Enroll in our Pre-licensure ADN program now!

Start your nursing journey with United Nursing College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program!

Choose one of our pathways: Traditional pre-licensure pathway, LVN to RN pathway, or Paramedic to RN pathway.

Program Overview

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program consists of four semesters of didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction. Curriculum covers fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and behavioral health, focusing on cultural competence and ethical standards of care.

This program guides students to develop the intellectual, analytical, and critical thinking abilities necessary to provide exceptional care to cross diverse communities amidst a dynamic healthcare climate. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in order to become Registered Nurses (RN).

Pathways

Traditional Pre-Licensure ADN Pathway: The pre-licensure pathway consists of four semesters of didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction. Curriculum covers fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and behavioral health, focusing on cultural competence and ethical standards of care.

LVN to RN Pathway: The LVN to RN pathway is designed and built specifically for the LVN who wants to transition to their ADN degree. This pathway consists of two semesters of didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction.

Paramedic to RN Pathway: The Paramedic to RN pathway is designed and built specifically for the Paramedic who wants to transition to their ADN degree. This pathway consists of one semester-long transitional course and in most cases, two semesters of didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction.

Admissions

Step 1: Contact our admissions team by phone or email

Contact our Admissions team at 951-526-1033 or info@uunursing.com for guidance with enrollment. We’ll verify your prerequisites and assist with any other questions you have.

Step 2: Apply Online!

Fill out our online application.

Select Nursing (ADN) for your program. The application will prompt you to upload all unofficial transcripts and supporting documentation. All prerequisites and the HESI A2 will need to be completed prior to completing the application.

Application deadline: July 31, 2023

Step 3: Fill out the contact form below

Use the form below to contact one of the members of our admissions team. They will reach out to discuss next steps!

Online Student Hub

Our Online Student Hub (OSH) provides an interactive, user-friendly online portal for students to access academic support, technology assistance, web-based services, learning enrichment, and future opportunities for employment. Students have access to a variety of applicable resources in a central location.

Academic Support

Through the Student Hub, students will be able to schedule academic tutoring services, get writing support specific to their coursework, and leverage support and accommodations for disabilities.

Digital Content and Literature

24/7 access to the college’s digital library and linked academic resources such as Cinahl/EBSCO will be provided to all students in the Student Hub.

Technology and Web-based Assistance

The Student Hub will provide a database of solutions to issues related to hardware and software applications, password resets, email and Canvas assistance, and allow students to book in-person troubleshooting appointments and lab time at the campus literacy center.

Careers/Jobs

Real-time job assistance, information, and employment opportunities will be posted regularly in the Student Hub.

ADN to BSN Courses

NURS 100 Fundamental Nursing Concepts

NURS 110OB Concepts of Health for the Childbearing Family

NURS 120P Concepts of Health for Pediatrics

NURS 130S Medical Surgical Concepts

NURS 210B Concepts of Behavioral Health

NURS 220G Concepts of Health for Geriatrics

NURS 230S Intermediate Medical Surgical Concepts

NURS 240 Advanced Medical Surgical Concepts

Financing Options

United University of Nursing/United Nursing College has partnered with the Meritize Platform to provide our students with educational financing options. With a Meritize Loan, you can get credit for your merit and potentially improve your loan options by sharing your academic history or military background, if approved, full deferment during school is available for certain products. Find more information here!

Check your loan options in minutes without impacting your credit score here!

Frequently Asked 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.

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.

What is the difference between an Associate Degree Registered Nurse (ADN) 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 exam prior to applying to our program. The HESI is similar to the TEAS but has a higher correlation with passing the NCLEX. Contact our admissions team to determine how to schedule your HESI exams. We do accept passing HESI 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.

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.

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 two years of data. We anticipate a successful pathway to accreditation once that occurs. Once UNC receives 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, and is it bad to go to a school 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).

What is the difference between for-profit 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

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.

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.

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.

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

Are you an approved school?

We will start our ADN program only after we have received BRN approval to do so. We anticipate this to occur this fall, allowing us to start our ADN program in January 2024.

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.

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.

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. 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