Nursing & Health Occupations

Health Care in Your Hands

Nursing can be described as both a science and an art. Through critical thinking, exemplified in the nursing process, nurses use their judgment and experience together with a patient’s biological, physical, social, psychological, and behavioral needs. This ensures that every person receives the best possible care regardless of who they are or where they seek care. Registered nurses form the backbone of United States Healthcare system and provide critical health care to the public wherever it is needed. It is the duty of a Registered Nurse to protect and advocate for the public good.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform physical exams and health histories before making critical decisions
• Provide health promotion, counseling and education
• Administer medications and other personalized interventions
• Coordinate care, in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals

Program Awards

Our Nursing and Health Occupations programs are included in the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa field of study and offer these awards:

Award	Location	Estimated Completion	Program Map
Associate in Arts Degree: Transfer Preparation	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Career/Technical - Nursing	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Career/Technical - Surgical Technology	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Career/Technical - Nursing, Vocational	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Certificate of Achievement - Nursing, Vocational	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Certificates of Proficiency - Central Service Technology	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Certificates of Proficiency - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	Otay Mesa	# Semesters
Certificates of Proficiency - Operating Room Nursing	Otay Mesa	# Semesters

Common Careers

Below is a sample of the career options available for the nursing major. Career options require an associate degree at a minimum, some require higher levels of academic preparation: licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse administrator, nurse educator, nurse researcher and scientist. Nurses practice in many settings such as hospitals, extended care facilities, primary and specialty care clinicas, homes, community settings, and in the military. They may specialize in caring for specific age groups such as children or those persons who are advanced in age. They may also specialize in certain areas such as medical, surgical, psychiatric, critical or emergency room care, obstetrics, pediatrics, community and population health, or the operating room.

The average annual salary in this field is $132,750 for occupations like Nurse.

Typical Duties

• Assisting and Caring for Others
  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Documenting/Recording Information
  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Getting Information
  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Performing General Physical Activities
  Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Working with Computers
  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  onitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Handling and Moving Objects
  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Developing and Building Teams
  Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Analyzing Data or Information
  Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Coaching and Developing Others
  Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Thinking Creatively
  Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others
  Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Processing Information
  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies
  Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities
  Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Performing Administrative Activities
  Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.