Undergraduate Student Resources

Nursing Science students can take lower division degree requirements at Community Colleges, including GE requirements and non-science lower-division major requirements, except for the following requirements:

• Lower Division and Upper Division Writing (GE Category I)
• BIO SCI and CHEM lower-division major requirements

Students who take courses at a community college must take those courses for a letter grade. Non-science, lower-division courses required for the major taken at another institution must be completed with a letter grade of B or better. GE courses taken at another institution must be completed with a letter grade of C or better. Nursing Science students must take required science prerequisite courses at UCI, unless admitted directly to the Nursing Science major as a transfer student.

Students can utilize assist.org to determine transfer-ability of coursework from California Community Colleges to UC Irvine. Students should select the “Nursing Science, B.S.” major to review transferable lower-division requirements. Students with questions about how to navigate assist.org can reach out to Nursing Science peer advisors for assistance. Nursing Science students must take required science prerequisite courses at UCI, unless admitted directly to the Nursing Science major as a transfer student.

Nursing Science students are provided with an updated Student Handbook that reviews course failure and course repeat policies in greater detail. While each student situation may be unique, in general students are required to pass Nursing Science required courses with a letter grade “C” or better. If students are concerned about their grade in a course, they should reach out to a Nursing Science Advisor for additional assistance and guidance.

No. Nursing Science students do not need to enroll in Chem 1LC. Certain prerequisite requirements are waived for Nursing Science students only; students should refer to Nursing Course plans and emails from Nursing Student Affairs. Students with additional questions about coursework should contact Student Affairs for assistance.

The Nursing Science Student Affairs office will work with first year Nursing Science students in to enroll in those courses. They should look out for an email from staff with additional information during enrollment.

Nursing Science students have certain prerequisites for required courses waived for them. Students should follow the posted Nursing Science curriculum plans and consult with an academic advisor if they have any additional questions.

No. Nursing Science students have a strict course sequence and may not take Chem, Pharm Sci, or Bio Sci courses during the third or fourth years in the program.

Contact Nursing Science Student Affairs at nssao@uci.edu for more information about whether or not you can have the limit lifted.

Nur Sci 199 is considered “Independent Study.” Nur Sci 199 is a research course that allows students to work with Nursing Science faculty individually. The supervising faculty member must approve students who are interested in enrolling in this course.

The White Coast Ceremony is an annual event designed to celebrate all incoming Third Year/Junior Nursing Science students and first year MEPN students. The ceremony usually takes place on the first day of the Fall quarter. During the event, students officially receive their white coat which signals that students are ready for their clinical rotations.

Yes, you can invite your family and friends to the ceremony. It is a free, private event and tickets are required, but the number of guest tickets per student are limited. Details will be sent out in July/August.

Students are required to follow guidelines for Professional Attire as outlined in the Student Handbook. Students will receive information for ordering official scrubs before the start of clinical hours in the program (Year 3 and Year 4). Students are also expected to abide by guidelines for professional attire in simulated clinical settings and when practicing clinical skills. Students may reach out to their professors before the start of class if they are unclear whether or not scrubs are required.

Clinical rotations start in Winter Quarter of the Third Year (Junior Year) of the program and continue for the remainder of the program through preceptorship in the final quarter. Every effort is made to notify students of clinical rotation assignments as soon as possible, but each quarter that timeline will vary as the School of Nursing works with different departments at different hospitals. Students should plan to have as much flexibility in their schedules during clinical rotations as possible.

The School of Nursing works with a variety of hospitals and organizations across Orange County. The specific location that you are assigned to will depend on the type of rotation and the current agreements for that quarter. You will find out more information about your location when you receive your clinical rotation assignment.

Nursing Science students will attend UCI Commencement along with other students in the College of Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Nursing will hold a separate Pinning Ceremony that signifies the completion of the Nursing program.

Graduating from the Nursing Science program will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam will earn their RN license in the state of California. Applying to take the NCLEX-RN exam is the responsibility of the student. Students receive detailed information about how to sign up to take the NCLEX-RN exam during the Spring quarter of their final year in the program.