Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog 
    
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog

Nursing, BS



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The undergraduate nursing program provides two program options to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing:

  1. A pre-licensure program option that prepares the student to become a licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.); and
  2. A post-licensure program option for the licensed R.N. with an associate degree or the equivalent.

All graduates of the baccalaureate program are prepared to plan and provide patient care; to teach patients, families, and staff; and to provide leadership in the delivery of health care services. The bachelor of science in nursing program offers students an opportunity to become a liberally educated professional, qualified for certification as a public health nurse, and completely prepared for graduate education in nursing. The pre-licensure program option also prepares the graduate for the R.N. licensure examination.

Eligible applicants should visit the Department of Nursing for further information.

L.V.N. 30-Unit Option

The L.V.N. 30-unit option includes only those nursing courses required for R.N. licensure and qualifies L.V.N.s to take the NCLEX-RN., but does not earn a BSN. To be admitted to the L.V.N. 30-unit option an L.V.N. must have completed 4 units of physiology and 4 units of microbiology with a grade of B or better. Admission to this option is ONLY on a “as space available” basis. Contact the department for further details.

Nursing, Post-Licensure Program, BS  

Collaborative Nursing Education Continuum Model (CNECM)

Sonoma State University offers an early start baccalaureate program track that builds on the strong foundation of associate degree nursing (ADN) education and utilizes community college transfer credits from the ADN program to meet the BSN degree requirements. The curriculum enhances existing nursing knowledge and skills with study of complex professional perspectives, multifaceted health assessment, community/public health theory and clinical, and socio-political perspectives in the health care environment.

Students begin the BSN curriculum following successful completion of the first year of their ADN program. After completion of two consecutive summers of one course each, students enter in the following fall to complete the one-year program plan of curriculums matriculated students.

Admission to the CNECM

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria. See SSU nursing website for details.

Criteria #1 
Preference for admission to the program will be given to applicants currently enrolled in first year ADN of service area community colleges and residing in SSU service area counties (Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino) with Spring graduation

Criteria #2 
Minimum Cumulative GPA 2.0, on average admitted applicants have a 2.7 Cumulative GPA or higher

Criteria #3
Completion of statistics (Math 165) with a C or better by matriculation

Criteria #4
Complete an accurate Lower Division GE and Preq Checklist (Available on NursingCAS application)

Criteria #5
Current unencumbered California licensure as a Registered Nurse or anticipated graduation from a California ADN program and NCLEX eligibility prior to or during matriculation to SSU Post-Licensure BSN program

Criteria #6
Human anatomy and physiology within the past 10 years or documented direct patient care nursing experience (including clinical course) within the past two years. Waived if currently in an ADN program.

Continued Progress in the CNECM as Matriculated Post-Licensure Student

  1. Current unrestricted, California RN license prior to registration of NURS 310 , NURS 412  Lecture and Practicum

  2. Admission to the university

Undergraduate Nursing Progression and Retention

Should a student not attain a minimum grade of C (a C- is not acceptable) in a required nursing course, the student will not be permitted to continue in the nursing major. The student may petition the faculty to repeat the course. If approval is granted, the student must receive a grade of C or better in the course when repeated. If a minimum grade of C is not attained, the student will not be eligible to continue in, or graduate from, the BSN program. Only two courses in the nursing major may be repeated once.

Post-licensure BSN Degree completion time limits are specific. Refer to curriculum pattern.

Program Learning Outcomes


The graduate of Sonoma State University Department of Nursing programs will:

  1. Develop inter-subjective nurturing relationships that support the fulfillment of potential of client and nurse. (Caring)
    1. BSN- Demonstrate the integration of respect for human diversity, social justice and self in the nursing role
    2. MSN- Initiate policy and practices that demonstrate the integration of respect and social justice that considers the client, the profession and nurse
  2. Make informed choices through critical analysis that promote nurse/client well being. (Critical Thinking)
    1. BSN- Participate in initiatives that support health promotion and disease prevention.
    2. MSN- Create and implement initiatives that support health promotion and disease prevention
  3. Demonstrates humanizing interactions that are grounded in the integration of the art (subjective) and science (objective) of nursing. (Communication)
    1. BSN- Communicate within a team framework to promote optimal client outcomes.
    2. MSN- Create a collaborative milieu in dialogue with nurses and other health care professionals to promote team decision-making
  4. Exemplify moral and ethical professional standards within a framework of equitable care. (Advocacy/social justice)
    1. BSN- Delineate ethical principles on which to base practice decisions
    2. MSN- Advocate for the nursing profession, the organization and the global community
  5. Develop directed and deliberate actions for self and clients intended to result in learning. (Teaching/Learning)
    1. BSN- Demonstrate the role of the nurse in specific client centered teaching
    2. MSN- Implement curriculum for client and professional centered education, and present evidence based protocols for client and staff centered education
  6. Continue the process of self-transformation in the profession of nursing and in the world community. (Professionalism)
    1. BSN- Commit to lifelong learning and participation in the professio
    2. MSN- Contribute to the development of organizations and the advancement of the profession
  7. Actualize inter-subjective choices guided by vision and commitment to the wellbeing of the client. (Leadership)
    1. BSN- Participate in changes to promote improvement in patient care
    2. MSN- Effect improvement of patient care outcomes, systems and policy 10 Department of Nursing STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020
  8. Acquire knowledge to support theory and evidence based-practice. (Research)
    1. BSN- Demonstrate the use of theoretical foundations of nursing and engagement in scholarship to guide clinical practice
    2. MSN- Integrate the science of nursing, advanced knowledge and practice excellence to actualize the professional roles associates within area of role focus
  9. Promote cultural sensitivity and cultural competent care that respects each individual’s rights to be understood as a unique individual. (Culturally Competent
    1. BSN- Demonstrate respect for the unique care of clients in all aspects of the nurse client relationship
    2. MSN- Identify and initiate changes related to system health care inequities of client populations 

CNECM (CPOST) Full-Time Academic Program Plan


Full-Time Enrollment (One year for completion)


Enrollment in required nursing coursework in the pattern below is expected. Enrollment in and completion of 6 units of UDGE is individually determined based on student’s remaining degree requirements and according to UDGE requirements (see Upper Division GE Guidelines). UDGE coursework included in this plan is for example only.

Summer Term Between 1st and 2nd Year of ADN Program: 4 Units


Summer Term Following Graduation from ADN Program: 4 Units


70 Units


Transfer Credit from Community College Applied toward BSN (70)

20 Units


Up to 20 units upper division Nursing credit awarded for NCLEX-RN based on transcript evaluation (20)

After ADN and RN Licensure (One year completion)


BSN Total Units: 120


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