California State University East Bay BSN Programs

Cal State East Bay’s nursing school provides detailed Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. These programs create nurse generalists who deliver culturally sensitive care to clients from various socioeconomic backgrounds. The curriculum blends general and professional education to produce well-educated professionals who thrive in healthcare settings.

Students at different stages of their nursing careers can choose between two distinct program pathways. The Pre-Licensure program requires two years of prerequisites followed by two and a half years of nursing courses. Students attend this full-time, daytime program over five terms, with most lecture courses happening in-person or in hybrid format. Clinical courses take place at local hospitals and partner organizations, while students participate in community courses within neighborhood settings.

Licensed California RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can enroll in the Post-Licensure programs. Students complete these online programs in one year full-time or two years part-time. The curriculum requires one off-campus community experience course despite being mostly online.

Hands-on experience remains a priority in both programs. Pre-Licensure students gain experience through on and off-campus activities that combine simulation, interventions lab, community work, and clinical rotations in hospitals and health agencies. Post-Licensure students enhance their abilities through online courses in health assessment, research, leadership, and critical thinking.

The Pre-Licensure program gives equal priority to three groups: full-time Cal State East Bay students, local transfers from the six-county admission area, and current or honorably discharged military members. Students attend Fall terms at the Hayward Campus and Spring terms at the Concord Center.

Post-Licensure students become eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate after completing their BSN degree. The university’s Master of Science in Nursing Program offers uninterrupted progression to practice or research doctoral education for advanced degree seekers.

The nursing department’s standards remain high. Their NCLEX-RN pass rates are a big deal as it means that they surpass state and national averages, proving Cal State East Bay’s nursing education approach works effectively.

Types of Programs Offered

Cal State East Bay’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs help students at different points in their nursing careers. The department prepares nurse generalists who can provide culturally sensitive care in a variety of healthcare settings.

The Pre-Licensure program welcomes students who are new to nursing, including those with previous bachelor’s degrees. Students complete two years of prerequisite coursework before starting their nursing courses, which run for five semesters over two and a half years. The program runs during daytime hours. Students can start in fall at the Hayward Campus or spring at the Concord Center. The program combines on-campus and off-campus learning through simulation, interventions lab, community work, and clinical rotations at local hospitals and community health agencies.

Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) can join the LVN-BSN Pathway within the Pre-Licensure program. This track recognizes their medical background while keeping the same five-semester structure as the standard program. Students earn their BSN degree and become eligible to take the RN license examination after graduation.

The Post-Licensure programs serve practicing nurses who have a California RN license and an Associate Degree in Nursing. These programs run mostly online and take one year full-time or two years part-time. Students learn advanced nursing concepts through online courses in health assessment, research, leadership, and critical thinking. They also complete one off-campus community experience course. BSN graduates can apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate after finishing their community health component.

The Concord Center uses a cohort model where small student groups learn together. This approach creates a supportive environment and helps students complete their degree and prepare for NCLEX examinations.

ADN to BSN students can choose between two flexible options: a 12-month accelerated full-time track or a 24-month part-time on-campus program. Tuition costs range from $9,400 for full-time to $14,094 for part-time study. Students pay per academic term based on units: $1,513 for 0-6 units and $940 for 6.1 units or more.

Cal State East Bay also offers a Master of Science in Nursing Program. Students can specialize in Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership and Administration, which opens the door to doctoral studies.

Online and Hybrid Options

Cal State East Bay’s nursing education approach puts flexibility front and center. The university offers BSN programs with different delivery methods that match students’ needs and priorities.

Pre-Licensure students benefit from a mix of in-person and hybrid lecture courses along with hands-on clinical experiences at local hospitals and community partners. This combination helps students develop practical skills while giving them some scheduling flexibility through hybrid elements.

Post-Licensure programs take a different path, running mostly online to help working nurses advance their education. These programs feature online courses in health assessment, research, leadership, and critical thinking skills, plus one off-campus community experience course. Working nurses can complete their BSN in one year full-time or two years part-time while keeping their jobs.

Students get access to more than just nursing courses. Cal State East Bay’s partnership with Cal State Online-Quottly opens doors to over 70,000 courses from more than 100 California colleges and universities. This huge selection helps students find classes that work with their schedule and might speed up their path to graduation.

The university’s Master of Science in Nursing program shows the same commitment to flexibility. Most course instruction happens through online learning that students can complete on their own time. The program includes a two-day in-person immersion event when each academic year begins. These campus gatherings build community between students and faculty and provide valuable face-to-face time without making the program less accessible to working professionals.

Cal State East Bay has earned recognition for its online and hybrid programs. The university’s core team and experienced faculty maintain high academic standards whatever the format, helping students reach their educational and career goals.

Admission Requirements

Students need careful planning and specific criteria to get into California State University, East Bay BSN Programs. The process starts with two separate applications: one general university application through Cal State Apply and another for the nursing program through NursingCAS.

Your GPA plays a vital role in getting accepted. You’ll need at least a 3.00 GPA in both the four science prerequisites and all eight prerequisites combined. A GPA of 3.60 or higher makes you competitive. On top of that, it’s mandatory to score a ‘C’ or better in all prerequisite courses—they won’t accept a ‘C-‘ even if your overall GPA is good enough.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is another significant part of your application. You must score a minimum of 70% overall and at least 65% in both English and Reading sections. Students with scores starting at 80% have better chances. The school will only look at your first three attempts.

Cal State East Bay ranks candidates in these priority groups:

• Current full-time Cal State East Bay students (who’ve completed at least two semesters)
• Local transfer students from the six-county admission area (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano)
• Current military members or veterans with honorable discharge

Science prerequisites must be completed within seven years before you apply. You can retake one science prerequisite without losing points, but any more retakes will lower your score.

Each campus has different deadlines. Hayward’s fall admission requires all prerequisites done by January 31. Concord’s spring admission needs them completed by August 31. This makes timeline planning a significant part of your preparation.

The application needs a personal statement that answers specific questions about your qualities and attributes. You can earn extra points through healthcare or community experience (75 hours minimum) and knowing a second language.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at California State University, East Bay

Cal State East Bay’s BSN Programs stand out from other nursing education options in several ways. The university uses a unique cohort model at the Concord Center that lets small groups of students learn together. Students support each other instead of competing, which creates a positive learning environment.

Clinical experiences make this program special. Many programs limit clinical placements, but Cal State East Bay collaborates with healthcare facilities in six counties. Students get exposure to different patient populations and healthcare settings. This approach helps graduates handle modern nursing challenges.

The nursing programs at Cal State East Bay prioritize accessibility. Three student groups get equal priority for admission: current full-time students, local transfer students from six counties, and military members or veterans. This creates opportunities for students from different backgrounds rather than just focusing on traditional metrics.

Campus admission cycles work differently here. Hayward Campus accepts students in fall terms, while Concord Center takes spring admissions. This schedule uses facilities efficiently and gives students multiple chances to start throughout the year.

Post-Licensure students benefit from great flexibility. They can finish the curriculum in one year full-time or two years part-time. Working nurses can advance their education without giving up their jobs.

The nursing department’s NCLEX-RN pass rates are a big deal as it means that they exceed state and national averages. This shows how well their teaching methods and curriculum work.

The program weaves community participation throughout the curriculum. Students learn about healthcare beyond hospital settings. This complete approach creates graduates who can provide care in a variety of settings and communities. These features make Cal State East Bay’s nursing program truly unique in both its teaching philosophy and results.