Admission Requirements
Admission to the Program
- A valid California registered nursing license (RN License must be received 45 days prior to the first day of class)
- California state resident
- Admission to Sacramento State
- Completed RN to BSN online application
- Official transcripts of all institutions attended
- A cumulative G.P.A of 2.6 based on the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of graded transferable course work
- Applicants who are currently employed as an RN will have priority for admission
- Supplemental writing or oral communication may be required
- Program admission is contingent upon meeting requirements outlined and passing drug screening and background check.
The following classes must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better.
REQUIRED Preadmission courses
In Progress Policy: Classes may be in progress prior to admission. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for in-progress classes but must be replaced with official transcripts.
- Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I (with a lab)
- Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II (with a lab)
- Microbiology (with a lab)
- Chemistry (integrated or organic chemistry is not required)
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- Statistics
- Critical Thinking
Licensure, Credentialing, and Certification Requirements
Admission into programs leading to licensure, credentialing, or certification eligibility does not guarantee that students will obtain a license, credential, or certification. Licensure, credentialing, or certification 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, credentialing, or certification requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements. Information concerning licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements are available from Sara Niekamp, School of Nursing, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6096; 916-278-6714.
RN to BSN ELEMENTS
Completion of the BSN requires a minimum of 120 units. Additional units may be required to fulfill GE requirements not completed at the ADN level. This includes 50 units in the upper division Nursing major, 9 units of upper division GE taken at Sacramento State and lower division GE and Nursing courses transferred from another college or taken at Sacramento State. You are required to complete a minimum of 30 units in residence on the Sac State campus.*
Required Nursing Courses
- NURS171: Transitional Concepts: The Baccalaureate Nurse (6 units)
- NURS173: Theoretical Foundations for Leadership and Management (6 units)
- NURS174: Community Health Nursing: Concepts and Practice (4 units)
- NURS174C: Community Health Nursing: Clinical Elective (2 units)
- NURS170: Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (3 units)
- NURS179: Professional Communication and Reasoning Development (3 units)
- NURS178: Culminating Project (3 units)
- Completion of NCLEX (19 Units)
- Total Units 46
Please note that applying to our RN to BSN program is a 2 step process.
First step: Apply to the University at www.Calstate.edu/Apply
- Select Nursing as your major, do not select Nursing CCE Extension
- Enter a 0 in the RN License field if you do not have an RN license.
- All transcripts will need to be submitted to the university (only 1 set). Do not upload on Calstate apply. For detailed information about transcripts: Transcripts
- All courses will need to be entered on your online application unless you are a second bachelor student.
*If you are a second bachelor student, select "undergraduate" and "Seeking a Second Bachelors Degree" when applying. Do not select "Graduate" Application!
University deadlines for applications are as follows:
Application period for fall: October 1- November 30
Application period for spring: August 1- August 31
Second step: Apply to the School of Nursing. The nursing application link is below:
Application period for fall: December 1- February 15
Application period for spring: September 1- October 15
Please use the application checklist as a tool to guide you through the application process.
It is recommended that students complete the CSU General Education pattern to fulfill the general education requirements for the Associate's Degree in Nursing. Please visit the link below for the Sierra College, Sacramento City College, and American River College ADN to BSN Roadmaps
Learn how to start with a California Community College associate degree in nursing (ADN) and complete a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) at the California State University. Completion of an ADN degree does not guarantee admission to a CSU BSN degree program.
Contact Us
For more information, contact us
by email at: rntobsn@csus.edu
Testimonial
I graduated from the RN to BSN program one year ago. After being out of school for about 10 years, I was apprehensive about becoming a student again. The RN to BSN program at Sac State is more than wonderful! I loved it, lived through it and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for degree advancement on a flexible schedule. The nursing faculty was supportive and resourceful in every aspect. The curriculum is awesome and is designed to perfectly accommodate a working adult learner. I had a great experience!
- Elena Tyukayev RN, BSN
RN to BSN Program
The School of Nursing's RN to BSN program at Sacramento State offers a unique career opportunity for the working Registered Nurse. The program is designed to advance the associate degree RN to the next level in the profession, preparing the graduate BSN nurse for professional leadership roles in society. In addition, each graduate of the RN to BSN program receives a Public Health Nurse certificate. The School takes pride in professional activities in the health care community at the local, state and national level with a wide range of clinical expertise and research interests.
Employers are recognizing that today's dynamic health care field demands baccalaureate-prepared nurses as essential in providing optimal delivery of healthcare in community health, education, research and leadership roles. The curriculum at Sacramento State is designed with the flexibility to meet the needs of the working RN. Variation in completion time depends on the student's individual needs and educational background. Our supportive and knowledgeable faculty advisors will help you select program elements tailored to your needs. The undergraduate program objectives are to provide the learner with a knowledge base from the physical and behavioral sciences and humanities and knowledge of developing theories and practices of nursing. Opportunities will be provided for the student to prepare for a professional role in society; opportunities to utilize the nursing process with individuals and groups in a variety of settings for the purposes of evaluating current health care practices and testing new approaches; opportunities to function in a leadership role with the consumer and members of other disciplines; and a stimulus for continued personal and professional development.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at California State University, Sacramento is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).