Announcements

Links to announcements below:

Readiness Forms due 5/28 for Fall RN Starting Class (Posted 3/6/13<<<)

Reactivation Forms due 5/21 for Waiting List Cleanup (Posted 1/15/13<<<)

RN Program Waiting List Information (Updated 5/15/13<<<<<<<<<<<)

Revised Admission Requirement: Social Security Number Needed (Posted 3/6/12)

Next Application Period - 9/1/13 to 9/15/13 (Updated 4/17/13<<<)

Taking the Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam (Updated 4/17/13<<<)

Flu Vaccinations Required for Incoming and Current Nursing Students (Posted 2/7/12)

Nutrition Requirement Changes Now in Effect (Updated 9/25/12)

Taking Pharmacology Classes (Updated 4/11/12)

Immunizations in Preparation for Entry into Nursing School (Updated 4/11/12)

Student Success Center - Resources Available (Winter 2013)

RN Refresher Program (Still none planned as of Winter 2013)

Readiness Forms due 5/28 for the Fall 2013 RN Program Starting Class
(Posted 3/6/13)

It's time to begin the process of selecting the RN Program Fall 2013 starting class. ALL individuals on the Waiting List (other than the Spring 2013 class) may download the Readiness Form, fill it out and return a copy to the Nursing Department. Even if you have previously indicated readiness for Fall 2013, a new Readiness Form must be submitted to reconfirm your readiness.

The Readiness Form must be delivered to the De Anza Mail Room or electronically to the Nursing Department by 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Details about returning the form are explained in the form. If you are not sure if you will be able to start in the fall quarter (September 23 to December 13), please hold off sending in a form until closer to the deadline to make sure your response is as accurate as possible.

The Fall 2013 Class of 24 students, along with 15 alternates, will be picked according to waiting list order and readiness to start the program. You must turn in a readiness form or you will not be selected. These 39 students should receive invitations by email by May 30th and by mail no later than June 4th to attend a mandatory orientation meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 1:00 PM in Room S-81 of Building S-8 on the De Anza Campus. (See maps of the campus at http://www.deanza.edu/map/). Please reserve this time in your schedule. The meeting will end at approximately 3:30 PM. If you cannot make the mandatory meeting, you will need to send a trusted representative.

Please note that at this time, there are people on the Current RN Program Waiting List who have indicated a previous readiness to start in Spring 2013 (Spring alternates) or Fall 2013. If they do not change their minds, the Fall 2013 class will be filled, along with most of the alternates, by these people. There is also a sizeable number of people in the category of Readiness Unknown, some of whom may be ready to start. The Nursing Department does not know how many people will be ready for fall until the 5/28 deadline, so there is always a chance for people in any position on the list.

If you are high enough on the waiting list to start in fall, but you indicate on the Readiness Form that you are NOT READY, OR you do not return a Readiness Form, you will be contacted by the Nursing Department to inform you of your status change to Official Decline (if you haven't done so previously). This allows you to postpone entry up to 6 more quarters.  An Official Decline for Fall 2013 allows you to postpone entry to nursing school NO LATER than Fall 2015. If you cannot commit to start by Fall 2015, you will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list. If you have previously received an “official decline” notice from the Nursing Department, you will be held to the time frame available to you in that notice. In this situation, you will see the last quarter you can enter, before being moved, in the comment field of your entry on the public waiting list.

Please note:

Read the Social Security Number Admission Requirement announcement on the web site, if you are not a United States Citizen.

Please be aware of the Sociology or Cultural Anthropology Nursing Department requirement completed. It must be completed before starting the second quarter of the Nursing Program. You do not need the distraction of having to take it during the first quarter of the program.

Read the Immunizations and flu announcements on the web site.

Reactivation Forms due 5/21 for RN Waiting List Cleanup
(Posted 1/15/13)

Soon it will be time to begin the annual cleanup of the RN Program Waiting List. Students on the Waiting list must send in a "Reactivation Form" no later than May 21, 2013 to indicate continued interest in the RN Program and to remain on the waiting list for another year. The starting spring class, which will be selected in early February, does not need to send in the form. Fall Readiness Forms from eligible students will also be treated as reactivations.

If sent by mail, the Reactivation Form must be postmarked no later than May 21, 2013. If delivered by an other method, it must be received no later than May 21st - NO EXCEPTIONS. Information on accepted methods of returning the form are on page one of the downloaded Reactivation Form file.

Any student who does not send in the Reactivation form by the deadline will be removed from the waiting list. If a student who has been removed from the waiting list wants to be reconsidered for the Nursing program, that student must reapply under the eligibility rules in effect at that time.

The waiting list will be updated and made public after the Fall Readiness Form Deadline in May. Students on the waiting list will find their new position by searching for their assigned Waiting List ID. Successful applicants to the RN Program who submit applications between February 15th and April 15th will be added to the end of the updated waiting list after all applications have been processed.

RN Program Waiting List Information
(Updated 5/15/13 - latest fall readiness and yearly reactivations identified)

The RN Program Waiting List has been updated with January applicants (11).   The list now has 137 people on it.  The Spring Starting Class and is identified. The latest fall readiness and reactivations received for the May deadlines are noted.  Starting classes have a class size of 24.  We admit a class of 24 every Fall, Winter and Spring quarter, or 72 students per year.

Note that "(To list end in Q/20YY)"  info has been included for all students that have officially declined to start and have postponed starting to a later quarter.  An official decline only occurs when a student does not indicate they are ready to start and would have been accepted into the program if they had indicated they were ready.  Students have six quarters to start the program from an official decline. If they fail to start the program within one of those six quarters and they are still interested, they will be automatically moved to the the bottom of the RN Waiting List.

If any information appears to be incorrect, please contact Robert Jeckell in the Nursing Department.

Remaining Active on the RN Waiting List
By the beginning of every February, an announcement will be posted asking people on the RN Program Waiting list to send in a Reactivation Form by a deadline in May. If the Reactivation Form is received by the deadline, the student will maintain their position on the waiting list for another year. After the reactivation forms are processed, the waiting list will be updated, with the new applicants from the 2/15-4/15 application period added to the end later in the spring quarter.  A Reactivation Form announcement is up between February and May on this page.  People that do not Reactivate by the deadline will be removed from the RN Waiting List.

How do RN Program starting classes get selected?
Three times per year an announcement is put up on the nursing web site asking people on the waiting list to send in a Readiness Form for an upcoming quarter.  Announcements go up in September, November and March for the Winter, Spring and Fall quarter selections respectively. The announcements are put up several months before the deadline.  After the announced deadline for forms, the class and alternates are selected from the people highest on the RN Program Waiting List that have turned in a Readiness Form saying they are ready to start.  Alternates are used to fill vacancies in the class that may occur prior to the second day of the starting quarter.  Alternates not used are returned to the Waiting List and are not guaranteed a place in the following class.   They must send in another readiness form for the following starting quarter.

When will I start the RN Program?  Here is how to figure out the worst case entry time.
Worst case means everyone above you on the list gets in ahead of you.  Let's say that you are in position 124 on the waiting list.  Since we are admitting classes with 24 students, we divide the number of students on the list through you (124) by 24 resulting in 5 full classes with a remainder of 4 students - the last of the 4 students being you. 

This means you would be, worst case, in the 6th quarter out starting from Spring 2013:
sp13, f13, w14, sp14, f14, w15  -   Winter 2015

It certainly will not take that long, because people do change plans and move on or they get into other nursing schools.  However, the primary reason is that a large number of people over the last several years have been delaying entry when they could be starting.  Note that the last person to get into the Spring 2013 starting class was 103rd on the waiting list. That means that 79 people (more than 3 quarters worth of students) were ahead of this student and were not ready to start.  We expect this to continue, which means that the worst case situation is not likely and you very likely will get in quarters earlier than the worst case situation.  The last two thirds of the Spring starting class applied in April or September of 2012! That is one year or less! 

Preparation for Entry into the RN Program:

All students on the waiting list should be completing immunizations and/or documenting immunity via titer reports. Please refer to the Immunization Worksheet available on the Nursing Program Information page (link to the left), the Flu Vaccination announcement below and the general immunization announcement below. Other health requirements (physical exam and TB testing) that must be completed no earlier than one month before entry into the program will be discussed at an Orientation Meeting for the invited class and alternates. 

We also highly recommend that students be well prepared in English skills and review their biology as they approach the time of entry into the nursing program.  Research has shown that good English skills (verbal & written) and knowledge of nursing prerequisite material in biology are predictors of success in two-year nursing programs.

Also please be aware that you must complete De Anza's Sociology 1 or Anthropology 2, or their equivalent, before you start the second quarter of the RN program.  You should also take the time you are waiting to finish any uncompleted GE classes needed to get an A.S. degree in Nursing from De Anza.  GE requirements are summarized on the Getting Started document available on this nursing web site.

Revised Admission Requirement:  U.S. Social Security Number
(Updated 3/6/12)

The De Anza Nursing Department is changing its program admittance policy for students in the United States on visas to align the Department’s requirements with that of the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Currently. the BRN requires that all applicants for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, to become an RN in California, must have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). Some students here on visas have obtained a federal employer identification number or taxpayer number. These alternate numbers are NOT accepted by the BRN for individual RN licensure. The BRN will only process applications for the licensure exam for individuals that have a SSN.

Starting with the Spring 2012 quarter, the Nursing Department requires that students meet the same BRN SSN requirement for admittance to the nursing program. Students without SSNs may continue to apply to the program and remain on the waiting list according to the posted RN Program Waiting List procedures. This should be done with the understanding that they must meet the SSN requirement in order enter the nursing program.

Procedures for staying on the RN Program Waiting List are documented in the Waiting List announcement present at all times on the De Anza Nursing Department web site.  Please contact the Nursing Department if you have further questions.  Refer to the Contact Us page for contact info.

Next Application Period:  September 1st to 15th
(Updated 4/17/13)

Documentation is available on the Nursing Program Information web page (see link to the left).  Dates for all application periods are found on that page.

The De Anza Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam may not be taken any later than the application deadline, September 15, 2013. Details on the Admission Assessment Exam registration process are in the Program Information document.  Please read the announcement about the exam on this page.

You will need to submit official transcripts to De Anza Admissions and Records for ALL college course work completed after September 15, 2006 outside of De Anza and Foothill Colleges, as well as any other official transcripts for classwork completed earlier needed to meet nursing school prerequisites. All official transcripts must be submitted directly to Admissions and Records, preferably in person. You must notify admissions and records that you are applying to the nursing program when you submit official transcripts. Sealed official transcripts do not need to be sent to the Nursing department with the application. See the section on transcripts in the Program Information document.

It is highly recommended that you attend an Application Workshop prior to mailing in your
application (see Information Meetings link to the left). If you have not attended an Information
meeting in the last year, it is recommended that you attend. Eligibility rules are discussed and use of the Chancellor's Formula Worksheet is demonstrated.

If you have to get petitions approved for equivalency to the De Anza Nursing prerequisites, you should have them completed well in advance of the September 15th deadline.  Instructors may not be around during summer months to evaluate petitions, so try to complete them before mid June. See the College Course Equivalency Spreadsheet accessible from the Nursing Program Information web page for info about General Petitions for equivalency determination.

Check the Contact Us page on the web site for availability of nursing department staff to answer questions by email or phone.

Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam
(Updated 4/17/13)

The exam registration process can be found in the Program Information and Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Registration Instructions documents on the Nursing Program Information page (link to the left).

Please try to take the exam prior to January for the January 15, 2013 application period deadline.  Please review the testing registration procedure in the Program Information document on the Nursing Program Information web page, even if you have previously read this material.

A 3rd Edition of the Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review is available.  It can be purchased online at Amazon.com and other booksellers.  See the Program Information document accessible from the Nursing Program Information page of this web site for details about the book.  This book is not thorough enough to be a complete study resource. You will need to study other materials, such as your Anatomy & Physiology text, to ensure success on this exam.  The book has some vocabulary lists, math tables, and an overview of exam content, as well as  practice questions/tests.  One copy of the book is now available to checkout for 24 hrs by De Anza Students with student IDs in the Reserved Books section of the De Anza Library (http://www.deanza.edu/library/).  A copy is also available to use, but not check out, in the Allied Health and Nursing Resource Center (Bldg S-8, Room S-82, 408-864-8687).

Currently REQUIRED tests with scores:

• 3 English tests (Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary)
• Math
• Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology

 Suggested tests without scores:

• Personality Profile
• Learning Style

We recommend you take tests in the following order to ensure that you complete the required scored sections first:

1. Required tests with scores
2. Chemistry*
3. Personality Profile
4. Learning Style

*  Chemistry is not required but we ask that you take it, if you have time.  The results will assist us in evaluating its use in the future.  Thank you.

Please remember that you need to monitor the time you spend on each of the required test sections. The test is 4 hours long.

If you score less than 75% on any required sections, you only have one more chance to retake the tests (within one calendar year from your first test session).  You can combine the best scores from the first and second test sessions.  Please note that you must request VERSION 2 of the Exam if you have to take it again. This is indicated in the Program Information document section on registering for the exam.  If you have not scored at least 75% on all required scored sections after taking the second test, you will not be allowed to apply to any De Anza College nursing program in the future.

Some students have reported error messages appearing, referring to "script" problems, after answering each question of one or more sections of the exam. The test publisher said in the past that this problem is no longer occurring, however it was reported as occuring on 3/19/12.  If this occurs, don't panic. Evolve Reach has assured us that test results are not affected.  Evolve Reach says you should just click on the OK button when these messages appear.

Another problem (winter/spring 2013) encountered by some students is showing up for an exam appointment and encountering test setup technical problems or technical problems half way through the exam.  If this happens, reschedule the same exam and complete all required sections you were unable to complete at the session where you had problems.

If you encounter any problem, bring it to the attention of test center staff, and ask for some proof from the testing site that you had a problem.  Leave a phone message or email as soon as possible on the Nursing Department phone with your name and phone number, describing the problem you had.

Nursing Nutrition Prerequisite & Chancellor's Formula changed
(Original Post 10/19/09 warned of change, minor clarifications: 9/25/12)

The nursing department has changed the list of classes from other colleges that are considered equivalent to De Anza Nursing Program's required nutrition class, Biology 45 - available from both De Anza and Foothill Colleges.

Beginning with the Application Period starting on September 1, 2010, only nutrition classes considered directly equivalent to Biology 45 at De Anza or Foothill colleges will meet the nutrition prerequisite for the De Anza Nursing Programs.  The College Course Equivalency Spreadsheet is found on the Nursing Program information page (link to the left).  It has been updated to reflect what nutrition classes at other colleges are acceptable.  Classes at other community colleges previously allowed to be paired with a college chemistry class have been removed because they are not considered equivalent to Biology 45. A petition will not be successful for these classes.

Classes from colleges not listed on the College Course Equivalency Spreadsheet can only be determined to be equivalent to Biology 45 by submitting a Petition to the Academic Council to the Biological, Health and Environmental Sciences Division office.  Contact the Nursing Department for further information.

Beginning with the September 2010 application period and going forward, the following changes will also be made to the Chancellor’s Formula (described in Program Information Document):

• The Core Biology GPA input to the Chancellor’s Formula will be computed using the grades from the following required classes:  anatomy, physiology, microbiology and nutrition
• Repeats in Biology 45-equivalent nutrition classes will be counted in the repeat count input to the Chancellor’s formula.  Nutrition classes at other colleges that are no longer acceptable will not count as repeats if you now need to take Biology 45.

Flu Vaccinations for Incoming and Continuing Nursing Students
(Posted 2/7/12)

Due to requirements at many clinical sites used by the De Anza College Nursing Program, nursing students will be required to have an annual flu vaccination.

Incoming students into the program will need to show proof of immunization with the latest available flu vaccine at the time. We recommend you get your flu shot during the normal flu immunization period of the year preceding your entry into the program. For example, if you are entering the program in the upcoming winter, spring or fall quarters, get vaccinated the previous fall when the vaccine is most readily available. If you are a currently enrolled De Anza Student, you may want check with Student Health Services for availability of flu vaccine if your normal provider or drug stores have none available.

If you do not get proof of vaccination from your medical provider, a Flu Vaccine Verification Form is available for your use on the De Anza Nursing Department website Nursing Program Information page. Please download it and take it with you when you go for your vaccination.   A copy of proof of vaccination must be submitted for the nursing department records when you enter the program and every year thereafter.

 

Pharmacology Classes(Posted 4/9/09, Minor update 4/11/12)

The Nursing Department's pharmacology classes are intended primarily for students admitted to the Registered Nursing Program. They are designed to be taken concurrently with the other nursing program classes during the first year of the program. Students who are not planning on entering the De Anza Nursing School, and need pharmacology for other programs, may enroll in Nursing Pharmacology classes only with the approval of the instructor or the director of the nursing school.

Students who take any of the nursing pharmacology classes at De Anza without being in the De Anza Registered Nursing Program will NOT be permitted to enter the De Anza Registered Nursing Program in the future. These classes are intended to be taken along with other nursing classes in the first year of the RN Program.

Immunizations in Preparation for Entry into Nursing School(Updated 4/11/12)

The Nursing Department Immunization Worksheet is available for those students waiting to get into our program. It has been updated to clearly list the diseases for which students need titers showing immunity.  Beginning with Spring 2012, Flu vaccinations are required for all incoming and continuing nursing students.  Please see separate announcement on the Flu Vaccination requirement.  The worksheet can be found with other program documents on the Nursing Program Information page of this web site (see link to the left). Obtaining and/or documenting immunity to diseases other than tuberculosis may be started at any time. We require titers showing immunity taken at any time prior to starting the nursing program. We expect applicants waiting to enter our programs to establish immunity early, before admission into the program.

Student Success Center - Resources Available(Fall 2012)

Success in the Nursing Program depends on good study skills, a thorough knowledge of the prerequisite subject matter, especially the biology courses, and good English skills.  The Student Success Center offers drop-in, group and individual tutoring to help guide student success at De Anza and beyond. There are workshops are coordinated through the Academic Skills Center, which also offers self-paced classes that might be of interest to Nursing students.  We encourage you to visit the Student Success Center website or drop by one of the tutorial center locations listed below to learn more. The website has phone numbers for each center.

RN Refresher Program (Winter 2013)

Applications for the RN Refresher program are not being accepted until further notice. If resumed, it will be announced on this page. There is no waiting or contact list being maintained.