Nursing (RN to BSN), B.S.N.

The nursing (RN to BSN) program is designed for students who have earned an associate degree in nursing (see admission requirements below) and want to advance their skills in leadership, care management and health promotion. The program’s curriculum is designed specifically for the local area, focusing on physical and psychosocial health needs and disparities within the region’s rural and tribal communities. The program accommodates working nurses with a flexible blend of online and in-person courses. Students will be required to meet on campus for a pre-semester orientation, plus two weekend intensives each semester. The remainder of the program will be online.

Program Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, candidates must:

be a graduate of a nationally recognized, regionally accredited associate degree program in nursing
have a current, clear, and active California Registered Nursing (RN) license
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 from all transfer institutions
have completed the following eight CSU systemwide nursing program prerequisites (CSU GE Breadth Areas A and B) with a grade of C or better. Note: Courses in parentheses are examples of HSU courses that meet this prerequisite.
- Oral communication (COMM 100 )
- Written communication (ENGL 104 )
- Critical Thinking
- Chemistry: general, inorganic, organic or integrated* (CHEM 107 , CHEM 109 , CHEM 128 )
- Human anatomy with lab ( ZOOL 270 )
- Human physiology with lab (ZOOL 113 )
- Microbiology with lab (BIOL 210 )
- Statistics (STAT 108 )

* with associated lab, if required at the institution where the course was taken.

Students are required to maintain current California Registered Nurse licensure while enrolled in nursing courses. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the program director immediately, in writing, of any changes in licensure status.

Requirements for the Major (44 units)

For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ”. The Upper Division Area B General Education requirement is met by the coursework within the nursing major. The department suggests that students select Upper Division GE area C and area D courses that also meet Diversity and Common Ground (DCG) requirements.

Students may be awarded up to 10 lower division units and 7 upper division units using the standardized external National Council Licensure Examination NCLEX-RN to demonstrate prior learning of the pre-licensure art and science of nursing required by the Board of Registered Nursing.

A minimum grade of C must be earned in all major courses.

Required Courses (27 Units)

HED 451 - Nutrition & Chronic Disease Units: 3
NRSG 348 - Development for Professional Practice Units: 3
NRSG 350 - Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice Units: 3
NRSG 372 - Health Assessment & Promotion Across the Lifespan Units: 3
NRSG 390 - Nursing Informatics & Information Literacy & Competency Units: 3
NRSG 460 - Nursing Leadership & Management Dynamics Units: 3
NRSG 470 - Community/Public Health Nursing Units: 3
NRSG 471 - Community/Public Health Nursing Lab Units: 3
NRSG 490 - Introduction to Nursing Research Units: 3

Programs Leading to Licensure & Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from the Office of Academic Affairs, Siemens Hall 216, 707-826-3722.

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).

Nursing, B.S.N. Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Identify ways to improve healthcare in the US and they will acquire leadership skills necessary to advocate for such improvements in rural populations.
Apply knowledge of social and cultural factors to the care of diverse populations.
Integrate patient care technologies as appropriate to address the diverse needs of a rural patient population.
Develop a nursing philosophy that formulates how they will apply their personal strengths to the care of others while nurturing their own personal health and wellness.
Analyze data and apply relevant research to identify evidence-based solutions in their area of specialization.