Online ADN/RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated

Program Details

• ADMISSION

  How to Apply

  Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average in all transferable units attempted
    • 2.5 GPA for students who have already completed a bachelors
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 transferable units
  • Successful completion of the pre-nursing core with a grade of C or better
    • Oral Communication (A1)
    • Written Communication (A2)
    • Critical Thinking (A3)
    • MATH 200 - Statistics (B4)
    • BIOL 160 - Microbiology for Health Sciences units
    • BIOL 175 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I units
    • BIOL 176 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    • CHEM 105 - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life units
    • CHEM 105L - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life Laboratory
  • Successfully complete the pre-nursing core with a minimum GPA of 2.75

  Please note: To be considered for admission you must reside in an approved state. 

  Please also note: CSUSM will accept online courses (for all requirements) from regionally accredited institutions.

  Preferred Preparation

  • Completion of additional CSUSM lower-division GE BRN-required courses, upper-division GE courses and other CSUSM graduation requirements. More details can be found in the ABSN Course Sequence section.

   View Catalog Page

  NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
  California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

• COSTS

  Cost Breakdown

  Semester	Units*	Subtotal**
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 1	6	$2,040
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 2	6	$2,040
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 1	5	$1,700
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 2	7	$2,380
  Summer Semester 1	5	$1,700
  Fall Semester 2 - Block 1	6	$2,040
  Total	35	$11,900

  *Unit rate for this program is $340 (Effective Fall 2023) (discounts available for active duty military, view details)

  **University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

  Funding and Financial Aid

  • This program is eligible for financial aid
  • Kaiser IONE Scholarship and other nursing specific funding opportunities may be found online
  • Visit the Extended Learning funding page to learn more about your funding options
  • Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
  • Cal Grant can be used for this program
  • Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
• COURSE SEQUENCE

  View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the ADN/RN to BSN Catalog Page.

  Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.

  Sample Schedule - Fall Start

  Example Semester - Fall Start

  Semester	Course (units)
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 1	NURS 350 (2) - Role Transition for the RN NURS 351 (1) - Role Transition Seminar for the RN PHIL 345 (3) - Bioethics and Medical Ethics
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 2	NURS 310 (2) - Nursing Assessment for the RN NURS 311 (1) - Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory ANTH 301 (3) - Culture and Medicine: Healers and Healing Practices
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 1	NURS 352 (3) - Nursing Research NURS 370 (2) - Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 2	NURS 312 (4) - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology BIOL 316 (3) - The Biology of Cancer
  Summer Semester  (10 weeks)	NURS 450 (2) - Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues NURS 451 (1) - Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory NURS 480 (2) - Family Nursing: Theory and Practice
  Fall Semester 2 - Block 1	NURS 440 (4) - Community Health Nursing NURS 447 (2) - Public Health Nursing and Nursing Case Management

  Sample Schedule - Spring Start

  Example Semester - Spring Start

  Semester	Course (units)
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 1	NURS 350 (2) - Role Transition for the RN NURS 351 (1) - Role Transition Seminar for the RN PHIL 345 (3) - Bioethics and Medical Ethics
  Spring Semester 1 - Block 2	NURS 310 (2) - Nursing Assessment for the RN NURS 311 (1) - Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory ANTH 301 (3) - Culture and Medicine: Healers and Healing Practices
  Summer Semester (10 weeks)	NURS 352 (3) - Nursing Research NURS 370 (2) - Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 1	NURS 312 (4) - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology BIOL 316 (3) - The Biology of Cancer
  Fall Semester 1 - Block 2	NURS 450 (2) - Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues NURS 451 (1) - Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory NURS 480 (2) - Family Nursing: Theory and Practice
  Spring Semester 2 - Block 1	NURS 440 (4) - Community Health Nursing NURS 447 (2) - Public Health Nursing and Nursing Case Management

  Schedules are subject to change.

• FAQ

  What is the program schedule?

  The ADN/RN to BSN program requires 14 months of study and is divided into eight-week classes during the fall and spring semesters and 10-week classes during the summer semester. Unlike other programs, CSUSM builds in breaks between semesters and holidays to allow you to pursue your education without compromising your life and family priorities.

  Program Starts 

  Semester	Dates
  Fall 1 - 2022 start	August 29, 2022
  Fall 2 - 2022 start	October 22, 2022
  Spring 1 - 2023 start	January 23, 2023
  Spring 2 - 2023 start	March 18, 2023

  How big are the class sizes? Is it hard to contact your professor?

  The ADN/RN to BSN program is limited to 44 students per cohort. CSUSM intentionally designed this program to have small class sizes with unprecedented access to your professors in an online format.

  Will I need to visit the campus at any point?

  No, this program is designed to be completed online (except for clinical hours).

  When can I start?

  CSUSM offers multiple starts per year.

  Are there prerequisites for this program?

  Yes, before joining the ADN/RN to BSN program, you should:

  1. Have completed at least 60 transferable units.
  2. Finished the pre-nursing core  and earn a letter grade of C or higher in each course.

  If you haven't met these lower-division nursing/pre-licensure coursework requirements, you won't be eligible for admission to the program. Additionally, you must reside in an approved state in order to enroll in this online program.

  Can I apply to the program if prerequisites are in progress?

  Prerequisite courses can be in progress upon application; however, all prerequisites must be completed prior to your requested start date.

  Can I apply before I take the NCLEX?

  Yes, you may apply prior to taking the NCLEX exam, however CSUSM does not prepare you to take the NCLEX exam. You must have your RN License prior to enrolling in NURS 440 and NURS 447 (typically taken in the fourth semester of the program). Please note, failure to successfully pass the NCLEX exam in time to take NURS 440 and NURS 447 may delay progress towards earning your degree.

  Is an RN license required to apply?

  No a RN license is not required to be considered for admission to the program. However, before taking courses NURS 440 and NURS 447 — typically in the fourth semester of the ADN/RN to BSN program — you'll need to have obtained and provide proof of your RN license. Without it, you can't complete the program. We recommend getting your RN license early to prevent any graduation delays.

  Can I apply if my license is probationary?

  You need to have an active/current license to ensure you have access to complete the clinical hours in the program. You are responsible for securing clinical placements and RN License.

  Can I apply to an earlier start date so I may be evaluated and get started on any remaining requirements?

  Yes, many students do this so they can have a road map of what they need to complete.

  What about transcripts?

  You need to request transcripts from ALL postsecondary institutions attended and have them sent to CSUSM. An application is not considered complete until we have all transcripts. We will not be able to review your application for any start dates until we have all required documents.

  Once I apply and all of my transcripts are received, how long will it take to find out if I am admitted?

  It typically takes around four to six weeks to receive your evaluation worksheet outlining the requirements you have met and any that are still needed. Admission decisions are typically sent after the evaluation process is complete.

  Does this program prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam (the exam required to obtain a RN license)?

  No, CSUSM’s ADN/RN-to-BSN program does not prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam.  Our program is designed for students who have already earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), currently enrolled in an ADN program or have already obtained a RN license.  

  Does this program offer any of the lower-division/pre-licensure nursing coursework required to obtain a RN license?

  No, CSUSM’s ADN/RN-to-BSN program does not offer any of the lower-division/pre-licensure required to obtain a RN license.  Our program is designed for students who have already earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), currently enrolled in an ADN program, or have already obtained a RN license. 

  Can clinicals be completed at your place of employment?

  The leadership clinicals can usually be completed at your place of work; the community health clinical hours must be completed at a community/public health facility.

  How do I meet the statistics requirement?

  Courses typically approved to meet our requirement carry a CSU GE designation of B4 or (if taken outside of California or at a non-CSU) have similar course descriptions/content to our MATH 200. Typical course content includes regression analysis, ANOVA, correlation, T-tests, comparative analysis, etc.

  What are the changes to the Language Other Than English Requirement (LOTER) and how do they affect me?

  All transfer students who have NOT completed coursework to meet the CSU GE Area C3 must complete a college level language course to meet this requirement. Students who have already met C3 will not be required to take any language courses.

  What is the name of the organization that accredits the ADN/RN-BSN program?

  The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing at CSUSM is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help you with VA benefits, campus resources, financial aid and more.

Take the next step in your career - Apply Now

New cohorts begin every Fall and Spring semester.

Please note: We are temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts for applications for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 terms.