California State University San Marcos
 

School of Nursing

Nursing Programs Offered at CSU San Marcos

All of the following Nursing Program  courses are taught by the School of Nursing faculty and there isn't any distinction or difference in the Nursing degree awarded by the University.  The main difference is whether the program is offered through the State-support tuition (School of Nursing degree programs) or as self-support (Extended Learning Nursing degree programs).

Accreditation:  All Bachelor Degree nursing programs offered through CSU San Marcos have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through June 30, 2014. Accreditation must be applied for every five years.   The Master of Science in Nursing programs have just recently been approved and we will be applying separately for accreditation for these Nursing programs.

Generic/Basic BSN -- offered through the School of Nursing

IMPACTED PROGRAM -- 2010-2011 Point System
 

A three-year, full-time, cohort program which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).  Upon program completion, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX State Board Exam (RN License Exam). This program is intended for students who do not hold an RN (Registered Nurse) or LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) license. Students who have completed an LVN program, though, are eligible to apply for admission to this program.  Our next admit opportunity for this program will be Fall 2010.  The application filing period for entry to our Fall 2010 Generic/Basic BSN program will be from Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2009.

Accelerated BSN -- offered through Extended Learning

This is an accelerated, 29-month, Bachelor's degree in Nursing program designed for those who will have already completed a Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing.  This program is being offered through the University Office of Extended Learning. 

LVN to BSN -- offered through the School of Nursing

A 3-year, part-time program which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for licensed LVN’s. Students will be admitted on a space-available basis during the academic year; the next application opportunity will be Fall 2009 for the 2010-11 academic year.  Upon program completion, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX State Board Exam (RN License Exam).  The following is required:

  • A valid California LVN license;

  • Vocational Nursing coursework completed at a BVNPT-approved (Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians) Nursing Program, or program approved by a State Board for VN licensure other than in California or approved equivalent coursework through military training;

  •  And completion of LVN coursework at a regionally-accredited institution (WASC or other regional affiliate), at which college credit is earned for the LVN coursework and is reflected on a college/university transcript from a regionally-accredited institution, or approved equivalent coursework through military training.

For those individuals with a California LVN license who may not qualify under the requirements above, we are investigating a Credit by Exam option.
 

RN to BSN -- offered through Extended Learning

A part-time program for California licensed RN’s which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, offered through the University Office of Extended Learning.

RN to MSN -- offered through Extended Learning

A 4-year, part-time program for nurses seeking careers as: Nurse Educator; Clinical Nurse Specialist in one of four optional tracks (Adult Health, Pediatrics, Gerontology or Psychiatric/Mental Health); or Clinical Nurse Leader.

MSN -- offered through Extended Learning

A 2-year, full-time program (or 2.5-year, part-time program) for those who have already earned a BSN degree and who are seeking careers as: Nurse Educator; Clinical Nurse Specialist in one of four optional tracks (Adult Health, Pediatrics, Gerontology or Psychiatric/Mental Health); or Clinical Nurse Leader.

Nurse Refresher Program

Preparation of Clinical Nursing Faculty Certificate

 

Upcoming Programs

LVN to RN 30-Unit Option

The LVN 30-unit option is available to students on a space-available basis.  This program allows licensed vocational nurses (LVN's) to complete no more than 30 additional semester units and then be eligible to take the licensing examination (NCLEX) for registered nurse (RN).  Students will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX State Board Examination (RN Nursing License) once they have successfully completed this LVN 30-unit option.  The Web site will be updated just as soon as new information becomes available on this program.

It is important to note that there won't be any degree awarded through this 30-unit option program, and a student's RN license will be stamped with "No Degree" by the Board of Registered Nursing.  Please be aware that some states may deny licensure reciprocity for students who complete this LVN 30-unit option. 

Interested students are also encouraged to investigate opportunities at Community Colleges which offer an LVN to RN Step-up program. Upon completion of such a program, students would then be eligible to apply and enter for RN to BSN program, which is a flexible program, designed for the working RN.  Our RN to BSN Program admits every fall, and is currently not impacted.