Nursing

The RN to BSN option is designed to articulate with community college programs and provide a baccalaureate completion program for licensed RNs with an associate degree in nursing or its equivalent.

The BSN framework emphasizes the practice of professional nursing, including the design of nursing systems to provide assistance to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations that are unable to meet either self-care or dependent-care needs without nursing intervention. Students are individuals already licensed by the state to practice as RNs who are seeking to advance their nursing knowledge and education. Baccalaureate education in nursing prepares for the practice of professional nursing in multiple sites and with a variety of clientele. The curriculum provides students an opportunity to broaden their base of liberal education through upper division General Education and elective courses. In addition, nursing courses will enhance knowledge of human development, assessment skills, theories of nursing, ethics and current issues in the practice of professional nursing, community health, leadership and research. Students may attend full time or part time with nursing courses 1-2 days per week. Several nursing courses combine live and online instruction. Students may take General Education and elective courses as they choose. The program values include integrity, advocacy, excellence, lifelong learning, respect for others and competence.

Academic Policies

1. All upper division nursing courses must be completed within 5 years after taking the first nursing course or students may be required to meet current program requirements.
2. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each upper division nursing course. Students receiving a grade of “C-” or below are required to repeat the course and earn a “C” or better. A course may be repeated only once, with a maximum of 15 repeat units.
3. Students must pass both components of each of the following courses to successfully meet requirements for the courses: NURS 307/L, NURS 427/L and NURS 428/L.
4. Students are required to maintain current California Registered Nurse licensure while enrolled in nursing courses. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the program director immediately, in writing, of any changes in licensure status.
5. Due to clinical requirements imposed by clinical affiliates, students are required to obtain and maintain at their sole cost the following clinical requirements: health exams and immunizations; evidence of TB test, titers or other required tests; background check; drug screening; nursing liability insurance; CPR certification; fire safety card; HIPPA and Bloodborne Pathogen training; and any other requirements deemed necessary by the clinical affiliates. Students must complete a preclinical checklist and provide proof that requirements are met 4 weeks prior to the start of their first clinical course. If an affiliating clinical agency notifies faculty that they are refusing clinical placement to a student based on a background check or drug screen, the student will be unable to complete the required clinical laboratory coursework, be unable to progress in the program and, thus, be unable to meet degree requirements.
6. Access to reliable transportation is required for clinical courses off campus.
7. Prior to and during clinical placements, students are required to demonstrate professional maturity and physical, emotional, ethical and moral fitness for clinical practice.
8. The faculty reserves the right to make program modifications as necessary to meet current professional standards and accreditation criteria.
9. RN-BSN students may petition for credit by exam in selected courses. See Nursing advisor for challenge exam information and registration.

A. Requirements for Admission to RN-BSN Pathway

1. Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in California from a fully accredited program.
2. Minimum of 60 transferable units. A maximum of 32 units of nursing courses are transferable.
3. Completion of one lower division course in each of the following: anatomy, physiology, chemistry and microbiology, each with lab. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in each course.
4. Must meet minimum requirements for admission to the University.
5. Completion of separate applications: (1) Cal State Apply and (2) Department of Nursing.

B. Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing

1. Lower Division Required Courses (19 units)

BIOL 211 Human Anatomy (2)
BIOL 212 Laboratory Studies in Human Anatomy (1)
BIOL 215/L Introductory Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 281 Human Physiology (3)
BIOL 282 Lab Experiments in Human Physiology (1)
CHEM 103 Introductory Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 103L Introductory Chemistry I Lab (1)
MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)

2. General Education Basic Subject courses from the following sections (9 units)

A1 Oral Communication (3)
A2 Written Communication (3)
A3 Critical Thinking (3)

3. Upper Division Required Courses (36 units)

HSCI 488 Epidemiology (3)*
NURS 302 Pathophysiology (3)
NURS 303 Professional Nursing (3)
NURS 306 Supportive/Educative Nursing Systems (3)
NURS 307/L Health Assessment and Lab (2/1)
NURS 308 Family Systems Nursing (3)
NURS 310 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 426 Nursing Systems Issues and Ethics (3)
NURS 427/L Dynamics of Nursing Leadership and Lab (3/2)
NURS 428/L Community and Population Health Nursing and Lab (3/2)
NURS 495 Advancing Professional Practice (1-1)

*Must be taken before or concurrently with nursing courses.

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

6 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 103 satisfies B1 Physical Science; CHEM 103L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; and MATH 140 satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

Total Units in the Major: 55

General Education Units: 42

Additional Units: 23

Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120

For more information about this program, please contact csunnursing@csun.edu.