SDSU BSN Programs

San Diego State University BSN Programs have an impressive 95% NCLEX RN pass rate and a remarkable 92% graduation rate. These numbers make them some of the most successful nursing programs in the region. Students who choose nursing at SDSU join an institution that stands for excellence in healthcare education.

SDSU’s nursing program strengthens students to advance equitable healthcare in a variety of communities. The second baccalaureate option lets students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree complete the program in just 6-12 months. Many general education requirements don’t apply in this case. Note that admission standards are rigorous. Students need a minimum 3.0 GPA in A-G coursework and must earn at least a B grade in Intermediate Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry with lab courses.

This piece will help you find everything about SDSU’s nursing programs. You’ll learn about admission prerequisites, program types and career opportunities. We’ll take a closer look at what makes San Diego State’s approach to nursing education unique and how it prepares you for success in today’s evolving healthcare world.

Types of Programs Offered

SDSU’s School of Nursing has earned $8 million in grant awards for its excellence in education. Students can choose from multiple nursing education pathways that fit their academic background and career goals.

The university gives students these undergraduate nursing options:

• Pre-Licensure BS in Nursing: First-time college students will find this traditional program ideal. Students learn theoretical concepts and gain hands-on clinical experience.
• RN-BS in Nursing: Working nurses with an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from regionally accredited programs can advance their education while maintaining their careers.
• Transfer Students BSN: Students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution can join this program. The program takes six semesters (three academic years) because clinical courses must be taken in sequence. This differs from accelerated programs.
• Second Bachelor’s Open University: Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree can compete for spots in the traditional pre-licensure program. These students need to complete 55 units of nursing coursework, and their general education requirements are waived.

Graduate students can pursue these advanced options:

• Master of Science in Nursing: Students prepare for leadership roles in education, clinical practice, research, and healthcare. The program offers two paths: Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and the Elderly (50 units required) and Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (minimum 36 units).
• Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurses can earn this terminal degree to reach the highest level of clinical practice.

Students in the Imperial Valley region can access quality nursing education at SDSU’s local campus. Both main and Imperial Valley campuses offer the RN to BSN program, which helps working nurses advance their careers.

SDSU’s nursing program stands out with its international experience requirement. Students must join a pre-approved international program for two or more weeks. This helps them understand cross-cultural issues and global health challenges better. The college dean may grant exemptions due to serious life events or physical limitations.

SDSU maintains strong accreditation standards. The California Board of Registered Nursing has approved the traditional Bachelor of Science and Nurse Practitioner programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Online and Hybrid Options

SDSU puts flexibility at the heart of its nursing education with well-designed online and hybrid learning options. Many nursing students, especially healthcare professionals, need education paths that fit their packed schedules.

The RN to BS program at SDSU comes with a hybrid format that is predominantly online. Working nurses can advance their education without giving up their jobs. Students get the best of both worlds – digital learning combined with hands-on training to build practical nursing skills.

The nursing programs blend campus sessions with online coursework through the Canvas learning management system. You can complete much of your studies from home and spend less time commuting. This helps create a better balance between work, life, and education.

SDSU has invested heavily in creating effective online and hybrid teaching methods. The university launched the Flexible Course Design Institute (Flex-CDI) in 2021 to get faculty ready for different teaching approaches. Faculty members learn to use advanced teaching methods that build on remote instruction experience. The nursing faculty now excels at creating engaging online spaces that deliver quality education across formats.

This approach offers more than just convenience. You can watch recorded lectures, use interactive tools, and access digital resources whenever you want. The in-person sessions focus on clinical skills, simulation exercises, and team learning that virtual environments can’t fully replace.

Working nurses who want to earn their RN to BS degree will find this hybrid structure perfect. You can move forward with your nursing qualifications while keeping your career active. The program understands professional nursing schedules and delivers all essential learning through a mix of virtual and face-to-face teaching.

SDSU’s nursing programs are now available to more students through these flexible methods. This helps people who might face barriers to education because of work, location, or personal commitments.

Admission Requirements

San Diego State University’s BSN programs have specific academic standards that vary by program type. Students need strong academic performance to get admitted. Transfer students must achieve a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA, while RN-BS program applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a vital part of the admission process. Transfer and second baccalaureate applicants must score at least 80%. The school ranks applicants on an 80-point system. Students can earn up to 30 points from cumulative GPA, 30 from prerequisite GPA, 15 from TEAS scores, and 5 optional points from certified healthcare work experience.

Prerequisites are the foundations of admission requirements. Transfer students must complete these eight courses before admission:

• Human Anatomy with Lab (4 units)
• Human Physiology with Lab (4 units)
• Microbiology with Lab (4 units)
• Chemistry with Lab
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Statistics

Students must earn at least a C grade in all science prerequisites. SDSU stands out from other nursing programs because it doesn’t have a recency policy for science coursework.

Application deadlines are strictly enforced. Students can apply for fall admission from October 1st until December 2nd. Transfer applicants should complete all prerequisites by the end of Fall semester before admission. Spring semester courses won’t be considered.

RN-BS applicants need extra documentation. This includes a current California RN license, CPR certification, and official transcripts showing completion of an Associate Degree or Diploma in nursing.

Healthcare professionals can gain admission advantages. The school gives 5 points to applicants with 100+ hours of paid work experience. This applies to Certified Nurse Assistants, Medical Assistants, Military Corpsmen, EMTs, LVNs, or Psychiatric Technicians.

Remember that meeting minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee admission. The selection process depends on ranking criteria and available spaces.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at San Diego State University

San Diego State University’s nursing education stands out for its exceptional outcomes and unique program features. SDSU’s outstanding NCLEX pass rates and graduation statistics set it apart from other institutions through several key factors that make it special.

Students must complete an international experience as part of their education. This cross-cultural requirement shows SDSU’s dedication to creating globally-minded nurses who can serve patients from all backgrounds. Their international exposure gives future nurses the cultural competence that today’s healthcare settings value highly.

Academic excellence is the core of SDSU’s nursing identity. Only top-performing students enter the program due to rigorous admission standards that include an 80-point ranking system and competitive GPA requirements. This selective process leads to consistently strong outcomes.

SDSU’s nursing programs value practical healthcare experience beyond academics. Students can earn 5 admission points through certified healthcare work, which shows how much the BSN school values real-life application alongside theoretical knowledge. Graduates emerge ready to contribute to healthcare teams thanks to this balance of theory and practice.

The school’s strategic educational approach uses technology-rich teaching methods through the Flexible Course Design Institute. This delivers quality education in different formats and prepares nursing students for the digital healthcare world they’ll join after graduation.

SDSU offers remarkable pathway flexibility. Quality nursing education becomes available to students at various career stages through traditional pre-licensure options, pathways for registered nurses, and programs for those with prior degrees.

Faculty expertise, supported by substantial grant funding, boosts the educational experience with advanced research opportunities and innovative teaching methods. Students learn from educators who actively advance nursing practice through their scholarly work.

These distinctive elements create an SDSU nursing education that balances academic rigor with practical application, technological integration with personal attention, and local focus with a global point of view.