Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will prepare you to meet the health care needs of diverse populations across the lifespan. Students focus on clinical excellence through practice in a variety of acute care, long-term care, and community settings, as well as in state-of-the-art clinical simulation labs. We also offer faculty mentoring, engaged learning, and opportunities for research and international study. 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is an intensive six semester educational program, including courses such as health assessment, fundamentals of nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing research, and nursing leadership. Incoming first-year students will begin the program with two or three semesters of pre-nursing coursework.

At the completion of the program, students will have also completed more than 1,000 clinical and lab hours, cared for individuals from all walks of life while developing life-long friendships with members of a diverse student population. Dominican nursing students are women and men who represent many faiths, ethnic groups, and geographic regions. All wish to make a difference in the lives of others.
 
The baccalaureate program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.

Career Paths

Registered nurses (RNs) with a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BS) work in a variety of settings and locations world wide. Career settings include acute care (caring for hospitalized patients), clinics, homecare, school nursing, education, research, administration, correctional, community/public health, rehabilitation, palliative care, and occupational health.   

NCLEX Pass Rates

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN state board examination and also qualify for a Public Health Nursing Certificate in California. Review the California Board of Registered Nursing website for information regarding Dominican's most recent NCLEX pass rates.

Admissions Requirements and Process

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 above. The Admission Requirements are:

  1. GPA of 3.5
    Students must have at least a 3.5 cumulative and prerequisite GPA to be considered for admission. The admission process is competitive with a limited number of spaces available. 
  2. Transcripts
    Students that have taken college courses while in high school should submit college transcripts in addition to their high school transcripts. 
  3. Letter of Recommendation
    Must come from an academic or professional reference.
  4. Personal Statement
    500 word essay explaining why you would like to major in Nursing and what contributions you see yourself making to the profession.
  5. Health Clearance
    Before entering the Nursing program, admitted students must meet the health clearance requirements listed in the section below.
  6. Resume (optional)
    Students are strongly encouraged to upload a resume listing their professional and academic experiences.

First-Year Application Deadline

FallFebruary 1st

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. Letter of Recommendation
    Must come from an academic or professional reference.
  5. Personal Statement
    500 word essay explaining why you would like to major in Nursing and what contributions you see yourself making to the profession.
  6. Health Clearance
    Before entering the Nursing program, admitted students must meet the health clearance requirements listed in the section below.
  7. Resume (optional)
    Students are strongly encouraged to upload a resume listing their professional and academic experiences.

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

FallMarch 1st
SpringSept. 1st

Ready to Begin?  

Apply Now TO DOMINICAN!

Questions? Contact your transfer admissions counselor.

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.

Specialized Nursing Programs

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

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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 .

Accreditation

Collegiate Nursing Education

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

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

Admissions and Aid

A degree from a top-ranked, private University like Dominican is deliberately affordable and accessible! More than 99 percent of our first-year incoming students receive significant financial aid through merit- and need-based scholarships as well as state and federal aid. Additionally, for most students, there is no application fee, and we don't ask for test scores. Get in touch with a counselor to learn more about your path to an exceptional college experience at Dominican!

Learn More About Admissions and Aid
Two students in Dominican's nursing simulation lab.

Clinical Simulation Services

Our learning labs allow students to collaborate with their peers and faculty in order to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their prospective healthcare fields.

Clinical Simulation Services

Meet the Faculty and Staff

K. Frost

Ken Frost

Interim Dean for the School of Health and Natural Sciences
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Andrea Renwanz Boyle

Associate Professor of Nursing
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Olivia Catolico, PhD, RN, CNL

Professor and Co-Assistant Director BSN Program
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Ellen Christiansen

Associate Professor
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Gabi Anderson

International Educated Nurses, Staff Instructor
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Debbie J. Daunt, MSN

Associate Professor
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Margaret Fink, RN, EdD

Professor of Nursing
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Jeff Fox, MA

Administrative Coordinator
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Nancy Larson

Student Services Administrator
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Maria Lau

Assistant Clinical Coordinator Standardized Patient
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Luanne Linnard-Palmer, EdD, MSN, RN

Professor of Nursing/Pediatric Nursing

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Expertises
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Valentina Loreto-Ashley

International Educated Nurses, Staff Instructor
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René Lucha, MSBA

Senior Clinical Coordinator, BSN & IEN Programs
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Amanda McKone

Assistant Professor
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Deborah Meshel

Assistant Professor, Nursing
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Gracie Polen

Adjunct Instructor
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Kimberly Pritchett

Adjunct Associate Professor
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Rafael Romo, PhD, PHN, RN

Assistant Professor
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Potenciano (Sean) Salvador, BSN, RN

Manager, Clinical Simulation Services Manager
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Lily Kamkar

Adjunct Instructor
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Barbara McCamish, MPT, MSN, PT, RN, CHSE

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Sonya Woo

Adjunct Instructor
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Janet Youngdale

Adjunct Associate Professor

Nursing in the News

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Three students walking together on the Dominican campus.

La Vida Dominican

La Vida Dominican is a program for all students, increasing educational access and connection to support services, enabling degree completion and post-graduation success. Particularly, La Vida is centering experiences of students from Latinx and other historically underserved backgrounds.

Learn More About La Vida Dominican