Nursing

We welcome high school seniors to apply to our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. First-Year Students are admitted to either a 4-Year Degree Track  or a 4.5-Year Degree Track.

Dominican's Nursing Program for first-year students is direct entry based on successful completion of the pre-nursing requirements listed in the degree tracks. 

Ready to Begin?  Apply Now TO DOMINICAN!

Dominican offers direct entry to the nursing program for transfer students. Transfers should declare Nursing on their general application to the University. The Admission Requirements are:

1. GPA of 3.25
   Students must have at least a 3.25 cumulative and prerequisite GPA to be considered for admission. The admission process for nursing transfers is competitive with a limited number of spaces available. 
   
   Students who do not pass more than one class required for the nursing major (i.e., prerequisite, co-requisite, or Nursing) are disqualified from being in the nursing program. Exception: courses that were initially taken more than five years ago.
2. Prerequisite Courses
   Students must pass all prerequisite courses (see below) with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Priority is given to students who have completed all prerequisite requirements before applying. 
3. 'B' Passing Grade in Anatomy and Physiology
   The minimum passing grade in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology in a student's first attempt is a ‘B’.
   
   Prerequisite courses repeated in order to raise the GPA will be disregarded. Exception: courses that were initially taken more than five years ago.
4. Health Clearance
   Before entering the Nursing program, admitted students must meet the health clearance requirements listed in the section below.

Please note:

• The TEAS is not required for admission to the Nursing Program.
• All nursing sciences have a five-year recency requirement.
• Transfer students enrolled and in good standing at an accredited RN Nursing School or who have been enrolled and in good standing within one semester, may apply for advanced standing. Course equivalency for previous nursing education is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. All missing prerequisite courses must be completed within one semester of matriculation to Dominican. 

Prerequisite Courses

Before applying, check out our Transfer Course Equivalency Chart to see whether your classes satisfy the university's Nursing prerequisite requirements. We also have general education articulation agreements with many Bay Area community colleges.

1. Human Anatomy/lab (min. grade = B)
2. Human Physiology/lab (min. grade = B)
3. Chemistry/lab (only chemistry classes that include both organic and inorganic chemistry content will be accepted.)
4. General or Introduction to Psychology
5. College Writing/Composition
6. Public Speaking
7. Intro Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology OR transfer equivalent that meets Civic Knowledge and Engagement CORE category

Nursing Admission Transfer Deadlines

Please note: we will not be accepting nursing transfer students for fall 2024.

Ready to Begin?  

Apply Now TO DOMINICAN!

Prerequisite courses must be completed as a pre-nursing student before being admitted into the Nursing program. Students will enter clinical nursing coursework in either Fall or Spring Semester. Clinical experiences in the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years take place at a variety of affiliated agencies. Throughout the program, theory classes are held on the Dominican campus.

The Admission Requirements are:

1. GPA of 3.25
   Students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA.
   
   Students who do not pass more than one class required for the nursing major (i.e., prerequisite, co-requisite, or Nursing) are disqualified from being in the nursing program. Exception: courses that were initially taken more than five years ago.
2. Prerequisite Courses
   Students must pass (or have in progress) all prerequisite courses (see below) with a minimum 3.25 GPA.
3. 'B' Passing Grade in Anatomy and Physiology
   The minimum passing grade in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology is a ‘B’. Previously passed prerequisite courses repeated in order to raise the GPA will be disregarded. Exception: courses that were initially taken more than five years ago.
4. Health Clearance
   Before entering the Nursing program, admitted students must meet the health clearance requirements listed in the section below.

Prerequisite Courses

Please review the program requirements for continuing students.

1. Human Anatomy/lab (min. grade = B)
2. Human Physiology/lab (min. grade = B)
3. Chemistry for Health Sciences
4. Introduction to Psychology
5. Effective Communication 1
6. Approved course within Civic Knowledge & Engagement CORE category

Contact the Nursing Department with questions.

Before beginning clinical courses (sophomore-1 level) all nursing student candidates are required to upload the following clinical clearance documents to www.discover.castlebranch.com

• History and physical exam
• Immunizations or positive titers - MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, TDAP and COVID. 
• TB test result (2-step skin test, quantiferon gold or chest x-ray if TB test is positive)  
• Proof of completion of basic life support (CPR) for healthcare professionals (must be American Heart Association approved).
• Proof of health insurance
• Background check and drug test - ordered through CastleBranch
• Additional documents may be necessary such as driver’s license, results of N95 fit testing, and various acknowledgement forms. 

** TB test, background check and drug test will need to be renewed annually. BLS/CPR will need to be renewed bi-annually

Students are responsible for keeping their Castlebranch accounts up-to-date. The University and nursing program reserves the right to request additional information when a health concern exists. Nursing applicants who are concerned about health problems that might interfere with their fulfillment of clinical course objectives should seek medical consultation well in advance of entering sophomore-1 semester. Students who fail to comply with clinical clearance requirements and deadlines run the risk of being dropped from their clinical sections. Nursing student candidates are responsible for the costs of securing and uploading clinical clearance documents. 

_{Please note: Criminal background checks, or information relating to a student’s criminal background, are not used as part of the admissions process at Dominican University of California (DUOC). Students should be aware that some programs train students to sit for the State of California or national licensure and certification examinations that qualify them to work in the field relating to their program of choice.}

_{The following programs constitute a list of 2021/2022 DUOC programs that train for licensure or certification: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physicians Assistants, Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy (Marriage & Family Therapy), and Education.} 

_{Students with questions relating to criminal background requirements, who wish to enroll in these programs at DUOC should speak to an Academic Advisor and reference the specific qualifications for degree completion, and license or certification.}

If you earned your nursing degree from outside the United States, but need to repeat courses before you can practice as a registered nurse in California and sit for the NCLEX licensing exam, Dominican offers a program for you. 

Learn More ABOUT THE INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED NURSES PROGRAM

Individuals who have held an occupation in the military may apply for advanced placement into the second semester of the DUC undergraduate traditional nursing program (contingent upon space availability). 

Learn More ABOUT ADVANCED PLACEMENT FOR MILITARY TRAINED HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL

Dominican University of California’s chapter: Rho Alpha

The Nursing Department has an active chapter of Sigma Nursing Honor Society (Rho Alpha). Students in their senior year and second semester junior year who have achieved academic excellence and have strong recommendations from their faculty are eligible to apply. Members of Sigma have opportunities to further their education and scholarship activities through meetings, conferences, and travel. For more information, see the Sigma website or contact the Nursing Department .

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program at Dominican University of California is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

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Washington, DC 20001
(202) 887-6791

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