COS-CSUB RN TO BSN PROGRAM

Why get a BSN?

A BSN offers you a wider variety of job possibilities. You will earn a Public Health Nursing Certificate that permits you to work in a health department (8-5, M-F, holidays off). 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 principles and practice, set the BSN graduate apart. A baccalaureate degree in nursing prepares you for entry into MSN programs.

What is required for a BSN?

In order to complete a B.S.N., 3 sets of criteria must be met:

• General Education/CSU Graduation Requirements (follow the GE Certification for Transfer to CSU in the COS Catalog). A Logic/Critical Thinking course should be taken soon after being admitted to the CSU, and most students need to complete other lower division GE courses. You will also need 3 upper division GE courses (300 level or above) from CSUB and must meet the Foreign Language and American Institutions requirements for graduation. You will also need to pass a writing exam before graduation (GWAR) or pass an upper-division course.
• Prerequisites for Nursing (there are 9---but COS RN graduates generally have completed the majority of these----leaving only Statistics). These courses can be taken at COS.
• CSUB Nursing Courses: N345 (Pathophysiology-cognate course), N357 (Research), N410 (Issues), N441/N442 (Community Health lecture/clinical), N490 (Senior Seminar), and N444 (Professional Nursing Practicum). Only two of these are clinical courses, and they both utilize preceptors in your area. You will prepare a portfolio to earn upper division nursing credit for your RN classes (N489) and will also earn upper division units for passing NCLEX (N499).

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 taken with semesters). 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).

Can I transfer my COS classes to CSUB?

Yes. Your lower division General Education and Nursing courses can be transferred---up to a maximum of 70 semester units. In order to fully maximize your units, it is important to have your COS transcript "GE certified" (pay an additional fee) before sending it to CSUB. If you took courses at other colleges, you will need to request a "pass along" from COS (& pay a small fee) so that those courses can also be "GE certified". You can check for course equivalency and articulation agreements between CSUB and COS (or other community colleges) at http://www.assist.org

Can I take additional General Education and CSUB Prerequisite courses at COS?

Yes. Many 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 only one is required for graduation from COS---thus students often are short two courses in this area. Some students may have to pick up either a History 17 or 18, or Political Science/Government 5---as both history and political science are needed to meet the American Institutions requirement at CSUB.

How much does it cost?

As of F/08, tuition for full time CSU students (6 units +) is $1,359 per quarter. For part time students ( <6 units) it is $933 per quarter. Books can range from $50 to $180 per quarter. No uniforms are required for RN-BSN students. Malpractice insurance is $20 per year and may purchased through the CSUB Cashier's Office (must have this insurance to take clinical courses).

Are there scholarships, grants, or loans available to me?

Yes. You can contact CSUB Financial Aid/Scholarship Office at (661) 654-3016 or at www.csub.edu/finaid for further information.

Do I have to drive to Bakersfield?

All lecture courses are online. You will need a computer with internet access. You can do N442 and N444 clinical courses with a preceptor in your area (Tulare-Kings counties). You generally will only need to come to campus for your student ID photo and to take the GWAR exam. You can usually obtain your health clearance by mail/fax.

If I am currently a COS RN student, can I begin taking CSUB courses?

Yes. You can complete the lower division A through E general education requirements and CSUB nursing prerequisites at COS while taking your COS nursing courses.

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

• GPA of 2.5 in last 60 semester units
• Completion of all Prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better
• Three satisfactory letters of reference (one from a current employer)
• Copy of current RN license and CPR healthcare provider card
• 3 official copies of all college transcripts (2 to CSUB Admissions, 1 to Nursing)
• Application to both CSUB and Department of Nursing RN-BSN Program
• A typed resume

How do I get started?

• Take necessary Prerequisites (usually Statistics ) and transfer requirements (Logic/Critical Thinking course)
• Apply to CSU Bakersfield
  Complete an application online at www.csumentor.org
• Send 2 sets of GE Certified transcripts to CSUB Admissions
• Apply to CSUB RN to BSN Program
• Submit copy of clear, active RN license and current CPR certification
• Send 1 set of GE Certified transcripts to Nursing c/o RN-BSN Coordinator

*** Access the CSUB catalog and Class Schedule (available on-line) upon entry to CSUB. These documents give you valuable information about graduation requirements and scheduling of courses. Online course schedules are also available on our website: www.csub.edu

Who can I contact for further information?

Dr. Cherie Rector is available by email (crector@csub.edu), phone/fax (559-734-1845 home). You can also check out the nursing web page at www.csub.edu/nursing for further information on RN-BSN. Other Numbers of Interest:

• CSU Bakersfield Switchboard
  654-2011
• Orientation (*not necessary to attend)
  654-3388
• Runner Card (photo ID card)
  654-2009
• Student Health Services (health clearance)
  654-2394
• Cashier's Office (payments, malpractice)
  654-2073
• Financial Aid/Scholarships
  654-3016
• Disability Services
  654-3360
• Academic Advisement Center
  654-3124
• Admissions & Records
  654-3036
• Runner Bookstore (catalog, class schedules)
  654-2273
• Campus Police
  654-2111
• Extended University (summer, etc.)
  654-2441
• Instructional TV
  654-2448
• Walter Stiern Library
  654-3172
• Testing Center (Graduate Writing/GWAR)
  654-3373
• Veterans Affairs
  654-3380

GENERAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER TO CSU

(refer to COS catalog for further details)
Italicized courses are those needed for CSUB transfer-- not required for COS graduation.

AREA A
Choose one course from each section—completed with grade of "C" or better.

A1 Oral Communication

Speech 1 or 4 (etc.)

A2 Written Communication

English 1

A3 Critical Thinking

Philosophy 25 or 20 or English 2 (etc.)

AREA B
Choose one course from each group---Group 3 completed with grade of "C" or better.

Group 1 (B1) Physical Science

Chemistry 20 or Chemistry 21 or

 

Chemistry 30 (only one chemistry required)

Group 2 (B2) Life Science

Biology 30, 31, 40

Group 3 (B3) Mathematics

Math 21 (Statistics)

AREA C
Nine units total-one course from Groups 1 and 3.

(**Courses listed are only examples of those available. Check the COS catalog for further details Check your COS transcript for "Area C" course taken to determine which groups are lacking.)

Group 1 (C1) Arts

Art 1 or Music 10** (etc.)

Group 2 (C2) Humanities

Spanish 1** (etc.)

Group 3 (C3) Literature

English 4** (etc.)

AREA D
Nine units total---one course from Groups 1 and 2.

(**Courses listed are suggested for maximum transfer benefit. Check your COS transcript for "Area D" course taken.

Group 1 (D8) American Institutions

Political Science/Govt. 5

Group 2 (D6) American Institutions

History 17 or 18

Group 3 (D9)

Child Development 39 or Psych. 39

AREA E
Three units total.

Understanding & Self Development

Nutrition/Food 18

Note: Completion of this GE Certification for Transfer to CSU requires CSUB to apply 39 units toward the 48 units minimum general education requirement. If you took GE courses from other community colleges, you will need to pay an additional fee and request a "pass along".

Upper division GE coursework, Gender/Race/Ethnicity, American Institutions, Foreign Language requirements, and a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) are required for graduation from CSU Bakersfield. Other requirements may also apply. Check the CSU Bakersfield Catalog for details.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR COS GRADUATES