SJSU Valley Foundation School of Nursing BSN Programs
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State University BSN Programs creates educational pathways that prepare you for a successful nursing career. These detailed programs equip you with the skills and knowledge needed in today’s healthcare world, whether you’re starting your nursing journey or working as an RN seeking advanced education.
The BSN program’s credentials speak for themselves. The California Board of Registered Nurses has approved the program, and you can take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) after graduation. The RN to BSN Post-Licensure program lets registered nurses with an Associate Degree complete their studies in just three semesters if they meet all requirements. The program’s graduates can also apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate, which opens up more career paths.
The SJSU nursing school’s admission process is quite selective. The School accepts only California residents because of impaction and asks for a minimum GPA of 3.3 in prerequisite courses. Students must also score at least 84% on the TEAS exam.
This guide will help you find everything about the nursing pathways at The Valley Foundation School of Nursing. You’ll learn about admission requirements, program features, and what makes these educational opportunities unique.
Types of Programs Offered
San Jose State University’s Valley Foundation School of Nursing runs a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program designed for students new to nursing. Students attend this full-time program in person to prepare for professional nursing practice in healthcare settings of all types. The program also readies students for graduate studies and leadership roles.
Students complete the traditional BSN program in five semesters (2.5 years) of nursing coursework. Most students finish the entire degree in about 4.5 years including lower division requirements. The program requires 120 total units and uses simulation labs to boost the learning experience. Students get valuable clinical experience at many community healthcare agencies that partner with the School of Nursing.
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing also runs an RN-to-BSN Post-Licensure program, also known as a Bridge or Advanced Placement program. This option helps nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) earn their bachelor’s degree.
The school features a unique Dual Admission Program between San Jose State and Evergreen Valley Community College. Students can enroll at both schools through this Integrated Community College Pathway (ICCP). This program lets students complete an Associate Degree in Nursing, take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and finish post-licensure nursing content and upper general education courses to earn their BS in Nursing.
The School also provides advanced education options. These include Master’s programs with Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator specializations, Advanced Specializations in Wound Care, Ostomy Care, and Foot and Nail Care, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Transfer students can apply during fall semesters. Second bachelor’s degree applicants make up 10% of each cohort and apply only in spring semesters. The BSN program currently does not accept international students.
Online and Hybrid Options
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing understands you just need to balance education with professional and personal responsibilities. Several programs come in flexible formats to help working students advance their nursing careers.
The RN to BSN Post-Licensure program stands out as a mostly online option. You’ll only need limited in-person and off-campus community experiences. This program helps you complete your BSN while keeping your professional practice. The online theory courses build essential skills in research, leadership, and critical thinking that boost your nursing career.
SJSU’s Master of Science in Nursing comes with two delivery options for graduate students. The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration works as a hybrid format. The Nurse Educator concentration runs entirely online. You can pick the format that lines up with your schedule and priorities.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program shows SJSU’s dedication to working professionals through its mostly-online structure. The program features:
- Three on-campus meetings during the whole program
- Five-semester completion timeline (23 months)
- Three courses per semester schedule
- Canvas learning platform and Zoom for virtual meetings
The Nursing Specialty Advanced Certificate program runs in a flexible hybrid format with online and in-person classes. Each class has 20 hours of in-person, hands-on learning experiences and 45 hours of clinical preceptorship training. This balanced approach gives you practical skills while keeping your schedule flexible.
San José State University keeps adding online programs to create more educational paths. These flexible formats are affordable compared to traditional on-campus options and offer specialized tracks for various career goals. Experienced faculty deliver rigorous academic programs with industry-aligned curriculum and practical knowledge.
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at SJSU offers flexible educational paths that fit your life circumstances. The school makes quality nursing education accessible through online and hybrid options, whatever your professional commitments or location in California.
Admission Requirements
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State University has a highly competitive admission process. You need to prepare carefully and complete two steps: submit your application to SJSU through Cal State Apply and send a separate nursing application through NursingCAS.
You must meet several strict eligibility requirements. The BSN program requires a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.3. Only California residents can apply to the program, and international students cannot be accepted. Students without documentation should submit their DACA/AB540 form with their application.
These eight prerequisite courses are the foundations of your application:
- BIOL 65: Human Anatomy
- BIOL 66: Human Physiology
- MICR 20: General Bacteriology
- ENGL 1A: Composition
- STAT 95: Elementary Statistics
- CHEM 30A: Intro to Chemistry-Inorganic
- COMM 20/COMM 96PS: Public Speaking
- CSU GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course
Your anatomy, physiology, and microbiology courses must be completed within five years of your application deadline. You can attempt these prerequisites twice at most to get a grade of “C” or better.
You must also complete or be enrolled in three corequisite courses: Psychology, Lifespan Development, and Nutrition for Health Professionals.
The TEAS exam is a vital component that requires a minimum score of 84%. You can take this standardized test twice, and the school will consider your highest score.
Your application timing depends on your status. Transfer students can apply during fall semesters. Second bachelor’s degree applicants can only apply in spring terms, and they’re limited to 10% of each cohort – about 6 students.
Healthcare experience can boost your application significantly. You’ll receive extra points if you complete at least 100 hours of hands-on healthcare work within three years of applying.
The program accepts only 60 students each term from roughly 500 applicants – a 12% acceptance rate. You should aim for scores in the 80th percentile minimum to stand out among competitors.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at SJSU
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State University BSN Programs stands out with its unique educational approach. The program has several special features that make it one of California’s top nursing education institutions.
Students consistently achieve high NCLEX-RN pass rates that surpass state and national averages. This is a big deal as it means that the program’s curriculum and preparation really work.
The School of Nursing puts a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Students practice their skills in state-of-the-art simulation facilities to prepare for real-life nursing scenarios. This practical focus explains why employers throughout the region actively seek SJSU nursing graduates.
The Valley Foundation School’s faculty includes practicing professionals who bring their current industry knowledge to the classroom. Their real-life expertise helps students learn the most relevant and current nursing practices. This sets the program apart from others that focus more on theory.
The school’s strong community partnerships are another key strength. These connections give students excellent clinical placement opportunities and help them build professional networks before graduation. Many graduates find jobs through these relationships.
SJSU’s nursing program offers exceptional value despite being highly competitive. Students get high-quality education at a much lower cost than private nursing schools while maintaining excellent academic standards.
The program’s commitment to diversity makes it special. It creates a student body that mirrors California’s population and encourages an environment where different points of view boost the learning experience.
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing excels by balancing academic excellence, hands-on experience, affordability, and community inclusion. This approach creates nursing professionals who are ready to tackle today’s healthcare challenges.