The College of San Mateo Nursing Program provides students with opportunities for learning at the College, local hospitals, and related health agencies. Clinical practice begins early in the first semester. Upon graduation, the candidate receives an Associate in Science degree and is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX). The graduate is also eligible to transfer to a four-year nursing program.
Career opportunities are available in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, labs, nursing and personal care facilities, public health and other government agencies, educational services, health and allied services, outpatient care facilities. Many nurses specialize in areas such as cardiac care, geriatrics, intensive care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and surgery. Specific career opportunities include nursing administrator, clinic nurse, critical care nurse, emergency department nurse, flight nurse, home health nurse, hospital staff nurse, industrial nurse, medical researcher, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, office nurse, public health nurse, school nurse, and teacher/educator.
Degree Requirements
Complete General Education and other requirements listed for the Associate degree and
Major requirements: 78.5-79.5 semester units
A grade of "C" or higher is required in all major courses
All students applying for admission to the nursing program for Fall 2015 or later, SMCCCD students and students from outside of SMCCD, must complete Chemistry 410 or its equivalent.
Pre-admissions Major requirements: 37-38 units
| MATH 120 | Intermediate Algebra | 5 units |
| OR | ||
| MATH 122 | Intermediate Algebra I | 3 units |
| AND | ||
| MATH 123 | Intermediate Algebra II | 3 units |
*For those students with catalog rights prior to fall 2009, completion of Math 110 or 111/ 112 or the equivalent or placement in a math course higher than Math 110/112 on the College of San Mateo Math Placement Test. Beginning in fall 2009 and thereafter, students must complete Intermediate Algebra, Math 120 or Math 122/123 or the equivalent or placement in a math course higher than Math 120/123 on the College of San Mateo Math Placement Test to meet this admissions and major requirement.
| CHEM 410 | Health Science Chemistry** | 4 units |
| BIOL 240 | General Microbiology | 4 units |
| BIOL 250 | Human Anatomy | 4 units |
| BIOL 260 | Human Physiology | 5 units |
| ENGL 100 | Composition and Reading | 3 units |
| PSYC 100 | General Psychology | 3 units |
| PSYC 200 | Developmental Psychology | 3 units |
| SOCI 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| ANTH 110 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 units |
| COMM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| COMM 130 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| COMM 140 | Small Group Discussion | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| COMM 150 | Intercultural Communication | 3 units |
**Beginning Fall 2013, College of San Mateo Nursing Program requires Chemistry 410 Health Science Chemistry, or the equivalent, as the prerequisite course for the program chemistry requirement. Other chemistry courses will not be accepted as meeting this requirement. However, students who hold SMCCCD catalog rights for Fall 2012 or earlier may use Chemistry 192 or 210 or 410, or the equivalent through Fall 2014 nursing admissions cycle. ALL student applying for admissions to the nursing program for Fall 2015 or later, SMCCCD students and students from outside of SMCCCD, must complete Chemistry 410, or its equivalent.
Other Major requirements once accepted into the program, 41.5 units
| NURS 211 | Introduction to Nursing | 4.5 units |
| NURS 212 | Concepts of Homeostasis in Nursing | 4.5 units |
| NURS 221 | Pediatric Nursing | 4.5 units |
| NURS 222 | Maternity Nursing | 4.5 units |
| NURS 225 | Nursing Skills Lab II | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 231 | Psychiatric Nursing | 5 units |
| NURS 232 | Medical/Surgical Nursing | 5 units |
| NURS 235 | Nursing Skills Lab III | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 241 | Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing | 5 units |
| NURS 242 | Leadership/Management in Nursing | 5 units |
| NURS 245 | Nursing Skills Lab IV | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 816 | Open Lab for Nursing 211/212 | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 817 | Open Lab for Nursing 221/222 | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 818 | Open Lab for Nursing 231/232 | 0.5 unit |
| NURS 819 | Open Lab for Nursing 241/242 | 0.5 unit |
Students interested in an LVN upgrade through the APN plan or 30 Unit Option should call the Nursing Department for additional information. Students who wish to transfer into the nursing program or challenge nursing courses should also call the Nursing Department.
*To comply with SB 139, students accepted into the nursing program who have completed a bachelor's degree at a college or university in the United States that is accredited by an agency approved by the SMCCCD do not need to complete CSM prescribed general education courses. Only major courses listed above are required for the ASN degree for students with a bachelor's degree.
Requirements for R.N. Licensing Exam:
- Graduation from high school or equivalent
- All major requirements listed under pre-admissions and major
- If an individual has been convicted of a crime, he or she should contact the Board of Registered Nursing regarding eligibility for licensure. Candidates are reviewed on a case by case basis.
(650) 574-6161