Olivia Chen, NP
June 19, 2025
The RN to BSN programs exist to help registered nurses who have associate degrees or nursing diplomas gain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. BSN-prepared nurses find significant value in California because they excel at delivering complex patient care to healthcare facilities in an advancing medical system. The state of California demands BSN education for nursing practice advancement since its RNs hold degrees at the bachelor’s level and above with a total percentage of 75%.
Rohnert Park, CA - Public 4-Year - sonoma.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Sonoma State University's Post-Licensure BSN program empowers registered nurses to elevate their professional trajectory through a strategically designed hybrid educational model. Offering two distinctive tracks—Collaborative Nursing Education Continuum Model and Traditional RN to BSN—the program provides unparalleled flexibility for working professionals. Students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that bridges academic theory with advanced clinical practice, preparing nurses for leadership roles in complex healthcare settings. The program's unique structure allows seamless academic progression, enabling RNs to expand their clinical expertise while maintaining professional commitments. With an emphasis on extended education units and community college pathways, Sonoma State delivers a transformative nursing education experience.
Turlock, CA - Public 4-Year - csustan.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
California State University-Stanislaus delivers a strategic RN-BSN online program tailored for working registered nurses seeking academic progression. This dynamic curriculum empowers nurses to expand clinical competencies, leadership skills, and professional knowledge through a flexible learning model. Nurses with associate degrees can seamlessly transition into a comprehensive bachelor's degree program without disrupting their current employment. The online platform accommodates diverse scheduling needs, enabling students to balance professional responsibilities with advanced educational pursuits. No specific entrance exam requirements are mentioned, making the program accessible for practicing nurses aiming to elevate their healthcare career trajectory.
Bakersfield, CA - Public 4-Year - csub.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
California State University-Bakersfield's innovative RN to BSN program offers a dynamic pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced professional development. Structured with a hybrid learning model, the curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, community health strategies, and leadership skills essential in modern healthcare settings. Students benefit from comprehensive coursework preparing them for Public Health Nurse certification, with 90 on-site clinical hours complementing online instruction. The program requires 120 total semester units, targeting working nurses desiring flexible educational advancement. No specific entrance exam is required for RN to BSN applicants, making it accessible for experienced healthcare professionals seeking academic progression.
Fullerton, CA - Public 4-Year - fullerton.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
California State University-Fullerton's RN-BSN Pathway represents an innovative educational bridge for practicing registered nurses seeking professional advancement. Through a strategically designed hybrid program, nurses can seamlessly transition from associate's degree credentials to a comprehensive bachelor's degree. The curriculum accommodates working professionals with flexible distance learning options, emphasizing practical healthcare competencies and academic rigor. Students benefit from strategic community college partnerships and a program structure that enables efficient degree completion while maintaining professional nursing responsibilities. No specific standardized entrance exam is required for this upper-division pathway, making it accessible for licensed RNs committed to expanding their academic and clinical expertise.
Seaside, CA - Public 4-Year - csumb.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
California State University Monterey Bay's RN to BSN program offers a dynamic hybrid pathway for licensed nurses seeking advanced educational opportunities. Structured for practicing registered nurses, the program enables swift degree completion within 3 full-time or 5 part-time semesters. Emphasizing comprehensive healthcare leadership, students explore critical domains including global health perspectives, community care strategies, healthcare policy analysis, and evidence-based research methodologies. The curriculum strategically integrates local healthcare agency partnerships, providing practical insights and professional development. With 30 total program units, the program transforms clinical expertise into broader organizational and systemic healthcare understanding, preparing nurses for expanded professional roles and impactful community health interventions.
The state of California offers extensive online RN to BSN programs which enable nursing professionals to pursue their education. Multiple universities provide complete online programs which enable students to study remotely at their preferred times. Students can access lessons and assignments and participate in discussions without time constraints because the programs operate in an asynchronous learning system. Students in certain institutions can benefit from hybrid learning which combines remote study with occasional classroom sessions and local clinical requirements. Students who enroll in online programs must fulfill the same demanding course requirements as on-campus students to earn their degree. The programs allow nurses who work full-time to enroll part-time and attend evening or weekend classes.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico |
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| University of La Verne |
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| California State University-Monterey Bay |
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| Certifying Board | California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) |
|---|---|
| Certification | Graduate from BRN‑approved BSN program, complete fingerprinting, and pass the NCLEX‑RN |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal, expires on your birth date every two years |
| Continuing Education | 30 contact hours per cycle, first renewal exempt if initial license more than 2 years old |
| License Application Fee | $300 for California graduates ($350 other U.S., $750 international) plus fingerprint and NCLEX fees |
| Clinical Hours | Verified via official transcripts |
| Application Processing Time | 10–12 weeks for exam approval, interim permit in 24–48 hours |
| License by Endorsement | $350 fee, submit active‑license verification, transcripts, and fingerprints, temporary permit in 2–3 weeks |
BSN-educated registered nurses in California earn greater salaries than nursing professionals who completed associate degree programs. The average yearly income for California BSN-prepared nurses reaches between $120,000 and $125,000 based on their professional experience together with their geographic location. The state’s high cost of living and competitive healthcare market contribute to the higher wages. BSN-prepared nurses working in San Francisco and Los Angeles metropolitan areas receive higher salaries because the areas face increased healthcare demand and elevated living expenses. The nursing profession in California shows promising job growth with projected 12-15% employment increase during the upcoming decade. The rising population numbers along with improved healthcare access and nursing shortages in particular areas create this growing demand.
| Salary & Career Outlook | California | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $98,400 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $47.31 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$120,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $98,400 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$70,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 12% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~6,910 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico |
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| California State University-Los Angeles |
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| California State University-Dominguez Hills |
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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree enables California nurses to access multiple career progression opportunities. The nursing profession demands a BSN degree for leadership positions and specialized nursing roles including nurse manager, clinical educator, and care coordinator. After obtaining their BSN degree nurses can seek public health nurse certification to work in community health environments as well as schools and government health programs. Advanced practice roles including nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist positions require BSN as their basic qualification yet need additional education following BSN completion. Most BSN-educated nurses proceed to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to develop expertise in healthcare administration, nursing education or advanced clinical practice. The BSN qualification provides nurses access to various professional certifications which create opportunities for specialized positions that offer better compensation. Earning a BSN degree leads to substantial improvements in nursing career opportunities together with increased potential for advancement.
Additional Nursing Programs in California
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