Registered Nursing AS Degree

The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares graduates to care for individuals in hospitals, long term care facilities, doctors' offices and clinics in a beginning staff nurse position.  The curriculum consists of courses in general education and science in addition to prescribed nursing courses. Once accepted to the nursing program, the student will complete four semesters of nursing courses.

The nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.  

College of the Desert is designated as a continuing education provider by the Board of Registered Nursing.  The provider number is 00284.  

Registered Nursing Course Sequence

Students can complete the nursing program in two years once accepted to the nursing program.

It is recommended that students interested in a Nursing degree see a counselor in the counseling department and read the information on the School of Health Sciences & Education webpage.

Program Entrance Requirements: Acceptance under the existing eligibility and selection criteria available on the School of Health Sciences & Education webpage.  Program eligibility and selection processes are subject to change. Prospective students are encouraged to check the school web page periodically or call 760.773.2579 or 760.568.3093.  

Please note:  Students are strongly encouraged to complete all general education courses prior to the program application. Licensure can be achieved when all courses required for the degree are completed.

Graduates eligible for Registered Nurse Licensing Examination in California. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Course Code Title Units
Required Courses
BI 013Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BI 014Human Anatomy and Physiology II5
BI 015General Microbiology5
ENG 001AEnglish Composition4
PSY 001General Psychology3
or PSY 003 Developmental Psychology
Select one course from the following:3
Introductory Sociology (3 units)
Introduction to Race & Ethnicity (3 units)
Mexican American Culture & Society (3 units)
Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
Anthropology of Religion, Magic, Witchcraft, and Healing (3 units)
Select one course from the following:3
Introduction to Public Speaking (3 units)
Intro to Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
Small Group Communication (3 units)
Intercultural Communication (3 units)
Humanities - Area C3 requirements for Associates Degree Occupational/Vocational3
MATH 040 ( or college-level math)4
or MATH 045 Pre-Statistics
or MATH 049 Intermediate Algebra
Select any 2 units in Kinesiology or 1 unit of KINE & HS 0702
N 001Basic Concepts in Nursing Practice8
N 002Nursing Practice for Commonly Occurring Alterations in Health9
N 003AConcepts of Nursing Practice - Complex Alterations in Health9
N 003BIssues in Nursing0.5
N 004Concepts of Nursing Practice-Acute Complex Alterations in Health9.5
DEGREE TOTAL 72