Chamberlain University Irwindale BSN Programs
Chamberlain University’s Irwindale campus opened in 2021 to help solve California’s severe nursing shortage. The state expects to be short 141,348 nurses by 2030. This campus is Chamberlain’s second location in California and 23rd across the country. The university now runs the largest BSN program in the nation.
The campus builds on Chamberlain’s 130-year-old tradition of nursing education excellence. Students can earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in just 3 years through full-time, year-round study. Unlike other nursing schools, students don’t need to complete prerequisites first. They can jump right into nursing classes on day one.
Students learn through a mix of theory and hands-on clinical practice. The campus features advanced facilities including the SIMCARE CENTER™, where students work with high-fidelity human simulators in lifelike medical settings. These simulators let students practice their response to various medical situations immediately, from helping with childbirth to treating cardiac arrests.
The Center for Academic Success gives students all the support they need. Students get tutoring, assessment tools and extra academic help. The university’s dedication shows in its results – their BSN program achieved a 79.42% national average first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2024.
Students learn through a blend of in-person and online classes. This hybrid model gives them flexibility while ensuring they get ground experience. This approach matches Chamberlain’s goal to make quality healthcare education available to meet critical workforce needs.
The Irwindale campus serves as part of a university with more than 177,000 students, faculty and alumni. Small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios mean each student gets personal attention. Professional and peer nurse tutors, NCLEX prep resources, and round-the-clock academic support make this Southern California campus a great choice for future nurses.
Types of Programs Offered
Chamberlain University – Irwindale has several nursing education pathways, with the 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program as its flagship offering. Students can complete their degree through year-round study instead of the traditional four-year approach with summers off. This means graduates can start their nursing careers earlier than their peers at other institutions.
The 3-Year BSN program at Irwindale needs 126 credit hours total – 56 in general education and 70 in the nursing major. Students pay between $705-$755 per credit hour, based on their campus location. The program’s flexible learning structure has these features:
- No prerequisites needed to start nursing classes
- Year-round study to graduate faster than most programs
- High-tech nursing labs with experienced faculty
- Online general education courses within the curriculum
The BSN program at Chamberlain holds CCNE-accreditation, which ensures high educational standards. Students can choose from various scheduling options that fit their needs, combining weekday and weekend classes with online coursework.
Chamberlain University goes beyond the traditional BSN with additional nursing pathways. Their Online BSN costs $750 per credit hour and takes as little as three years to complete, with in-person skills evaluation. Licensed practical nurses can earn their BSN with up to nine proficiency credits after passing skills validation tests and proficiency exams.
The RN to BSN program offers another path at $635 per credit hour, which students can complete in as little as one year of full-time study. This program boosts nursing practice and guides better patient outcomes.
Advanced education seekers can pursue Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs at Chamberlain. These include Nurse Practitioner tracks (Adult-Gerontology, Family, and Psychiatric-Mental Health), and non-clinical tracks like Healthcare Policy, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics, and Population Health. The university also offers Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs with elective focus areas in Healthcare Systems Leadership, Educational Leadership, and Advanced Practice Leadership.
Chamberlain’s programs emphasize conceptual learning while focusing on practical nursing skills. This approach prepares graduates to succeed in healthcare settings of all types.
Online and Hybrid Options
Chamberlain University’s Irwindale campus puts flexibility first in its educational model. Students in the BSN program can choose from several learning formats that fit their lifestyle and needs.
Students who choose the hybrid learning option get the best of both worlds – online and on-campus education. This reduces their commute time and campus visits. The format has weekday and weekend classes that blend in-person and online coursework with virtual and physical lab experiences. Students can balance their work and life while getting their nursing education.
The fully online BSN option gives students complete flexibility. This program is part of the largest BSN program in the United States and creates a rich learning experience built for the digital world. Students can complete this prelicensure program in just three years of full-time study. The program follows this structure:
- Year 1: Foundation courses including anatomy, physiology, biology, and nursing theory
- Year 2: Core nursing topics and clinical rotations beginning in the second semester
- Year 3: Advanced nursing practice with continued clinical experiences
Online students start their clinical preparation with i-Human Patients virtual simulations and home health kits. They must attend an in-person Skills Immersion where faculty review their readiness before starting actual clinical experiences. Clinical rotations happen at partner sites for up to eight days during six-week periods within eight-week sessions.
The BSN Online Option welcomes residents from more than 30 states, with clinical rotations available in over 20 states. Chamberlain partners with over 40 clinical sites across these states. These sites include hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health agencies.
Yes, it is true that whatever format you pick, you’ll learn from experienced educators who want you to succeed. You’ll use state-of-the-art online tools to practice patient care interactions and enjoy a supportive culture throughout your educational trip.
Admission Requirements
Getting into Chamberlain University – Irwindale’s BSN programs is simple but detailed. Students need to be ready for a challenging nursing curriculum.
The first step needs a completed application through chamberlain.edu/apply with a non-refundable application fee of $95. Some students can get their application fee waived. This includes Chamberlain alumni, qualified military personnel, and people who have financial difficulties.
The BSN program needs these academic requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 (some sources indicate 2.8)
- Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam
- Interview with an Enrollment Representative
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
91% of applicants get accepted to Chamberlain College of Nursing according to US News & World Report. The California campuses are more selective with a 25% acceptance rate.
Students need clinical clearance before starting. They must complete drug screening, background checks, and fingerprinting within 120 days of their program start date. Some criminal offenses can make candidates ineligible, especially when they have alcohol/drug-related offenses, assault, fraud, theft, or disorderly conduct.
State professional standards usually don’t allow nursing licenses for people with certain criminal backgrounds. Healthcare facilities might also refuse clinical placement to these individuals, which makes program completion impossible.
Chamberlain stands out because it doesn’t require prerequisite courses or waitlists. Students can start nursing classes right after acceptance. This helps students finish faster than traditional programs and enter the workforce sooner.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Chamberlain University – Irwindale
Chamberlain University – Irwindale’s BSN program stands out because we focused on student needs in nursing education. The program excels with its clinical immersion approach that gives you hands-on experience right from the start, unlike traditional programs that wait until later semesters.
The campus shines with its SIMCARE CENTER™ experience. Students can practice clinical scenarios in a controlled setting before working with real patients. High-fidelity human patient simulators help you build critical thinking skills. You’ll handle everything from basic assessments to complex emergencies.
The Irwindale campus is different from other nursing schools in its academic structure:
- No waiting lists to begin nursing courses
- Direct entry into nursing classes without prerequisites
- Year-round study model (three years versus traditional four)
- Dedicated Center for Academic Success providing tailored support
Professional nurse tutors give you one-on-one help with tough coursework. This detailed support system leads to student success, as shown by the 2024 national NCLEX first-time pass rate of 79.42% for Chamberlain’s BSN program.
The Irwindale location helps address California’s severe nursing shortage. The state expects to need over 141,000 nurses by 2030. This makes graduates valuable in the local healthcare market.
The campus blends theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical practice. This balanced approach prepares graduates better for modern healthcare challenges than programs that focus heavily on classroom learning.
Students worried about accessibility will find the Irwindale campus flexible. Its hybrid learning model lets you balance education with life’s demands while getting the hands-on training needed for nursing competency.