapeutically for the health of the patient.
Required courses: 
NURS 60Certified Nursing Assistant6.5
NURS 151Body Systems Survey for Health Professions3
NURS 170Licensed Vocational Nursing I7.5
NURS 171Licensed Vocational Nursing II7.5
NURS 172Licensed Vocational Nursing III7.5
NURS 173Licensed Vocational Nursing IV7.5
NURS 274Licensed Vocational Nursing V7.5
NURS 275Licensed Vocational Nursing VI7.5
PHAR 100Basic Pharmacology--Dosages and Calculations3
Total Units57.5

Note: Clinical instruction is conducted in area hospitals.

Certificate of Proficiency

Certified Nursing Assistant

The Certified Nursing Assistant certificate introduces students to the basic information and nursing skills needed to pass the state exam required for Nurse Aide Certification, which enables students to work in acute care, long-term care facilities, and home nursing.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

  • Upon completion of this program the student will demonstrate safe and effective basic care and comfort to the health care consumer.
Required courses: 
NURS 60Certified Nursing Assistant6.5
Total Units6.5

Certificate of Proficiency

Home Health Aide

The Home Health Aide (HHA) certificate prepares students who are licensed as nursing assistants to care for elderly, recovering, or disabled persons in their own homes or in licensed residential care facilities. Topics covered include basic nursing services, food preparation, and household services. Federal guidelines do not require a competency exam prior to certification as an HHA. Certification is based upon verification of successful completion of an approved HHA training program.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

  • Upon completion of this program the student will demonstrate safe and effective basic care, comfort and environmental maintenance to the health care consumer in the home setting.
Required courses: 
NURS 60Certified Nursing Assistant6.5
NURS 64Home Health Aide2
Total Units8.5

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage at https://www.miracosta.edu/governance/courses-and-programs-committee/curriculum-management-system.html.

Courses

NURS 60: Certified Nursing Assistant

Units: 6.5
Prerequisites: ACE 150, ENGL 50, ESL 150, or eligibility determined by the English placement process; AHA BLS Provider card. (Submit valid SSN, MCC physical, current flu shot, and TB clearance to T420 two weeks before first class meeting.)
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4 hours, laboratory 7.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course covers basic nursing skills, including fundamentals of nursing, nutrition, gerontology, and home nursing. It is a prerequisite for MiraCosta's Licensed Vocational Nursing program and has been approved by the California Department of Public Health for the Certified Nursing Assistant certification. Upon successful completion of the course, students may seek employment in long-term and skilled nursing facilities, acute care, and in-home care. Students with prior convictions for misdemeanors or felonies will need to be cleared by the California Department of Public Health. This is done with a Live Scan on the second day of class.

NURS 64: Home Health Aide

Units: 2
Prerequisites: Current California Certified Nursing Assistant certificate; and current physical and TB test (done within a year) on MiraCosta physical form; and current American Heart Association Basic Healthcare Provider CPR card.
Lecture 1.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This 48-hour course is designed for the certified nursing assistant to meet the state requirement of 40 hours to obtain a Home Health Aide Certificate. Topics include the role of the home health aide, federal and state requirements for the home health aide, interpretation of medical and social needs of people being served, personal care services, nutrition and cleaning, and care tasks in the home.

NURS 151: Body Systems Survey for Health Professions

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This basic anatomy and physiology course is intended for students who are preparing for a career in health professions. The content is presented from simple to complex, beginning with cellular functioning and progressing through the various organ systems. Students learn how an organ is anatomically designed to perform a specific physiological task and how each organ system plays a role in maintaining homeostasis.

NURS 153: Pathophysiology for Health Professions

Units: 3
Prerequisites: NURS 151.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This pathophysiology course is intended for students who are preparing for a career in health professions. The course focuses on disease processes in the human body from a systems approach and includes an analysis of the most common and significant diseases. Students use appropriate medical terminology to examine the signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

NURS 155: Basic Medical Terminology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course covers the origin, correct spelling, pronunciation, meaning, and correct usage of common medical terms and their application to clinical records and reports. It emphasizes the roots, prefixes, suffixes, medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms commonly used in medical records.

NURS 166: American Medical Corps Transition to Vocational Nurse

Units: 3
Prerequisites: 12 months' experience as a Medical Corps Member or equivalent.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces the American military medical member to the role of vocational nurse through a review of basic nursing skills, the nursing process, communication, medication administration/pharmacology, adult growth and development, obstetric and pediatric, gerontology, medical/surgical nursing, oncology, and hematology. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial, and nutritional considerations of patients are integrated with their respective units.

NURS 170: Licensed Vocational Nursing I

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 60 or a current California CNA license; and PHAR 100; and NURS 151 or BIO 210, BIO 210H, or BIO 220; and admission to the LVN program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall even years

This course introduces the beginning vocational nursing student to therapeutic communication, the nursing profession, basic nursing skills, basic pharmacology, and the nursing process. (Materials Fee: $113.48)

NURS 171: Licensed Vocational Nursing II

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 170.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring odd years

This course introduces the vocational nursing student to nutrition, medication administration, gerontology, adult growth and development, the diabetic patient, and the integumentary system. Each unit integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial, and nutrition considerations of the patients.

NURS 172: Licensed Vocational Nursing III

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 171.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer odd years

This course introduces the vocational nursing student to perioperative and medical-surgical nursing, the genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems, and communicable diseases. Each unit integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, psychosocial, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations.

NURS 173: Licensed Vocational Nursing IV

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 172.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall odd years

This course introduces vocational nursing students to the nursing care of the neurological, endocrine, oncology, orthopedic, and rehabilitation patient as well as the patient with a hematological and lymphatic disease. Each unit integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, psychosocial, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations.

NURS 180: Fundamentals of Nursing

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to RN program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This entry-level nursing course introduces students to the core concepts, principles, and clinical skills common to all areas and levels of the nursing practice. It provides the platform upon which all subsequent nursing courses build. Its integration of clinical experiences may include acute, long-term, and perioperative/ambulatory care settings as well as college laboratory simulations. (Materials Fee: $697.00)

NURS 181: Medical Surgical Nursing I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: NURS 180 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces the basic concepts required to care for adult patients with stable and/or less complex medical-surgical health problems. It emphasizes the management of unmet needs and the nursing process as organizing frameworks for providing nursing care. Students integrate and apply theoretical concepts and clinical skills in acute, long-term, and perioperative/ambulatory care settings as well as college laboratory simulations.

NURS 182: Maternal-Child Nursing

Units: 5
Prerequisites: NURS 181 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course relates the nursing process to the needs of maternity and pediatric patients and their families. Students adapt previously learned skills and knowledge to the observation and direct care of normal- and high-risk populations. The integration of students' clinical experiences may include acute, long-term, and perioperative/ambulatory care settings as well as college laboratory simulations. Non-clinical and clinical activities may be presented in an online format. (Materials Fee: $667.00)

NURS 183: Medical Surgical Nursing II

Units: 4.5
Prerequisites: NURS 181 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 7.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course continues the study of caring for adult patients with unmet medical needs. It emphasizes perioperative health care needs across the adult life span and respective nursing interventions. Clinical simulations and experiences provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts, improve clinical judgment, and broaden clinical skills in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing lab care settings. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 185: Nursing Skills/Simulation Laboratory I

Units: 1
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Students must be accepted for re-entry into the ADN, LVN, or LVN-RN programs.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course gives students the opportunity to apply related theoretical concepts with supervised practice of fundamental patient care skills and procedures that are presented in beginning nursing courses. Topics include the nursing process, patient assessment, fundamental nursing skills, and medication administration. This course is intended for beginning nursing students in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program, Licensed Vocational Nursing Program (LVN), and LVN-RN Nursing Program. This course is also open to accepted re-entry students who need to remediate skills prior to returning to the nursing program.

NURS 186: Nursing Skills/Simulation Laboratory II

Units: 1
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: NURS 182 or NURS 183.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply related theoretical concepts with supervised practice of patient care skills and procedures related to specialty patient populations. Topics include the nursing process, patient assessment, intermediate nursing skills, and medication administration. This course is intended for nursing students in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and LVN-RN nursing program.

NURS 274: Licensed Vocational Nursing V

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 173.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring even years

This course introduces the advanced vocational nursing student to the nursing care of patients with circulatory and respiratory diseases and disorders as well as home health/hospice and leadership. Each unit integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial, and nutrition considerations. The course also covers leadership, supervision skills, and interpersonal relationships.

NURS 275: Licensed Vocational Nursing VI

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 274.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer even years

This course introduces the advanced vocational nursing student to the nursing care of obstetric, gynecologic, pediatric, and mentally ill patients as well as growth and development of the child and adolescent. Each unit integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, psycho-social, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations. The course includes professional adjustment to prepare the nursing student for employment.

NURS 280: Transition from LVN to RN

Units: 2.5
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Acceptance into LVN to RN program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1.50 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer

This course facilitates the transition of the licensed vocational nurse (LVN) into the roles and responsibilities of the registered nurse (RN). It introduces the philosophy and conceptual framework of the RN as member of the discipline and provider of care. The course content focuses on competencies expected of the graduate Associate Degree Nurse (ADN), including clinical reasoning skills, role development, clinical skills, and the nursing process.

NURS 281: Medical Surgical Nursing III

Units: 7
Prerequisites: NURS 183 (ADN) or NURS 280 (LVN to RN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 12 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course continues the study of caring for adult patients with unmet medical needs. It examines the effect of complex and chronic health problems on the physiologic and psychosocial integrity of the adult and elderly patient. Students apply theoretical concepts, improve clinical judgment, and broaden clinical skills in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing lab settings. Non-clinical activities may be presented in an online format. (Materials Fee: $667.00).

NURS 282: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Units: 3.5
Prerequisites: NURS 183 (ADN) or NURS 280 (LVN to RN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 4.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of nursing as related to mental health and illness. It examines how mental healthcare problems impact client integrity in various healthcare settings, and it emphasizes how therapeutic communication establishes and maintains effective nurse-client relationships. Non-clinical activities may be presented in an online format.

NURS 283: Medical Surgical Nursing IV

Units: 7
Prerequisites: NURS 281 and NURS 282.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 12 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course focuses on the theory and practice of nursing necessary to assist the acute and critically ill across the lifespan in achieving client integrity. It emphasizes refining use of the nursing process to provide nursing care for individuals with complex and acute health problems. Students apply advanced theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and psychomotor skills in practical situations. Non-clinical activities may be presented in an online format. (Materials Fee: $667.00).

NURS 284: Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: NURS 281 and NURS 282
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course facilitates the student's transition to entry-level registered nursing practice. It presents management and leadership concepts that are applicable to a variety of health care settings. Topics include transitioning from student to registered nurse, decision-making, organization, values clarification, resource allocation, and health care trends.

NURS 285: Nursing Skills/Simulation Laboratory III

Units: 1
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: NURS 281 or NURS 282.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply related theoretical concepts with supervised practice of patient care skills and procedures for patients across the lifespan. Topics include the nursing process, patient assessment, advanced nursing skills, and medication administration. This course is intended for nursing students in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and LVN-RN nursing programs.

NURS 286: Nursing Skills/Simulation Laboratory IV

Units: 1
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: NURS 283.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply related theoretical concepts with supervised practice of patient care skills and procedures for critically ill patients. Topics include the nursing process, patient assessment, critical care nursing skills, and medication administration. This course is intended for nursing students in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and LVN-RN Nursing Programs.

NURS 288: Nurse Externship

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: NURS 183 (Generic RN) or NURS 280 (LVN-RN Bridge)
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Nursing Program and complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 12 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course provides registered nursing (RN) students an opportunity to obtain clinical experience in the application of all previously learned knowledge and skills. Students work collaboratively with a faculty mentor, RN supervisor, and members of the health care team to meet job-oriented learning objectives. Under an RN's supervision, students are provided opportunities to increase their nursing judgment and enhance their nursing skills as preparation for their role as professional graduate nurses. A maximum of 16 units may be earned during community college attendance.

NURS 290: Critical Care

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor Consent. Students need to be in the last semester of an RN program or equivalent.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to critical care concepts and care of critically patients experiencing varied disorders. It discusses the relationship of pathophysiology to clinical manifestations that patients experience and the interventions the registered nurse needs to implement to improve patient outcomes. Topics include rhythm and 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis and treatment, shock syndromes, medications used to maintain hemodynamic stability and perfusion, maintenance of artificial airways, and mechanical ventilation.

NURS 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

NURS 296: Topics in Nursing

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Nursing that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

NURS 299: Occupational Cooperative Work Experience

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

Cooperative Work Experience is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

Campus Locations

MiraCosta Community Learning Center

1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Oceanside Campus Building

1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta San Elijo Campus

3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Technology Career Institute Building

2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
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