California Baptist University BSN Programs
Looking for a nursing school that blends professional excellence with Christian values? California Baptist University BSN programs create a path to success in nursing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth in this field from 2022 to 2032, which exceeds the average growth rate for all occupations.
CBU is Riverside County’s pioneer institution offering bachelor’s degrees and higher in nursing. The university’s 30-year-old reputation shines through its outstanding nursing programs. Students in the California Baptist University BSN curriculum gain practical skills that prepare them for their professional journey. The nursing program helps you earn your RN to BSN degree in just 14-16 months, based on your transferable units. Research shows BSN-prepared nurses display enhanced clinical judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities – vital skills for patient safety. The Cal Baptist BSN program partners with leading institutions like Kaiser Permanente and Loma Linda Veterans Administration. These partnerships provide complete, ground experience while you earn your quality degree.
Types of Programs Offered
California Baptist University gives future nurses several unique educational paths based on their career stages and goals. The California Baptist University BSN Programs provide options that match your specific needs, whether you’re starting your nursing career or already work as a registered nurse.
The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program accepts students as pre-nursing majors. Students must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, human microbiology, chemistry, mathematics, and communication before they can apply to the nursing program. The program runs for three years across six full-time semesters. Nursing classes run from September through April. Students build their skills step by step, from basic concepts to advanced clinical practice in this on-campus program.
Your studies will cover:
- Health assessment techniques and nursing theory
- Pathophysiology and pharmacology in an integrated approach
- Specialized care for mothers, children, adults, and aging populations
- Mental health nursing and community health services
- Leadership skills and professional role development
Students must attend the traditional BSN program full-time and in person. No online options exist currently. Clinical experiences happen throughout the Inland Empire, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. These experiences meet all California Board of Registered Nursing requirements.
The Cal Baptist BSN program also has an RN to BSN path for licensed professional nurses who want to advance their education. Working professionals can complete this fully online program in 14-16 months, depending on their transferable units. Students boost their professional knowledge, critical thinking skills, and leadership abilities needed to advance their careers. The online format lets you stay home and complete clinical practicum hours at nearby healthcare facilities with an approved preceptor. The nursing program welcomes new students three times a year—January, summer, and September.
CBU suggests looking into the Entry-Level MSN program if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This option might work better than starting a second bachelor’s degree.
The nursing programs at California Baptist University hold full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing. California Baptist University degrees in nursing stand for quality education and professional excellence within a Christian framework, as the first regionally and nationally accredited university in Riverside County to offer these programs.
Online and Hybrid Options
The California Baptist University BSN Programs put flexibility first for working professionals. Many nursing students juggle work and studies, so the university created learning paths that work with busy schedules.
You can finish your RN to BSN program in just 14-16 months through a fully online format, based on your transfer credits. The program offers two paths that match your credentials and goals. Licensed Registered Nurses in California can take the RN-BSN Bridge path, while students in accredited Associate Degree Nursing programs can choose the RN-BSN Accelerated option.
These nursing programs riverside let you skip campus visits for classes. You can do your clinical rotations at healthcare facilities close to your home or workplace. The Cal Baptist BSN program helps you set up these required clinical practicum hours with a preceptor at an approved facility near you, as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
California Baptist University’s online platform comes with strong tech support:
- Watch recorded classes whenever you want
- Use interactive tools like Blackboard, WebEx, and Jabber
- Get help from tutors online 24/7
- Submit coursework through secure password-protected systems
The California Baptist university BSN online programs boost your career skills. You’ll grow your professional knowledge, develop leadership skills, and learn critical thinking that helps you advance in your career.
New RN to BSN students can start three times a year—January (spring), summer, and September (fall). These frequent start dates mean you won’t wait long to begin your education.
CBU also offers flexible Master of Science in Nursing programs. You can study fully online with some in-person sessions or come to campus one afternoon/evening each week. This setup lets many students keep their full-time nursing jobs while getting their degree.
At $520 per credit, the nursing program is economical with both school and federal financial aid options. The university also takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program for military veterans who qualify, making California Baptist University degrees available to more people.
Admission Requirements
Students who want to join the California Baptist University BSN Programs must complete a two-stage admission process. The first step requires acceptance to CBU as a pre-nursing major. Students then apply to the nursing program after completing prerequisite requirements.
The California Baptist university BSN prerequisites consist of ten courses – five science and five non-science subjects that count toward general education requirements. These include anatomy and physiology, human microbiology, chemistry, organic and biochemistry, mathematics, and communication. Students must complete at least two science prerequisites when they apply and finish all three before they start the program.
The nursing program has these essential requirements:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (last 60 semester unit GPA can substitute if cumulative GPA doesn’t qualify)
- Pre-nursing science GPA of 2.8 or higher
- TEAS exam score of at least 64%
- No more than two general education courses (6 hours) remaining at enrollment
The Cal Baptist BSN program welcomes new students twice a year. Fall cohort applications run from November to February, while spring cohort applications open from June to September. Applications must include official transcripts from all colleges, TEAS exam results, two electronic recommendations, and a 1-2 page letter of interest submitted through the NursingCAS portal.
Accepted students must clear several requirements. These include a background check, drug screening, health clearance with specific vaccinations (MMR, D-TAP, HEP, and COVID as per hospital requirements), and American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.
The nursing programs riverside features an early admission option for high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and ACT Composite of 27 or SAT Composite of 1280. Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee admission because acceptance depends on application numbers and available program seats.
Students can reach out to Admissions staff or their academic advisor to learn about application procedures and prerequisites for California Baptist University degrees in nursing.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at California Baptist University
The California Baptist University BSN Programs stand out from other nursing education options in unique ways. The program’s core lies in blending faith-based principles with professional nursing practice. Unlike secular schools, the Baptist nursing program weaves Christian values into every aspect. Students learn to care for patients through an integrated approach that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Small class sizes are a priority in all nursing programs riverside. Students receive personal mentorship throughout their educational trip. This close attention explains why CBU nursing graduates score higher than the national average on NCLEX-RN pass rates.
The California Baptist University BSN programs offer exceptional clinical experiences. Students work with major healthcare providers like Kaiser Permanente and Loma Linda Veterans Administration. This exposure helps them learn about different patient groups and healthcare models. CBU arranges all clinical placements to match each student’s educational level and learning goals. Students develop skills progressively instead of just meeting required hours.
State-of-the-art simulation labs are the core of the Cal Baptist BSN program. High-fidelity mannequins let students practice critical procedures safely before working with real patients. Faculty members guide students through debriefing sessions that develop clinical reasoning skills.
The curriculum follows a unique spiral design. Key concepts return throughout coursework with growing complexity. Students become confident practitioners who apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The program has academic resource centers, peer tutoring, and faculty office hours to support student success.
The California Baptist University degrees in nursing have earned respect from healthcare employers. Many graduates receive multiple job offers before graduation, especially in specialty areas with staff shortages. The mix of strong academics, Christian principles, and complete clinical experiences creates nurses who have technical skills plus compassion and critical thinking abilities needed in today’s complex healthcare world.