Frequently Asked Questions

When do you accept applications?

There are two application periods each year - January 6th through January 31st, and August 1st through August 31st .

If the application due date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the application will be due through the online application process by 11:59pm on the next business day.

What is the minimum required GPA to apply into the program?

The minimum required cumulative GPA is 2.5

What are the required prerequisites?

Please refer to the Application Process and Counseling pages on this website.

Do you have time limitations on accepted prerequisite classes?

Yes. The core science prerequisites must be taken within seven years of application to the program.

Can I take Anatomy and Physiology together, as a combined course?

Please contact counseling for course evaluation.

Do you have a wait list?

No.  Please refer to the Application Process page.

Is there a lottery?

No.  Please refer to the Application Process page.

When do first semester nursing students start?

A new class of nursing students begins the program each spring and fall. 

How many students are accepted each semester?

The first semester class size can vary anywhere between 33 - 50 students.

Is your program full time?

Yes, but hours vary between classroom lecture, labs, clinical, studying, and homework obligations.  Lecture is held on Mondays and there are one to two full days of clinical that can vary between Tuesdays - Saturdays.

What is the cost of your program?

Roughly $6,000 but this is subject to change.

Do you have an LVN-to-RN bridge program?

LVNs may apply for admission to our second or third semester. Please refer to the Advanced Placement page.

Do you have a RN refresher course?

Not at this time.

Do you offer a surgical nursing course?

Not at this time.

I became a nurse in another country.  For licensure in California, the BRN is requiring I take a class.   Am I able to take it at your college?

Individual nursing classes are not offered by Moorpark College. You will need to apply as an Advanced Placement student. 

I've been accepted to the program, but due to extenuating circumstances, I can't enter the nursing program at this time. Can I defer until the following semester?

Yes, a student who is accepted to the nursing program may defer entry one time, for up to a year, but only due to extenuating circumstances. You will not be allowed to defer because of incomplete remediation that was required of you. Request for deferral must be presented to the Health Sciences Department in writing, to the attention of the Health Sciences Coordinator. 

I have my ADN already. Do you have any information about getting my BSN?

Yes, Moorpark College works closely with California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and other universities, and encourages students to continue their formal education after obtaining their ADN. CSUCI offers two ADN to BSN options. Information regarding the first option, Bachelor of Science Nursing: ADN to BSN Fast Track can be found at the following link:  http://nursing.csuci.edu/programs/adn-bsn.htm. Please also refer to our partnership section of this website.

The second option is the RN to BSN Track II Nursing Major. Information regarding this program is available at: http://nursing.csuci.edu/programs/track2.htm

What do nurses do?

The are many websites that describe the role of nurses. A few sites to explore are: American Nurse Association: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing

Johnson & Johnson: https://nursing.jnj.com/why-be-a-nurse

Where can I find information about the nursing program at Moorpark College?

Please go to the Moorpark College Counseling webpage https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/counseling-office/nursing-rad-tech-workshops to see the schedule of Nursing Workshops. Then, register for and attend a workshop. The Moorpark College nursing webpage also has a lot of information https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/nursing

I am an undocumented student and do not have a Social Security number. Can I apply?

Currently, the clinical facilities that the nursing program utilizes require students to have a social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). If you have a SSN or ITIN, you may apply to the nursing program. Not having a SSN nor ITIN will prevent you from being able attend the clinical laboratory courses that are a required part of the program. If desiring to work in healthcare, please meet with a health science counselor for other possible career paths. 

Do I have to do a background check or drug screening if admitted to the nursing program?

Yes. A background check and drug screening is required for clinical rotation. Marijuana is included as a non-allowed substance, due to our clinical partners being considered federal facilities. This also applies to students with a medical marijuana card. For specific questions related to the background check or drug screen, please contact the Health Sciences Department. 

Do you offer a part-time program?

No. While the nursing program is 8.5-9.5 units each semester, it is very rigorous and many students express that it is very challenging to work or take other classes. The nursing program is a cohort model, and students follow a specific course schedule from semester to semester with no opportunity to take less nursing courses than scheduled during the semester. 

Can I take the classes during the evenings and weekends?

Lecture courses are all held during the day on Mondays, and clinical courses can be at any time but generally are between 6:30 am-7:45 pm. There is no program track scheduled exclusively during evening and weekends. 

Do all prerequisites have to be completed before I apply?

Yes. Please refer to the Moorpark College Nursing handout under counseling.

Can I petition the 7-year recency requirement for the science prerequisites? I took a science prerequisite course more than 7 years ago and earned a letter grade of "C" or better. 

Yes, but approval of the petition is not guaranteed. Please schedule an appointment with the nursing counselor to fill out a petition.

Can I take the prerequisites as a Pass/No Pass?

No, a letter grade of "C" or better is required for the prerequisites.

Can I choose Nursing as my major while I take the prerequisites courses?

The Nursing major is for students that are admitted to the nursing program. If taking the prerequisite courses, you should choose General Studies: Natural Science Pattern 3.

Should I wait to be invited to take the ATI TEAS through Moorpark College after I apply to the nursing program?

We are offering only a limited number of testing seats; it is recommended that you sign up to take the ATI TEAS elsewhere and send the score electronically to Moorpark College. Please refer to Application Process, "Save the Dates."

Do I only submit official transcripts for the prerequisites taken?

No. All official college/university transcripts need to be submitted to Admission and Records prior to submitting the Nursing application. All completed college courses must show a grade marking and not be "In-Progress."

What if I am not accepted into the nursing program?

Qualified applicants are in the random selection pool for 2 years from the application period. Students are welcome to reapply during or after the time their application is in the random selection pool if they feel they may have strengthened their application and still meet the application requirements. Also, there are many roles in healthcare that are important, impactful, and meaningful. Please explore other career opportunities in the healthcare field in addition to applying to other nursing programs and pursing possible ways of strengthening your application. Examples of opportunities at Moorpark College are programs within the Health and Wellness Area of Interest https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/areas-interest/health-wellness. One example of a Bachelor's degree that can lead to employment in the healthcare setting is CSUCI's Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences. https://www.csuci.edu/academics/healthsciences.htm. Please also explore the Moorpark College Career Center https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/career-transfer-center

Is it possible to work part-time or full-time in addition to the course work?

The nursing program is a rigorous, time-demanding program. Based on student surveys and past student experiences, it is recommended that if a student needs to be employed during the nursing program, they should work less than 16 hours per week.