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Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree and Broaden Your Nursing Horizons

Take the next step in your nursing career with CSUS²Ñ’s fully online ADN/RN to BSN program. Earn your fast-track bachelor’s degree in just 14 months and unlock new career and leadership opportunities with a BSN.

No nursing license is required to apply. If you are still working toward your associate degree in nursing (ADN), you can start taking courses in this program to expedite your bachelor’s degree.

As nursing evolves with new practices and technologies, this program prepares you to lead in any clinical setting. Enhance your resume, secure your job prospects and get ahead in your nursing career.

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Attend an Information Session

Join an Online Information Session
Learn more about the RN to BSN program through a brief, informal webinar and Q&A session: 

Admission and Costs

Admission

This is a degree-completion program. Students must complete the pre-nursing core courses and 60 transferable units (or 90 quarter units). View all admission requirements. 

Costs and Financial Aid

• $340 per unit
• Eligible for financial aid
• Discounts available for active-duty military

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Curriculum Highlights

The BS in Nursing curriculum offers a comprehensive exploration of nursing. You will gain knowledge in advanced clinical practices, patient care, health promotion and leadership skills. The program integrates theoretical learning with practical experiences, preparing you to excel in various healthcare settings and meet the evolving demands of the nursing profession.  

Careers and Job Outlooks

Potential Career Paths

The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary for career advancement into specialized nursing roles and leadership positions. Some notable career paths include, but are not limited to: 

• Nurse Manager 
• Clinical Nurse Specialist 
• Nurse Educator 
• Public Health Nurse 
• Nurse Case Manager 
• Nurse Consultant 
• Nurse Researcher 

FAQ

• What is a cohort?
  A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts form strong bonds, creating a support system and professional network that proves beneficial during and after the program. 
• Will my diploma say "online"?
  No, your diploma will not specify that your degree was earned online; it will simply indicate that you received a bachelor’s degree from California State University San Marcos, the same as traditional, on-campus students. 
• What is the program schedule?
  The RN to BSN program spans 14 months and is divided into eight-week classes during the fall and spring semesters, and 10-week classes during the summer semester. Unlike other programs, ´ó·¢ includes breaks between semesters and holidays, allowing you to pursue your education without compromising your life and family priorities. 
• How big are the class sizes? Is it hard to contact your professor?
  The ADN/RN to BSN program is limited to 44 students per cohort. ´ó·¢ designed this program with small class sizes to ensure ample access to professors in an online format. 
• Will I need to visit the campus at any point?

  No, this program is designed to be completed online (except for clinical hours).

• Can I apply to the program if prerequisites are in progress?
  Prerequisite courses can be in progress upon application; however, all prerequisites must be completed prior to your requested start date.
• Can I apply before I take the NCLEX?

  Yes, you may apply prior to taking the NCLEX exam, however ´ó·¢ does not prepare you to take the NCLEX exam. You must have your RN license prior to enrolling in NURS 440 and NURS 447 (typically taken in the final semester of the program). Please note, failure to successfully pass the NCLEX exam in time to take NURS 440 and NURS 447 may delay progress toward earning your degree.

• Is an RN license required to apply?

  No, an RN license is not required to be considered for admission to the program. However, before taking courses NURS 440 and NURS 447 — typically in the final semester of the RN to BSN program — you'll need to have obtained and provide proof of your RN license. Without it, you can't complete the program. We recommend obtaining your RN license early to prevent any graduation delays. No, an RN license is not required to be considered for admission to the program. However, before taking courses NURS 440 and NURS 447 — typically in the final semester of the RN to BSN program — you'll need to have obtained and provide proof of your RN license. Without it, you can't complete the program. We recommend obtaining your RN license early to prevent any graduation delays.

• Can I apply if my license is probationary?

  You need to have an active/current license to ensure you have access to complete the clinical hours in the program. You are responsible for securing clinical placements and maintaining your RN license.

• Once I apply and all of my transcripts are received, how long will it take to find out if I am admitted?

  It typically takes around four to six weeks to receive your evaluation worksheet outlining the requirements you have met and any that are still needed. Admission decisions are typically sent after the evaluation process is complete.

• Does this program prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam (the exam required to obtain an RN license)?

  No, CSUS²Ñ’s ADN/RN to BSN program does not prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam. Our program is designed for students who have already earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), currently enrolled in an ADN program or have already obtained an RN license.

• Does this program offer any of the lower-division/pre-licensure nursing coursework required to obtain an RN license?

  No, CSUS²Ñ’s ADN/RN to BSN program does not offer any of the lower-division/pre-licensure required to obtain an RN license.  Our program is designed for students who have already earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), currently enrolled in an ADN program or have already obtained an RN license.

   

• Can clinicals be completed at your place of employment?

  Leadership clinicals can usually be completed at your place of work, while community health clinical hours must be completed at a community/public health facility.

• What colleges can BS in Nursing students transfer from?

  Students enrolled in ADN programs at various community colleges across the nation as well as in Southern California, including Palomar College, MiraCosta College, Southwestern Community College and Imperial Valley College, are well-equipped to transition into our online BS in Nursing program.

  ´ó·¢ and Palomar College have developed a pathway partnership to make transitioning from your ADN to earning your BSN as seamless as possible!

• What services do you offer to active-duty military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

• 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.