RN Program

Nursing program prerequisites include intermediate algebra or a higher math course (statistics is recommended); college anatomy, physiology, microbiology, developmental psychology, pharmacology and English.  See the Nursing Program of Study information in the course catalog for specific prerequisite classes.

If you don’t already have an associate degree or higher, you must provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent. 

Additional information:

• The MCCSN Technical Standards document summarizes skills and abilities necessary for a student to successfully complete the requirements of the nursing program.

Equivalent coursework and qualifications

To ensure coursework completed at another college, through testing, or by any other method satisfies prerequisite requirements, contact the Director of Nursing or the Nursing Program Counselor prior to applying to confirm equivalency. 

When you apply, you must submit official transcripts for all prerequisite coursework taken at another college. Pass/Fail grades will be assigned the lowest pass grade designated by the granting institution's policy, and will be accepted only if the designated "pass" by the institution is at least a C. 

Prerequisite course completion

All prerequisite courses must be completed once with a letter grade of C or higher before you apply. 

The only exception is the course Pharmacology for Nursing (NURS 100), which may be in progress during the Fall semester of the application. 

You may apply while repeating the following courses, provided that there is evidence of a previous passing grade. 

• Any program prerequisite
• ENGL 1B or ENGL 2 may be taken to improve application scores, as long as your transcript also shows passing grade in ENGL 1A.

Additionally, you may apply while simultaneously completing: 

• The prerequisite Pharmacology for Nursing (NURS 100), as noted above
• The recommended Nursing Program Readiness (NURS 150) course or equivalent
• Course(s) that satisfy CSU Critical Thinking or Quantitative Reasoning requirements
• The third semester or intermediate level of a foreign language course
• The final semester of a BA/BS degree, AA/AS degree, or CSU General Education Breadth Certificate of Achievement

LVN advanced placement

If you already have an LVN, you may qualify to fast-track your Nursing studies. 

Currently, the School of Nursing does not offer a program specifically for LVN-to-RN transitions.  But advanced placement into the second or third semester of the nursing program is available if space is available, and if you meet the criteria for prior training and work experience. 

Further Details: LVN Advanced Placement

Submitting transcripts

To complete your application, you must submit transcripts from all of your previous schools.

• Send transcripts directly to the Nursing Department. They will not be forwarded if sent to Admissions and Records. 
• Transcripts from schools other than MPC must be official. This means they must be sent directly from a transcripts clearinghouse or in a sealed envelope. Transcripts from MPC are accepted if unofficial. 
• Any transcripts submitted or degrees/diplomas completed outside of the US must be evaluated for US equivalency by a NACES-approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Service.

If you have any questions about submitting transcripts, please email nursingapp@mpc.edu or leave a message at (831) 646-4258. 

A nursing readiness course is a primer for the nursing program. You can learn about nursing as a career choice and assess your aptitude for the profession. 

MPC’s Nursing Program Readiness class (NURS 150) offers a learning styles assessment, preparation for the TEAS standardized test, study techniques, "practice" exams at the application level of thinking, tips for non-native English speakers, and more. It will help you assess your aptitude for the nursing program and the nursing profession.

Other area institutions offer comparable courses; below is a partial list. Please check with the institutions directly about course availability.

• Modesto Junior College

Introduction for Nursing Majors (NURSE 115)

Course Catalog & Schedule

• Saddleback College

Beginning Nursing Concepts (N 204)

Course Catalog & Schedule

• College of San Mateo

Career Exploration in Nursing (NURS 666)

Course Catalog & Schedule

• DeAnza College

Career Opportunities in Nursing (NURS 50)

Course Schedule

• Shasta College

Intro to Careers in Health Care (HEOC 102)

Course Catalog

If you want to take an introductory course not listed here, please contact the Director of the School of Nursing at (831) 646-4258 to request an evaluation of equivalency. 

MPC's merit-based selection process has been designed as a transparent procedure for accepting those students who are likely to succeed in the nursing program,  minimizing attrition, providing qualified applicants with a reasonable timeline for admission, and growing the number of program graduates.

Online applications will be available on the nursing website during the month of September for the following academic year.

Selection for the Nursing program has two phases. 

Phase I 

Student applications are scored using multiple criteria, including:

• academic degrees or certificates
• grade point average in relevant coursework
• relevant work or volunteer experience
• life experiences and special circumstances
• advanced coursework or proficiency in a language other than English
  

View the Multi-Criterion Scoresheet.

Phase II 

The second phase of scoring is based on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS).

The School of Nursing provides this test at no charge for candidates whose applications score in the top 40% during Phase I. 

Selected applicants who choose to  submit TEAS scores from prior attempts must submit all results of Version 7.  The first passing result for TEAS Version 7 (minimum score 62) is the result used for application scoring. Repeats are accepted only if at least one year has passed from the date of the previous exam.

For more on TEAS, visit the TEAS Advisement Page.

Selection and Alternates

The top 40% of candidates selected during Phase I will be admitted based on their overall application score.  Remaining spots will be filled from among all who earned a passing TEAS score of 62 or higher. 

Applicants who have previously applied but weren’t selected will be given priority for placement as space allows, if they’re in a top 40% score group in the current admissions pool. 

Applicants who earned a passing TEAS score but who are not offered a spot in the program are designated as alternates and assigned a number according to their application score, with higher scores earning a higher spot on the alternate list. 

Re-applying

Even if you have a previous School of Nursing application on file, you must re-apply during the application period if you want to seek admission again. You must re-apply every year until you earn a spot.

Any candidate awarded admission in the program who fails to enroll by the first day of the fall semester for any reason (including alternate status or personal choice) will forfeit their spot. They must then re-apply during the next application cycle and will undergo the application process all over again within the new applicant cohort.

If you are selected for admission, you must attend a mandatory orientation session in May prior to fall enrollment.

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the health and safety requirements of the clinical facilities with which the School of Nursing is affiliated. These include:

• Health screenings
• Immunizations
• BLS Healthcare Provider Certification
• Criminal background checks
• Drug screening
• Respiratory mask fit testing 
• Confidentiality agreements

The orientation presentation includes further details about these entry requirements, as well as information about the potential impact of criminal convictions on eligibility for licensure.