RN to BSN Programs San Francisco, CA

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires four years of in-depth study. With the RN-to-BSN program, you can significantly reduce the time to obtain the degree. In just one additional year of study, you can acquire advanced nursing skills such as nursing research, informatics, public health, leadership, evidence-based care, leadership, and much more. The knowledge gained can help you to prepare for a more advanced role in patient care as well as for graduate study. BSN nurses earn more than associate degree nurses. Their advanced training qualifies them for opportunities not available to other nurses. For example, roles in leadership require a BSN degree at minimum. Even for entry-level positions, more employers are requiring the BSN degree to improve the efficiency of their nursing teams and increase patient outcomes and satisfaction.

San Francisco State University

The ADN-BSN Program at San Francisco State University is offered through a collaborative effort between SF State School of Nursing and designated California Community College (CCC) partners. The program is open to students who completed the University’s general education and community partner degree requirements. They will have the opportunity to earn both ADN and BSN degrees in two and a half years of full-time study. Admission to the program is concurrent with the admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) at the College of San Mateo and City College of San Francisco. Students may be eligible for credit for previous coursework after transcript evaluation. They may earn up to 20 units for successfully passing the California licensure exam. The BSN degree will be awarded after completion of the ADN degree, passing the NCLEX exam, and one full-time semester in the ADN to BSN program.

Program Outline

Units: 120 including transfer credits
Duration: 2.5 years
Method of instruction: Hybrid

Course titles:

Prerequisites: Freshman or Sophomore Composition Course, Critical Thinking, Statistics, Microbiology for Health Sciences, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, General, Organic and Biochemistry for Life, General, Organic and Biochemistry for Life Lab

Core courses – Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing, Physical and/or Life Sciences, Chronic Care and End of Life Care Theory, University Elective, Maternal and Newborn Care, Psychosocial Nursing, Upper Division Arts and/or Humanities, Nursing of Children, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Trends and Issues in Nursing, Community Health and Global Perspectives Theory, Community Health and Global Perspectives Practicum, Professional Practice Concepts Theory

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all transferable units attempted
  • Must be an incoming AND student at College of San Mateo or City College of San Francisco
  • Must submit the School of Nursing supplemental application and the University application – for applicants who are not already SF State students
  • Must have completed a minimum of 60 transferable credits
  • Must have completed nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must be a California resident or be eligible for in-state tuition
  • Clear a criminal background check and drug screen
  • Complete the immunization requirements/titers
  • Complete CPR certification
  • Must have health and liability insurance

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $46 per unit for California residents. The cost of books and supplies is not included,

Samuel Merritt University

The RN to BSN Nursing program at Samuel Merritt University lets nurses earn a BSN degree part-time while maintaining their career. The curriculum builds on the solid foundation provided by the RN degree. It takes previous academic and professional experiences into account as nurses continue their education. Students will deepen their knowledge of evidence-based care, broaden their understanding of public health issues, build teamwork and communication skills, and strengthen self-care practices.  Graduates will be awarded the BSN degree upon completion of the requirements. They will also have foundational preparation for graduate study to earn a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice.

Program Outline

Units: 30 not including prerequisite and support courses
Duration: 20 months (5 semesters)
Method of instruction: Hybrid

Course titles:

Prerequisites: English Composition, Critical Thinking, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Sociology, General Psychology, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Fine Arts Theory, Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics or Bioethics, US History, Diversity/Ethnic Studies, Humanities Elective, Nutrition, Statistics, Humanities Elective, Nutrition, Statistics, Human Anatomy with Lab, Human Physiology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Microbiology with Lab

Core courses – MBSR & Neuroscience of Change, Applied Research and Statistics I, Health Policy, Applied Research and Statistics II, Quality, Safety & Leadership I, Humanities and the Human Condition, Quality, Safety & Leadership II, Community/Public Health Nursing, Caring Science, Quality, Safety & leadership III, Community/Public Health Nursing Practicum, Genetics & Genomics, Caring Science II, Quality, Safety & Leadership IV

Admission criteria:

  • Must have an associate degree in nursing or enrolment in an associate degree in nursing program
  • Must have a current, unencumbered RN license
  • Must have70 transferable semester credits – all credits counting toward the associate degree in nursing are transferable
  • Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Submit two letters of reference – one from a faculty member and the other from a healthcare professional
  • Request official transcripts of all college courses to be submitted to the University
  • Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
  • Must have medical insurance coverage
  • Must have CPR certification from the American Heart Association (Basic Life Support module)
  • Submit short answer responses with the application
  • Must complete the Student Health Forms including the health requirements
  • Provide documentation of immunization – Flu Vaccine, MMR, Varicella, TB, PPD
  • Provide a head-shot photo for the ID badge

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $33,416 annually for the total program. Other costs include fees, books, uniforms, health insurance, graduation fee, and equipment. Financial aid is available for eligible students.

San Jose State University – Valley Foundation School of Nursing

The RN to BSN program at San Jose State University is designed for students that have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and are seeking to earn a  Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Current California RNs and prospects who will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester may apply to the program. Candidates who have completed the University General Education (GE) and nursing degree requirements will complete the program in three semesters. Credit will be awarded for previous coursework and an additional twenty (20) units for passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Some of the coursework will be delivered online. Students will also participate in some in-person and off-campus experiences. There will be an emphasis on research, leadership and critical thinking skills. Graduates may apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate after completing community health and earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Program Outline

Semester units: 33 units
Duration: 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Hybrid

Course titles:

Core courses – Evidence Based Practice Writing Workshop, Professional Practice Success I, Theoretical Foundations, Community Health Theory or Community Health Theory for RN to BSN program, Community Health Practicum, Professional Practice Success II, Leadership, Senior Preceptorship

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete all university transfer requirements
  • Must have a minimum 2.75 GPA in all college coursework
  • Submit an application to the university through CalState Apply by the specified deadline
  • Must complete the nursing prerequisite courses
  • Must complete a nursing program application through NursingCAS by the deadline – submit the application fee with the completed application
  • Must have an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited US college or university
  • Must have a valid California RN license or will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester of the program
  • Must have a minimum grade C in all prerequisite nursing courses – Public Speaking, Critical Thinking Course, Elementary Statistics, Intro to Chemistry- Inorganic

Program Cost:

Tuition and campus fees cost $2,790 per semester for part-time students.

National University

The RN to BSN program at National University builds on the existing knowledge and work experience of registered nurses and prepares them to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Prospective students must have a license to practice as a registered nurse. The program is delivered 100 percent online based on a four- or eight-week schedule. It supports the development of critical-thinking, communication, and therapeutic skills. Students must complete a minimum of 45 quarter units at National University. They may receive a maximum of 45 quarter units (30 semester units) of lower division credit if they are a registered nurse who has graduated from a three-year hospital nursing school. A maximum of 31.5 quarter units may apply toward the baccalaureate nursing (RN to BSN) degree if a student has passed the NCLEX-RN examination. Graduates will receive a BSN degree. They may also earn a California Public Health Nurse Certificate. The program has open admissions.

Program Outline

Semester units: 76.5 quarter units
Duration: 11 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Health Informatics, Professional Issues for RNs, Intro to Biomedical Statistics, Evidence Based Practice, NSG Leadership and Management, NSG Leadership and Management Practicum, Community Population, Community Population NSG Practicum, Quality Improvement, Quality Improvement Practicum, Health Education and Promotion, Issues and Trends in Healthcare, Legal/Ethical Issues and Health, Spanish for the Work Place, Cross Cultural Communication, Ethics, Healthy Aging

Admission criteria:

  • Must have 69 units or more of transferable credits earned with a grade C or better from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Must submit official transcripts from each institution attended –mailed directly from the colleges to NU
  • Must have a minimum 2.50 GPA on a 4.0 scale for transferred courses
  • Must have an active, unencumbered RN license at the time of application to the program
  • Must submit a completed application for admission

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $442 per quarter unit. Financial aid is available for eligible students.

  • Website: https://www.nu.edu/
  • Address: 9388 Lightwave Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
  • Phone: 855-355-6288