Curriculum

The Nursing Program faculty has developed the curriculum for the Nursing Program based on many factors. The College has a general mission statement and philosophy that describes what is important to the college in providing education to the students. The Nursing Program worked with the College’s goals and directions to develop the ADN Program mission statement and philosophy.

From this point, the faculty utilized many factors to develop the Program’s Learning Outcomes (what do we want you to accomplish during your time in the program) as well as the graduate competencies (what is your level of competency to work as an RN after graduation?).

The College and the Nursing Program have developed Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for your courses – what do we want you to achieve with your courses? The curriculum (content in the courses) evolved from that. Our teaching strategies and evaluation methodologies evolved from the SLO’s as well. You will find the course SLO’s in all of your syllabi – you need to know what we are expecting from you in order to achieve the successful completion of the course.

The Program Learning Outcomes: Students who complete the Southwestern College Associate Degree Nursing Program will develop the necessary knowledge and skills essential to the roles and functions of the Registered Nurse.

The nursing student will be able to demonstrate and promote high standards of nursing practice; provide competent and safe care in a variety of settings to patients across the lifespan; demonstrate competency in all formats of communication to a diverse patient population; utilize the nursing process for informed decision-making based on evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, clinical competence , and will demonstrate leadership skills in the management and patient advocacy roles in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team . The student will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning by having an educational plan for progression of nursing education (BSN and/or MSN) by their ADN Program graduation date.

Graduate Competencies

  • The ADN graduate will synthesize knowledge of physiological, psychosocial, sociocultural and developmental functioning of patients in the provision of safe and competent care for patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds in diverse healthcare settings.
  • The ADN graduate will utilize clinical reasoning and evidence – based practice in conjunction with the nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care for patients throughout all stages of the life cycle.
  • The ADN graduate will demonstrate proficiency in implementing and/or delegating nursing skills used in the delivery of safe nursing care.
  • The ADN graduate will use a variety of communication techniques, including written documentation and information technology, in the plan, implementation and evaluation of care for the patient.
  • The ADN graduate’s nursing practice will demonstrate professionalism, caring and compassion while practicing within a legal and ethical framework.
  • The ADN graduate will develop and implement a variety of teaching-learning strategies with the patients for health promotion and disease prevention, as well as restoration of health and management of chronic conditions.
  • The ADN graduate will develop and maintain multi-disciplinary relationships that promote collaboration in the planning and implementation of care for the patient. This will include active participation in research and quality improvement projects related to improving patient outcomes.
  • The ADN graduate will implement lifelong learning strategies as a requisite for maintaining professional knowledge and skills required for the provision of competent patient care. This includes development of an educational plan for meeting a basic level of professional practice as a Registered Nurse (BSN).

Curriculum Plan

First Semester (9 Units)
  • ADN 111A - Pathophysiology / Pharmacology I - 2 Units (2 lecture hours)
  • ADN 112 - Fundamentals of Nursing - 2 Units (2 lecture hours)
  • ADN 112L - Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical / Lab - 5 Units (15 clinical / lab hours)
Second Semester (10 Units)
  • ADN 111B - Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II - 2 Units (2 lecture hours)
  • ADN 113 - Maternal & Child Nursing - 3 Units (3 lecture hours)
  • ADN 113L - Maternal & Child Nursing Clinical/Lab - 5 Units (15 clinical/lab hours)
Summer Transition Course (4 Units)
  • LVN to RN - 4 Units
Third Semester (10 Units)
  • ADN 221 Adult Nursing - 5 Units (5 lecture hours)
  • ADN 221 L Adult Nursing Clinical/Lab - 5 Units (15 Clinical/lab hours)
Fourth Semester (10 Units)
  • ADN 114 - Nursing Supervision/Leadership I - 2 Units (2 lecture hours)
  • ADN 223 Gerontology - 2 Units (2 lecture hours)
  • ADN 223L Gerontology Clinical/lab - 4 Units (12 clinical/lab hours)
  • ADN 225 Nursing Supervision/Leadership II - 2 Units (108 hours total)

A minimum grade of "C" (78%) must be earned in each nursing course for progression and completion of the nursing program. Fifteen laboratory hours per week in each semester are spent in selected health care agencies. Transportation to agencies is the individual student's responsibility. Students generally have nursing classes and/or homework five (5) days a week, and may be required to visit hospitals for additional preparation outside of scheduled class hours. This may involve afternoon and evening hours.

All students should consult a counselor who can assist in planning so that all requirements are met on schedule. Contact the Counseling Center on the Chula Vista campus at (619) 421-6700 x5241 to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment at the Higher Education Center in Otay Mesa, call (619) 216-6750 x4403.

Additional required courses for graduation with an Associate in Science degree in nursing are as follows:

  • Lifespan Development - 3 Units
  • Humanities - 3 Units (Fine Arts Group)
  • Communications - 3 Units
  • Psychology - 3 Units

Upon completion of all requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing to take the examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

NOTE: The Board of Registered Nursing may refuse licensure to individuals who have been convicted of crimes and/or certain misdemeanors.  If you have concerns about this, you may write the BRN directly at this address: Board of Registered Nursing,  PO Box 944210; Sacramento, CA 94244-2100

Elective (Non-Core) Nursing Courses

ADN 106  2 Units Dosage Calculation
(open to all SWC incoming & current nursing students)
ADN 116 2 Units Nursing Practicum
(open to current SWC nursing students)
ADN 117 1 Unit Critical Thinking
(open to anyone)
ADN 150 2 Units Physical Assessment
(open to any nursing student or RN)
ADN 210 8 Units Emergency Nursing for the New Graduate
(open to all RN’s)
ADN 212 2 Units Assessment and Management of the Critically Ill Patient
(open to any nursing student or RN)
ADN 290 3 Units Work Experience
(open to current nursing students)
NC 118 PASS A TEAS Prep/Remediation course
(open to anyone)
NC 1033 PASS Success in Nursing
(open to current SWC nursing students)