School of Nursing
Explore our bachelor's degree program
Your pathway to a BSN begins with the Pre-Health Program!
The College of Health and Human Services Pre-Health Program provides support to students exploring careers in health and human services professions with academic advising and career exploration. The Pre-Health Program allows students interested in Nursing, Kinesiology-Exercise Science, Health Science-Community Health and Social Work to explore these majors and career pathways. The Pre-Health Program, a three-semester program is for first time freshmen and will blend in all lower division general education. Students in the Pre-Health Program will enroll in HHS 18: Career Pathways in Health and Human Services in their first semester and HHS 100T: Career Exploration in Health and Human Services in their second semester to assist in the exploration process. During the second semester, an academic counselor will work with students to identify a major appropriate to their career path based on their career exploration.
If a student would like to continue in the Nursing track, beginning in their third semester, students apply to continue the last prerequisites. Students must meet a minimum of a 3.0 Pre-Requisite and Cumulative GPA in order to apply to continue to take the prerequisite courses. Each semester, students are evaluated for meeting the minimums to continue in the program. Once the following requirements are met, students may apply for admission to the Nursing program.
- All 8 Prerequisites are completed
- A minimum prerequisite and Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- TEAS test passed with a 75% or higher
More information on the Pre-Health Program is available here: https://www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/acdc/pre-health.html
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The School of Nursing offers a program that leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The degree requires a minimum of 120 semester units, and the nursing curriculum sequence covers five semesters. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the California Public Health Nurse Certificate.
The nursing profession is unique, and new opportunities are constantly being developed as the profession grows and changes. Career opportunities in the field include:
- Hospitals and healthcare networks
- Physican's offices
- Home healthcare services
- Nursing care facilities
- Outpatient Clinics
- Schools and educational facilities
- Correctional facilities
- Flight or transportation services
- Forensics
The Bachelor in Science in Nursing degree program at California State University, Fresno is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
There are two categories of nursing applicants:
Learn about our curriculum
The following eight prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entry into the nursing program. Students taking these courses at a community college please view equivalent courses at your college or visit ASSIST.
- GE Area A1 - Oral Communication ( COMM 3,7, or 8) (3 units)
- GE Area A2 - English Composition (ENGL 10 or ENGL 5B) (3 units)
- GE Area A3 - Critical Thinking (SOC 3 preferred) (3 units)
- GE Area B4 - Statistics (MATH 11 or PH 92) (3 units)
- GE Area B1 & B3 - CHEM 3A - Introduction to Chemistry (4 units)
- GE Area B2 - BIOL 20 - Microbiology (BIOL 20) (4 units)
- BIOL 67A - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 units)
- BIOL 67B - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 units)
Total (28 units)
Each prerequisite must be completed with a minimum C grade - CR/NC grades are not acceptable.
For questions about Advanced Placement credits, please contact FSNursingAdmissions@mail.fresnostate.edu
A minimum GPA of a 3.0 is required in the eight prerequisite courses to apply to the nursing program. In compliance with Federal Requirements for Posting Licensure and Certification Eligibility, please see the CSU Chancellor’s Office calstate.edu website.
High school students preparing for a career in nursing should take biology, chemistry, and additional college preparatory courses required for CSU admissions.
NURS 10 - Fundamental Concepts of Nursing Care (3)
Overview of theoretical and scientific foundations of nursing practice. Introduction
to physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and developmental variables affecting
individuals throughout the life span. Emphasis on basic concepts of pharmacotherapeutics
and wellness promotion throughout the life span.
NURS 10L – Practicum: Fundamental Concepts of Clinical Nursing (1)
Utilization of concepts from NURS 10 in selected health wellness settings. Supervised
practice of health assessment, communication skills, and noninvasive nursing procedures.
(90 clinical hours will be completed in the semester)
NURS 50 - Cooperative Education in Nursing
(1-3; max total 12; 45 hours/unit)
Provides students enrolled in the nursing major an opportunity to obtain structured
work-study experiences, under the supervision of registered nurses, in participating
health care agencies. Opportunities for additional practice and development of confidence
through application of previously learned knowledge and skills. CR/NC grading only;
not applicable toward degree requirements.
NURS 110 - Transitional Concepts in Nursing Care (3)
Application of basic pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and assessment of clients
across life span with emphasis on primary and secondary interventions, utilization
of nursing process in care of clients with common health deviations.
NURS 110A - Transitional Skills and Assessment in Nursing Care (2)
Integration of knowledge and skills necessary for application in specific nursing
diagnostic areas; emphasis on understanding the principles underlying the techniques
and procedures required by clients with common health deviations. (6 lab hours/week;
course fee, $40)
NURS 110L – Practicum: Basic Concepts in Nursing (2)
Application of nursing process to clients with common health deviations. Identification
of risk factors associated with stressors and provision of nursing care directed toward
primary and secondary interventions. 90 clinical hours will be completed in the semester
on a predetermined schedule. (CSU liability insurance fee, $8)
NURS 112 - Pathophysiology for Nurses (2)
Study of the inter-, intra-, and extra-personal stressors leading to alterations in
cardiac function, comfort, coping, elimination, immune response, metabolism, mobility,
nutrition, respiration, role performance, and the implications for nursing practice.
NURS 113. Problem Based Case Studies for Nursing (2)
Using problem based clinical cases, critically analyze selected nursing practice issues.
Application of the nursing process, use of evidenced-based practice concepts, and
analysis of nursing interventions essential for preparation of the undergraduate nurse.
NURS 114. Fundamental Skills and Assessments of Nursing Care
Prerequisite: Admission to Nursing Major, Co-requisites: NURS 10, NURS 10L, NURS 112.
Intergration of fundamental skills and assessments necessary to provide nursing care
and assist individuals in meeting their common health needs.
NURS 121 - Psychosocial Nursing (3)
Current theories and concepts in the nursing care of clients with psychosocial disorders.
NURS 121L – Practicum: Psychosocial Nursing (2)
Application of the nursing process to clients with psychosocial disorders. (6 clinical
hours/week; course fee, $20)
NURS 124 - Pharmacology in Nursing (2)
Pharmacological theory required for effective nursing practice. Principles of pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics.
NURS 131 - Nursing of the Childrearing Family (3)
Introduction to current theories and concepts in the care of the pediatric client/family
with emphasis on wellness and illness.
NURS 131L – Practicum: Nursing of the Childrearing Family (2)
Application of specific skills, theories, and concepts in the care of the pediatric
client/family with emphasis on wellness and illness. (90 clinical hours will be completed
in the semester on a predetermined schedule. (Course fee, $20) (CSU liability insurance
fee, $8)
NURS 132 - Nursing the Childbearing Family (3)
Theoretical base and clinical knowledge for application in primary and secondary prevention
in the nursing of the childbearing family. Introduction to high risk perinatal nursing.
NURS 132L – Practicum: Nursing of the Childbearing Family (2)
Application of knowledge and technical skills in the nursing of the childbearing family
during the intrapartum and postpartum periods with emphasis on the family as a unit.
(6 clinical hours/week; course fee, $20)
NURS 136 - Health Appraisal (3)
Health appraisal integrates psychosocial and pathophysiological processes including
techniques of history taking and health assessment in nursing practice and knowledge
of normal findings as well as common deviations. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
NURS 140A - Complex Concepts of Nursing Care (2)
Theory and concepts relative to care of clients with complex health problems. Emphasis
on synthesis of concepts and principles derived from nursing and other disciplines
in implementation of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for clients of all
ages.
NURS 140L – Practicum: Complex Concepts of Nursing Care (2)
Clinical application of concepts and nursing process in care of clients of all ages
with complex health problems. 90 clinical hours will be completed in the semester
on a predetermined schedule. (CSU liability insurance fee, $8)
NURS 141 - Concepts of Community Health Nursing (3)
Community and home health nursing principles, practices, and services to benefit client
systems at the primary, secondary. and tertiary levels of prevention; recognizes the
interrelatedness of nursing, public health, epidemiological, developmental, learning,
and economic theories and concepts.
NURS 141LS – Practicum: Concepts of Community Health Nursing (2)
Application of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the community with individuals,
families, and groups. Service learning components are integrated to enhance reflection
of caring for diverse population members. (6 clinical hours/week; course fee $20)
(CSU liability insurance fee, $8)
NURS 142 - Assessment of Common Cardiac Dysrhythmias (1)
Study of the electrocardiogram and common dysrhythmias, airway management, and ventilator
therapy, with implications to nursing practice. (Course fee, $20)
NURS 145 - Nursing Theories and Research (3)
Application of nursing theories and the research process to nursing practice are explored.
Focus includes historical evolution of contemporary theories in nursing, critique
of current research, and computer applications to research.
NURS 150 - Leadership and Health Care Economics (3)
Development of the nurse as a leader in the health care delivery system. Development
of negotiation, delegation, management, and critical thinking skills with recognition
of the impact of a changing health care economics environment.
NURS 150AL – Practicum: Leadership and Clinical Management (2)
Development and application of leadership skills in a variety of health care settings.
Covers using negotiation, delegation, management, and critical thinking skills while
managing a client caseload with interprofessional team members in a cost effective
manner. (6 clinical hours/week; course fee, $40)
NURS 151 - Senior Project (1)
Opportunity for the students to build upon conceptual, theoretical, and research knowledge
base. Students pursue in-depth study with practical application in areas of interest:
management, conflict resolution, application of nursing theories, research, or community
project. Satisfies the senior major requirement for the B.S. in Nursing.
NURS 155 - Advanced Problem-Based Clinical Case Studies in Nursing (2)
This course will utilize a comprehensive approach facilitated by clinically based
scenarios, nationally standardized examinations, and situational learning opportunities
to systematically review key concepts accessible throughout the student nurse program
of study. Emphasis is placed on the promotion of culminating nursing curricula synthesis.
A note about the BSN Admissions
The program is on impacted status (the number of applications received is greater than the number of vacancies for the program). Therefore, admission into the nursing major is very competitive; there is no waiting list. Admission selection is based on meeting the minimum requirements to apply and review of top candidates by prerequisite GPA. If not selected, and you are an incoming transfer student your major will be changed to your secondary option and you will not be allowed to apply again until you have graduated from that major and reapplied as a second bachelors student. If you are a continuing Pre-Nursing student prior to Fall 2020 or if you are a new Pre-Health student starting Fall 2020 and forward you may reapply and will compete with the entire new applicant pool if not selected..
To learn more about Fresno State's Nursing Admissions for the BSN program, please click here: Fresno State Nursing Admissions
Contact Us
General BSN Admissions Questions
CHHS Advising and Career Development Center
FSNursingAdmissions@mail.fresnostate.edu
559.278.5027
Baccalaureate Program Coordinator:
Dr. Janine Spencer
559.278.8209
McLane Hall 290