Nursing is an Associate Of Arts program offered by North-West College in Bakersfield, CA. The program takes 96 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $76,457.
Program Overview
The Associate of Arts in Nursing Program at the Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing is committed to advancing both the art and science of nursing by empowering graduates to value scholarship, leadership, and lifelong learning in a dynamic healthcare environment. Once a graduate is made eligible by the BRN, they may take the NCLEX-RN and, upon passing the exam, become an entry-level Registered Nurse—ready to meet the diverse health care needs of the community they will serve.
The Associate of Arts in Nursing (ADN) program provides the education and training for graduates to be qualified to apply for licensure through the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and take the NCLEX-RN exam required to become a Registered Nurse.
The ADN program provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a variety of settings. Students enrolled in this program receive classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction in nursing areas of fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical/surgical nursing, mental health, obstetrics, and pediatric nursing.
Program objectives. The Associate of Arts in Nursing Program provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a Registered Nurse in a variety of settings. The student will receive classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction in nursing areas of fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical/surgical nursing, mental health, obstetrics, and pediatric nursing. After successful completion of the program, the student is required to take the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Graduates of the Associate of Arts in Nursing program may be employed as a Registered Nurse upon application to the State Board of Nursing and successfully passing the NCLEX-RN examination. This person may serve patients and clients in many settings including hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, extended-care facilities, and other medical facilities.
What sets this Program apart
The ADN program is an all-inclusive year-round program, consisting of six 16-week semesters over the course of 24 months, which allows many graduates to enter the workforce sooner than students enrolled in other traditional nursing programs.
Once a graduate is made eligible by the BRN, the graduate may take the NCLEX-RN, and the college provides on-going NCLEX-RN preparation and personalized remediation aimed toward student success.
Admission Requirements and Process
North-West College seeks students who are interested in practical career training and who are motivated to succeed in their chosen career fields. Admissions representatives are available at each campus to assist potential students in the admissions process. All courses offered at North-West College are in English.
Applicants for this program must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED®, HiSET™, TASC™, a California High School Proficiency Exam certificate, or a homeschool transcript) and provide verifiable documentation; students who do not possess a high school diploma or equivalent may not apply for admission to this program.
Applicants who possess a high school diploma or equivalent must complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) assessment during the enrollment process and achieve a required minimum score for the applicable program of study.
Students enrolled in the Associate of Arts in Nursing program are required to pass a background check, physical examination, and drug screening prior to enrollment and/or during their program of study. Students enrolled in general education courses for the Associate of Arts in Nursing program must meet additional requirements for acceptance into the nursing core.
Programs offered at North-West College are only offered to residents of the State of California.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentYou must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and provide verifiable documentation.
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)You must complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) assessment during the enrollment process and achieve the required minimum score for this program.
- Admissions interview and tourYou must complete an admissions interview and tour of the College, and this program may require an additional interview with the Campus Director, Program Director, Director of…
- Background check, physical and drug screenYou must pass a background check, physical examination, and drug screening prior to enrollment and/or during your program of study.
- State residencyPrograms are only offered to residents of the State of California; you attest to your physical address on the Enrollment Agreement.
- Registration feeYou must pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date, or make arrangements to pay.
Application Process
- 1Contact AdmissionsReach out to the College by calling 1-888-408-4211, filling out an information form on the website, or emailing admissions@success.edu.
- 2Interview and tour the CollegeSchedule an appointment with an Admissions Representative to complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- 3Submit your applicationComplete one of the College’s applications; an Admissions Representative will contact you to set up an appointment and answer any questions you may have.
- 4Provide documents and take the entrance assessmentProvide or request official high school graduation or equivalent documentation and take the standardized basic skills assessment for your program.
- 5Meet with a Financial Aid AdvisorInterview with a Financial Aid Advisor prior to completing the enrollment process.
- 6Complete enrollmentReview the College’s catalog and required disclosures, complete the Enrollment Agreement, and pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date.
Program Schedule
The majority of weekday classes meet Monday through Thursday, while others meet Monday through Friday and/or include weekend classes. Programs scheduled to meet evenings and/or weekends may have a longer program length than the day programs.
The 2026 catalog addendum lists start dates of 1/6/2026, 5/4/2026 and 8/31/2026; no further 2026 start dates are published. Contact the campus for the next start date.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program charges.
- Tuition, 1st academic year: $26,156
- Tuition, 2nd academic year: $25,150
- Tuition, 3rd academic year: $25,151
- Books and supplies: $3,401
- Registration fee (non-refundable): $100
- STRF: $0.00
- Total program charges: $79,958
Books and Supplies consist of Uniforms, Textbooks, Supplies, and Tutoring. Also, Review Courses where License or Certification is required. For Federal Financial Aid purposes, an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks, 900 clock hours, or 24 semester credits.
Cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses and costs for a typical student to attend a college or university for one academic year. It includes estimated costs you may incur for housing, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. For informational purposes, the average monthly estimated costs for a student who lives off-campus for the 2025-2026 school year is $3,015 per month.
Financial aid. North-West College participates in federal and state financial aid programs. All applicants must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and meet with the Financial Aid Office either by telephone or in person on campus to complete the financial aid process. Programs available to students who qualify include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Federal School Code (FAFSA): 016581.
Payment plans. Students may also choose to make payments towards their tuition and fees directly to the College. North-West College offers a credit extension option, which includes a payment plan without interest where the balance must be paid within 12 months. Students who have limited financial aid assistance may qualify for alternative educational loans through a private lender.
Curriculum
The Associate of Arts in Nursing Program provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a Registered Nurse in a variety of settings.
All programs are systematically divided into courses making it easy for the student to enter at multiple times during the year and begin their program of study.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The Associate of Arts in Nursing Program at Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing at North-West College provides the education and training needed to begin a career working in a variety of different medical and health care facilities, including:
- Hospitals and HMOs
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Medical clinics
- Physicians’ offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools
- Government health organizations
- Correctional facilities
- Home healthcare services
- Military services
Careers. Registered Nurse.
Licensure and certification. Registered Nurses must become licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of California. Registered Nurses will become licensed by taking and passing the NCLEX-RN®.
North-West College cannot guarantee employment.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). The Associate of Arts in Nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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