Nursing Professions & Pathways

A BSN is the most common nursing degree, making up a little over 50% of the current nurse workforce. This provides a baseline for the most common way to become a nurse, indicating that this degree is relatively safe in terms of job security and availability. A BSN would typically take 4 years to complete. For more information about CSUSB's BSN degree, please visit CSUSB: Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Students can attain a BSN through the traditional four-year undergraduate path, or through a number of non-traditional paths that include:

Transfer BSN (BSN):

• 2 year program
  • Option for students who have completed a pre-licensure program or are a pre-nursing student interested in pursuing a bachelors in nursing by transferring to a different nursing program.

Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing (A-BSN): 

• 2 year program 
  • Option for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in any field AND have completed the prerequisites for a traditional nursing program

RN to BSN Pathway (RN to BSN): 

• For current CA-licensed Registered Nurses who wish to obtain a BSN 
• Website for roadmaps enrollment pathways via different community colleges

For more information on nursing degree pathways, check out our Undergraduate Programs for Nursing page!

The higher the education, the higher the opportunities tend to be. With an MSN, there is room for specialization and the opportunity to become a nurse practitioner/nurse educator. There are also possibilities to perform research, run an executive position, and teach prospective nurses. The journey of obtaining an MSN would typically take around 6-7 years to complete (4 years in undergrad and 2-3 years in masters).

Students can attain a MSN through obtaining a four-year BSN degree, or through non-traditional paths that include:

• 2-3 year program Designed for those with a bachelors in any degree other than nursing and have completed the necessary prerequisites 
• Designed to prepare students to become nurse;
  • Practitioners, administrators, or educators

For more information on advanced practice nursing degrees and specialties, check out our Advanced Practice Nursing page!

An associate degree in Nursing is a two-year program that prepares individuals to become registered nurses (RN). These programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level nursing practice.

For more information on associate degree programs in California, check out the California Board of Registered Nursing website!

Developmental Psychology

Although this course is not required before applying to a nursing program, it is often a prerequisite before taking nursing courses once accepted into a nursing program. Accordingly, we recommend completing this course before entering a nursing program. (PSYC 2201).

Sociology/Cultural Anthropology: 

An introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology course (SOC 1000 or ANTH 1002). These courses must be introductory or fundamental courses, and courses in other subfields of sociology or anthropology may not be accepted.

• Scholarships.com: Nurse/Nurse Practitioner Scholarships
• CA.gov: California Board of Registered Nursing Scholarships
• Johnson and Johnson: Nursing Scholarships
• Study.com: Scholarships (Nursing, Geriatric, Critical Care, Indigenous)

The TEAS Exam

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is an exam that students take when applying for nursing school in the United States. It tests what a nursing student’s academic potential may be in nursing school. Areas that this exam covers include:

Math

Science

English Reading

English Language Usage

For more information regarding the TEAS Exam and registration, please visit this website: ATI Testing. Also, check out Kaplan Test Prep's How to Prep: TEAS Study Guide.

The NCLEX Exam

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based adaptive exam that nursing graduates take post-education to assess their ability to practice as an entry-level nurse. The exam tests critical thinking, patient assessment, and general judgment skills that nurses will need to use daily. The NCLEX-RN will be taken after the successful completion of a nursing program (BSN or entry-level MSN) and is the final step to becoming a registered nurse. Areas that this exam covers include:

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Psychosocial Integrity

Physiological Integrity

For more information regarding the NCLEX Exam and registration, please visit this website by NCLEX. Also, check out NurseJournal: The Ultimate NCLEX Study Guide.