University of California-San Francisco Nursing Programs in San Francisco, California

A Registered Nursing (RN) program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN), is a rigorous academic and clinical program designed to prepare students for a career as a registered nurse. The program typically spans two years and combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences. Students learn foundational nursing concepts, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to clinical rotations, where students gain practical experience in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. These rotations allow students to apply their knowledge under the supervision of experienced nurses. The ultimate goal of an RN program is to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients across the lifespan and prepare them to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN examination, the national licensure exam for registered nurses.