Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
QUESTIONS? Please give us a call at 951-526-1033 and we’re happy to assist. Here are answers to a few Frequently Asked Questions:
General Questions | Accreditation | Associate Degree Nursing | Bachelors of Science in Nursing
General Questions
I want to be an RN, where should I start?
In order to enroll in our nursing program, you will need to have completed the necessary prerequisite courses. Contact our admissions team for more information on the prerequisite course requirements.
What is the difference between for-profit private and non-profit schools?
Typically, non-profit schools reinvest revenue back into the school, where for-profits distribute revenue to stakeholders. At UNC, we are committed to being different. We invest in our students and our communities, both financially and with acts of service.
Giving back to our students:
- $5 from each item purchased at our student store is set aside for student scholarships
- 25% of sales from any items purchased at our vending machines will go to scholarships
- Our inaugural cohorts will receive up to 40% off tuition
- We will match the tuition reimbursement for students employed by our affiliated clinical sites
- We provide uniforms and stethoscopes to our students free of charge
Giving back to our community:
- We will have several community outreaches, including a blood pressure clinic and flu shot clinic
- We will have an annual food drive to help our local food pantries
- We will host job fairs with our local contracted facilities to help them increase the number of working nurses in the area
- We will participate in fundraisers such as The Walk to Remember benefiting Alzheimer’s disease research
I’m an international nurse who needs more coursework to apply for licensure in California, can you help?
We may be able to help! Please contact our admissions team.
What is the difference between a CNA, an LVN, and an RN?
Certified Nurses Aid/Assistants (CNA) have taken a certification course that allows them to assist in caring for a patient. A CNA can take vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc) and assist a patient with activities of daily living such as eating and bathing. A CNA cannot give medications, start IVs, or do an assessment of a patient.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), also known as a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), are able to do everything a CNA can do. In addition, LVNs/LPNs can give medications and start IVs, with additional training, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Registered nurses (RN) can do everything that a CNA and LVN can do, but they can also assess patients, administer medications, insert nasogastric tubes and foley catheters, amongst other skills. If an RN continues their education, they can become an advanced practice nurse.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), also known as a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), are able to do everything a CNA can do. In addition, LVNs/LPNs can give medications and start IVs, with additional training, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Registered nurses (RN) can do everything that a CNA and LVN can do, but they can also assess patients, administer medications, insert nasogastric tubes and foley catheters, amongst other skills. If an RN continues their education, they can become an advanced practice nurse.
Do I have to be a CNA or LVN to become an RN?
You do not have to be a CNA or LVN prior to becoming a nurse. However, it is helpful to have experience in the healthcare field prior to starting a nursing program. This will allow you to determine if this field is the right fit for you and allow you to network with health professionals to determine your best career path.
Do you offer CNA or LVN programs?
We do not offer either program; however, our sister college, Trinity Health Academy (THA) proudly offers an affordable CNA program. As a courtesy, alumni of THA will receive an extra point when applying for our ADN program. After successful completion of the first semester at UNC, students may be eligible to take the CNA examination. Please refer to the California Department of Public Health for more information. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/CNA.aspx#Equivalency
Accreditation
Are you an approved school?
Yes! We received BRN approval in November of 2023, and we will start our ADN program in January 2024.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary process that institutions of higher education can go through in order to prove they have a high quality program.
In order to be an accredited institution, schools must provide a minimum of two years of data showing that they are providing high quality education. This means schools must be open and enrolling students for two years prior to application for accreditation.
In order to be an accredited institution, schools must provide a minimum of two years of data showing that they are providing high quality education. This means schools must be open and enrolling students for two years prior to application for accreditation.
Is UNC accredited?
UNC has been approved by the Board of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to operate as an institution. This approval came after a thorough evaluation of our programs to determine that we met the BPPE’s standards to operate.
UNC will be applying for accreditation once we have obtained two years of graduate data. We anticipate a successful pathway to accreditation once that occurs. When UNC obtains institutional accreditation, all programs at UNC will be accredited.
In order to demonstrate UNC’s commitment to excellence, we will also apply for programmatic accreditation for our BSN program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
UNC will be applying for accreditation once we have obtained two years of graduate data. We anticipate a successful pathway to accreditation once that occurs. When UNC obtains institutional accreditation, all programs at UNC will be accredited.
In order to demonstrate UNC’s commitment to excellence, we will also apply for programmatic accreditation for our BSN program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What happens if I go to a college that is not accredited?
Most employers will accept a degree from a non-accredited school, so it should not affect employment. You should check with your employer if you have concerns about this.
If a student enters an Associate Degree in Nursing program at a non-accredited school, they will still be able to sit for the NCLEX exam and work as an RN. This is because the Board of Registered Nursing is the entity that approves nursing programs; not the accreditation organization. Graduates of a non-accredited ADN program would not be able to further their education at an accredited school until their ADN program is accredited. They could continue their education at a non-accredited institution. For example, if UNC had an ADN program prior to accreditation, the graduates would be able to attend our BSN program, as it is also not currently accredited.
In order to demonstrate UNC’s commitment to excellence, we will also apply for programmatic accreditation for our BSN program through the Commision on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
If a student enters an Associate Degree in Nursing program at a non-accredited school, they will still be able to sit for the NCLEX exam and work as an RN. This is because the Board of Registered Nursing is the entity that approves nursing programs; not the accreditation organization. Graduates of a non-accredited ADN program would not be able to further their education at an accredited school until their ADN program is accredited. They could continue their education at a non-accredited institution. For example, if UNC had an ADN program prior to accreditation, the graduates would be able to attend our BSN program, as it is also not currently accredited.
In order to demonstrate UNC’s commitment to excellence, we will also apply for programmatic accreditation for our BSN program through the Commision on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Will I be able to get a job as an RN before UNC is accredited?
As long as the graduate passes the NCLEX and is licensed as a RN they meet the minimum qualifications to work as an RN.
Associate Degree Nursing
Do my science prerequisite courses have an expiration date?
Students who have taken anatomy and physiology (A&P) courses five to six years ago are highly encouraged to take UNC’s A&P I and II refresher courses prior to admission. These are eight-week courses that are fully online without a laboratory component.
Students who took A&P courses seven or more years ago are required to take UNC’s A&P I and II refresher courses prior to admission.
No other prerequisite courses have expiration dates. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
Students who took A&P courses seven or more years ago are required to take UNC’s A&P I and II refresher courses prior to admission.
No other prerequisite courses have expiration dates. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
What if I took prerequisite courses outside of the United States?
Please contact our admissions team. They can best determine your next steps.
If I already have a Bachelor or Master’s degree in another discipline, do I need to complete the prerequisite courses?
Yes, these are required by the BRN in order to be eligible to take the NCLEX.
What is the difference between an Associate Degree Registered Nurse (ADN) and a Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nurse (BSN)?
The state license that ADN and BSN graduates receive is the same, as well as the core nursing education. BSN students receive additional education on research, leadership, and community health. ADN graduates are able to enroll in ADN to BSN programs either concurrently or after graduation.
How long is your ADN program?
UNC’s ADN program is four semesters long. These semesters are 16 weeks long and run during the fall and spring. Students will have a winter and summer break between semesters. This means that the ADN program is typically completed in two years.
If I am an LVN can I enroll in your program?
Yes! LVNs can apply for our LVN to RN cohort which is two semesters long. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
Is there a waitlist for your ADN program?
No, we utilize a point system similar to other nursing programs. Contact our admissions team for the checklist to determine how many points you have.
Do I have to take an entrance exam like the TEAS?
UNC requires that students take the HESI A2 exam prior to applying to our program. Contact our admissions team to determine how to schedule your HESI exams. We do accept passing HESI A2 exam results taken at other institutions.
If I already took the TEAS do I still need to take the HESI?
Yes. We only accept the HESI exam.
Why should I attend UNC’s ADN program?
UNC strives to provide exceptional education at an affordable price. Our student-centered faculty have a combined 200 years of nursing experience, 100 years of teaching experience, 10 master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees. Our ADN program is designed to be learner-centered and has support structures in place to ensure student success. We utilize a concept-based curriculum which is a proven method of instruction to increase critical thinking and the probability of passing the NCLEX. Our campus is equipped with a state of the art simulation hospital that will help students learn critical thinking and clinical judgment in a safe and risk-free environment.
Can I be an RN if I have a criminal conviction?
While you may attend a nursing program with a prior criminal conviction, it is up to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to determine if you are allowed to take the NCLEX. Please see the BRN’s website for more information.
https://rn.ca.gov/applicant-enforcement.shtml
https://rn.ca.gov/applicant-enforcement.shtml
Should I get my BSN as well?
Students enrolled in an ADN program have the option of enrolling in UNC’s BSN program during the summer breaks as long as they are passing their ADN courses. This allows them to receive their BSN degree approximately eight months after their ADN degree. You do not need to have a BSN degree to take the NCLEX or be a RN.
See our ADN to BSN page for more information.
See our ADN to BSN page for more information.
Bachelors of Science in Nursing
What is an RN to BSN program (ADN to BSN)?
An RN to BSN program allows a registered nurse (RN) who has an associate degree (ADN) to continue their education and receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).
Do I have to be an RN to enroll?
To enroll you must either have a RN license or have completed the first year of an approved two-year ADN program of an approved nursing program. Please contact our admissions team to determine if you have completed the necessary course work to be enrolled.
Why should I enroll in an RN to BSN program?
Many facilities require RNs to have a BSN degree to hold certain positions, such as supervisory roles. Some facilities pay their BSN RNs a higher wage than an ADN RN. Hospitals that have received Magnet recognition are required to have a specific percentage of BSN RNs.
How long will your program take?
UNC’s RN to BSN course consists of 10 five-week courses taken sequentially. Students will receive two one-week breaks during the program. Provided the student passes each class and takes them sequentially as designed, this program takes one year to complete.
Will I have to attend any live lectures?
No. This program is fully online and asynchronous, designed for the working nurse (or student!)
Why should I enroll in UNC's program?
In addition to being fully online, our courses are designed to engage learners in non-traditional, evidence-based learning. In fact, we limit the number of papers required in each course, focusing instead on more creative assignments that allow students to meet learning objectives. Additionally, our professors are available to meet with students as needed via web conferencing to provide assistance or guidance in courses.