RN-BSN Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Complete the following requirements to prepare for the RN to BSN and CSU, Bakersfield transfer prior to entering CSUB:

General Education
CSU Transfer General Education Breadth: 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. CSU General Education Transfer Areas 1-6 and the American Institutions (U.S. History & Political Science) requirements should be met prior to transferring. For a list of specific courses, visit the Student Resources website.


Nursing Prerequisites (8 total)

Students must have official (sealed) transcripts showing completion of all of the following prerequisites within the last ten years in their completed application packet:

  1. Anatomy including a laboratory (3 semester units). May be combined with Physiology as 10 quarter units or 6 semester units.

  2. Physiology including a laboratory (4 semester units).

  3. Microbiology (3 semester units).

  4. Chemistry (general, integrated, inorganic, or organic) with or without lab, as it is taught on the campus where the course was taken.

  5. Statistics (3 semester units).

  6. English (3 semester units).

  7. Public Speaking (3 semester units).

  8. Critical Thinking (3 semester units.)


Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Complete the ADN program from an institutionally accredited college.  

All lecture courses are online. You will need a computer with Internet access to use the course. There is a required in-person community/public health clinical that is completed at the Kern County Public Health Department.  Other general education courses may be in-person depending on the availability of courses.

Clinicals will be completed during the Spring Semester (January -May) during the following course: Nursing 4221: Community & Public Health Nursing (Practicum).

You will need to complete a total of 90 on-site clinical hours.

Clinical placements for the Community and Public Health Practicum will only be available in Kern County, unless specific arrangements are made through faculty.
Please see the Eligibility Requirements for detailed information.

RN to BSN Foreign Credit Policy
Applicants with nursing courses from a foreign university must have a course-by-course evaluation completed by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

Applicants with general education courses from a foreign university must have a completed course-by-course evaluation.

Please include all original foreign transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Records upon submitting the Cal State Apply Application.

Nursing Coursework

  • CGFNS
    • Contact the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Programs (CGFNS) at (215) 349-8767 or www.cgfns.org
    • Submit an official copy of this evaluation with your RN to BSN Program application through NursingCAS
Non-Nursing Coursework
See the Apply Now section on our website.
No, your ADN Degree does not qualify for an AS-T or AA-T.

Yes, the RN-BSN program allows post-baccalaureate or those seeking a 2nd bachelor's degree to apply.  

  1. For Cal State Apply, choose "Second Bachelor's Degree"
  2. Make sure that you send your transcripts from your first bachelor's degree if it is not from CSUB. If your degree is from abroad, please look at question 7 for the process to have these transcripts evaluated.

You may contact the Program Advisor. See contact information in the "Advising" page.

You can request to make a phone or in person appointment for Pre-RN-BSN Program Advising. 

Please see the RN-BSN Brochure for more information.