Application will be available March 1 thru March 31, 2019, for Fall Admission

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.

The RN to BSN program is on impacted status (the number of applications received is greater than the number of vacancies for the program).  Therefore, admission into the RN to BSN program is competitive.

RN to BSN
Minimum Admission Requirement

• Admission to University
• Active CA Registered Nurse License
• Board approved/accredited graduation from school of nursing
• Local resident
• Good standing from the previous college attended for ADN
• A cumulative GPA from Associate Degree Nursing courses of at least a 2.5 (points awarded for higher GPA’s)
• Completed all 8 Pre-requisites before applying to program with a GPA of 3.0 in those courses (points awarded for higher GPA’s)

Pre-requisites:

1. English Composition (Written Communication) 
2. Speech (Oral Communication)
3. Critical Thinking
4. Statistics
5. General Chemistry with Lab*
6. Human Anatomy with Lab*
7. Human Physiology with Lab*
8. Microbiology with Lab*

*All science courses must be taken in person, no online courses will be accepted. Additional information may be requested.

 
RN to BSN
Supplemental Admission Criteria

• Graduate of Fresno City, College of Sequoias, or West Hills College (10 points)
• Veteran or spouse is a Veteran (10 points)
• Completion of all Lower Division GE (5 points)
• No repeats in Nursing courses (5 points)
• Years of Experience (sliding point scale)
• Personal Statement (sliding point scale)

 

Applying to the RN to BSN program is a two-step process:

1. University application
2. Nursing Major (RN to BSN) application

University Application is accomplished via CSU Mentor.

University deadlines for Fall are usually at or around November 30th of the following academic year.  

Nursing Major (RN to BSN) Application via www.nursingcas.org will be available March 1 thru March 31, 2019, for Fall Admission.  Please review the requirements carefully there is a fee for the 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.

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
• Co-Requisite Information (if taken already)
• Personal Statement (One typed page-12 font New Times Roman) Describe your motivation for acquiring a BSN and how you plan to make adjustments to your lifestyle to achieve success in the program.  Writing skill, grammar, spelling count.  The personal statement is used for admission criteria points when values are close among applicants.

• Copy of RN license & Driver’s license
• Copy of most recent CPR card
• Transcripts: Unofficial copy of transcripts (all colleges)
• Signature of affirmation

 

Required Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisites	Fresno State Courses (partial listing)	Units
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*	BIOL 64	3
Human Physiology*	BIOL 65	5

 *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
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

Nursing Curriculum (21 Units)

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 138.

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) Student Service Center.

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

RN to BSN Course Descriptions 

Course	Description
NURS 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 141LS. 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 141LS. 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 152-Advanced Leadership, Management, & Healthcare Systems 3 Units	Prerequisites: NURS 138, 145, 141, & 141LS. 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.
NURS 154. Applying Professional Nursing Principles   5 Units	Prerequisites: NURS 138, NURS 145, NURS 141/141LS. co-requisites: NURS 152. 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.

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:

COS Roadmap

FCC Roadmap

WHC Roadmap

 

 

                             

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