The professional nursing curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing. The undergraduate program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-2001. Some courses are open to non-majors who may find one or more courses helpful in achieving their own professional or personal goals.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is 189-198 units, of which 105-114 are in the major. Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including GE and free electives.

Admission to the Program

The program consists of two pathways to the degree. One is the basic program in which students are admitted to lower division nursing following completion of prerequisite courses. The second is the R.N. transfer program in which students transfer from community colleges with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science in Nursing, or from an NLNAC accredited Diploma Program and have a California R.N. License. These students are admitted to upper division nursing.

Admission to the nursing major in the School of Nursing requires a separate application obtained in the School of Nursing advisement office. Applications are accepted September 1 to December 1 of each academic year. Applications are submitted the year prior to beginning nursing courses. Contact School of Nursing for further details.

Applications are accepted September 1 to December 1 of each academic year. Applications are submitted the year prior to beginning nursing courses. Contact School of Nursing for further details or look on the School of Nursing website: http://www.calstatela.edu/dept/nursing/index.htm

General Information

Students in the nursing program must carry university liability insurance, personal health insurance, and workers’ compensation when required by a clinical agency. Nursing students must have a valid California driver’s license and access to an automobile covered by appropriate automobile insurance. Prior to entering the first clinical lab, students must have a current CPR card, a physical examination, proof of immunity to rubella and hepatitis B and other specified infectious diseases, a two-step Mantoux skin test and a chest X-ray, if there is proof of a positive TB skin test.

Additional immunizations may be necessary if required by clinical agencies. Annual renewal of CPR certification, an annual physical examination and a two step Mantoux skin test or chest x-ray, if indicated, will be required. Information about professional behavior, clinical attire and picture identification regulations can be found in the undergraduate student handbook. All nursing students are required to complete a background check upon admission to the program.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully assess any personal criminal background before applying to the School of Nursing. Nursing students must have a cleared background check that is acceptable to clinical agencies after acceptance to the School of Nursing. Since the California State Board of Nursing makes the final determination on eligibility for licensure, a positive background check may be a barrier to licensure, certification and employment.

School Regulations

• Students in the Nursing major must maintain good academic standing and attain grades of C or better in all nursing courses and in all natural and social science courses prerequisite or corequisite to the major. Nursing courses and prerequisite science courses for which the student earns less than a grade of C may be repeated only once, and then with instructor consent. To meet the requirement of continuing satisfactory performance, students on academic probation are not permitted to enroll in a nursing course until the probation has been removed.
• Students may not enroll in any course that requires other nursing prerequisites unless the prerequisite courses are completed with grades of C or better.
• ***Basic nursing students must take at least two diagnostic readiness tests for the R.N. licensure examination (NCLEX) at their own expense, one prior to NURS 487 and one while enrolled in NURS 487.