Get the latest campus RN to BSN Program
The Associate Degree Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN) builds upon the sound foundation of nursing education achieved in the Associate's degree program. It is designed for Associate Degree Nurses (ADNs) with a registered nursing license to complete upper division nursing courses that fulfill the BSN degree without repeating lower division nursing coursework. Upper division nursing coursework expands upon leadership skills, management principles, and introduces research via evidence-based practice methodologies. In addition, population-focused community health nursing curriculum is explored. The BSN degree offers nurses a wider variety of potential jobs. A baccalaureate degree in nursing prepares RNs for entry into MSN or School Nurse Credential programs. it also broadens the opportunities for management positions. BSN graduates are also eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate that permits them to work in community health settings. The current curriculum consists of six (6) RN-BSN specific courses. Nursing courses are offered online, except for one 90-hour clinical course in community health nursing. Placements for this course are only available within the Fresno State service area.
Associate Degree RN graduates with a bachelor's degree in another area may enter as second-degree students. In order to meet minimum degree requirements, co-requisite courses (or 9 units) must be taken in addition to the RN to BSN coursework.
RN to BSN
Minimum Admission Requirement
- Admission to the University
- Active CA Registered Nurse License (By the end of the first semester in program)
- Graduated from a Board approved/accredited nursing program
- A cumulative GPA from all courses taken of at least a 2.75
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a “C” grade or better
Pre-requisites:
- English Composition (Written Communication)
- Speech (Oral Communication)
- Critical Thinking
- Statistics
- General Chemistry with Lab*
- Human Anatomy with Lab*
- Human Physiology with Lab*
- Microbiology with Lab*
*All science courses must be taken in person, no online courses will be accepted. Additional information may be requested.
Applying to the RN to BSN program is a two-step process:
- University application
- Nursing Major (RN to BSN) application
Nursing Major (RN to BSN) Application will be available for both the Fall and Spring semesters. Please review the requirements carefully. There is a fee for the University Application and the Supplemental Nursing Application, and if you do not meet the minimum requirements your application will not be reviewed. Applications that do not satisfy the minimum requirements will not be processed.
Due to COVID-19 and the changes to instruction and grading at Fresno State the School of Nursing has made the following decisions for Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters in relation to Nursing admissions policies.
1. Credit/No Credit grading will be allowed for all Pre-Requisite courses taken in the Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters.
2. Science classes (Chemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology 1&2) changed to Online Versions for Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 will be accepted for Admission purposes.
Application Process
All Pre-Requisites courses must be completed the semester before application to the program.
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Current Fresno State Student
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Prospective Fresno State Student
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One application
*See Supplemental Application Information.
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Two applications
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The Application for the Nursing Major RN to BSN includes all the following:
- Demographic Information
- Complete list of all Colleges attended (required)
- Prerequisite Coursework information (required)
- Transcripts: Unofficial copy of transcripts (all colleges) (required)
Supplemental Application Process
Supplemental application is accessed via NursingCAS (www.nursingcas.org)
NursingCAS Instructions: NCAS Guide
Application fee is $50
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Fall Admission Cycle (February 1st-March 5th) |
Spring Admission Cycle (July 1st - August 7th) |
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Open to ALL eligible applicants.(Transfer, 2nd Baccalaureate, Continuing Fresno State students, Returning Students)
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Open to ALL eligible applicants.(Transfer, 2nd Baccalaureate, Continuing Fresno State students)
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*NOTE: NursingCAS application deadline is before 8:59pm PST (11:59PM EST).
Post Baccalaureate Nursing Admissions
All students applying as a 2nd-Baccalaureate Nursing student must do the following:
- Apply to the University through Cal State Apply
- Fall Admissions Application filing period: October 1 - January 30th
- Spring Admissions Application filing period: August 1st - August 31st
- Apply to School of Nursing Supplemental Application through NursingCAS
- Application filing period: See Supplemental Application Information for Fall and Spring Admissions Cycle
*Note: Admissions to the University is dependent upon admissions to the School of Nursing's Bachelors of Nursing.
Veterans Preference
- Meet minimum eligibility.
- Provide DD214 with an honorable discharge.
- May have two Pre-Requisites in Progress at time of application
Pre-Requisite Course Policy
- Each prerequisite must be completed with a minimum 'C' grade
- CR/NC grades are NOT accepted (excluding Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
- Repeated course prerequisites within the eight prerequisite courses is accepted.
- Online, web-based, or distance learning science and laboratory courses taken at other institutions must be approved by the School of Nursing
International Coursework Policy
No prerequisite courses taken at an international institution are accepted to fulfill the nursing admissions prerequisites. Equivalent prerequisite course and nursing additional requirements must be taken and/or repeated at domestic institution in the U.S
Required Prerequisite Courses
| Prerequisites | Fresno State Courses (partial listing) | Units |
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| English Composition | ENGL 5B or 10 | 3 |
| Oral Communication | COMM 3, 7 or 8 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | SOC 3 recommended | 3 |
| Statistics | MATH 11 or PH 92 | 3 |
| General Chemistry | CHEM 3A | 4 |
| Microbiology | BIOL 20 | 4 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology 1* | BIOL 67A | 4 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology 2* | BIOL 67B | 4 |
*As of Fall 2016, Human Anatomy and Physiology courses at Fresno State have transitioned to a 2-semester integrated course system (BIOL 67A and BIOL 67B); individual courses taught at Community College will still be accepted.
Required Co-Requisites
| Co-Requisites | Fresno State Courses (Partial Listing) | Units |
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| Ethics | PHIL 20 or 120 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking of Society | SOC 3 | 3 |
| Psychology | PSYCH 10 | 3 |
| Statistics | MATH 11 or PH 92 | 3 |
| If SOC 3 is not taken, then SOC 1 or ANTH 2 must be completed |
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Nursing Curriculum (21 Units)
NURS 135 (3 units)-Professional Transitions
NURS 136 (3 units)- Health Appraisel
NURS 145 (3 units)-Nursing Theories & Research
NURS 152 (3 units)- Advanced Leadership, Management, and Healthcare Systems
NURS 156 (3 units)-Nursing Informatics
NURS 141 (3 units)- Concepts of Community Health Nursing
NURS 141LS (2 units) Practicum: Concepts of Community Health Nursing
NURS 151 (1 unit)- Community Service Project
Executive Order 1084 (California State University) Credit for Demonstration of Prior Learning of Pre-Licensure Nursing Content. As the California Board of Registered Nursing requires 36 units of the art and science of nursing in pre-licensure programs in preparation for the standardized external National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), in accordance with the stipulations of this policy a CSU campus may award academic credits using the NCLEX examination to demonstrate prior learning of the pre-licensure art and science of nursing required by the Board of Registered Nursing (Title 5 section 40408). Therefore, per Executive Order 1084, 20 units of credit toward the BSN will be applied toward the RN to BSN degree after successful completion of NURS 135.
Required units to graduate with a BSN major from Fresno State (not counting GE) Compliance with required GE specific coursework is individually specific. More information on required GE can be found at University Advising Center under General Education. Listed below is specific to the RN to BSN program only. A total of 121 units are required to graduate with the BSN degree. Forty-one (41) units are the nursing major requirements. For specific GE requirements counseling from the CHHS Advisors is a must.
Nursing Curriculum (major) coursework (41 units)
- Nursing Courses (21 Units)
- Credit for NCLEX pass (20 units) - must complete NURS 138
All General Education Requirements should be discussed with College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) Advising and Career Development Center
To check equivalent prerequisite, co-requisite, and GE courses at your community college, go to www.assist.org
RN-BSN Fresno State Flow Chart
RN to BSN Course Descriptions
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NURS 135 Professional Transitions 3 Units |
Prerequisites: Admission to RN-BSN program. Description Pending: |
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NURS 136 Health Appraisal 3 Units |
Prerequisites: Admission to RN-BSN program. Health appraisal integrates psychosocial and pathophysiological processes including techniques of history taking and health assessment in nursing practice and knowledge of normal findings as well as common deviations. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) |
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NURS 145 Nursing Theories and Research 3 Units |
Prerequisites: Admission to RN-BSN program. Application of nursing theories and the research process to nursing practice are explored. Focus includes historical evolution of contemporary theories in nursing, critique of current research, and computer applications to research.
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NURS 152 Advanced Leadership, Management, & Healthcare Systems 3 Units |
Prerequisites: NURS 135, 136, 145. Co-requisite: NURS 156 This course provides students with an expanded view of the nurse as leader and manager, as well as the role of nursing within the healthcare system. Leadership, management, organizational, financial, regulatory, and policy frameworks are examined.
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NURS 156 Nursing Informatics 3 Units |
Prerequisites: NURS 135, 136, 145. Co-requisite: NURS 152 This course will introduce important informatics tools that are currently being utilized in healthcare to ensure safe, quality care. Electronic Health Records (EHR), patient engagement and connected health platforms, telehealth, and quality. |
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NURS 141 Concepts of Community Health Nursing 3 Units |
Prerequisites: NURS 152, 156. Co-requisite: NURS 141LS, 151 Community health nursing principles, practices, and services to benefit client systems at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention; recognizes the interrelatedness of nursing, public health, epidemiological, developmental, learning, and economic theories and concepts. **G.E. Multicultural/International M/I. |
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NURS 141LS Practicum: Concepts of Community Health Nursing 2 Units |
Prerequisites: NURS 152, 156. Co-requisite: NURS 141, 151. Application of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the community with individuals, families, and groups. (6 clinical hours/week; course fee, $20) **Meets G.E. Multicultural/International MI. |
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NURS 151 Community Service Project 1 Unit |
Prerequisites: NURS 152, 156. Co-requisite: NURS 141, 141LS Opportunity for students to build upon conceptual, theoretical, and research knowledge base. Students pursue in-depth study with practical application in areas of interest: management, conflict resolution, application of nursing theories, research, or community project. Satisfies the senior major requirement for the B.S. in Nursing. |
Please consult the California State University, Fresno catalog for further information.
Fresno State Transfer Students (application process, deadlines, costs)
Fresno State Nursing Undergraduate Handbook
Roadmap for your Community College: