Associate in Arts Degree Major in Nursing (ADN)

The Associate’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to the California RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states.  

ADN Objectives

Upon completion of the program, the student will have met the following objectives:

Provider of Care

1. Utilize Roy Adaptation Model to:

• Recognize, assess and define the factors influencing the person's/family's adaptive level, adaptive response, and consequent position of the health-illness continuum;
• Identify, assess and validate the person's/family's adaptive level and response;
• Define patient/client goals based upon a clear analysis and synthesis of data in collaboration with patient, nursing and other disciplines;
• Define and perform those nursing interventions which affect the patient/client goals;
• Evaluate the consequences of nursing interventions in terms of the person's/family's behavioral change and the achievement of both patient/client and nursing goals, and modify those nursing actions, if desired adaptive outcomes are not achieved.

1. Utilize the nursing process as a scientific method.
2. Utilize knowledge of health-illness (normal/disruption) as it pertains to patient/client care.
3. Demonstrate competency in common nursing procedures.

Communicator

1. Utilize effective communication skills with clients and peers.

• Use communication skills as a method of data collection, nursing intervention and evaluation of care.
• Communicate and record assessments, nursing care plans, interventions and evaluations within the protocol of the institution.

1. Client Teacher

• Apply principles of the teaching/learning process.
• Develop short-range teaching plans based on the learning process.

1. Manager of Client Care

• Function effectively as a member of health care team.
• Utilize basic leadership skills in practice, based on small group patient care management and primary nursing.

1. Membership within the profession of Nursing

• Make judgments based on moral, ethical, and legal principles.
• Continue to evaluate and enhance personal and professional behavior.
• Assume responsibility for self-development and use resources for continued learning.
• Maintain the role of the nurse as a patient advocate.

Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the California State Board examination for registered nurses (R.N.) licensure.

ADN Admission Policy

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, acceptance into the Department of Nursing is determined by the Admission Committee of the department/program. Admission is based upon a consideration of the student's academic achievement, University Entrance Examination scores and previous university experience (if any).

In order to be eligible for review, applicants must be admitted to the University and then fulfill the nursing admission requirements. Admission to the A.D.N. Program is considered for the fall semester and for spring semester with a specific deadline for each semester. Admission is based on:

• Completed application form
• Satisfactory fulfillment of pre-requisite classes
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• Cumulative Science GPA of at least 2.50
• Letters of reference
• Passing score on the nursing entrance examination

Personal interviews may be scheduled for qualified applicants admitted directly to the A.D.N. Program. Students admitted as Pre-Nursing will not be asked to interview until the point of admission into the nursing program.

Priority is given to students who:

• Meet the required criteria.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all transferable college work attempted.
• A GPA of 2.50 for university science courses is required for admission to the nursing program. The science GPA will consist of grades received from scientific concepts or chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
• A student may repeat a course required for the nursing major no more than once. Failure (C- and below) of any two required science or pre-requisite courses results in non-admission.
• A student may repeat the nursing entrance examination no more than once. Failure to meet the required benchmark results in non-admission.

Candidates who have 30 units of general studies requirements completed (except RST 41) prior to admission may be admitted into the first year of the nursing program.

LVNs who have met the admission requirements for the ADN program must notify Admissions and Advisement of their intent to pursue the Mobility Option prior to their admission into the program. In the Mobility Option, LVNs are awarded 10 units of nursing course credits (NUR 23 series, NUR 24 series, and NUR 30). Successful completion of NUR 20 is required during the first semester session for continuation in the LVN Mobility Option.

A non-degree option is available for LVNs who meet the university entrance requirements. The student is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for the registered nurse licensure after completing 29 units of prescribed courses. The student is not awarded a degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University. The same admission policy applies to individuals wishing to pursue the 30-unit option

Candidates with previous Registered Nursing education may be given transfer credit for previous nursing courses equivalent to the Nursing Department courses. Admission of these candidates will be on a probationary status. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in the nursing courses for admission consideration. A minimum of 18 units of nursing courses must be completed during the last two semesters at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Candidates who have taken courses related to nursing with a theoretical foundation and are currently practicing in the healthcare setting (i.e., CNA, Respiratory Tech, Hemodialysis Tech, LPT) may challenge specific courses. The student must make an appointment with the Program Director to discuss this option and his/her qualifications.

ADN Academic Policy

The faculty of the Department of Nursing has the right and the responsibility for judging and evaluating the quality of the student's achievement, both in the mastery of theoretical content and in clinical competence.

Notice of academic difficulty, probation, or dismissal is used when deemed necessary. A grade below C (2.0) in a course (Nursing or General Education) is considered a failed course and must be repeated. A student may have only one failed course during the entire nursing program. A student may repeat only one failed course in the entire program. A second failed course or a failed repeated course results in dismissal from the program. A failure of more than one course in a series of courses (e.g., NUR 24, 24A, 24L, 25) taken concurrently, counts as one failed course. If a student's level of clinical practice is unsatisfactory or unsafe, the student may fail before the end of the semester.

Readmission may be granted by special action of the A.D.N. Admission Committee of the ADN Department. Readmission of a student who was dismissed from the nursing program due to unsafe practice is not permitted.

Prior to admission to the ADN program, a nursing entrance examination is administered, i.e., ATI TEAS test. The score benchmark for the A.D.N. program as determined by the ATI norming process must be achieved. Students who score below the passing score are recommended to utilize a remediation program prior to retaking the test. A student may retest only once. The purpose of this test is to determine the student's knowledge related to math, English, sciences and critical thinking.

During the clinical portion of the program, students must carry malpractice insurance, have a current CPR card (American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider or BCLS/Professional Rescuer CPR), and an LA City fire safety card.

Dosage Calculation Examination: Accurate calculation of drug dosages is a skill that is necessary for the safe and effective practice of nursing. Serious harm to a client can result from math errors. Incorrectly calculated or measured dosages are the leading cause of error in the administration of medications. A drug error is a violation of a client's rights. Therefore, it is extremely important that nurses and nursing students demonstrate competence in such calculations. A dosage calculations exam will be given regularly throughout the curriculum. A minimum 100% score is required on this test. If a score of less than 100% is achieved, a second test will be given. The second test must be passed with 100% proficiency to remain in this course. If unsuccessful on the second attempt the student must drop the theory, skills lab, and clinical courses for that session. If in a subsequent course the math proficiency test is not passed at the 100% benchmark, the student may be disqualified from the program.