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College of the Sequoias to California State University, Bakersfield
RN to BSN Completion Program Roadmap to Success

What is required for a BSN?

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

  1. General Education/CSU Graduation Requirements: Students must complete the lower-division and upper-division general education requirements to graduate from CSUB.
    • Lower-Division GE: Students should meet with their COS Counselor or Advisor and follow the GE Certification for Transfer to CSU in the current community college catalog. A Logic/Critical Thinking (PHIL25) course and Statistics (MATH21) 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 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 three courses (Theme 2, Theme 3, and GRE: Gender, Race, Ethnicity) and complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by either exam or by completing a course. Students must meet with Brynn Schock, the RN to BSN Completion Program Advisor, prior to enrolling in CSUB courses. Brynn Schock is available for advising in-person or at a distance. The Upper-division requirements may be met during the one-year RN to BSN program.
  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). (COS course: BIOL30).
    • One course in Physiology including a laboratory (6 quarter units or 4 semester units). (COS course: BIOL31).
    • One course in Microbiology (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (COS course: BIOL40).
    • 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). (COS courses: CHEM20 or 30).
    • One course in Statistics (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (COS course: MATH 21).
    • English (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (COS course: ENGL1).
    • Public Speaking (5 quarter units or 3 semester units). (COS course: COMM1).
    • Critical Thinking (5 quarter or 3 semester units.) (COS course: PHIL25 or any AVC Area A3 course if Area A has a General Education Certification).
  3. Nursing Courses: 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. no online pathophysiology courses will be accepted.

Summer Quarter Units (10.0)
Nursing 345 Pathophysiologic Basis of Illness and Disease 5.0
Nursing 410 Professional Nursing Concepts and Issues 5.0
Fall Quarter Units (16.0)
Nursing 357 Foundations of Nursing Research 4.0
Nursing 489 Experiential Prior Learning 12.0
Winter Quarter Units (15.0)
Nursing 441 Community Health Nursing 5.0
Nursing 442 Community Health Practicum 5.0
Nursing 492 Advanced Leadership Seminar I 5.0
Spring Quarter Units (25.0)
Nursing 493 Advanced Leadership Seminar II 5.0
Nursing 499 Independent Study (NCLEX) 20.0

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

Do I have to drive to CSU, 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 (Tulare-area students may be placed in their county if the appropriate funds and seats are available). 100 total scheduled clinical hours are required during the Winter term (January through March). Students generally will only need to come to campus for the interview, on-campus Nursing orientation, student ID photo, to take a course satisfying Theme 2, and to take the GWAR exam. Students can generally obtain the health clearance by mail/fax.

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, however, uses the Summer term as the first quarter in the program. Students in the full-time program, for example, will enroll in four total quarters.

Can I transfer my College of the Sequoias course work to CSU, Bakersfield?

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 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 College of the Sequoias?

Yes. Most COS 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 an COS Advisor/Counselor to discuss the CSU Transfer 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?