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California State University, Long Beach
Department of Nursing
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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.

BSN Graduate Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), the graduate will have the following competencies:

  •  Be eligible to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing examination (National Council Licensing Examination—NCLEX) in the State of California.
  • Be eligible to obtain the California Public Health Nursing (PHN) certificate.
  • Be able to function and provide evidence based, culturally sensitive therapeutic nursing interventions (care) as a generalist professional RN in any of the following clinical settings, in any acute care hospitals:  medical, surgical, women’s health, pediatrics, psychiatric/mental health neonatal nursery and adult /geriatric, rehabilitation nursing.
  • Be able to promote the health and well-being of communities while working as an entry level public health nurse doing community focused practice. 
  • Be able to practice as entry level critical care nurses or neonatal intensive care unit nurses.
  • Be able to utilize information management and patient care technology to support nursing and deliver patient-centered care.
  • Be able to integrate critical thinking, moral and ethical reasoning in the practice of their profession.
  • Be able to work collaboratively with the health care team to identify and resolve the health problems of patients and their families and coordinate the care required.
  • Be able to participate as a member of research team to identify best practices to improve patient care and to be a knowledgeable consumer of nursing research.
  • Be able to assume first level nursing leadership positions as team leader, care coordinators and head nurses in any health care settings.
  • Be able to pursue knowledge and expertise commensurate with the evolution of science, technology and professional nursing.
  • Be eligible to apply to any graduate nursing schools to pursue advanced nursing degrees.

Student Categories

Course Equivalency List for Undergraduate Students

Approved Pathophysiology and Pharmacology Courses for Undergraduate Students

(All requirements contained on these pages are superceded by the official information published in the Course Catalog of the current academic year. To see an online copy, view this file or visit this official university page.)