SDSU-School of Nursing

RN-BS in Nursing Program

Contact Information

SDSU-SON Imperial Valley Campus                          
RN-BS in Nursing Coordinator                         
Helina Hoyt, RN, MS
760-768-5680
hhoyt@mail.sdsu.edu

SDSU-IV Campus Admissions
760-768-5667

Make San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Your Pathway to Success

A Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science nursing program has been available, since July 2007, at SDSU-Imperial Valley Campus. Registered Nurses with either an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Diploma in Nursing are eligible to apply.  The RN to BS program gives credit for previous coursework.  Students take nursing and upper division general education courses in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in less than 2 years.  Class schedules are flexible and less expensive than other local programs. 

Graduates of SDSU School of Nursing hold excellent reputations in the extended medical community.  Students are provided opportunities to acquire knowledge from the natural and social sciences; to develop critical thinking and professional decision-making abilities; to utilize current research in the application of the nursing process; to develop leadership potential and accountability in professional practice, to become aware of the emerging roles of the professional nurse and of the social forces and trends affecting health and health care systems; and to learn to balance professional and personal growth and values.

Nursing

The nursing profession is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family.  It is a profession which believes in the prevention of illness, caring for those who are acutely ill, and helping people with long-term rehabilitative problems to live in the healthiest way possible.  Nursing is both a science and an art.  It has its foundation in biophysical and behavioral humanistic sciences, as well as in specific nursing practice skills and techniques.

Nurses are in demand throughout the country and are needed in such settings as hospitals, community health agencies, homes, jails, outreach programs, public schools, health maintenance organizations, and clinics which serve underprivileged minority, and rural populations.  Career opportunities are particularly good for minority, bilingual/bicultural persons.

ADMISSIONS

SDSU-IV Campus is currently only accepting fall admissions.

Filing Period-IV Campus

• For entrance into the following FALL term, applications are accepted beginning October 1st, and must be received by February 5th.

 

Application Procedure

• Applicants must first be eligible for admission to the University.
• See http://www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu for requirements.
• Two applications are required.  Official transcripts, with GE Certification, must be submitted for each application.
• Applicants should check WebPortal for university admission status and supplemental information needed.
• Eligible students will receive letters of acceptance from both the University and School of Nursing.  Letters should be received between March-May.

 

• San Diego State University Application
• http://www.csumentor.edu
• Application is completed online & requires a fee.
• Official transcripts, with GE Certification, should be sent to:

San Diego State University
Imperial Valley Campus
Admissions & Records
720 Heber Avenue
Calexico, CA 92231

• SDSU-IV Campus RN-BS Program Application
• RN-BS Application
• www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu/Nursing
• Official transcripts, with GE Certification, and nursing application should be submitted by mail or in person to:

 

San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus
RN-BS Nursing Coordinator
Attn: Helina Hoyt
720 Heber Avenue
Calexico, CA 92231

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RN-BS PROGRAM

1. Admission to SDSU as an Undergraduate/Transfer Student.
2. RN license or scheduled to take NCLEX exam.
3. Healthcare Provider CPR (American Heart Association or American Red Cross).
4. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to date.
5. Overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
6. Pre-requisite coursework completed, or in progress.
7. The School of Nursing requires the following courses and grades in those courses:

• Anatomy, 4 units, grade of B or better
• Physiology, 4 units, grade of C or better
• Microbiology, 4 units, grade of B or better
• Integrated Chemistry, 5 units, grade of C or better
• Introduction to Psychology, grade of C or better
• Introduction to Sociology, grade of C or better
• Oral Communication, grade of C or better
• Statistics, grade of C or better
• Growth & Development/Psychology, grade of C or better

8. Completion of Compliance Requirements.

 

SDSU GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) Examination and Coursework

• The exam is taken the first semester admitted.
• Free preparatory workshops are offered on campus.
• Online tutorials are available.
• A score of 10 or greater is considered passing & requires no additional coursework.

2. Completion of Upper Division General Education Requirements (9 units)
1. Students must complete the “Explorations” GE requirements prior to graduation.
2. The general catalog outlines which courses are eligible.
3. PSCYH 351 is required of all nursing majors and offered each spring.
4. Nursing students may choose 2 additional courses from:

• Natural Sciences
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Humanities
• One course must be cross-cultural

 

3. Upper Division RN-BS Coursework

SDSU-IV RN-BS Coursework

Course Number	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Information
NUR 312	Concepts in Professionalism	3	Fall	Hybrid-lecture
NUR 307	Nursing Research	3	Spring	Lecture
NUR 501/501L	Advanced Health Assessment	4	Summer/Fall	Lecture & Lab
NUR 312, 307 & 501/501L are pre-requisites to the clinical courses.
NUR 415/415L	Community Health Nursing	5	Summer	Lecture & Clinical
NUR 458/45L	Nursing Leadership	5	Fall	Lecture & Clinical
NUR 358	Basic Electrocardiography	1	Fall/Spring	Lecture & Exam
*NUR 400/400L	Critical Care	6	Spring	Lecture & Clinical
or
*NUR 499 A & B	Evidence-Based Practice Special Study	3 units each	Fall & Spring	Independent Study

*Experienced RNs may choose NUR 499 instead of NUR 400 with prior approval from the Program Coordinator.

 

Cross Enrollment & Open University

NUR 312 and NUR 307 are available for these options based upon availability and must be approved by the faculty and program director.

Prospective International Students

Prospective international students follow a different application procedure.  Please see the international student undergraduate application.  All international transcripts must be evaluated, by an accredited agency, for US equivalency.  Prospective candidates must be licensed as an RN in the State of California.  The California Board of Registered Nurses website provides licensing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will the program take?

 

The program is only for prospective students who already have an RN license.  Most RNs now complete the Program in less than two years.  That includes both upper division nursing courses (the Major) as well as upper division general education courses.

2. Can I work while I am in the program?

 

Students are expected to work as registered professional nurses while in the Program.  Some experienced nurses may elect to take time off from work while in the Program, but new graduates are expected to work as RNs.  We recommend that new graduates enter soon after graduation.  Previous students will tell you that certain courses require extensive preparation and working overtime is not recommended.

3. Are the classes online or live?

 

Many of the courses have online components (using Blackboard software) but none are entirely online.  Live classes are all held on the IV campus.  Each of the courses involves interactive TV with the San Diego campus.  All clinical courses are conducted in the Imperial Valley.  Students must be computer literate and have an email address that they check regularly to succeed in the program.  All writing assignments must be completed in WORD, using APA formatting, to be considered for grading.

4. When do classes meet?

 

Most classes meet weekly.  Several are hybrid and meet every other week.  Courses with a clinical are precepted and flexible to meet the schedules of the student and preceptor.

5. Why should I select SDSU as my RN to BS Program?

 

SDSU-School of Nursing graduates have excellent reputations throughout the community and nation.  Having SDSU on your resume will look very good when you apply for a new position.  Lectures are given by doctorally prepared nurse educators with many years of teaching experience.  Clinicals have one faculty member per ten-sixteen students.  You will get lots of personal attention from SDSU’s dedicated nursing faculty.  You will mix with other dynamic students like yourself.  They will become your friends as well as colleagues while you study together and develop lifelong contacts in the nursing network.

6. What if I have my Bachelor’s Degree in another field?

 

We will put you in touch with the graduate program advisor after learning of your status so that you may gain entry to the Master’s of Science in Nursing Program on the San Diego campus.  You will most likely need to complete only three upper division nursing courses to bridge into the Master’s Program.

7. Who can I contact for more information about the RN to BS program?

 

Contact the RN-BS Coordinator or Advisor.

PLEASE NOTE: Course and graduation requirements for all SDSU programs change periodically.  Official requirements are always current in the PRINTED university catalogs.  An online version of the catalog is available for quick reference only, however current students must always reference the PRINTED catalogs.  Copies are available in the bookstore.