Deciding on the right nursing school is one of the most important decisions for aspiring nurses. With the growing demand for nurses and various career options, obtaining an associate or bachelor’s degree from top nursing schools in California can open up many rewarding opportunities. This guide provides an overview of 10 of the best private nursing schools in the state, focusing on their academic programs and admission requirements to help you choose the best fit for your goals.
Chaffey College ADN Program
Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program that is one of the most highly regarded options for a 2-year nursing degree in Southern California. The ADN program at Chaffey provides hands-on clinical training at local hospitals to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and an entry-level registered nurse position.
Academic Program:Â The ADN program is a 4-semester/2-year course of study that includes classroom instruction, nursing skills labs, and clinical training. Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to applying, including Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, English Composition, and Psychology. The ADN curriculum covers topics like adult medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental health nursing.
Admission Requirements:Â Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in prerequisite courses. Spots are limited and entry is competitive, with over 500 applicants vying annually for 80 slots. Math and reading placement exams must be passed. A TEAS entrance exam is also required with a cutoff score of 65% or higher for admission consideration.
El Camino College Nursing Program
One of the top destinations for nursing education in the South Bay area is the 2-year ADN program at El Camino College in Torrance. With strong community support, ECC boasts excellent facilities and resources to train future nurses.
Academic Program:Â The ECC nursing curriculum similarly spans 4 semesters/2 years after prerequisite courses are completed. Core nursing topics are covered alongside clinical experience at partner hospitals. ECC also has a LVN-to-RN bridge program allowing licensed vocational nurses to advance their career.
Admission Requirements:Â Prerequisites must be finished with a cumulative 2.5 GPA. All applicants take the TEAS entrance exam and 75% or higher is needed for entry. Only 60-80 students are selected each year from a competitive applicant pool exceeding 500 candidates annually. ECC seeks well-rounded individuals with strong academics, work experience, and commitment to patient care.
Cerritos College Associate Degree Nursing Program
Located in Norwalk, Cerritos College has consistently delivered top-quality nursing education to residents of Southeast Los Angeles County for decades. Graduates pass the NCLEX at high rates and become highly skilled registered nurses.
Academic Program: The rigorous 2-year ADN curriculum aligns with the California Board of Registered Nursing’s requirements. Through classroom learning and hospital clinicals, students gain bedside nursing experience across the lifespan. Specialty rotations are possible in critical care, labor & delivery, pediatrics, and other high-demand fields.
Admission Requirements:Â Prerequisites must be completed with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Applicants take the HESI entrance exam and a minimum score of 75 is needed to be considered. Only 60 seats per year are available in the competitive Cerritos nursing program. Strong interpersonal skills and a passion for nursing are highly valued in the selection process.
Allied Health Programs at Los Angeles Southwest College
Southwest College in West Los Angeles offers a range of health professions programs, including the coveted Associate Degree Nursing track. Its diverse student body benefits from dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art learning resources.
Academic Program:Â The ADN curriculum is currently undergoing revisions but includes intensive classroom learning and patient care experiences. Clinical placements occur at major medical centers like Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical Center, and Harbor-UCLA to optimize real-world skills. An LVN-to-RN transition option is also available.
Admission Requirements:Â Core science and general education prerequisites must be completed with a 3.0 GPA minimum. A competitive entrance exam score (usually the TEAS or HESI) is also pivotal. The nursing applicant pool vastly exceeds available spots each year at Southwest College, so excellent academic history and personal qualities are weighed heavily in admission decisions.
Allan Hancock College Nursing Program
As one of the oldest and most established colleges in Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College has a long history of nursing education excellence. Its affordable ADN program serves the Central Coast region extremely well.
Academic Program:Â Prerequisites like A&P, Microbiology and college composition lead into the 4-semester nursing curriculum. Students gain clinical experience at partner facilities including Marian Regional Medical Center. The program aligns with the California Nursing Practice Act for nursing licensure eligibility.
Admission Requirements:Â At least a 2.5 GPA is required in nursing pre-requisites. All applicants take the HESI A2 exam with a minimum 70% needed for entry consideration. Only 40 students are selected each year for the rigorous course of study. Personal qualities, leadership, and a strong work ethic are highly valued during the selective admission process.
Saddleback College ADN Program
Based in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College offers Orange County residents an excellent nearby option for an Associate Degree in Nursing through their competitive 2-year program. Graduates enjoy high success rates on licensure exams.
Academic Program: The ADN curriculum is structured into 4 sequential semesters. Students gain medical-surgical, obstetrics, pediatrics, and mental health experience through clinical immersion at community hospitals. Saddleback’s supportive learning environment and qualified faculty help students excel.
Admission Requirements:Â All prerequisites must be completed with a 3.0 minimum GPA. The TEAS entrance exam is required with a cutoff composite score of at least 60% or higher. Only 80 candidates are selected yearly from a large applicant pool. Strong academic achievement, work or volunteer experience, and motivation are weighed heavily in admissions decisions.
Monterey Peninsula College Associate Degree Nursing Program
For residents of Monterey County, the ADN program at Monterey Peninsula College offers an affordable avenue to launch a nursing career. Graduates secure highly sought-after positions in the area and beyond.
Academic Program:Â A 4-semester sequence covers medical-surgical, maternal-child, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing along with clinical learning. Students gain invaluable experience through placements at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and other regional hospitals.
Admission Requirements:Â Science and general education prerequisites must be completed with 2.5 GPA minimum. The competitive HESI entrance exam is required and a score of 75% composite is preferable. Only 40 spots are available per year for the rigorous MPC nursing track due to limited clinical placement capacity. Strong academics, work ethic, and patient care values are part of the holistic selection process.
Palomar College Nursing Program
Located in San Marcos, Palomar College provides an excellent nearby option for nursing education to North County San Diego residents. Its ADN program enjoys strong employment and licensure outcomes.
Academic Program:Â The 4-semester course sequence covers medical-surgical, mental health, obstetrics, and pediatric nursing along with required general education courses. Students complete clinical rotations at area hospitals managed by the Palomar Health system.
Admission Requirements:Â Prerequisites must be completed with 3.0 GPA minimum. A competitive TEAS or HESI score of 75% overall or higher is required. Only 60 seats are available yearly out of hundreds who apply to the rigorous program. Great interpersonal skills, dedication to the nursing field, and proven academic ability are weighed heavily in admissions decisions.
Moorpark College Associate Degree Nursing Program
Moorpark College in Ventura County consistently delivers among the best educational value and outcomes. Its ADN program serves as a launching pad for many promising nursing careers each year.
Academic Program:Â Over 4 semesters, students gain medical-surgical, pediatric, mental health, and obstetric nursing experience through classroom and hospital clinical placements. The curriculum aligns with the requirements of California law for R.N. licensure.
Admission Requirements:Â Applicants must complete prerequisites with 3.0 GPA minimum. A TEAS or HESI exam with a competitive score of 75% or higher is mandatory. Only 60 are selected each year into the program from hundreds of applicants. Great motivation, work ethic, and caring qualities are strongly considered for admission along with grades.
Riverside City College Nursing Program
Among the largest community colleges in California, Riverside City College has consistently delivered excellent nursing education to Inland Empire students for decades. Their ADN program is one of the most respected options locally.
Academic Program: Spanning 4 semesters, the RCC nursing curriculum covers medical-surgical, mental health, obstetric, and pediatric nursing along with associated general education courses. Students complete clinical rotations at local hospitals including Riverside Community Hospital.
Admission Requirements: All nursing prerequisites must be completed with 3.0 GPA minimum. A competitive TEAS entrance exam score of at least 85% overall is mandatory for consideration into one of the 60 spots available each year. With hundreds of qualified applicants vying for entry annually, admission is highly selective. In addition to strong academic performance, review of the application, letters of recommendation, resume, and a personal statement are used to assess an applicant’s critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, commitment to patient care, and potential success in the program. Graduates of the Riverside City College nursing program are highly sought after and find employment in hospitals and clinics throughout the Inland Empire region and beyond.
In conclusion, any of these top 10 California nursing schools would provide an excellent education and valuable opportunity to launch a fulfilling career as a registered nurse. While requirements may differ, all seek out individuals who display not only strong academic histories but also compassion, work ethic, critical thinking skills, and dedication to patient care. Graduating from an accredited ADN program at a respected institution like Chaffey College, El Camino College, Cerritos College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Allan Hancock College, Saddleback College, Monterey Peninsula College, Palomar College, Moorpark College or Riverside City College can open doors in this growing and rewarding field. Thorough research into programs and thoughtful consideration of personal and professional goals will help aspiring nurses choose the best fit to achieve their dreams.
