Program Pathways

The profession of registered nursing involves the provision of health care services, both direct and indirect, that focus on the maintenance, promotion, and restoration of health. This includes basic health care to help people cope with difficulties in daily living that are associated with actual or potential problems of health, illness, or the treatment thereof. Nursing is a dynamic problem-solving profession that focuses on the response of the individual to health problems. The practice of registered nursing requires a substantial amount of scientific knowledge and technical skills as well as leadership and managerial abilities. Students attend classes on the Fresno City College campus. Nursing experience is provided in selected local hospitals and healthcare agencies.

Selection Process

The Traditional Registered Nursing program begins in the Fall & Spring semester each year. FCC utilizes a Multiple Criteria Selection (MCS) process for admission into the Registered Nursing Program. The MCS process is a point-based system. The points earned from the criteria determine a student’s eligibility to participate in the lottery selection process. Students are required to reapply each semester. The number of times a student has participated in the lottery will not be considered. Applicants will enter the modified lottery pool based on the current application requirements within the application period in which the student is applying, not on the catalog of initial or subsequent FCC registration. This process is student driven, which means applicants are responsible for supplying all transcripts and supplemental documentation required, as well as keeping the Registered Nursing Department informed of any changes in applicant name, address, and/or phone number. Fresno City College reserves the right to designate a certain number of spaces for special programs, contract agreements and/or to meet requirements of grant-designated outcomes.

Application Requirements

Enrollment in the Registered Nursing Program is limited due to being an impacted program. Minimum qualifications for selection must be met. There are no restrictions as to age, race, gender, or marital status. 

Prior to submitting an application to the program, the applicant must have:

1. Graduated from high school with a minimum grade point average of “C+” (2.5) or better in high school work or completed the General Educational Development (GED) test with an average standard score of 45.
2. Completed Chemistry 3A or equivalent with a letter grade of “C” or better.
3. Completed Biology 20, Human Anatomy, and Biology 22, Human Physiology, (or Biology 21A and 21B, Human Anatomy and Physiology) with a letter grade of “C” or better in each course.
4. Completed Biology 31, Microbiology, with a letter grade of “C” or better.
5. Completed Sociology 1A, Introduction to Sociology, or Sociology 1B, Critical Thinking about Social Problems, or Anthropology 2, Cultural Anthropology, with a letter grade of "C" or better.
6. Completed Psychology C1000, Introduction to Psychology, with a letter grade of “C” or better.
7. Completed English C1000, Academic Reading and Writing, with a letter grade of “C” or better.
8. Completed Statistics C1000, Introduction to Statistics, or transfer level math course with a letter grade of “C” or better.
9. All general education leading to the associate’s degree must be complete at time of application (local or Cal-GETC GE patterns will be acceptable).
10. Attained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of "C+" (2.5) or better in the 8 program pre-requisites and all General Education leading towards the associate’s degree (local or Cal-GETC GE patterns will be acceptable).
11. Completed an online Program Application for the Registered Nursing Program and submitted external transcripts and other required supporting documents.
12. Have no physical impairment that would preclude the performance of all registered nurse duties.
13. Be in good physical and mental health.
14. Completed the most current ATI TEAS Examination and pass with an overall score of 62% or higher, at this time. Fresno City College Nursing Program will only accept a maximum of two (2) attempts at the ATI TEAS Examination. Nursing applicants who do not pass the ATI TEAS Examination on the first attempt are required to utilize remediation resources (study modules, tutoring, etc.) prior to re-testing. A period of ninety (90) days must pass between test attempts. Students must complete ATI TEAS remediation during the ninety (90) day period between attempts. ATI TEAS remediation resources may be found at www.atitesting.com. The FCC Registered Nursing Department must receive passing ATI TEAS Examination scores electronically from ATI for the scores to be determined official. Students can transfer passing ATI TEAS Examination scores to the FCC Registered Nursing Department by going to www.atitesting.com.

Notes:

1. Applications without required documentation will be considered incomplete and processing will be terminated. All application and program requirements, deadlines, and selection criteria are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to review Nursing Application webpage for most current information and requirements.
2. Prior to starting the Registered Nursing Program, students must submit evidence of physical examination, current immunizations, and freedom of TB by a licensed physician. The student is also required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting before the start of the semester.
3. Students are required to complete a background check. A negative result may result in a disqualification. 

LVN-RN Advanced Placement Program 

Applicants to the LVN-RN Advanced Placement Program must complete all application requirements and hold a current LVN License. 

Previous Education in Nursing
Any person requesting to enter the Fresno City College Registered Nursing Program by transfer or challenge will be evaluated on an individual basis after all program pre-requisites and college general education requirements have been met. Individuals who have prior education in the field of nursing should contact the Director of Nursing for specific information.

Bachelor’s in Science Degree Transfer Preparation

Pre-Allied Health students planning to transfer to four-year nursing programs should consult the catalog of the transfer school. Registered Nursing students who plan to transfer to CSU, Fresno BSN Program, should take courses that apply to both programs.

Program Academic Requirements
All program pre-requisite courses listed under "Application Requirements" must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better (pass/credit will not be accepted). In order to be eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse and to take the National Council Licensure Examination - RN, all courses leading to the Nursing Associate Degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Students in the nursing program must earn a “C” grade or better (or a “Pass” grade when applicable) in all required nursing courses. Less than a “C” or a “Pass” grade in any required nursing course necessitates repeating the course before continuing with the major. Registered Nursing courses must be repeated in their entirety. Course repeatability and failure policy will be followed as outlined in the Registered Nursing Student Handbook. In compliance with the California Board of Registered Nursing concurrency policy, courses with a theory and clinical component must be passed together in the same semester. If, based on the professional judgment of the faculty, a student demonstrates that he/she is unsuited to nursing, is not progressing satisfactorily or is engaged in unethical, unprofessional, or illegal practices, he/she may be withdrawn from the program.

State License
The successful completion of the prescribed registered nursing course sequence in addition to the other licensure and/or degree requirements qualifies the graduate for an associate in science degree and eligibility to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.