BSN Programs in California

The Sonoma State University Nursing Program is intended to prepare students who practice within a understanding of multi-cultural perspective able to develop professional leadership and who are flexible and resilient.

The Sonoma State University nursing programs are approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, from which information about tuition, fees, and length of program may be obtained.

The program provides the opportunity for students to learn how to employ a range of traditional techniques and technology intensive strategies.

Courses in the running program may be taught via tele-video conferencing, real time electronic communication and other forms of interactive technology via computer inter connection for lectures, seminar discussions, small groups and self-directed and self-paced independent study and internet tools that enhance lifelong professional development.

The nursing program collaborates with healthcare facilities in the service area to offer students clinical experience opportunities in a range of community based hospital and health care agencies.      

For more information about the Sonoma Nursing program please attend one of the information sessions published on the official website. The information sessions offer detailed information on the nursing program, admission requirements for entrance and the application processes for prospective students. 

California State University - Bakersfield Nursing Department is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) for the BSN program. The baccalaureate nursing program at CSUB is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.

The Department of Nursing now offers a 3-year/9-quarter program.  Students accepted to this program will have summers off.  This program does replace the 21-month/7-quarter program that was previously offered by CSUB.

The curriculum also incorporates courses in nursing theory, research and teaching to add depth to the core courses. The course on advanced nursing roles is also designed to help with planning future career and to facilitate transition to the expanded professional opportunities opened up by a MSN degree.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the following prerequisites with a “C” or higher
• Must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or greater in all Prerequisite and Math/Science Prerequisite
• Course work (two separate GPAs will be evaluated).
• Must be in good standing at the last college/university attended.
• Must have no more than 5 general education courses outstanding or in-progress at the time the application is submitted.
• Be admitted to California State University, Bakersfield.
• Have an active California RN license.
• Have a current CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
• Must have a computer with internet access and a current email address.
• Must have the ability to travel to Bakersfield for the pre-acceptance interview and to complete the on campus orientation, background check, and required clinical hours as assigned.
• Have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) from an accredited college nursing program

Graduates from all tracks are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.

California State University - Bakersfield Nursing Department is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) for the BSN program. The baccalaureate nursing program at CSUB is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.

The Point Loma Nazarene University Nursing program is committed to offering a balanced program focusing on the human and spiritual aspects of nursing as well preparing students with physical and technical skills.

The curriculum concentrates on evidence based practice and offering a supportive Christian atmosphere and strong academic support and counseling.

The program processes applications to accept students in the fall semester with approximately 70 students accepted every year.

Applications for the program are available beginning from the 1st of December for enrollment in the following fall. The deadline for applications is the February 1st.

Licensed Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses licensed in the State of California are allowed into the program with advanced standing on the basis of credit transfer and credit earned by examination.

Successful applicants will need to complete 128 semester units for graduation which will take approximately 4 years if pre-requisites are complete in a year for 5 if the student takes two years to complete the pre-requisites.

The nursing program requires successful applicants to submit to a background check and drug screening according to the arrangement with the San Diego Nursing Service Education Consortium and affiliated hospitals.

A student who fails the criminal background check or drug screening will be immediately dismissed from the program. 

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

The program is designed to prepare students beginning their nursing careers. Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and are eligible for the California Public Health Certificate.

The 128 credit program extends over six to eight semesters. The courses are offered in a sequential schedule with students required to earn a ‘C’ grade or higher to progress to the next level.

Admission Requirements:

(General Admission Requirements for the College)

1. Official High School diploma
2. Application form
3. SAT/ACT scores
4. Academic recommendation

Applicants admitted to the university as nursing majors are admitted to school of Nursing and Health Professions.

Additional Requirements:

Successful applicants are required to present a health assessment including a tuberculin skin-test and immunizations (tetanus booster, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B titers). The program also requires a valid Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification.

A mandatory compulsory criminal background and drug screening as part of the arrangement for clinical practice as health agencies are required to provide a safe environment for their patients.

The California Board of Registered Nursing requires that all students maintain a ‘C’ grade or higher in all science, communication and nursing courses before being eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. 

The Azusa Pacific University Nursing program prepares students to provide effective and compassionate health care. The Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree is an accredited program that can be taken either full time or part time.

The progam is offered in two BSN program options: the Generic option and Two-Plus-Two (High Desert) option

The Generic option admission requirements are:

• High School and College Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• A one-page statement on career goals
• A resume of work experience in the past five years
• Complete pre-requisite college level course work with a 'B' average or higher
• Current CPR certification
• Clean criminal background check

Two-Plus-Two (High Desert) Program Option (Transfer applicants)

Inaddition to the generic requirements, the 2+2 option requires a minimum of 60 semester units of nursing pre-requisites for the semester in which the applicant is seeking admission. A minimum GPA of 3.00 for all college level coursework is required for admission in this track.

The Nursing program requires health clearance performed within the preceding 12 months. The student is expected to demonstrably prove an ability to meet the physical standards.

Application deadline are September 30 for spring admission and January 31 for fall admission.

Biola University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) recently awarded the University the nursing program 10 year accreditation. This is approved by California Board of registered Nursing (BRN).

Admission to the clinical nursing program at Biola University is determined by the application procedures handled by the full time nursing faculty.

Admission Requirements

• Be a student in good standing at Biola University with no known history of academic dishonesty or behavioral or other disciplinary problems.
• Submit a complete application package by the stated deadline, including satisfactory personal references and a well-written biographical sketch meeting the criteria described on the application form.
• Demonstrated adequate English language oral and writing skills, critical reasoning and effective communication during an interview with the nursing faculty.
• Have demonstrated performance at or above 75 on the comprehensive TEAS nursing pre-admission test.

All applicants must:

• Be a student in good standing at Biola University with no known history of academic dishonesty or behavioral or other disciplinary problems.
• Submit a complete application package by the stated deadline, including satisfactory personal references and a well-written biographical sketch meeting the criteria described on the application form.
• Demonstrated adequate English language oral and writing skills, critical reasoning and effective communication during an interview with the nursing faculty.
• Have demonstrated performance at or above 75 on the comprehensive TEAS nursing pre-admission test.

Students who exceed the minimum requirements and who have taken at least 3 of the pre-requisite science courses at Biola will be given priority.

Successful applicants are expected to meet all departmental criteria including health physical and immunization documentation, criminal background check, CPR for health care professionals, and payments of all fees.

The nursing program will administer mandatory achievement exams throughout the program as well as at the time of completion. Course credit will be granted upon successful completion of the challenge exam. Courses may be challenged one time only. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is offered upon completion of the university baccalaureate and major requirements.

The National University Department of Nursing is intended to prepare nurses for the growing field of nursing. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

The program allows options designed to meet the variegated needs of students. These options include tracks that allow applicants new to nursing or Licensed Vocational Nurses can join the ASN or BSN tracks. Registered Nurses can attain their Bachelor’s Degree thorough the track offering RN completion.

Programs Include:

1. Generic Entry (BSN)
2. Accelerated Post-Bachelor Degree (BSN)
3. RN Completion (BSN)
4. LVN-to-BSN

Admissions Requirements:

1. Application to the university
2. Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 from an accredited institution
3. Submit a separate application for admission into a particular nursing track
4. Test of Essential Academic Skills Score
5. Proctored essay

Applicants should attend a Pre-Nursing Program Information Forum and arrange for a meeting with an Admissions Advisor to best describe the application and admissions procedures to the Nursing program.

Each application will be evaluated thorough a Calculation Worksheet by the admissions committee of the nursing department. The application packet of prospective students will be ranked in comparison with other applicants for that application period.

The Samuel Merritt University Nursing Program admits students transferring from other colleges and universities on a limited basis for entry in the fall or in the spring semesters.

Freshmen applicants interested in the program can also apply directly to one of the partnership programs for pre-nursing

• Mills College, Oakland
• Saint Mary’s College of California
• Holy Names University, Oakland
• Norte Dame De Namur, Belmont

Student can complete the liberal arts and science courses at these schools and transfer to Samuel Merritt University for nursing courses. The BSN degree is awarded by Samuel Merritt University.

Samuel Merritt also offers an intensive, 12-month Accelerated BSN program which is designed to prepare students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field.

Admission Requirements for BSN program:

1. 66 semester units of transferable work (including pre-requisite courses)
2. GPA of 3.00 or higher on all college level course work (2.50 GPA for pre-requisite science courses)   
3. A minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses (completed with a 2.50 GPA in the last two years)
4. TEAS scores
5. Letter of reference
6. Transfer students need to prove good standing and eligibility for continued enrollment at their former institution.
7. Basic life support certification for healthcare providers level obtained from the American Heart Association or AHA
8. Sample of writing

The admissions deadline for enrollment in the fall semester is the 1st of March and the deadline for enrollment in the spring semester is the 1st of September.

The San Francisco State University Nursing program is intended to provide baccalaureate and graduate education in nursing. The School of Nursing is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

It is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the California Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing Research.

Admissions Processes

1. Periodic information sessions are held to provide necessary details about the program and applications procedures (dates for information sessions are posted on the official website)
2. Be California residents.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all college coursework.
4. A minimum of a ‘C’ grade for all pre-requisites to the nursing program.
5. Complete all general education requirements.
6. TEAS V Exams

The application period is between October and November for admission the next fall.

Students are required to meet health requirements including immunization requirements at the beginning of each Semester. Students are required to have personal health insurance.

The Nursing program expects all students to submit to criminal background checks for all pre-licensure students before the start of clinical practice. Students will also need to maintain current Basic Cardiac life Support certification for health care providers issued by the American Heart Association.

Students will need to have an automobile for nursing practice in the community as some healthcare facilities may not be served by public transportation.