CHHS > Nursing > Degrees & Programs > RN to BSN

RN to BSN Program

NOTE: Please read all of the following information before submitting the application, which is posted below. Any application that does not satisfy any of the minimum requirements will not be processed.

The RN to BSN Program builds upon the sound ADN foundation of nursing education. 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 and management principles, and introduces research and evidence-based practice methodologies, as well as population-focused community health nursing.

The BSN offers RNs a wider variety of job possibilities. Knowledge of nursing theory, research methods and evidence-based practice, as well as community health nursing principles and practice and expanded leadership/management skills, set the BSN graduate apart. A baccalaureate degree in nursing prepares RNs for entry into MSN and School Nurse Credential programs, and broadens opportunities for management positions. BSN graduates are also eligible to apply for a CA Public Health Nursing Certificate that permits them to work in community health settings with a more mainstream schedule. For PHN Certificate information and application: http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/phn-app.pdf

The current curriculum consists of 6 RN-BSN 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.

Admission Requirements

ADN graduate from CA BRN-approved, regionally accredited program. Must be in good standing at last university attended.
Current, active, and clear California RN license.
Current enrollment at Fresno State or admitted applicant. Apply online at www.csumentor.edu

**Note: Applications usually open Oct. 1st for Fall admission the following year. Check Fresno State Admissions for current deadlines and admission information.

You must plan early for admission to Fresno State.

Completion of eight prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C (see below for list of prerequisite courses).

Complete the RN to BSN Application. The application includes additional instructions and deadlines.
- Admission is a two-step process: 1) University admission (check deadlines), and 2) Nursing major (RN-BSN) admission.
- For Fall entry, all prerequisites must be completed by June 1st. The university undergraduate application for fall 2014 is now closed. Program applications will be available March 1 - 31, 2014 and the deadline to submit is March 31st for those admitted to the university. Please include a copy of your RN license and CPR certification.
- Applicants must meet ALL criteria for admission to the university and the nursing major.
- Current CPR certification.
- Specific health criteria must be met. Students with recurrent infections or physical limitations who cannot meet clinical course objectives may be unable to satisfactorily complete the requirements for the BSN. Contact the Nursing Department regarding specific requirements.

Required Prerequisite Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Prerequisites Fresno State Courses (partial listing) Units

English Composition* English 5B or 10 3

Oral Communication* Communication 3 or 7 or 8 3

Critical Thinking* Philosophy 25 or 45 3

Statistics* Math 11 or PH 92 3

Anatomy with Lab Biology 64 3

Physiology with Lab Biology 65 5

Chemistry with Lab** Chemistry 3A 4

Microbiology with Lab Biology 20 4

*These four courses meet CSU GE Foundation requirements

**May substitute online chemistry without lab, if Chemistry was not part of your ADN program curriculum

Requirements for RN-BSN:

Required Co-requisite Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Corequisites Fresno State Courses (partial listing) Units

Ethics PHIL 20, 120 3

Social Sciences SOC 1, 2, or ANTHRO 2 3

Psychology PSYCH 10 3

Required Nursing Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

RN-BSN Courses Units

NURS 138 Bridge to Professional Concepts & Issues 5

NURS 145 Nursing Theories & Research 3

NURS 141 Concepts of Community Health Nursing 3

NURS 141L Practicum: Concepts of CHN (2 units) 2

NURS 150 Leadership & Health Care Economics 3

NURS 154 Applying Professional Nursing Principles 5

Per Executive Order 1084, 20 units of credit toward the BSN will be applied toward the RN-BSN degree after successful completion of NURS 138.

Total Units in the Major = 41 (21 units coursework, 20 units credit)

Total Units Required for Graduation = 120

All Graduation Requirements must be met (e.g., Upper Division Writing exam or course, Lower and Upper Division GE coursework).

General Education/Fresno State Graduation Requirements

1. Complete CSU GE Transfer Pattern (Areas A-E)

Available at: http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/advising/general-ed.html

Areas A & B are completed with RN-BSN Prerequisites
Take co-requisites Ethics (C2), Psychology, and Sociology or Anthropology (D3)
Complete any remaining requirements for Areas C, D, & E
- Lower Division prerequisite GE coursework (A-E) should be completed before enrolling in Fresno State Upper Division coursework (I-B, I-C, I-D).
- NOTE: It is best to complete lower division RN-BSN Prerequisites and Lower Division GE courses at the community college and then have your transcript GE Certified in order to maximize the 70 units you can transfer in to Fresno State.

To check equivalent prerequisite, co-requisite, and GE courses at your community college, go to www.assist.org

II. Upper Division GE taken at Fresno State

Integration (I-B, I-C, I-D---9 units total)

*Upper Division Multicultural/International (3 units)

*This requirement is met by taking NURS141

III. Graduation Requirements:

US History, Federal/State/Local Government

Upper Division Writing (exam or course)

FRESNO STATE RN-BSN PROGRAM PLAN

Fall Admission

Fall One Spring One

NURS138 Bridge to Professional (5)* NURS141 CH Lecture (3)

NURS145 Theories/Research (3) NURS141L CH Clinical (2)

Upper Division GE (3) Upper Division GE (3)

___________ ____________

11 8

Fall Two

NURS150 Leadership/Economics (3)

NURS154 Applying Professional (5)

Upper Division GE (3)

____________

*NCLEX External Exam Credits (20 units) awarded after NURS138

Transfer maximum of 70 units from community college; take 50 units from Fresno State (21 RN-BSN courses, 20 NCLEX external exam credits, 9 units UD GE) for RN-BSN degree total of 120 units.

NOTE: 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 at Fresno State in addition to the RN-BSN coursework.

RN-BSN COURSES

NURSING 138. Bridge to Professional Nursing Concepts and Issues (5 units) Prerequisites: Admission to RN-BSN program. Characteristics of nursing as a profession, historic and current roles of professional nurse as advocate, leader, manager, educator, researcher, team member, and change agent. Introduction to nursing theories, along with research, ethical, legal, political, and economic issues in health care.

**NURS 145. Nursing Theories and Research (3 units)  Prerequisites: Upper-division writing skills requirement. 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.

NURS 141. Concepts of Community Health Nursing (3 units)  Prerequisites: NURS 145. Co-requisite: NURS 141L. 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 MI.

NURS 141L. Practicum: Concepts of Community Health Nursing (2 units)  Prerequisites: NURS 145. Co-requisite: NURS 141. 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.

NURS 150. Leadership and Health Care Economics (3 units)  Prerequisites: NURS141/141L, NURS 145. Development of the nurse as a leader in the health care delivery system. Development of negotiation, delegation, management, and critical thinking skills with recognition of the impact of a changing health care economics environment.

NURSING 154. Applying Professional Nursing Principles (5 units) Prerequisites: NURS 138, NURS 145, NURS 141/141L. Co-requisites: NURS 150. Culminating RN-BSN course; integration of concepts presented in RN-BSN coursework with prior nursing knowledge and experience. Synthesis and application of cumulative knowledge focused on capstone project, and exploration of the future role of nursing within our changing health care system.

______________________________________________________

**Currently in the process of getting Writing course designation.

Please consult the California State University, Fresno catalog for further information.

Prospective Students Start HERE

--See Roadmap for your Community College (link below)

--Take 8 Prerequisite Courses at Community College (CC)

--Contact Crystal Bishop, Admissions Coordinator

--Contact Dr. Rector, RN-BSN Coordinator, if questions remain

--Continue to take Lower Division GE Courses at CC

--Have CC Transcript “GE Certified”

--Apply to Fresno State www.csumentor.edu before deadline

--Apply to RN-BSN Program before deadline