The baccalaureate program offers courses that prepare the student to become a professional nurse. Three distinct categories of students are eligible for admission: The "basic/trimester student" who enters the University without having completed a first level nursing program, the "registered nurse student," who having completed a course of study at the first level, desires further study to expand her or his nursing capabilities to the BSN professional level and the Entry Level MSN student, who having completed a baccalaureate degree in another field, chooses to obtain both a BSN and MSN degree in a period of 36 months.
Though each category of student enters at different levels, the terminal objectives of the nursing program are the same for all groups. The "basic student" and the Entry Level BSN/MSN student upon completion of specific courses are eligible to take the examination for licensure to practice as a registered nurse. All graduates are recommended for certification as a public health nurse in the State of California. The program is accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 1 Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, phone: 202-887-6791).
The purpose of the bachelor of science program in nursing is to prepare graduates to function as professional nurses in a variety of settings. Graduates are expected to have acquired foundations for continuing professional development.
The curriculum is formulated to help the student develop understanding of self and others, stimulate intellectual curiosity and to develop an ability to work with colleagues to identify and resolve the health problems of individuals and families in a changing society. The professional nurse, while able to assess and intervene where health deviations exist, is committed to the role of maintaining health and preventing illness in self and others.
