Vanguard University BSN Programs
Looking for a BSN Program that combines academic excellence with compassionate healthcare education at Vanguard University? This 17-year-old nursing program has grown into a center of excellence for Christian nursing education where truth, virtue, and service form the core values.
Vanguard University’s pre-licensure BSN program shapes students into compassionate healthcare providers and nursing leaders. The program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students who complete this program can take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed nurses. The program maintains small class sizes of 15-20 students. Total tuition costs run at $25,235, and group enrollment discounts bring it down to $18,926. This piece explains why Vanguard nursing graduates remain dedicated to an all-encompassing patient care approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Many students prefer BSN programs in Orange County, especially when you have options like Vanguard.
Types of Programs Offered
Vanguard University has several nursing education paths that support your career goals and professional development. The Department of Nursing runs both undergraduate and graduate programs, all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The core of Vanguard’s undergraduate nursing education is the BSN Pre-Licensure program that gives you the essential skills to become a compassionate healthcare provider. This program has two distinct paths:
- Pre-Nursing – Designed for first-time freshmen and transfer students who need to complete prerequisite courses
- Nursing – For transfer students (either current Vanguard undergraduates or from other institutions) who have completed prerequisites and can apply directly to the Nursing major
Vanguard’s BSN Pre-Licensure program features a faith-based curriculum with solid foundations in liberal education and nursing science. Students prepare to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). You can apply for a California nursing license after completing both the NCLEX-RN and BSN degree successfully.
Vanguard’s graduate level offerings include Master’s Degree in Nursing programs. These programs feature concentrations in Nursing Administration, which awarded 24 master’s degrees based on recent data. Students seeking specialized credentials can also pursue a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
The BSN program runs on a semester calendar and needs 124 total units to graduate. Classes stay small with 15-20 students on average. The program accepts students in spring, summer, and fall admission cycles.
The Pre-Licensure BSN curriculum has detailed coursework including Fundamentals of Nursing Theory and Practice, Physical Assessment, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Maternity and Women’s Health, and Nursing Care of the Adult. A Nursing Capstone and Preceptorship ends the program and helps you transition from student to professional nurse smoothly.
Working professionals can complete their ADN to BSN program in 24 months. This program creates a clear path for registered nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree while maintaining their careers.
Whether you’re starting your nursing experience or advancing your career, Vanguard University’s BSN programs offer paths that fit your specific needs in Orange County’s competitive healthcare landscape.
Online and Hybrid Options
Vanguard University’s nursing education puts flexibility first. The BSN program’s delivery formats blend naturally with your work schedule. You can pursue your nursing education whatever your professional or personal commitments through these well-laid-out options.
The RN to BSN program gives you great flexibility with both online and on-campus paths. Evening classes fit your daytime work schedule if you prefer in-person learning. You can also choose the fully online option to eliminate commuting time. The program has:
- Courses spanning just 8 weeks in length
- Completion possible in as few as 10 months
- Classes available during fall, spring, and summer terms
- Dual enrollment option specifically for ADN students
Working professionals with busy schedules find this accelerated format particularly appealing. You can focus on fewer subjects at once, which helps you gain a deeper understanding and master vital nursing concepts.
Vanguard University’s graduate education offers similar flexibility. The MSN program combines online classes with occasional synchronous online Saturday sessions in a hybrid format. This setup helps busy professionals while keeping the interactive elements that are vital for advanced nursing education. The CCNE-accredited MSN degree offers coursework through a synchronous/asynchronous online format. You can control when and how you interact with course materials.
Healthcare professionals can develop their specialized skills from anywhere with the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program’s fully online format.
Vanguard’s programs uphold the university’s steadfast dedication to quality faith-based education despite their flexible delivery methods. The courses are transfer-friendly and work around professional schedules.
The convenience of online and hybrid options comes with Vanguard University BSN programs’ same high standards and impressive NCLEX pass rates as their on-campus offerings.
Admission Requirements
The BSN program at Vanguard University has specific entry requirements beyond standard university admission. A strong application needs careful preparation to meet all criteria.
Students must apply separately to the nursing program even after getting into Vanguard University. Space is limited in the program. The Board of Registered Nursing policy allows only 32 students each Fall semester.
You need to finish all prerequisite courses before applying to the BSN program. A full evaluation of your application follows, but completing prerequisites doesn’t guarantee your spot. Vanguard’s general admission needs these documents:
- Official high school or GED transcript
- Official college transcript(s) if you have previous college credits
- Christian Experience Statement (500 words maximum) about your relationship with Christ and church/ministry activities
Your application stays incomplete until all supporting documents arrive. You can send transcripts electronically through services like Parchment.
The BSN Pre-licensure program welcomes students through different paths:
- New freshman or transfer students who still need prerequisites or are ready to join the Nursing major
- Veteran applicants can join through Vanguard’s Yellow Ribbon Institution The program follows California Board of Registered Nursing guidelines to screen and admit veterans, with possible credits for military training
- LVN 30-Unit Option lets California Licensed Vocational Nurses qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam in one year as non-graduates
Note that finishing the Pre-licensure BSN Program meets the curriculum requirements but doesn’t guarantee your RN license. You must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-RN and clear a criminal background check to practice in California.
Here are the university admission deadlines:
- Early action (non-binding): December 1
- Priority deadline: January 15
- Regular decision: March 2
Applications received after these dates go through rolling admission. Spring semester applications are due December 1.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Vanguard University
Vanguard University’s BSN Programs excel among California’s competitive nursing schools. Their graduates achieve a remarkable 98% NCLEX pass rate, which proves their exceptional readiness for professional nursing.
Small cohorts make Vanguard University’s nursing program special. Students receive customized attention with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This close-knit environment helps instructors give one-on-one feedback and mentorship. Students grasp complex nursing concepts better through this approach.
Christian values form the foundation of the curriculum. The program teaches more than technical skills – it embraces an integrated care model that tends to patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This complete-person approach equips nurses to provide caring support in healthcare settings of all types.
Clinical experience quality makes Vanguard stand out. The program’s mutually beneficial alliances with leading Orange County healthcare facilities let students work with different patient groups. These partnerships line up student training with modern industry methods and equipment.
The faculty’s background adds unique value. Teachers bring their ground nursing experience to class and connect theory with practice. Many still work as active nurses while teaching, which gives students clear insights about current healthcare challenges.
Vanguard’s BSN programs in Orange County put evidence-based practice at the core. Students learn to use the latest research in their clinical decisions, preparing them for nursing’s changing world.
State-of-the-art technology powers the pre-licensure BSN program’s complete simulation training. Students practice vital skills in controlled settings before working with real patients.
Vanguard University offers strong student support services designed for nursing students. Dedicated academic advisors, tutoring resources, and career development opportunities help achieve outstanding graduation and licensing exam success rates.