RN to BSN Program

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• About the RN to BSN Program
• Admission Requirements
• Information Sessions & Slides
• Resources
• LVN 30-unit and CEP 

The instructors for the RN to BSN program were well-seasoned nurses that embedded invaluable personal experience into their lectures which really enriched my learning experience. They also treated the RN to BSN students with a notable amount of respect that made me feel welcomed and almost like a young colleague. They were very understanding that most of us are working nurses and really made the program feel doable.

— Nursing Student, 2019

The RN to BSN Post-Licensure program is designed for those who have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and are interested in obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).

Two types of applicant are welcome: current California RN’s or students that will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester of the program. If a student meets University General Education (GE) and nursing degree requirements, the program can be completed in three (3) semesters. The university provides credit for previous coursework and twenty (20) units for passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Curriculum includes limited in-person and off-campus community experiences and online theory courses that incorporate research, leadership and critical thinking skills.

After completion of community health course and clinical, and earning the BSN degree, graduates of the RN-BSN program are eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate.

Admission Requirements

Degree requirements can be found in the university's catalog. The RN-BSN Roadmap (AY24-25) outlines all required classes in the program and their order.

• Overview

  • The RN-BSN program...

    1. Is open to students who already have a California RN license and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or students who have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester in the program
    2. Can be completed in three (3) semesters
    3. Is a majority online program, designed to be manageable with a work schedule
       • Community Health Clinical requires in-person attendance
    4. Graduates are eligible for Public Health Nursing certification in California
• Eligibility and Requirements

  • Currently, RN-BSN applications are only accepted for Fall admission.

    To be eligible for the RN-BSN program, applicants must:

    1. Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident with a valid green card. DACA students are eligible.
    2. Meet SJSU transfer-admission requirements and be accepted by San José State as a student
    3. Complete prerequisite courses with a ‘C’ grade minimum

    and, meet one of the following 

    - Be a current California Registered Nurse (RN)

    or 

    - Be an Associates in Nursing graduate who will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester of the RN-BSN program

     

    See how to apply on our Undergraduate How to Apply page.
• Prerequisite Courses

  • Courses must be completed or in progress when applying to the program.

    The university requires all admission requirements be complete by the end of the summer term. Applicants are responsible for making sure courses transfer and will need to check course equivalencies through the university’s articulation website. For detailed information on making sure your courses transfer to SJSU, you can review our Transfer Course Information. 

    1. COMM 20/COMM 96PS: Public Speaking (3 units)
    2. CSU GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course (3 units)
    3. STAT 95: Elementary Statistics (3 units)
    4. CHEM 30A: Intro to Chemistry-Inorganic (or general chemistry equivalent) (3 units

Information Sessions

Review the RN-BSN Pre-Application Info. Slides

Every applicant should attend an information session before applying. Check out the schedule of RN-BSN information sessions, and register for a date that works for you.

Resources

• Future Students

  • Sign Up For a Future Student Information Session

• Current Students

  • Visit Current Student Advising and Current Students Resources

• Alumni Newsletter

  • Would you like to stay in touch with the Valley Foundation School of Nursing? Sign up for the alumni newsletter! Job opportunities, scholarships, internships, and events will be shared.

LVN 30 Unit & CEP

• LVN 30-Unit Option

  • The Valley Foundation School of Nursing admits licensed vocational nurses (LVN) for the 30-unit option on a space available basis. Successful completion of the 30-unit option allows LVNs to sit for the California NCLEX licensing exam to work as a licensed RN. The 30-unit option does not culminate in a Baccalaureate degree nor does the RN license permit you to work in any other state except California.

    IMPORTANT: Due to impaction, space is currently unavailable for this option. For the foreseeable future, applications are not being accepted. We apologize for the inconvenience.

    Students are encouraged to pursue an Associate's Degree in Nursing so they can transfer into the RN to BSN program.

• Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP)

  • The EVC-SJSU CEP is formerly known as the Inegrated Community College BS Nursing Pathway (ICCP-BSN). 

    San Jose State University Nursing has partnered with Evergreen Valley College (EVC) to offer a 5-semester concurrent enrollment program. Through this program, students will earn both an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree while taking courses at EVC and SJSU at the same time. The CEP Curriculum Roadmap (AY 24-25) outlines all required classes in their progam and their order as well as other requirements to graduate. 

    Review Evergreen Valley College's EVC-SJSU CEP Website for more information. Direct any questions regarding this program to the point of contact at EVC or Denise Dawkins, denise.dawkins@sjsu.edu.

    TVFSON is working on an online Concurrent Enrollment Program to help students living in rural areas obtain their BSN degree. More information to come, Spring of 2025.