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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why get a BSN?

A BSN offers you a wider variety of job possibilities. You will be eligible to apply for the Public Health Nursing Certificate. This certification permits you to work in a public health department. You are also eligible for management positions and can begin working as a school nurse. A basic knowledge of nursing theory and research methods as well as community health nursing set the BSN graduate apart. You will also gain a deeper understanding of pathophysiology which will be invaluable in your clinical setting.

What will I take to complete the BSN?

In order to complete a BSN, 3 sets of criteria must be met:

  1. 1. General Education/CSU Graduation Requirements (12 or more courses needed to transfer):
    • Lower-Division GE: Students should meet with their community college Counselor or Advisor and follow the GE Certification for Transfer to CSU in the current community college catalog. A Logic/Critical Thinking course should be taken before being admitted to the CSU along with all other transfer areas (Areas "A" through "D"). Students should also meet the Foreign Language and American Institutions (U.S. History & Political Science) requirements for graduation.
    • Upper-Division GE: Once the lower-division general education courses are complete, and acceptance to CSUB has occurred, the student will be required to complete two courses (Theme 2 and Theme 3) and complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by either exam or by completing an approved course. These courses may be taken while in the RN to BSN Program, however, students are encouraged to take them prior to entrance.
  2. Prerequisites for Nursing (8 total): Students must have official (sealed) transcripts showing completion of all of the following prerequisites in their completed application packet:
    • One course in Anatomy including a laboratory (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (CSUB course: BIOL 250.) May be combined with Physiology as 10 quarter units or 6 semester units.
    • One course in Physiology including a laboratory (6 quarter units or 4 semester units). (CSUB courses: BIOL 255, BIOL 256.)
    • One course in Microbiology (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (CSUB course: BIOL260.)
    • Inorganic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry (10 quarter units or 6 semester units). May be a combination inorganic/organic chemistry course and bio chemistry (5 semester units or 7.5 or greater quarter units). (CSUB courses: CHEM 150 or CHEM 203.)
    • One course in Statistics (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (CSUB course: MATH 140 or PSYC 200.)
    • English (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (CSUB courses: ENG 110.)
    • Public Speaking (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (CSUB course: Comm 108.)
    • Critical Thinking (5 quarter or 3 semester units.) (CSUB course: PHIL 110.)
  3. Nursing Courses (9 total): Students will complete the following RN to BSN Completion Program requirements as scheduled. If Pathophysiology is taken outside of the program, the Department of Nursing may waive Nursing 345 upon approval.
    • Nursing 345 Pathophysiologic Basis of Illness and Disease (5)
    • Nursing 357 Foundations of Nursing Research (4)
    • Nursing 410 Professional Nursing Concepts and Issues (5)
    • Nursing 441 Community Health Nursing (5)
    • Nursing 442 Community Health Practicum (5)
    • Nursing 345 Pathophysiologic Basis of Illness and Disease (5)
    • Nursing 492 Advanced Leadership Seminar I (5)
    • Nursing 493 Advanced Leadership Seminar II (5)
    • Nursing 415 Principles of Nursing Management (5)
    • Nursing 416 Directed Study in Career Development (5)
    • Nursing 477 Special Topics in Nursing: RN to BSN Transition (1)

Course descriptions may be found on pages 10-11 in the RN to BSN Completion Program Handbook.

Do I have to drive to Bakersfield?

All lecture courses are online. You will need a computer with internet access to use the course. Students must complete one clinical in the program. Clinical placements for Nursing 442: Community Health Practicum will only be available in Kern County. One hundred total scheduled clinical hours are required during the fall term (September through November). Students generally will only need to come to campus for the on-campus nursing orientation, student ID photo (optional), to possibly take a course satisfying Theme 2, and to take the GWAR exam. Students can generally obtain the health clearance by mail/fax. Antelope Valley students may visit the CSU, Bakersfield Antelope Valley satellite campus to complete these items (all may be done at this location except the nursing orientation course titled, Nursing 477 Special Topics in Nursing: RN to BSN Transition).

How are quarters different from semesters? Why are there more units?

During the academic year (at CSUB, from September to June), there are three 10-week quarters (instead of two 15-week semesters). Students generally take three 5-unit classes to make up a 15 unit load (rather than five 3-unit semester classes). The amount of time is exactly the same---the units are weighted differently. Instead of two semesters of 15 units, you take three quarters of 15 units each academic year----thus the increased number of units required for a degree (even though the time spent is exactly the same).

The RN to BSN Completion program uses the Summer term as the first quarter in the program. Students in will enroll in four total quarters (or more if additional time is needed to complete the general education requirements to graduate prior to, or after, the program).

Can I transfer my community college course work to CSUB?

Yes. Your lower division General Education and Nursing courses can be transferred, up to a maximum of 70 semester units (or 105 quarter units). In order to fully utilize your maximum units, it is important to have your transcript CSU GE certified before sending it to CSUB. You will request this through your community college transcript office with your transcript request form (please note: student must submit an official paper transcript with the RN to BSN Program application and send the CSUB Office of Admissions and Records either a paper copy or an electronic copy).

You can check for course equivalency and articulation agreements for community colleges in California at http://assist.org. Students are encouraged to meet with their community college Advisor or Counselor one year prior to transferring to ensure completion of the CSU Transfer Requirements.

Can I take additional General Education and CSUB prerequisite courses at a community college?

Yes. Most junior college graduates have completed areas "D" and "E" of the GE Certification for Transfer to CSU. By completing a critical thinking course, area "A" is satisfied, and statistics completes the area "B" requirements. The CSU requires three courses from area "C", while typically only one is required for graduation---thus students often are short two courses in this area. Students interested in the RN to BSN Completion Program should meet with a community college Advisor/Counselor to discuss the CSU Transfer Breadth Course Requirements.

Who can I contact for additional information?

Brynn Schock is the RN to BSN Completion Program Advisor. You can reach her by phone at (661) 654-2610 or by email at bschock@csub.edu.

What are the criteria for admission to CSUB RN to BSN Program?

Please see the Eligibility Requirements for detailed information.

How do I get started?

  • Take necessary Prerequisites (usually Statistics and Organic Chemistry)
  • Complete the CSU General Education Transfer requirements at your local community college (preferably the college that you took the majority of your previous course work in). Please meet with your community college advisor or Counselor for a list of requriements.
  • Apply to CSU Bakersfield Call (661) 654-3036 for an application, or complete an application online at http://www.csumentor.org
  • Send GE Certified transcripts to CSUB Admissions
  • Apply to CSUB RN to BSN Completion Program