William Jessup University BSN Programs
William Jessup University is the only faith-based institution that offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the greater Sacramento area. The university’s BSN program launched in Spring 2023 with full approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing. The program meets a crucial healthcare need, as nursing jobs will grow by nine percent, creating about 200,000 job openings each year over the next decade. California faces the biggest nursing shortage nationwide, with a projected shortfall of 44,500 nurses by 2030.
The nursing school at William Jessup University develops competent, compassionate, and tech-savvy nurses who are grounded in a Christian worldview. The program uses an integrated approach to healthcare that combines prevention, education, spiritual guidance, and nutrition while students participate with healthcare leaders. This method reflects Jessup’s belief that nursing should care for the whole person—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The BSN curriculum, part of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, gives students core competencies in clinical practice, spiritual care, cultural relevance, and healthcare technology. Students get ground experience in a state-of-the-art 6,000 square-foot simulation lab with high-fidelity mannequins and video streaming capabilities to boost training. The program also merges clinical rotations with partner organizations like Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Adventist Health, and several other healthcare agencies.
The program received substantial financial backing, including a USD 630,000 grant from California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information through the Song-Brown Program. This funding helps Jessup expand facilities, boost equipment, provide professional development, and build medical missions partnerships.
Students begin their freshman year with three semesters of prerequisite and general education courses before applying to the nursing program. After acceptance, nursing classes begin in spring of sophomore year, and students need at least five semesters to complete the full BSN program. Expert faculty guide students through this experience and prepare them to serve diverse populations and underserved communities with respect and dignity.
William Jessup University’s BSN program combines technical excellence with compassionate care principles to create transformational leaders who will contribute to healthcare locally, regionally, and globally.
Types of Programs Offered
William Jessup University offers several nursing education paths that work for students with different backgrounds and goals. The core of their nursing education is the traditional four-year BSN program. Students learn evidence-based practice and develop skills they’ll need as future healthcare professionals. The program runs in 15-week fall and spring semesters at the Rocklin campus.
Licensed vocational nurses can choose between two special paths to advance their careers. The LVN/LPN Proficiency Testing Option lets qualified LVN/LPN students earn up to seven credits through testing. Students must have an active LPN/LVN license from a jurisdiction the National Council of State Boards of Nursing recognizes. They also must have worked as an LVN/LPN in the past twelve months and meet other program requirements.
The university also provides an LVN to NCLEX Non-Degree Option, known as the “30-unit option”. Students must submit specific papers including high school transcripts, proof of LVN program completion, a current California LVN license, and clinical agency documents like background checks and immunization records.
Students in all programs get hands-on training through clinical rotations in healthcare settings of all types. They work in surgical units, intensive care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and many other departments. The university’s 6,000 square-foot Simulation Lab adds to this experience with its modern equipment, including high, mid, and low-fidelity simulation mannequins.
Jessup’s nursing programs stand out because they blend Christian principles with professional nursing education. So, the curriculum focuses on developing nurse leaders who excel in:
- Clinical practice with technological proficiency
- Spiritual care that fits a Christian point of view
- Cultural relevance and sensitivity
- Shared healthcare approaches
Every program prepares graduates to promote client health, help underserved populations, and work well with other healthcare professionals. The curriculum combines faith-based values with professional standards and ethical views to create well-rounded, caring healthcare providers who can handle modern nursing’s complex challenges.
Online and Hybrid Options
Flexibility is the core of education at Jessup. The university offers multiple learning formats that fit a variety of student needs. Nursing students and working professionals who want to advance their careers will find programs that combine academic rigor with easy availability.
Jessup’s online degree programs use an accelerated format that cuts completion time by a lot compared to traditional courses. Students can finish online classes in just 7 weeks instead of the usual 14-week on-campus courses. This faster pace lets students complete their education while maintaining detailed learning outcomes.
The university offers six program start dates throughout the year. Students can start their education when it fits their personal and professional lives best, instead of following traditional academic calendars.
The online learning environment at Jessup is well-laid-out but adaptable. Students learn remotely and participate in a cohort model where they connect with professors and classmates regularly. The school expects online students to participate at least four days weekly. They can complete their work at times and places that suit them best.
Students should plan to spend about 12 hours weekly on each three-unit course and 9 hours on two-unit courses. This approach helps students manage their time well and keep up with their studies.
Jessup provides online students with detailed support services:
- Access to the Paul Nystrom Library with its extensive collection of books, journals, and audiovisual materials
- Support from the Academic Achievement Center
- Online tutoring sessions
- Virtual appointments with the Writing Center
- Remote connections with the Office of Career & Life Planning
These flexible learning options show Jessup’s dedication to making quality education available. Nursing students get both theoretical foundations and practical clinical experiences. This prepares them to enter healthcare with solid knowledge and hands-on skills.
Admission Requirements
William Jessup University’s BSN program has a two-phase admission process. Students must first get into the university before they can apply to the nursing program.
The BSN program sets high academic standards. Students need a 3.0 cumulative GPA and must score at least 75% on the ATI-TEAS test within 18 months of applying. The program accepts applications from May 1 to August 1 each year for spring cohort starts.
Prerequisites are the foundations of eligibility criteria. Science courses with labs – human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and pathophysiology – need grades of “B” or better. These science courses must be no more than four years old when starting nursing courses. Students can get one “C” grade in non-science prerequisites like speech/group communication, nutrition, and developmental psychology. All non-science courses should be no more than seven years old at application time.
A complete application needs:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement and Statement of Faith
- Official ATI-TEAS test scores sent directly to the university
Current Jessup students get a 5-point boost on the admission rubric. In spite of that, admission stays competitive and depends on successfully finishing all in-progress prerequisites with required grades.
International students must prove English proficiency through TOEFL (minimum 550 paper-based/90 internet-based) or IELTS (5.5) scores. Students with four years of English-medium education can ask for an exemption.
Licensed vocational nurses can earn up to seven BSN credits through proficiency tests and skills validation. The university looks at each transfer student’s healthcare background case by case, allowing up to 50% of major requirements to transfer.
It’s worth mentioning that meeting basic requirements doesn’t guarantee admission. The selection process looks at academic performance, test scores, and personal statements to pick the most qualified candidates.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at William Jessup University
William Jessup University’s BSN programs stand out in the competitive world of nursing education. The university blends faith with professional nursing to create exceptional learning experiences for students.
Students in the BSN program learn about whole-person care. Jessup nursing students go beyond standard nursing education. They learn to evaluate and help with patients’ spiritual needs along with physical treatment. This combination runs through the entire curriculum. Graduates can provide detailed care in healthcare settings where spiritual support doesn’t get enough attention.
Students get unmatched ground experience through hands-on clinical opportunities. The program’s strategic collaborations with major healthcare providers like Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Dignity Health give access to diverse clinical settings. All but one of these relationships give students exposure to innovative technology and varied patient populations.
Faculty mentorship makes a big difference too. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical settings means each student gets personal attention that helps build both technical skills and professional growth. This customized support helps students tackle challenging coursework and builds their confidence in clinical decisions.
Community service sets this program apart from others. Students work in healthcare outreach programs for vulnerable populations. They gain valuable experience and develop cultural awareness. These opportunities extend beyond local communities to international medical missions, broadening their point of view on global healthcare challenges.
Jessup’s modern simulation facilities create safe spaces for developing critical thinking skills before clinical work begins. Students practice complex procedures and emergency responses without patient risk. This builds both competence and confidence.
The program’s all-encompassing approach prepares nurses for more than just their first job. By developing leadership skills alongside clinical expertise, Jessup gives nurses the tools to pursue careers in advanced practice, healthcare administration, and nursing education.