REGISTERED NURSE

After completing the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program prerequisites and other requirements, you may submit your ADN application packet. Students will be admitted to the ADN Program based on a Multi-Criteria Points System.

The application period for the ADN class that begins in Fall of 2026 is:
November 3, 2025 - February 6, 2026

The ADN Program application packet can be submitted in person or by U.S. Mail.
If sending by mail, it must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered.

• Download and review the ADN Program Checklist & Application (PDF) for details on all that is needed to apply.
• The required documents and forms on pages 1-2 must be submitted by the application deadline (February 6, 2026).
• If you are offered a seat in the program, additional documents and forms listed on page 3 will be submitted by specific dates provided to you by the Nursing & Health Occupation Programs (NHOP) Office.

Letters of acceptance will be emailed to SWC email accounts after the application deadline and after all applications have been reviewed. Notifications will not be sent to personal email accounts. 

Transcripts

• Those admitted in the program will be required to submit *official transcripts to SWC Admissions & Records. Students should request that their former school(s) send an official transcript of their records to SWC Admissions & Records Office.  
• *SWC defines official transcripts as those sent directly from college to college. Transcripts in a student's hands are considered "unofficial transcripts," even if transcripts are in a sealed and stamped envelope.
• Important: Program prerequisites completed outside of SWC must be cleared by the Prerequisites Office using a Program Enrollment Prerequisite Evaluation form. Please see the ADN Program Checklist & Application (PDF) for details and link to the form. It takes 3-5 business days to process this form and a copy must be included in your ADN application packet to show prerequisites taken at previously attended colleges have been cleared for the program.  

Transcripts from an institution outside of the United States (U.S.) must be evaluated by a certified credentials evaluation service before credit can be granted. If you have a degree from a college or university outside the U.S., your transcripts must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency. A copy of the evaluated transcript must be submitted with your application packet to meet program and/or graduation requirements.

Quarter units are not equal to semester units. Transfer courses taken on the quarter system may not be equivalent to the required semester units.

Please note: If a student fails out of ANY Nursing Program for unsafe clinical practice or a violation of professional, legal, or unethical conduct, they may be ineligible for admission to Southwestern College's Nursing Program.

ADN prerequisites and other requirements must be completed to apply for the program. *Science prerequisites for the program must be completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher prior to applying. A multi-criteria point system is used for program admission.

ADN Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy (BIOL 260) 4 units with lab (taken concurrently)
• Physiology (BIOL 261) 4 units with lab (taken concurrently)
• Microbiology (BIOL 265) 4 units with lab (taken concurrently)
• College Composition ENGL 115 (or) Equivalent, 4 units
• Elementary Statistics MATH 119, 4 units (or) Statistics for Behavioral Sciences PSYC 270 or SOC 270, 3 units (or) Equivalent
  • Note: MATH 119 or PSYC 270 or SOC 270 is the required math for those applying to ADN/Step-Up LVN to ADN/Vocational Nursing with a program acceptance & start date effective Fall 2025. 
  • Math 60/70/72 will no longer be accepted.

*Science prerequisites​​ are BIO 260 (Human Anatomy), BIO 261 (Physiology), and BIO 265 (Microbiology). These prerequisites have a Recency Requirement, which means Human Anatomy must be taken within the last 10 years; Physiology and Microbiology must be within the last 7 years. You may repeat only one course, one time - unless the course has "expired" (it was taken more than 10 or 7 years ago). If the course(s) expired, then it must be retaken.

**SWC Nursing is accepting online science prerequisites​​ taken only between January 2020 - December 2022. After December 2022, science prerequisites must have an in-person lab. If the lecture portion of human anatomy, physiology and/or microbiology is online, we will accept the course only if the lab is in person.

Other Requirements 

• Communication 103 or 174 or 176
• Child Development 170 or Psyc 230
• Psychology 101
• TEAS: A composite score of 62% is the minimum passing score accepted for admission to ADN Program.
  • Visit the TEAS Testing webpage on the SWC Nursing website (www.swccd.edu/nursing) for TEAS policy, updates and Remediation Plan.

ADN Prerequisites and Other Requirements (PDF)
Course Equivalency Grid (PDF) - If you have taken or planning on taking ADN Program prerequisites at a local college, you may reference the Course Equivalency Grid (PDF) as a tool.

ADN applicants must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a composite score of 62 or higher. Please visit the TEAS Testing page of the SWC Nursing website (www.swccd.edu/nursing) for TEAS policy, updates, and Remediation Plan.

ADN Program application packets will be accepted:
November 3, 2025 - February 6, 2026

The application packet can be submitted in person or by U.S. Mail. If sending by mail, it must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered. Students admitted to the program will start in Fall of 2026 during the month of August. 

Use the checklist which accompanies the program application as a guide to help you prepare and gather all required documents and forms needed when applying for the program. Review the Multi-Criteria Point System (PDF) for information on how points are awarded to your application.

Update related to Covid-19 vaccine: Major Healthcare Systems in San Diego County require students and faculty to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Students and faculty must have the most recent Covid-19 booster recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Applicants to any Nursing and Health Occupations Program (ADN, VN-Step-up, VN, CNA, Acute Care CNA, Surgical Technology, Central Service Technician, and Operating Room Nurse) will be required to submit proof of vaccine status and most recent booster at time of application (Rev. 10-10-24).

• ADN Program Checklist & Application (PDF) (Rev. 11/2024)
• Physical Exam and Immunization Forms (PDF)
• Multi-Criteria Points System Grid (PDF) (Rev. 11/2024)
• SWC Verification of Language Proficiency Form (PDF)
• ADN Program Prerequisites (PDF) (Rev. 04/2025)
• Technical Standards for Nursing (PDF) Sign and submit form after program acceptance.

The ADN Program begins in August of each year. We do not have a class that begins in spring semester.

Letters of acceptance are sent prior to the fall semester start date. Applicants who are accepted into the program may NOT defer acceptance but must reapply to the program. If you are accepted elsewhere or choose not to attend the program, please e-mail the Nursing Department Program Technician (nursing@swccd.edu) to cancel your application so that we may be able to offer a seat an alternate applicant.

The estimated total cost of the ADN Program (for students who meet the residency requirement) is $8,474 - $8,997. The greatest direct expenses are at the beginning of the first semester. Textbooks, instructional supplies and uniforms are the major cost items. Living expenses and cost of transportation to campus and clinical facilities are not included in this estimated cost nor are the prerequisite courses or the general education courses for the degree.

Enrolled students are required to pay fees for testing services provided by ATI while in the ADN Program. The test fees are included in the estimated total cost. These diagnostic tests are administered periodically throughout the nursing program beginning with an entrance test given the first week of the nursing program, and ending with a “mock” State Board exam in the fourth semester. Students that do poorly on the entrance test will be identified and encouraged to seek assistance in the Academic Success Center.

The remaining comprehensive tests will aid in the progression and success of students, identify strengths and weaknesses, and assist in appropriate remediation and success in the program. A review course will be required for students who do not perform well on the “mock” test before the student’s name will be submitted to the Board of Registered Nursing as a candidate for the licensure examination. 

Financial assistance is available to cover program costs. Visit the SWC Financial Aid website for information, applications for FAFSA, the California College Promise Grant (CCPG, formerly the BOG Fee Waiver) and scholarships. An application for assistance should be made early with the Financial Aid Office.

It is recommended that nursing students not work more than 20 hours per week.