ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Graduates of the Citrus College Associate of Science in Registered Nursing program
are prepared to excel in three key roles within today's health care system: as providers
of care, managers of care and collaborative members of the nursing team. This comprehensive
training equips students to think critically, lead effectively and deliver compassionate,
evidence-based care in a variety of settings.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council
Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Those who successfully pass
the exam qualify for licensure as registered nurses in the State of California, issued
exclusively by the Board of Registered Nursing.
Citrus College and the health sciences department are dedicated to every student's
success. To support achievement, the program follows clear procedures for enrollment
and re-entry, ensuring that motivated students have every opportunity to advance,
complete their studies and launch fulfilling careers in nursing.
Review the program description in the college catalog to see the curriculum, course requirements and learning outcomes that guide your
path to becoming a registered nurse.
MILITARY POLICY
Download the current Challenge/Advanced Placement into the Nursing Education Program for Military Personnel as a PDF file.
PROGRAM COSTS AND CONSIDERATIONS
IS A PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT TO NURSING RIGHT FOR YOU?
By accepting placement in the Citrus College RN program, you're taking an exciting
step toward a meaningful career in nursing. This journey will ask for your focus,
dedication and heart. Before you officially accept your spot, take a moment to reflect
on the questions below — you should feel confident answering "yes" to each one as
you prepare to begin this rewarding path.
- Am I a responsible individual?
- Will I be at theory and clinical classes on time?
- Am I able to report to any assigned clinical site?
- Will I hand my assignments in on time?
- Do I have access to reliable transportation?
- Will I study and perform to the best of my ability?
- Will I maintain the nursing program standards of professional dress and conduct?
The Citrus College RN program schedule — including classes, skills labs and clinical
assignments — varies each semester. Because of the demanding schedule, extensive reading,
research and homework, it is strongly recommended that students do not work full-time
while enrolled in the program. You should also understand that any major life changes
— such as travel, illness, marriage, childbirth or personal or family crises — may
affect your ability to stay focused on your nursing education.
PROGRAM COSTS
An estimate of the costs for entering and completing the nursing program is shown
in the table below. It is CRUCIAL that students accepted into the Citrus College RN
program have the financial resources needed to begin and complete their studies. Each
student is responsible for researching available funding options such as scholarships,
grants and loans before acceptance into the program.
A significant portion of expenses occur during the first semester. Additional costs
not included in the estimate — such as travel to and from clinical sites or childcare
— can add up quickly. Students are encouraged to plan realistically for these expenses
to ensure uninterrupted progress through the program.
The following items listed within each PDF listed below will need to be completed
or obtained at the student's expense. These are estimated program costs for California residents only (fees subject to change).
NOTE: Be advised the estimated costs provided here are as accurate as possible at time
of publication and are subject to change. Please contact the RN office for current
information.
Beyond the specific program costs listed here, students should also consider their
overall cost of attendance. This yearly estimate is based on information provided
through the FAFSA or CADAA and may include additional expenses related to attending
Citrus College. For more information about the cost of attendance and other college-related
fees, please review the Fees, Tuition and Cost of Attendance page on this website.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Citrus College Registered Nursing program reflects and supports
the mission of the college. It recognizes that every student brings unique learning
abilities, life experiences, goals, responsibilities and support systems to the educational
journey. The program is built on core concepts of the individual, health and illness,
the environment and nursing, which together form the foundation of effective nursing
education. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for entry-level registered
nursing positions in a wide range of multicultural health care settings within the
community.
BELIEFS ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL
The nursing faculty view each person as a holistic, complex and ever-changing individual
who responds continuously to internal and external environments. People develop throughout
the life span and exist within the context of family, community and society. Every
individual possesses dignity, self-worth and the right to pursue personal growth and
well-being. Each person is entitled to clear information that supports informed choices
about their health care and empowers them to take an active role in their own wellness.
Faculty also recognize that diverse values, beliefs and environments shape every person's
experience and influence their overall health.
BELIEFS ABOUT HEALTH AND ILLNESS
Health is seen as a dynamic state that exists along a continuum from wellness to illness.
An individual's ability to adapt to physical, emotional and environmental stressors
determines their place on that continuum. Lifestyle choices, behaviors and stress
can all affect a person's health status. Illness occurs when adaptation is impaired,
resulting in altered function. Faculty understand that people experience health and
illness differently based on their own knowledge, beliefs and life experiences, which
in turn influence their decisions about health care.
BELIEFS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
The environment includes all internal and external influences that affect a person's
physical, emotional and social well-being. These interactions shape a person's ability
to adapt to change and maintain balance. Within the community, health services must
be accessible, appropriate and designed to support quality care for individuals, families
and groups — always with respect for age, lifestyle and cultural differences.
BELIEFS ABOUT NURSING AND NURSING EDUCATION
Nursing is both an art and an applied science that blends knowledge from biological,
natural and social sciences with empathy and compassion. Nurses provide direct, patient-centered
care, teaching and advocacy guided by professional standards and ethics. They use
evidence-based practice, critical thinking and effective communication to promote
health, prevent disease and restore wellness. Nursing education equips students with
the cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills needed to make sound clinical judgments,
deliver quality care and collaborate as members of a multidisciplinary team. The role
of the associate degree nurse is to serve as a provider of care, manager of care and
active member of the nursing profession.
Nursing education occurs at multiple levels and is an interactive process between
student, faculty and learning environment. The associate degree level represents the
entry point into professional nursing practice.
BELIEFS ABOUT THE LEARNER
Each learner is unique, shaped by personal experiences, cultural background, goals
and preferred learning styles. Faculty are committed to recognizing and supporting
these differences through individualized instruction and campus resources such as
counseling, financial aid and academic support services. As adult learners, students
often balance multiple commitments outside the classroom, and instruction is designed
to accommodate those responsibilities. Students are expected to take an active, accountable
role in their learning and evaluation.
BELIEFS ABOUT FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES
Faculty serve as mentors, facilitators and role models in the learning process. They
create an engaging environment where students can connect theory with hands-on practice,
think critically and integrate new knowledge into patient care. By nurturing curiosity
and confidence, faculty help students take ownership of their learning and develop
the habits of lifelong learning essential to the nursing profession.
The teaching and learning process is grounded in the principles of adult education.
Learning experiences progress from simple to complex, building on prior knowledge
and strengthening critical thinking in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains.
This progression fosters sound decision-making and prepares graduates to deliver safe,
competent and compassionate care as registered nurses.
March 2022
CAREER AND OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION
Review the Career and Academic Pathways (CAPs) for dental assisting on the college catalog website.
Check out the Citrus College Career Coach website for updated information about careers in the registered nursing field.
EMPLOYMENT IN REGISTERED NURSING
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) provides a direct pathway into the nursing profession,
preparing graduates for practice as registered nurses (RNs) across a wide range of
health care settings. ADN-prepared nurses deliver hands-on patient care, support treatment
plans, administer medications and educate patients and families. The degree offers
strong job prospects, competitive wages and a faster route into the workforce compared
with a bachelors degree.
WHAT ADN-PREPARED RNs DO
Registered nurses play a critical role in patient outcomes by combining clinical skill
with sound judgment. Responsibilities typically include:
- Providing bedside care such as medication administration, vital sign monitoring, wound
care and assistance with medical procedures
- Assessing patient conditions and contributing to individualized care plans
- Educating patients and families on diagnoses, treatments and wellness strategies
- Coordinating care with physicians and interdisciplinary health care teams
- Applying critical thinking in fast-paced, high-stakes environments
WHERE RNs WORK
ADN graduates are employed in many settings, including:
- Hospitals such as emergency departments, intensive care units, medical-surgical floors,
oncology and behavioral health
- Physicians offices, urgent care centers and outpatient clinics
- Home health and community-based care
- Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
- Schools, public health agencies and community programs
- Telehealth services and health insurance organizations
SALARY AND EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
- Median annual pay for Registered Nurses is approximately $93,600 (U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2024)
- Employment of RNs is projected to grow faster than average through 2034
- Ongoing demand is driven by workforce turnover, population growth and expanding health
care needs
ADVANTAGES OF THE ADN-RN PATHWAY
- Faster entry into the profession compared with a four-year degree
- Cost-effective option that leads to immediate employment as an RN
- Broad career flexibility across specialties and settings
- Strong foundation for continued education such as a BSN or MSN
For more information about job outlooks and salaries in this field, visit the U.S.
Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook or the California Employment Development Department's Labor Market Information page.