Accelerated BSN Programs in California: Online and On-Campus

The School of Nursing at California State University Fullerton offers a 2-year accelerated BSN program that prepares students from other disciplines for nursing work. The program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and readies aspiring nurses for RN licensure in California. California State welcomes new nursing students each fall and uses a cohort format to promote peer collaboration and enhance the overall learning experience.

Administered in part by the school’s College of Health and Human Development, the 62-credit program boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate. It develops knowledge in health assessment and evidence-based nursing practice through core courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and reproductive health. It also builds key skills in patient management and cultural diversity. Students conclude their studies with an integrative capstone experience centering on practical application and patient care delivery. Most students receive clinical placements at approved sites in the greater Fullerton, CA area.

San Francisco State University’s accelerated BSN program requires 54 credits that most students complete in 15 months or less. It provides the training and education necessary for entry-level nursing practice in community clinics, hospitals, home care centers, and other healthcare settings. Administered through a partnership with the school’s College of Extended Learning and College of Health and Social Sciences, the program qualifies students for further nursing study, public health nursing certification, and RN licensure through the state of California.

San Francisco State’s curriculum studies human development and health assessment using innovative lab tools and theory-based class sessions. Students learn to execute intervention treatments and provide care for groups and individuals across lifespans. Classes also build skills in chronic care, mental health, and end-of-life concerns. Students can access resources that include financial aid opportunities, nursing simulation aids, and peer networking organizations.

Each year, Mount Saint Mary’s University welcomes up to 40 students in its accelerated BSN program. Most students graduate within 12 months and are prepared to launch careers in healthcare and patient-centered practice. The program qualifies students for California state licensure and additional public health certification. It cultivates key soft skills in critical thinking, quantitative research, and interpersonal communication. Students also learn to build a keen sense of clinical judgment and practice using it to enhance patient outcomes.

This program involves 48 credits delivered across a rigorous course schedule that includes some summer study. Classes in human nutrition, child development, and bioethics build a solid foundation complemented by practice-based offerings. Students attend regular nursing skills labs and receive expert-level instruction in medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, and palliative care. Incoming students need an accredited bachelor’s degree and some general education prerequisites.

Brandman University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that takes 3 years or less. The program offers financial aid for qualified, competitive students and is led by practicing nurses. It provides preparation for the NCLEX exam and results in licensure as a registered nurse within California. The curriculum entails core coursework and clinical training experiences in patient care contexts. This accelerated online BSN programdelivers coursework using interactive technologies that maximize flexibility and convenience. After coursework, students complete clinical placements in person at approved sites across the state.

Brandman’s core nursing curriculum involves 68 credits and covers basic pathophysiology and health assessment, pharmacology and evidence-based practice, psychiatric care, and nursing ethics. The program has four separate admission periods throughout the year, holds state approval, is accredited by the CCNE, and offers additional preparation for the NCLEX exam ahead of licensure.

Holy Names University administers a hybrid degree completion program that results in a BSN in just 15 months. The program, like many accelerated BSN nursing programs, has an intensive pace. Coursework and clinical instruction come in short sequences and build upon previous learning experiences. The program keeps a low student-to-faculty ratio and extends financial aid to all its full-time undergraduate students. It prepares aspiring nurses for work in healthcare agencies, physicians’ offices, and community clinics.

Like other accelerate online BSN programs in California, Holy Names provides hybrid options for students looking to take advantage of remote learning opportunities. These options apply to the coursework portion of the program, after which students complete in-person clinical rotations at an approved facility. This CCNE-accredited program also offers a free NCLEX preparation course to all students immediately following graduation.