Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated
Overview
CSUSM’s RN to BSN program is an accelerated, online program designed for registered nurses. This fully-online program gives nurses the opportunity to earn their BSN in just 14 months.
According to registerednursing.org, CSUSM's RN to BSN program has been ranked:
- #1 online RN to BSN program in California
- #5 online RN to BSN program in the United States
Upcoming Online Information Sessions
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New cohorts begin multiple times a year with starts each fall and spring semester.
Application and document deadlines:
- Spring I 2023: Dec. 7, 2022
- Spring II 2023: Feb. 1, 2023
- Fall I 2023: July 12, 2023
- Fall II 2023: Sep. 13, 2023
Program Starts:
- Spring I 2023: Jan. 23, 2023
- Spring II 2023: Mar. 18, 2023
- Fall I 2023: Aug. 28, 2023
- Fall II 2023: Oct. 21, 2023
View application instructions.
Please note: We are temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts for applications for the Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 term.
Program Details
- ADMISSION
How to Apply
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average in all transferable units attempted
- 2.5 GPA for students who have already completed a bachelors
- Successful completion of a minimum of 60 transferable units
- Successful completion of the pre-nursing core with a grade of C or better
- Oral Communication (A1)
- Written Communication (A2)
- Critical Thinking (A3)
- MATH 200 - Statistics (B4)
- BIOL 160 - Microbiology for Health Sciences units
- BIOL 175 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I units
- BIOL 176 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- CHEM 105 - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life units
- CHEM 105L - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life Laboratory
- Successfully complete the pre-nursing core with a minimum GPA of 2.75
- RN license
Please note: To be considered for admission you must reside in an approved state.
Please also note: CSUSM will accept online courses (for all requirements) from regionally accredited institutions.
Preferred Preparation
- Completion of additional CSUSM lower-division GE BRN-required courses, upper-division GE courses and other CSUSM graduation requirements. More details can be found in the ABSN Course Sequence section.
View Catalog Page
NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.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). - Minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average in all transferable units attempted
- COSTS
Cost Breakdown Semester Units* Subtotal** Fall Semester 1 - Block 1
6 $1,878 Fall Semester 1 - Block 2 6 $1,878 Spring Semester 1 - Block 1 5 $1,565 Spring Semester 1 - Block 2 7 $2,191 Summer Semester 1 7 $2,191 Fall Semester 2 - Block 1 7 $2,191
Total 38 $11,894 *Unit rate for this program is $313
**University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.
Funding and Financial Aid
- This program is eligible for financial aid
- Kaiser IONE Scholarship and other nursing specific funding opportunities may be found online
- Visit the Extended Learning funding page to learn more about your funding options
- Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
- Cal Grant can be used for this program
- Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
- COURSE SEQUENCE
View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the RN to BSN Catalog Page.
Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.
Sample Schedule - Fall Start
Example Semester - Fall Start Semester Course (units) Fall Semester 1 - Block 1
NURS 350 (2) - Role Transition for the RN
NURS 351 (1) - Role Transition Seminar for the RN
PHIL 345 (3) - Bioethics and Medical Ethics
Fall Semester 1 - Block 2 NURS 310 (2) - Nursing Assessment for the RN
NURS 311 (1) - Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory
ANTH 301 (3) - Culture and Medicine: Healers and Healing Practices
Spring Semester 1 - Block 1 NURS 352 (3) - Nursing Research
NURS 370 (2) - Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies
Spring Semester 1 - Block 2 NURS 312 (4) - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
BIOL 316 (3) - The Biology of Cancer
Summer Semester (10 weeks) NURS 450 (3) - Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues
NURS 451 (2) - Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory
NURS 480 (2) - Family Nursing: Theory and Practice
Fall Semester 2 - Block 1 NURS 442 (2) - Nursing Case Management of Vulnerable Populations
NURS 440 (3) - Community Health Nursing
NURS 447 (2) - Public Health Nursing Practicum
Sample Schedule - Spring Start
Example Semester - Spring Start Semester Course (units) Spring Semester 1 - Block 1 NURS 350 (2) - Role Transition for the RN
NURS 351 (1) - Role Transition Seminar for the RN
PHIL 345 (3) - Bioethics and Medical Ethics
Spring Semester 1 - Block 2 NURS 310 (2) - Nursing Assessment for the RN
NURS 311 (1) - Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory
ANTH 301 (3) - Culture and Medicine: Healers and Healing Practices
Summer Semester (10 weeks) NURS 352 (3) - Nursing Research
NURS 370 (2) - Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies
Fall Semester 1 - Block 1 NURS 312 (4) - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
BIOL 316 (3) - The Biology of Cancer
Fall Semester 1 - Block 2 NURS 450 (3) - Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues
NURS 451 (2) - Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory
NURS 480 (2) - Family Nursing: Theory and Practice
Spring Semester 2 - Block 1 NURS 440 (3) - Community Health Nursing
NURS 447 (2) - Public Health Nursing Practicum
NURS 442 (2) - Nursing Case Management of Vulnerable Populations
Schedules are subject to change.
- FAQ
What is the program schedule?
The RN to BSN program requires 14 months of study and is divided into eight-week classes during the fall and spring semesters and 10-week classes during the summer semester. Unlike other RN to BSN programs, CSUSM builds in breaks between semesters and holidays to allow you to pursue your education without compromising your life and family priorities.
Program Starts Semester Dates Fall 1 - 2022 start
August 29, 2022
Fall 2 - 2022 start
October 22, 2022
Spring 1 - 2023 start January 23, 2023
Spring 2 - 2023 start March 18, 2023
How big are the class sizes? Is it hard to contact your professor?
The RN to BSN program is limited to 44 students per cohort. CSUSM intentionally designed this program to have small class sizes with unprecedented access to your professors in an online format.
Will I need to visit the campus at any point?
No, this program is designed to be completed online (except for clinical hours).
When can I start?
CSUSM offers multiple starts per year.
Are there prerequisites for this program?
To enroll in the RN to BSN program, CSUSM requires you to hold an associate degree in nursing and an active RN license. Aside from the degree and license, a small list of previously completed courses are required.
Can I apply to the program if prerequisites are in progress?
Prerequisite courses can be in progress upon application; however, all prerequisites must be completed prior to your requested start date.
Can I apply before I take the NCLEX?
Yes, if you will have your ADN conferred and license issued prior to starting the program, you may be conditionally admitted to the program. Conditional admission may impact the disbursement of financial aid funds.
Can I apply if my license is probationary?
You need to have an active/current license to ensure you have access to complete the clinical hours in the program. You are responsible for securing clinical placements.
Can I apply to an earlier start date so I may be evaluated and get started on any remaining requirements?
Yes, many students do this so they can have a road map of what they need to complete.
What about transcripts?
You need to request transcripts from ALL postsecondary institutions attended and have them sent to CSUSM. An application is not considered complete until we have all transcripts. We will not be able to review your application for any start dates until we have all required documents.
Once I apply and all of my transcripts are received, how long will it take to find out if I am admitted?
It typically takes around four to six weeks to receive your evaluation worksheet outlining the requirements you have met and any that are still needed. Admission decisions are typically sent after the evaluation process is complete.
Can clinicals be completed at your place of employment?
The leadership clinicals can usually be completed at your place of work; the community health clinical hours must be completed at a community/public health facility.
How do I meet the statistics requirement?
Courses typically approved to meet our requirement carry a CSU GE designation of B4 or (if taken outside of California or at a non-CSU) have similar course descriptions/content to our MATH 200. Typical course content includes regression analysis, ANOVA, correlation, T-tests, comparative analysis, etc.
What are the changes to the Language Other Than English Requirement (LOTER) and how do they affect me?
All transfer students who have NOT completed coursework to meet the CSU GE Area C3 must complete a college level language course to meet this requirement. Students who have already met C3 will not be required to take any language courses.
What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?
Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help you with VA benefits, campus resources, financial aid and more.
Gain skills for general nursing practice, prepare for leadership roles in healthcare, clinics and community organizations and be ready for entry into graduate-level nursing programs
This program places a strong emphasis on delivering skillful, culturally sensitive nursing care to prepare you to work with diverse individuals and communities
Gain real nursing experience through a variety of acute care and community settings
This 14-month program has broken down into eight week phases and, unlike other RN to BSN programs, has built-in breaks between semesters and holidays
Earning a BSN vs. an ADN provides more career options, often with higher pay; opens up career paths such as nurse educator or public health nurse; and serves as the next step to advanced nursing roles, including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader and more. With one to four years of experience, the median salary for an RN with an ADN is $60,744, while an individual with a BSN and the same level of experience has a median salary of $70,835.
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