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Extended Learning

ADN-BSN Collaborative Program

 

A Joint Enrollment Initiative between ´ó·¢ and Saddleback College

Overview

Elevate your nursing career by earning a BSN and enhancing your appeal to future employers! 

This collaborative program allows you to smoothly transition from the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at Saddleback College to the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at ´ó·¢â€”enabling you to complete your education and embark on your nursing career in under three years!

RN License Requirement: Please be aware that you must obtain your RN license before enrolling in NURS 440 and NURS 447 in your final semester at ´ó·¢. 

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National center of excellence

CSUS²Ñ’s School of Nursing is fully accredited by the  (CCNE).

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Application and document deadline:

  • Summer 2025: April 9, 2025 

Apply Now

View application instructions.

Connect with a specialist

Set up an appointment with our enrollment specialist to learn how you can take advantage of the ADN-BSN collaboration program.

Krisean Freeman

Sujeith Ordonez, M.A.
Senior Outreach & Recruitment Specialist
´ó·¢ Extended Learning
(760) 750-8454

Program Details

  • ADMISSION

    How to Apply

    Admission Requirements

    • Minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average in all transferable units attempted
    • 2.5 GPA for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree
    • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 transferable units
    • Successful completion of the pre-nursing core with a grade of C or better
      • Oral Communication (A1)
      • Written Communication (A2)
      • Critical Thinking (A3)
      • MATH 200 - Statistics (B4)
      • BIOL 160 - Microbiology for Health Sciences
      • BIOL 175 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I 
      • BIOL 176 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II
      • CHEM 105 - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life
      • CHEM 105L - General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life Laboratory
    • Successfully completion the pre-nursing core with a minimum GPA of 2.75 

    Please note: To be considered for admission you must reside in an approved state.  
    Please also note: ´ó·¢ will accept online courses (for all requirements) from regionally accredited institutions. 

    Preferred Preparation

    • Completion of additional ´ó·¢ lower-division GE BSN-required courses, upper-division GE courses and other ´ó·¢ graduation requirements. More details can be found in the Course Sequence section. 

    View Catalog Page

    NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
    California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

  • COSTS

    ´ó·¢ BSN Costs

    • Cost per unit: $340
    • Total Units: 38
    • Total cost: $12,920*

    Costs and fees for the ADN degree are provided separately by Saddleback College.

    * University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

    Funding and Financial Aid

    • This program is eligible for financial aid
    • Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
    • Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
    • Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
  • COURSE SEQUENCE
     Sample Schedule for Fall Start
    Institution Semester Course (units)
    Saddleback

    Fall 1

    N 170 Fundamentals (7.5)
    N 171 Mental Health (3)
    N 160 Pharmacology (3)
    N 165 Lifecycle I Fundamentals of Aging (1.5)

    Saddleback Spring 1 N 172 Med Surg + Lab (8.5)
    Psychology 1 (3)
    N 161 Life Cycle II Growth and Development (1.5)
    ´ó·¢ Summer 1

    ANTH 301 Culture and Medicine Healers and Healing Practices (3)
    BIOL 316 The Biology of Cancer (3)

    Saddleback Fall 2 N 173 Nursing of Children and Families (3.5)
    N 174 Women's Health (3.5)
    ´ó·¢ PHIL 345 Bioethics and Medical Ethics (3)
    NURS 310 Nursing Assessment for the RN (2)
    NURS 311 Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory (1)
    Saddleback Spring 2 N 176 Advanced MS + Lab Preceptorship (8.5)
    ´ó·¢ NURS 350 Role Transition for the RN (2)
    NURS 351 Role Transition Seminar for the RN (1)
    ´ó·¢ Summer 2 NURS 370 Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies (2)
    NURS 312 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)
    NURS 352 Nursing Research (3)
    ´ó·¢ Fall 3 NURS 480 Family Nursing: Theory and Practice (2)
    NURS 450 Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues (3)
    NURS 451 Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory (2)
    NURS 440 Community Health Nursing* (3)
    NURS 442 Nursing Case Management of Vulnerable Populations (2)
    NURS 447 Community Health Nursing and Nursing Case Management (2)

     

    Sample Schedule for Spring Start
    Institution Semester Course (units)
    Saddleback Spring 1 N 170 Fundamentals (7.5)
    N 171 Mental Health (3)
    N 160 Pharmacology (3)
    N 165 Lifecycle I Fundamentals of Aging (1.5)
    ´ó·¢ Summer 1 ANTH 301 Culture and Medicine Healers and Healing Practices (3)
    BIOL 316 The Biology of Cancer (3)
    Saddleback Fall 1 N 172 Med Surg + Lab (8.5)
    Psychology 1 (3)
    N 161 Life Cycle II Growth and Development (1.5)
    Saddleback Spring 2 N 173 Nursing of Children and Families (3.5)
    N 174 Women's Health (3.5)
    ´ó·¢ PHIL 345 Bioethics and Medical Ethics (3)
    NURS 310 Nursing Assessment for the RN (2)
    NURS 311 Nursing Assessment for the RN Laboratory (1)
    ´ó·¢ Summer 2 NURS 370 Health Promotion and Patient Education Strategies (2)
    NURS 312 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)
    NURS 352 Nursing Research (3)
    Saddleback Fall 2 N 176 Advanced MS + Lab Preceptorship (8.5)
    ´ó·¢ NURS 350 Role Transition for the RN (2)
    NURS 351 Role Transition Seminar for the RN (1)
    ´ó·¢ Spring 3 NURS 480 Family Nursing: Theory and Practice (2)
    NURS 450 Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues (3)
    NURS 451 Nursing Leadership and Management Laboratory (2)
    NURS 440 Community Health Nursing* (3)
    NURS 442 Nursing Case Management of Vulnerable Populations (2)
    NURS 447 Community Health Nursing and Nursing Case Management (2)

    * You must acquire your RN license before taking these courses.

  • FAQ

    Is an RN license required to apply?

    No, a RN license is not required at the outset of the program. However, before taking courses NURS 440 and NURS 447 — typically in the final semester of the ADN-BSN collaborative program — you'll need to have obtained and provide proof of your RN license. Without it, you can't complete the program. We recommend getting your RN license as soon as you are eligible in order to prevent any graduation delays.

    Does the ADN-BSN collaborative program prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam (the exam required to obtain a RN license)?

    The ADN degree earned at Saddleback College during the first two years of the concurrent enrollment program will prepare students for the NCLEX exam. In fact, students in the ADN-BSN collaborative program will be required to obtain their RN license before taking certain upper division courses during their final semester at ´ó·¢. 

    Will students enrolled in the collaborative program complete the lower division/pre-licensure nursing coursework required to obtain an RN license?

    ADN coursework taken at Saddleback College will cover all lower-division  pre-licensure topics required to obtain an RN license. This coursework will also fulfill most requirements for entering the BSN program at ´ó·¢. 

    Can students in the ADN-BSN collaborative program choose their own class schedules?

    No, the ADN-BSN collaborative program features courses that meet college/university regulations and the specific needs of each cohort in the program. Attempts are made to coordinate student class schedules with work and family care obligations, but the ADN/RN-BSN program assigns students according to specific, pre-determined class schedules each semester.

    If a student has already earned an ADN from a community college in previous years, can they still apply to the ADN-BSN collaborative program?

    No; the ADN-BSN Collaborative Program is only for students who are currently enrolled, or about to enroll, in the ADN program at Saddleback College. If you already have an ADN degree and RN license, you are eligible to apply directly to CSUS²Ñ’s online, accelerated ADN/RN to BSN program.

    What happens if an ADN student fails a course at Saddleback College after they have enrolled in the ADN-BSN collaborative program?

    If a student fails an ADN course at the community college level, they will need to repeat the course. If repeating the course causes the student to fall out of sequence with the ADN-BSN collaborative program schedule, the student may be able to postpone their BSN enrollment at ´ó·¢ until the following cohort, pending space availability. Students who are unable to continue in the ADN-BSN collaborative program may apply to the online, accelerated ADN/RN to BSN program after they graduate from the ADN program.

    What is Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and how can it benefit me?

    Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows you to earn academic credits for skills and knowledge you've acquired outside of a traditional classroom. This can help reduce the number of courses needed for your degree, saving you time and money while accelerating your path to graduation.

    How do I apply for CPL?

    Start by contacting your ´ó·¢ advisor, who will guide you through the CPL process. You’ll need to provide proof of your certifications and/or provide supporting documentation demonstrating your learning, knowledge or skill acquired through experience. Once the appropriate paperwork has been received, the department faculty will assess which credits you qualify for.

    Can other forms of experience besides certifications count towards CPL?

    Yes, beyond certifications, prior experience such as work or military experience may also qualify for credit. Faculty at ´ó·¢ will review these experiences on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.


Accelerated Completion

Achieve both your ADN and BSN degrees in about three years, optimizing your time and financial investment.

Continuous Learning

Progress through your ADN and BSN studies concurrently without any interruptions.

Versatile Schedule

Benefit from fully online BSN courses at ´ó·¢, making it easier to manage your studies alongside other commitments.

Financial Assistance

Access various financial aid options to support your nursing education and minimize financial stress.

 

Request Information

 

Take the next step in your career

How to Apply

Extended Learning

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(760) 750-4020
el.inquiry@csusm.edu

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