Bachelor of Science in Nursing, B.S.N.
California State University, Fresno
Key Information
Campus location
Fresno, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 16,809 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* with additional fees and living expenses, the overall annual cost is around $28,584
Scholarships
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Introduction
The School of Nursing offers a program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The degree requires a minimum of 120-semester units, and the nursing curriculum sequence covers five semesters.
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the California Public Health Nurse Certificate. The program is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
High school students preparing for a career in nursing should take biology, chemistry, and additional college preparatory courses required for CSU admission.
Program Outcome
What You Can Learn
- An understanding of the principles underlying the techniques, procedures, and activities required while caring for clients with common health conditions
- Knowledge of health assessment, communication skills, and nursing procedures in the care of patients in the healthcare setting
- The nurse's role as a teacher in the healthcare setting
- The application of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the community with individuals, families, and groups
Curriculum
1. Major requirements (58 units)
NURS 10, NURS 10L, NURS 110, NURS 110A, NURS 110L, NURS 112, NURS 114, NURS 121, NURS 121L, NURS 124, NURS 131, NURS 131L, NURS 132, NURS 132L, NURS 140A, NURS 140L, NURS 141, NURS 141LS, NURS 142, NURS 145, NURS 150, NURS 150AL, NURS 151, NURS 155
Prerequisite requirements (28 units)
(See prerequisites listed under Eligibility to Apply to the Program. [19 units may be applied to G.E.])
Additional course requirements (15 units)
CFS 38; PHIL 20 or PHIL 120; PSYCH 10; NUTR 53. [12 total units may be applied to G.E.]
2. General Education requirements (48 units)
3. Other requirements (9units)
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing
4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)
5.Total (120 units)*
* G.E. and MI courses can be double-counted with major requirements. ANTH 116W is recommended for the upper-division writing requirement because it meets both the writing requirement and G.E. ID. If students choose a different writing course, they need to take a
separate G.E. ID course to meet G.E requirements. See advisor for details.
Advising Notes
Students must complete CFS 38 and NUTR 53 no later than the first semester of the nursing major.
Please see www.fresnostate.edu/nursing for specific G.E. classes and recommended elective classes designated for nursing.
Introduction to Psychology (PSYCH 10) and SOC 3 must be completed no later than the second semester of the nursing major.
Major courses must be taken for a letter grade; CR/NC grading is not permitted in the nursing major.
Students are strongly encouraged to seek academic advising every semester.
All practicum courses (with suffix "AL" or "L") require a minimum of three hours of clinical work per unit of credit as a minimum to meet course objectives.
In compliance with Federal Requirements for Posting Licensure and Certification Eligibility, please see the CSU Chancellor’s Office calstate.edu website.
Policies and Procedures for B.S.N. Admission
Admission to the program is a two-step process: (1) admission to the university and (2) admission to the nursing major. For fall entry all prerequisites must be completed by the preceding fall semester and for spring entry all prerequisites must be completed by the preceding spring semester. Applicants must meet all criteria for admission to the university and to the nursing major.
Specific health criteria must be met. Students with recurrent infections or physical limitations who cannot meet clinical course objectives may be unable to satisfactorily complete the requirements for a B.S. in Nursing. Contact the Nursing Department regarding specific requirements.
Background Checks
All state Boards of Nursing require an individual to possess a professional license to practice as a registered nurse (RN). Students are advised to investigate all background requirements for RN licensure (e.g., criminal background checks, verification of employment eligibility, and verification of citizenship or immigration status). Likewise, clinical nursing courses require criminal background checks and drug screening for clinical placement and course enrollment.
Eligibility to Apply to the Program
Students must have an overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, students must pass the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score of 75%. Students receiving a score of less than 75% will be allowed to retake the exam once, but this must be done prior to their application. For TEAS information, see www.atitesting.com.
The following eight prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entry into the nursing program.
G.E. Area A1 (COMM 3, COMM 7, or COMM 8) (3 units)
G.E. Area A2 (ENGL 5B or ENGL 10) (3 units)
G.E. Area A3* (SOC 3) preferred (3 units)
G.E. Area B4* (MATH 11 or PH 92) preferred (3 units)
Chemistry (CHEM 3A) (4 units)
Microbiology (BIOL 20) (4 units)
Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 67A) (4 units)
Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 67B) (4 units)
Total (28 units)
* See G.E. list for approved courses.
Each prerequisite must be completed with a minimum C grade - CR/NC grades are not acceptable. (Excluding AP and IB credit)
A GPA of 3.0 is required in the eight prerequisite courses .
online, Web-based or distance learning science and laboratory courses taken at other institutions must be approved by the nursing admissions coordinator.
Selection Criteria
The program is on impacted status (the number of applications received is greater than the number of vacancies for the program). Therefore, admission into the nursing major is very competitive; there is no waiting list. Applicants must reapply each time and compete with the entire applicant pool if not selected.
(a) Students will be ranked by grade point average in the prerequisites courses (prerequisites GPA).
(b) Preference will be given to U.S. military veterans who meet minimum requirements for admissions and who submit a DD214 showing an honorable discharge status prior to submission of application. Remaining applicants will be ranked by prerequisite GPA and admitted as enrollment quotas allow.
Application Filing Period
Fall admission: School of Nursing applications are available February 1-28; university applications are available October 1.
Spring admission: School of Nursing applications are available July 1-31; university applications are available August 1.
Dates are subject to change. Additional information and applications can be obtained online at www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/nursing or by calling nursing admissions at 559.278.5027.
The two program applications (both university and nursing) include additional instructions.
Note: Students who have been admitted to the major, have made no arrangements with the school, failed to attend the nursing orientation, and fail to attend the first day of class will be dropped administratively from the major and not considered for future admission.
International course credit and admission eligibility
No prerequisite courses taken at an international institution are accepted to fulfill the Nursing Admissions prerequisites. Equivalent prerequisite courses and nursing additional requirements must be taken and/or repeated at domestic institutions in the United States.