Commonly Asked Questions

PREREQUISITES

• What are the prerequisites for applying to the registered nursing program at Citrus College?
  Human anatomy (with lab component), human physiology (with lab component), microbiology (with lab component) and English are the prerequisites for the generic and advanced placement (AP) options.

• Is there a minimum GPA requirement for prerequisite science courses (human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology)?
  Yes. Students must have a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher in human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology. Please note that a "C" in all coursework will not earn a GPA of 2.5.

• Are online science prerequisite courses accepted?
  Online science/lab prerequisite courses are accepted. We strongly advise to meet with a nursing counselor about enrolling in an online prerequisite science/lab course and determine its articulation with Citrus College.

• Are pass/no-pass (P/NP) grades accepted for science prerequisites?
  Students are not recommended to request "pass/no pass" as grades for science prerequisite courses.

  Due to GPA requirements for admission, as well as the points allocated through the multi-criteria for selection for these grades, it is necessary that students take all science prerequisite courses for letter grades.

  If you select P/NP as a grade on any of the science prerequisites, you may potentially impact your qualifying minimum GPA requirement of 2.5.

  We strongly advise all students considering the option of P/NP as a grade, particularly in the science prerequisites, to make an appointment with a counselor before deciding on this option.

• May students repeat prerequisite science courses (human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology)?
  Only one repetition in the group of science prerequisite courses (not one repeat for each course) is allowed within the last five years at the time of the application.

  • Science prerequisite courses attempted prior to five years due to expiration and withdrawals are not counted as a repeat.
    
    
  • A repeat is defined as an additional attempt in the same course that results in a grade or notation (including, but not limited to FW, F, D, C, C- or B).
    
    

  Prerequisite sciences removed from a student's record (within the past five years) via academic renewal will still be considered as repeats in the prerequisite science courses. Prerequisite science courses completed without a lab component (within the past five years) will be treated as an attempt. 

  If a student exceeds one repeat within the last five years from the time of the application, they will not be eligible for consideration.

• Do you have a recency (time limit) for prerequisite science courses (human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology)?
  Yes. Prerequisite science courses (human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology) must be completed within the last five years from the time of the application.

  Examples: For the fall 2026 application period, prerequisite science courses cannot be older than spring 2021. For the spring 2027 application period, prerequisite science courses cannot be older than Fall 2021.

  There is no five-year recency requirement on other courses.

• Can RN program prerequisites be in-progress when I apply?
  RN program prerequisites (human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology and English) cannot be in-progress. These courses must be completed, with grades posted on transcripts, prior to applying to the RN program. ​

• Can general education courses be in-progress when I apply?
  Nursing general education courses and general education for the associate degree are not required for admission to the RN program; rather, they are required for the completion of the associate in science degree in nursing. Most students complete these requirements before entering the RN program due to the rigorous nursing student course load. Additionally, the number of remaining general education courses will be evaluated under the multi-criteria for selection.

• What if I took courses at another college or university?
  It is very important that prerequisite courses are equivalent to the Citrus College courses listed on the application and catalog. Do not assume a class is an equivalent even if it is accepted by another nursing program. All official transcripts must be submitted to admissions and records prior to submitting an application. It is strongly recommended that you meet with a nursing counselor regarding equivalency.

• Do international degrees satisfy RN program prerequisites and/or general education requirements?
  Coursework completed in another country may be accepted to satisfy general education requirements only.

  Foreign coursework will not satisfy Citrus College nursing prerequisites and nursing general education (BRN requirements). International transcripts must be evaluated by a Citrus College approved evaluation service.

• Are combined anatomy and physiology classes (such as A and P I and A and P II) accepted?
  Yes, but combined anatomy and physiology classes must both each have four unit sections completed or consist of one eight unit course. In addition, combined anatomy and physiology classes must be completed at the same college/university. This is due to the concern of possible missing components in curriculum when completed at separate colleges.

• Are advanced placement (AP) tests accepted?
  Yes. Applicants must submit official College Board AP exam results to admissions and records.​

• Are College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests accepted?
  Yes, but only for general education requirements. CLEP scores are not accepted to satisfy prerequisites.

ATI TEAS EXAM

• What is the ATI TEAS?
  The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is an ATI pre-admission nursing exam used by nursing programs to assess competency in math, science, English and reading.

• Do I have to take the ATI TEAS exam in order to apply to the RN program?
  No. Completion of the standardized Assessment Technologies Incorporated (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is not required to apply to the RN program. However, it is mandatory for all provisionally admitted and alternate students to have the ATI TEAS completed with a total score of 62% or higher in order to be enrolled in the subsequent fall semester. Only provisionally admitted and alternate applicants who have never taken the ATI TEAS exam or have not completed it within the last twelve months will be invited to take the ATI TEAS with Citrus College.

  Provisionally admitted students who take the ATI TEAS with Citrus College and earn a total score below 62% will be offered the opportunity to complete a remediation plan. The student is allowed a second attempt on the ATI TEAS exam upon successful completion of the remediation plan. If a student fails to complete the remediation plan or who fails to successfully pass the second ATI TEAS with a score of 62% or higher across all four areas will need to reapply to the RN program for future consideration. Deferral of admission is not allowed for incomplete remediation.

• Does the Citrus College RN program offer the ATI TEAS exam?
  The Citrus College RN program offers the ATI TEAS exam on an invitation-only basis to qualified provisionally admitted and alternate applicants twice a year.

  Only provisionally admitted and alternate applicants who have never attempted the ATI TEAS exam within the last twelve months or have not passed with a total score of 62% or higher within the last twelve months will be invited to take the TEAS In-Person with Citrus College.

  The Citrus College Health Sciences Department offers the TEAS In-Person and is typically offered in the months of December and May (dates and times are subject to change).

• Does the program accept ATI TEAS scores completed at another location?
  Yes. ATI TEAS scores from another location are accepted. If a provisionally admitted or alternate applicant takes or has taken the ATI TEAS at a different location, it is the student's responsibility to send their results through ATI to Citrus College.

  ATI charges a fee for this service, which is the student's responsibility to pay.

  Unofficial copies of ATI TEAS results will not be accepted.

• Does the ATI TEAS score expire?
  The ATI TEAS exam score is only valid for one year (twelve months). The health sciences department will consider the application deadline as the cutoff to submit valid ATI TEAS scores from the previous year.

• May I repeat the ATI TEAS exam for a higher score?
  Only the first ATI TEAS total score of 62% or higher within the last twelve months will be accepted. Multiple attempts for higher scores are not reviewed. If a student has taken the ATI TEAS more than once during the past twelve months, only the first passing total score of 62% or higher will be required.

• Which version of the ATI TEAS exam does the program accept?
  Only the ATI TEAS version 7 will be accepted.

• What can I do to prepare for the ATI TEAS exam?
  Information about the content and format of the test may be found at the company's website.

  Students can prepare for the TEAS with resources such as the ATI TEAS SmartPrep. ATI'S SmartPrep for TEAS is an unmatched preparation resource for students. It provides self-paced learning modules, two practice assessments, customized student remediation and a comprehensive TEAS study manual. Study material to prepare for or help raise your TEAS score can be found in ATI's SmartPrep for TEAS. (ATI TEAS SmartPrep is available for unlimited use for 90 days. After 90 days, there will be a $30 fee to activate your SmartPrep account for an additional 90 day period.)

  Note: We recommend you wait to take the ATI TEAS exam after you've completed all the RN prerequisites which include: human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology and English composition. You should also take the math requirement for an AA/AS degree prior to taking the exam.

PRIOR TRAINING, DEGREES

• What if I want to transfer from another nursing program to your program?
  Transfer students are taken on space availability only. After you have applied to Citrus College and submitted a nursing application, you will need to write a letter of interest to the health sciences director, submit a letter of recommendation from current nursing director/chair and submit official transcripts along with nursing course syllabi. After your file is reviewed, the health sciences department will contact you to discuss your options.

• Can I apply to this program if I was unsuccessful in another registered nursing program?
  Yes, you may still apply to this program.

• I am an internationally trained registered nurse, and the BRN requires me to complete additional courses (e.g., OB/pediatrics, medical-surgical, etc.). Do you offer these courses?
  No. Currently the Citrus College RN program does not accept students for individual courses. We have an impacted program and only admit students that will complete our full program.

• If I am a licensed vocational nurse, may I apply to both the generic and advanced placement (AP) options?
  No. LVNs may only apply to the advanced placement (AP) option.​

• If I graduated from a LVN program, but I am not licensed, what option do I apply under?
  Students who completed an LVN program, but are not licensed as a LVN, must apply to the generic option. ​

• How do I obtain my LVN transcripts from a closed private program?
  To obtain a transcript from a private or vocational college, you will need to contact the institution directly. If the institution appears to be closed, we recommend that you ensure the institution is closed, as some institutions will close a branch or location, yet remain open. Also, institutions may be a member of a larger organization; therefore, we recommend that you try to contact the parent organization, if applicable. If the institution is closed, or not part of a larger organization that maintained their records, you may contact the organization noted below to try to obtain your records.

  • The Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau for Private Postsecondary Secondary Education (BPPE) website provides information on which records are in their possession. Additionally, there is a link to their transfer request form on the BPPE Transcripts page.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• What registered nursing programs are offered at Citrus College?
  Citrus College awards the Associate of Science in Registered Nursing by offering the generic and advanced placement (AP) options. The advanced placement (AP) and LVN-RN 30 unit (non-degree) option is available for all eligible and currently licensed vocational nurses who graduated from a BVNPT accredited program. Additionally, the program may accept transfer and challenge students based on space availability and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. ​

• What is the difference between RN and BSN programs?
  An excellent nursing education can be obtained from either type of degree.

  • RN – RN associate degrees (two-year programs) are offered at technical schools, community colleges or universities. They focus on the core of nursing information, sciences and general education to support nursing. These programs provide the foundation to enter the nursing discipline at a beginning level.

  • BSN – Baccalaureate degrees (four-year programs offered at colleges and universities) prepare nurses to provide comprehensive service to individuals, families, groups and communities. These programs are designed to develop critical thinking and nursing skills at a higher level.

  All programs prepare students to sit for the same National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The difference is in the academic degree conferred by the college or university. Many facilities hire RNs from any level; others hire only those with baccalaureate degrees or higher. Most management opportunities go to those with the higher degrees. A baccalaureate degree in nursing is needed to pursue graduate nursing education.

• Is there an opportunity to continue on to a BSN program?
  Yes. We have collaborative partnerships with BSN programs at CSU Fullerton, Azusa Pacific University, National University and Mount Saint Mary's University. These partnerships allow qualified RN students to transfer into the RN-BSN program.

• How long does it take to get into the program?
  That depends on how long it takes you to complete the prerequisite courses. Most students spend about two years, sometimes longer, finishing them before applying to the program.

• How long does it take to complete the program?
  Once admitted, the generic option is a two year program and the advanced placement (AP) option is a one year program. ​

• Are courses available evenings, weekends or online?
  No, the Citrus College RN program does not offer evenings, weekends or online courses. The program is a full-time commitment.

• Can I work while in the program?
  That varies on the student's academic ability and time for study. It is recommended that the students give 100% of their attention to the program. The program is full time and hours vary (may include weekends) between classroom lecture, labs, clinical, studying and homework obligations. We are unable to work around student work schedules.