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 Advanced Placement 

Students with previous education and / or experience electing to pursue coursework at Ventura College leading to eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse are encouraged to meet with a nursing counselor early in their planning process.  The Advanced Placement track applies to:

  • applicants currently licensed as vocational nurses in the State of California,
  • applicants transferring from an accredited program educating licensed vocational nurses,
  • applicants transferring from an accredited program educating individuals for licensure as registered nurses.

Advanced Placement is defined as acceptance into the second or third semester of the nursing program at Ventura College (Nursing Program transfer or LVN applicants are not accepted into the fourth semester).

The Advanced Placement Candidate

Opportunities for Advanced Placement are based on available space. There are several admission options for advanced placement.  These vary depending upon the qualifications and needs of the applicant.

Option I:  Candidates seeking advanced placement in the associate degree nursing (ADN) program based on theory and clinical competency assessment testing (option for Nursing program transfer or LVN).

Option II:   LVN seeking admission as a 30 unit option candidate.  The 30 unit option may not be recognized by other states and does not lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing. 

Option III:  LVN seeking advanced placement in the associate degree nursing (ADN) program into NS V20 (second semester) without challenge testing.

As of January 2017, possible candidates also include individuals who have held certain military health care occupations. For those interested in Advanced Placement with military health care experience, must make an appointment with the Nursing Director at least four weeks prior to the application period to discuss eligibility requirements for the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Advanced Placement applicants (with the exception of 30 unit option candidates) must meet the ADN program prerequisites and course requirements for admission including an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher, a minimum science GPA of 2.5 in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with no more than one W, D, or F in these courses, and minimum 62% success score on ATI TEAS exam (subject to change) and completion of a Human Development course (CD V03 or Psy V05).  See Prerequisites section of this website for more information.

Advanced Placement Application Process

Advanced Placement Application Cycle:

Applications are accepted twice a year:  August for Spring admission and February for Fall admission (see dates below)

August 1st – August 31st (11:59pm PST) for Spring admission

February 1st – February 28th (11:59pm PST) for Fall admission

If the application due date(s) falls on a weekend or a holiday, applications will be accepted up through 5 pm on the next business day.

For instructions on the application process, please refer to the Application Process section of this website.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) must also submit:

  • Copy of current LVN license
  • A success score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required for admission after successful completion of the challenge exam (if Option 1 selected) and prior to admission to the nursing program. The current success score is 62% for ATI TEAS version 7** but is subject to change. Applicants not meeting the established "success score" will be required to remediate identified deficiencies and successfully retest before entry. A maximum of two TEAS tests are allowed. If taken at a site other than Ventura College, the test results must be electronically submitted to Ventura College via the ATI website (www.atitesting.com).

**Effective August 1 – 31st 2023 application cycle for Spring 2024 admission)**

The Ventura College Nursing Program will utilize the first attempt on ATI TEAS 7 only for eligibility. Please be aware that students are allowed only two (2) attempts on the TEAS exam (ATI TEAS version 7).

30 Unit Option for the LVN must also submit:

The 30 unit option may not be recognized by other states and does not lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing. The 30 Unit Option must be declared in the application for Advanced Placement. The 30 unit option student should be aware that they may not change their status as a 30 unit Option RN with the Board of Registered Nursing at any time after licensure.  An LVN accepting the 30 Unit option must meet with the program director and sign a waiver noting that he or she will not receive a college degree. (CANDIDATES WHO ENTER THE PROGRAM IN THE 30-UNIT OPTION CANNOT CHANGE TO THE ADN OPTION.) The 30 unit option student will take the NCLEX-RN exam as a non-graduate. This status will not restrict their practice within California. They may have difficulty applying to a college/university for an advanced degree.

Please note that students enrolled in the 30 unit option will not be eligible for financial aid, as this program does not lead to an eligible degree or certificate.

  • Testing to demonstrate theory / clinical competency will not be required.
  • TEAS testing is not required.

Transfer students from other nursing schools must also submit:

  • Course syllabi and college catalog from previous nursing school to determine course placement
  • ATI TEAS score, which must be taken prior to the end of the application period. The current success score is 62% but is subject to change. Applicants not meeting the established "success score" will be required to remediate identified deficiencies and successfully retest before entry. A maximum of two TEAS tests are allowed. If taken at a site other than Ventura College, the test results must be electronically submitted to Ventura College via the ATI website. (www.atitesting.com)
  • Evidence of successful completion with a grade of C or higher at least one semester or one nursing course (with a clinical laboratory) of an accredited nursing program.
  • Two letters of recommendation (nursing school program director and one clinical faculty member) will be required

Readmission applicants must also submit:

  • Transcripts showing completion of academic remediation or evidence from nursing counselors verifying completion of academic remediation
  • ATI TEAS score; the current TEAS success score is 62% but is subject to change. 
  • Approval from Ventura College nursing program faculty for readmission to the nursing program.
  • If a Ventura College student does not pass Nursing Science V10 (first time), then the applicant must reapply to the nursing program if remediation courses are required. The student in this circumstance would not be eligible for reentry.

Denial of Admission:

  •  Space is unavailable
  • Applicants whose record indicates deficiencies in health and safety such that the applicant is considered a risk to patient, themselves, or others
  • Applicant with an overall GPA <2.5 or science GPA < 2.5
  • Incomplete prerequisites or incomplete Advanced Placement application
  • Applicants with ATI TEAS score < 62% will not be considered for Advanced Placement until the required remediation is completed. Once remediation is completed, the applicant must re-apply and show proof of completed remediation.

** Refer to the Advanced Placement/LVN Handbook for detailed information**

To make an appointment with a Nursing Counselor call 805-289-6448