Nursing Professions & Pathways

Nurses are crucial members of healthcare teams who make significant contributions to patient care in various facilities, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and community health centers. They have an extensive range of duties and responsibilities that encompass Direct Patient Care, Health Promotion and Education, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Research and Evidence-Based Practice. They also advocate for healthcare policy reforms that enhance patient safety and improve health outcomes.
Whether pursuing an entry-level nursing degree or advanced practice specialization, nurses play a vital role in promoting and maintaining health across the lifespan.
Though this page covers nursing, we are not directly a part of CSUSB's BSN program or the Department of Nursing. For specific information regarding CSUSB's BSN program, please visit: CSUSB - Department of Nursing.
Nursing Degree Types
Below is a list of the degree routes you can take to become a nurse. Most students opt for the BSN, and it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the many degree paths! There is no one right way to become a nurse, so long as you obtain your degree. The degrees can differ in pay, length, and opportunities, so be sure to weigh out the pros and cons of pursuing each! It is always a good idea to come to our HPAC Advising Drop-Ins if you have trouble distinguishing the degree types.
Stuck on which degree to pursue, or want to pursue a graduate-level degree?
Check out our Advanced Practice Nursing page to help!
California Nursing Programs
Below is a list of Transfer-BSN, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Entry-Level Masters of Science in Nursing Programs. These programs offer an entry-level position as a Registered Nurse and these programs usually take around 2 years to complete. This list is not an exhaustive one: many more programs can be found from a quick Google search!
Nursing Prerequisites
NOTE: Specific prerequisite courses can vary by school--always double-check the website of each nursing school you are applying to for specific requirements. Please review the CSUSB Catalog as a guide to completing the CSUSB prerequisites.
Prerequisites | CSUSB Courses |
Biology: A semester of Microbiology must include a lab. A year of Anatomy & Physiology must include a lab. Courses can be separated into one semester of anatomy, one semester of physiology, or taken as a year-long series. |
BIOL 2200 OR BIO 3200 BIOL 2230 and BIO 2240 OR BIOL 4630 and BIO 4640 |
Chemistry: A General Chemistry course OR a chemistry course that includes a combination of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Some programs will prefer that students complete the entire chemistry series. |
See desired nursing program prerequisite listing for the exact course options. CSUSB nursing program: CHEM 2070 |
Prerequisites | CSUSB Courses |
Oral Communication: A semester of oral communication. |
COMM 1006 OR HON 1300 |
Written Communication: A semester of written communication. | ENG 1070A, ENG 1060A & ENG 1060B, OR HON 1200 |
Critical Thinking: A semester of critical thinking. | COMM 1007, PSYCH 1105, PHIL 1005, OR see a full list of options HERE |
Statistics: A semester of statistics that contains descriptive and inferential statistical topics. |
MATH 1201, OR MATH 1202 & MATH 1203 |
Psychology: A semester of introductory psychology. |
PSYC 1100 |
Explore Nursing!
Nursing programs may value hands-on applicable experience. Some programs award additional points to applicants who have healthcare experience through various measures, such as volunteering at hospitals or clinics.
It is encouraged to explore programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or other volunteering opportunities, which offer excellent training and can significantly enhance applications by demonstrating dedication and preparedness for the demands of nursing.
Visit our “Looking for Experience?” page for more details! Below is a collection of useful links to assist you in exploring various aspects of nursing.
Resource Name | Description |
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Entry-Level MSN Transfer Agreement: Azusa Pacific University E-MSN Transfer Guideline | Azusa Pacific University offers a transfer guideline agreement that allows CSUSB students to transfer into their E-MSN program. Outlined are the classes needed along with other requirements. |
Johnson & Johnson: Nursing Specialties | Johnson & Johnson allows the user to select and explore different departments, levels of demand, and degrees required for various nursing specialties. |
Onestaff Medical: Travel Nursing & Allied Healthcare Staffing | Onestaff Medical is an independent nursing and allied health staffing firm that claims to provide high-quality employment. This staffing firm includes a plethora of benefits that are definitely worth checking out! |
AllNursingSchools.com | AllNursingSchools.com offers a list of nursing schools in the U.S. along with nursing specialties. |
California Board of Registered Nursing: Pre-Licensure RN Programs | This site provides a list of Pre-licensure registered nursing programs in California that are currently approved by the Board of Registered Nurses. |
California Board of Registered Nursing: Nursing Programs | This site provides a list of registered nursing and advanced practice nursing programs in California that are currently approved by the Board of Registered Nurses. |
NursingCAS | NursingCAS is the Centralized Application Service for nursing programs nationwide. Students who plan on applying to external nursing programs will utilize this application service. |
CA RN Licensure Qualifications for Graduates of International Nursing Program | This nursing pathway is designed for students who have obtained a BSN from a different country. This document includes the different processes for application completion as well as what is needed for eligibility and recommendations. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Department of International Education Evaluation Admissions.
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