RN to BS in Nursing

Program Information

Application Process

Submit an application via Cal State Apply and complete SDSU’s Supplemental Application. SDSU will accept Fall and Spring admission applications from October 1 – November 30.

For additional information and guidance on addmissions, check out the Admissions Contact Page to get in touch with a specialist at SDSU.

Need help with your Cal State Apply Application? View SDSU's Application Page for Transfer students for upcoming dates of Zoom Cal State Apply Transfer Workshops.
If you have questions about your application to CSU call (857) 304-2087 or visit the Cal State Apply Help Center.

See SDSU’s Transfer Admission Website for additional information.

CROSS ENROLLMENT ADN STUDENTS

If you're a student at any community college and meet the requirements, you can take a course at SDSU without joining a special group.

Learn More at Cross Enrollment

IMPORTANT
If you are interested in applying for spring admissions, please email [email protected]

Program Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

(NOTE: Applications are due in the Fall even if planning to start in the Spring.)

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma from a regionally accredited school
• Students can start with eligibility for RN licensure pending NCLEX exam.
• Cumulative GPA: Minimum of 3.0
• Completion of the Following Courses, or their equivalents:
  • Human Anatomy with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of B
  • Human Physiology with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of B
  • Microbiology with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of B
  • Chemistry (General Chem or-Organic Chem -or-Integrated Chem or- Inorganic Chem), minimum grade of C
  • Oral Communication 
  • Written Communication 
  • Critical Thinking 
  • Statistics, 3 semester units, minimum grade of C
  • General Education Requirements
    (See SDSU General Catalog or consult the SDSU Prospective Student Center at 619-594-6336 for General Education Requirement information)

Contact advisor for course equivalencies. 

Curriculum Overview

RN to BS Students first meet all requirements for completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing program from a regionally accredited program.

For RN to BS students, the nursing courses taken upon entering the SDSU School of Nursing include:
(schedule of courses subject to change)

• NURS 312: Nursing Professionalism (3 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 307W: Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Writing for Nurses (3 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 320: Health Assessment and Health Promotion for RN to BS (4 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 415/415L: Community Health (5 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 458/458L: Leadership (5 units – offered Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters)
• NURS 400/400L: Nursing Care of the Complex, High Acuity or Critically Ill Patients (6 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
  -OR-
• NURS 437: Transitional Care of Populations (6 units – offered Fall, Spring, and Summer 2020)

Program length may vary.  Most RN to BS students can complete the Bachelor of Science degree at SDSU within fifteen months.

SDSU Requirements

The general education requirements do not apply to second baccalaureate students.

In addition to the nursing-specific coursework, all candidates for a degree in applied arts and sciences must complete the requirements listed in the “Graduation Requirements” section of the SDSU General Catalog. For additional information on general education and graduation requirements, students must meet with an academic advisor in The Office of Advising and Evaluations

Please note: SDSU requires students to enroll in a minimum 6 units their first semester at SDSU.

SDSU Upper Division General Education Requirements

You must complete Section IV, Explorations of Human Experience to satisfy your General Education requirements at SDSU. Complete one course from categories A, B, and C (9 units).

• Select one course from Category A. (3 units)
• Suggested course from Category B – HHS 350: Applied International Health and Human Services (3 units) or  PSY 351: Psychology of Personality (3 units)
• Required course from Category C – PHIL 330: Medical Ethics (3 units)

Second Degree Bachelor's Students

The RN to BS program curriculum is conveniently offered at both of SDSU’s campuses, the San Diego campus, and the Imperial Valley campus.

For those students entering the program as a second baccalaureate student:

• International experience is waived
• SDSU Upper Division General Education Requirements are waived

Second Degree RN to BS Students must meet all requirements for completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing program from a regionally accredited program and in addition hold a Bachelor’s Degree.  Upon RN licensure, students then enter the SDSU RN to BS program.

Second baccalaureate students will move through the RN-BS program at a faster pace as the international experience and SDSU Upper Division General Education requirements are waived.

For RN to BS students, the nursing courses taken in the first semester include.
(schedule of courses subject to change)

• NURS 312: Nursing Professionalism (3 units – offered Fall and Spring Semester)
• NURS 307W: Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Writing for Nurses (3 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 320: Health Assessment and Health Promotion for RN to BS (4 units – offered Fall and Spring Semester)
• NURS 415/415L: Community Health (5 units – offered Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 458/458L: Leadership (5 units – offered Summer, Fall and Spring Semesters)
• NURS 400/400L: Nursing Care of the Complex, High Acuity or Critically Ill Patients (6 units – offered Fall and Spring Semester)
  -OR-
• NURS 437: Transitional Care of Populations (6 units – offered Summer, Fall, and Summer)

The length of the program may vary.  However most Second Degree RN to BS students can complete the Bachelor of Science degree at SDSU within 10 months.

International Experience

Specific details can be found on the CHHS Undergraduate International Experience web site.

FAQ

• How long will the RN to BS in Nursing Program take?
  Most students will complete the program in twelve to fifteen months.
  
  
• What if I have my Bachelor’s Degree in another field?
  Second baccalaureate degree students are able to quickly move through our program within one year, and the general education courses and international requirement are waived.
  
  You also may be eligible for our Master's degree program in the Leadsership specialty. Please see our Graduate Program website.
• How much does it cost to attend SDSU?
  The cost is about $13,000 including General Education courses. Information about the cost of attending SDSU.