California State University, Long Beach s24

California State University Long Beach Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

Most Frequently Asked Questions

1. What programs does the nursing department offer? The nursing department offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science degree in Nursing. Students must apply to the Nursing Department in addition to the University. Two other departments offer a joint degree with the Department of Nursing. They are the MSN/Masters in Public Health Administration and MSN/Masters in Health Care Administration. In these options a duel degree is awarded. 2. When and how do I apply to the nursing program? If you are applying to the basic BSN Program refer to the brochure for spring and fall application deadlines. You may submit an application with only one prerequisite coarse in progress. You must receive a grade of B or higher in the course that is in progress to be admitted. 3. If I applied last year and was not selected, does my application automatically get considered for next Semester? No! You must submit a new application for each semester that you want to be considered for admission to the Nursing Program. 4. Is it difficult to get into the program? There are more students who apply to the CSULB Nursing Program than are spaces available. PLAN AHEAD! Take your pre-requisite courses as soon as possible and apply to the Nursing Department when you are enrolled in your LAST prerequisite course. 5. How does the Nursing Department select applicants for admission? The Student Affairs Admissions Committee looks at several factors when considering which applicants will be admitted. The criteria for selection out of 7 possible points: a) Critical Thinking exam score (2 points max) b) GPA in the prerequisite courses (4 points max) c) The personal interview score (1 point max) 6. What if I took a prerequisite course at another college or university? Prerequisite courses are listed in the application brochure. Many colleges and universities can tell you which transfer to CSULB due to contractual agreements. It is very important that pre-requisite courses are equivalent to the CSULB courses listed on the application. 7. Do I have to take the prerequisite courses at CSULB? No. You may take the pre-requisites at any college or university as long as the courses taken are equivalent in content and units to those listed in the application brochure. 8. Is there a time limit on when I took my prerequisites? Yes. All natural sciences should have been taken within the last five years. 9. What courses can I take after my pre-requisite course work is completed? Many students like to get their general education courses out of the way before entering the nursing program. This will allow them to focus on the nursing courses and be ready for graduation as soon as the nursing courses are finished. 10. What GPA do I need to apply to the nursing program? All prerequisite courses must be C or higher. A grade of C- is not acceptable. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in these courses. 11. How many students do you accept, and how often are students admitted? We admit 72 students to begin nursing classes each fall and spring semester. Thirty-six students are admitted into the traditional six semester program and 36 are admitted into the trimester program. This may include one or two LVN’s 12. How long will it take me to complete the nursing program? Once you are admitted, it will take six semesters to complete the nursing courses. Trimester students complete one semester of course work during each summer. You must get a C or better in any course to continue the sequence of nursing classes. If you receive less than a C, you may repeat that course the fallowing year if spaces are available. 13. Can I attend courses on a part- time basis? Each semester is scheduled for 15 or sixteen units. Some students take courses during the summer or winter break to decrease the number of units during the regular semester. If a student must be out a semester, the leave of absence procedure must be followed. If a student misses a nursing course in sequence, he/ she will have to wait until there is space available to continue. 14. Are there any nursing courses in the evening? Nursing lecture courses are usually offered during the day or early evening. Lab courses can be scheduled at any time of the day, evening, or weekends. Lecture and lab classes are offered one or two days a week. 15. Can I take the state board exam before I graduate? You are eligible to take the exam at the completion of your junior year only for those who are enrolled in the program prior to Fall 2005. For those students who enter Fall 2005 or after, must take their state board exam at the completion of their degree requirements. 16. What if I have my LVN already? LVN’s are eligible to begin the program in the second semester on a space available basis. Two spaces are reserved each semester for LVN admissions. You must speak with LVN nursing advisor who will help you plan your program and get on the admissions list. A 30 unit option is available for LVN’s seeking RN license only. 17. What if I have my RN already? A.D.N., RN students enter with 56 units of transferable lower division credit. Fourteen additional units may be given for lower division general education course work. Up to 70 total units may be transferred. The RN pathway program has been developed for the A.D.N., RN student. The first year is a bridge year. Some classes may be taken with the basic students while others are designed to help transition students to the BSN level. All students merge during the senior year. 18. Are there nursing classes in the summer? Yes. Although limited in number. There are offerings to help students decrease their total units during the regular semester, to complete electives, or complete additional clinic lab hours. 19. When can I meet with a nursing counselor? There are group counseling sessions each semester. It is recommended that you attend one of these sessions prior to submitting your application to the nursing department. Once you have this information, a personal appointment can be made through the department office if you have additional questions. 20. Does acceptance into the program mean that I am automatically accepted to the University? No, you must file two separate applications by the deadlines required for each. Check the CSULB website (www.csulb.edu) for the University application deadline. 21. Where do I send my official transcripts? It is recommended that you have official transcripts sent directly to you and that you attach the official unopened transcripts to your nursing program application.

Revised 1/04