Registered Nursing (RN) Program

Prior to applying, the science prerequisites listed below must be completed with an overall grade point average of 2.5 with no grade less than a "C" for each course and no more than one repetition of any of these courses. Repeating a course after receiving a "W" does not count toward the single repetition rule.

• Human Anatomy (BIO 210 or BIO 210H)
• Human Physiology (BIO 220)
• Microbiology (BIO 230)

Sciences must be 4 or more units and include a lab component

• Completion of the following prerequisite with a grade of no less than “C”:
  • Composition and Reading (ENGL 100) – 4 semester units or equivalent

Sociology/Psychology and Communication/Speech must be completed to receive points in the “Fixed Set” GPA section (minimum GPA of 2.5). See RN Track I program information in the college catalog for the list of acceptable courses.

There is no expiration for any of the prerequisites

Testing Requirement

All students must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). This is a diagnostic test that covers math, reading, and science.

• Student must take ATI TEAS Version 7.  
• Applicants that do not meet the minimum 62% are required to contact the Nursing Department to schedule an appointment with the Director to discuss a remediation plan before applying to the program. Remediation plans from other schools will not be accepted. 
• If you would like to increase your points, a second attempt at the TEAS will be considered 6 months after the first attempt.
• If a student has multiple attempts the first TEAS score within the last 6 months will be accepted.
• Applicants need to upload all TEAS attempts with their application.

Additional Requirements

• Students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be willing to receive the influenza vaccine each year while in the program
• ALL nursing students are required to complete a background check and urine drug screen with
• American Databank before beginning a program in San Diego County. This is a Hospital/Health Care Agency requirement. If you have any convictions on your background check in the last 7 years, you will not be eligible to start the program. Students will be given the information to obtain these requirements at the orientation and advisement. 
• The California Board of Registered Nursing may deny a license regulated by the Business and Professional Code, Section 480, on such grounds as: being convicted of a crime, acts of dishonesty, fraud or deceit.  All students selected for enrollment in the nursing program will be assessed for past criminal activity prior to clinical experiences.  
• A valid SSN or ITIN is required

The online application to the Registered Nursing Program will be available in SURF under "Student Forms" March 1-7 (to apply for fall) and September 1-7 (to apply for spring). All applicants will be placed in a lottery for admission and must receive a minimum of 75 points from the multi-criteria point system to be considered and admitted to the program. The updated point system will be implemented for the 2025-2026 application periods in alignment with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) revisions to the multicriteria screening admissions process, as outlined in AB 1891 and SB 1183. 

• You must have an active MCC student account to apply to the RN program. Students are inactivated at MiraCosta after two semesters of non-attendance. 
• RN Application Navigation in SURF
• RN Application Checklist
• Language Certification Form
• CCCCO requirement of living in a Mutually Underserved Area (MUA)

Transcript Requirement

Please submit official AP scores and official transcripts from every school attended to Admissions and Records two weeks prior to the application deadline. Send official transcripts to transcripts@miracosta.edu.

Foreign Transcripts

If you took a prerequisite course in a foreign country, foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service for determining U.S. equivalency. View list of approved agencies.

TEAS

Official TEAS score report must be sent to MiraCosta College directly from ATI two weeks prior to the application deadline.

For program and application questions, please email the Nursing & Allied Health Department.

All policies and procedures for enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program can be found in the MiraCosta College RN Student Handbook.

Applicants selected for enrollment into the program must complete the following two months prior to starting the program:

• COVID-19 vaccination with booster 
• Physical Examination
• Other Required Immunizations
• Background Check
• Urine Drug Screen

The student must be free from communicable diseases, infections, and must be able to perform the essential requirements (Technical Standards) of the program with or without reasonable accommodations for disability. 

If you have any convictions on your background check in the last 7 years, you will not be eligible to start the program. 

Students will be given the information to obtain these requirements at the orientation and advisement. 

Students should plan on spending approximately $1500 per semester during the RN program for tuition, uniforms, books, clinical equipment and required software package, physical examination and immunizations.

Students must have reliable transportation to travel to various clinical agencies throughout San Diego County and should budget for these expenses.

Scholarships and loans are available for qualified students. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further details.

• View NCLEX pass rates
• TEAS Prep Workshop

Students holding a bachelor's degree in another discipline from a U.S. regionally accredited institution may not be required to take any other general education requirements for the A.S. Registered Nursing degree. Additionally, the Plan A general education requirement may be met by submitting a transcript verifying completion of an associate degree at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Students are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment with a MiraCosta academic counselor to confirm that all general education requirements have been met.

MiraCosta College has a collaboration with Point Loma Nazarene University for graduates to attain their BSN while attending classes on the  Oceanside campus. MCC also has agreements with the following institutions for our ADN graduates to continue with their BSN at a discounted price:

• Azusa Pacific University
• Chamberlain College of Nursing
• Grand Canyon University
• National University
• Ohio University
• San Diego State University
• University of Phoenix
• University of Texas at Arlington
• Western Governors University

The Registered Nursing Program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing

Board of Registered Nursing
1170 Durfee Ave., Suite G
South El Monte, CA 91733-4400
626.575.7080

The mission of the MiraCosta College Nursing Program is to educate a diverse population of qualified students to become safe, competent, and caring registered nurses who will provide care in a variety of settings throughout the community. The program also serves as a foundation for educational mobility, personal growth, and lifelong learning.

The Nursing Program directly aligns with the college mission by providing educational opportunities to a diverse population of students in a supportive, caring environment.

• At least 85% of entering students complete the nursing program within three years (graduation rate).
• At least 85% of graduates passed the NCLEX-RN as first-time writers per national average.
• At least 85% of employers rate graduates as average or above average in demonstrating nursing process, providing safe care, and behaving in a caring and professional manner.
• At least 85% of graduates rate their education at MCC as above average in managing and providing care to patients.
• At least 75% of graduates acquire their first RN position within one year of graduation.