Last Updated on May 5, 2022 by Charles Godson
If you’re considering becoming a nurse, Sac State’s BSN program is the place for you. We have a relatively low nursing program acceptance rate and are dedicated to accommodating students’ busy schedules and their families’ needs. We work hard to ensure that every student is succeeding and will graduate with the knowledge and skills they need. Introduce yourself to Sac State – they’re glad to meet you. Do you want to know more about Sac State nursing requirements, sac state nursing application deadline, Sac State nursing cost, Sac State nursing program reviews, Sac State nursing point system, Sac state nursing program acceptance rate 2020 and other related articles all on Collegelearners?
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Nursing School in California: What You Need to Know
Choosing a school to complete a nursing degree is a big decision, especially for students that want to find a nursing position in a specific state. To become a nurse in California, the best course of action is to study at a California school. By studying at one of the state’s top schools, you’ll be setting yourself up for a successful nursing career.
The Best Nursing Schools in California
To help you get started, we’ve compiled some of the best nursing schools in California. These programs offer high-quality education and opportunities for professional growth. They also have strong reputations within their communities, which means students will have no trouble finding employment after graduation!
Find Nursing Programs
Current DegreeCurrent DegreeNo Degree/LicenseADN (RN)BSN (RN)MSN (RN)LPNCNAParamedicOtherDesired DegreeShow Me Programs
Methodology
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors including,
- Reputation
- NCLEX pass rate
- Tuition
- Acceptance rate, when available
- OnlyACENorCCNEaccredited schools are eligible
Nurse Panel
Our selection panel includes 5 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines, BSN, RN, BA, CBC
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 California nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.
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Top 10 Nursing Schools in California
1.California State University, Bakersfield
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,857 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Choosing a school to complete a nursing degree is a big decision, especially for students that want to find a nursing position in a specific state. To become a nurse in California, the best course of action is to study at a California school. By studying at one of the state’s top schools, you’ll be setting yourself up for a successful nursing career.
While there are many great options for nursing schools in California, choosing one can be difficult. Here are some things to consider before making your final decision:
1.) How will this school support my career goals?
2.) What type of education will I receive?
3.) How accessible are they? What kinds of resources do they offer?
4.) What kind of student body does it have? Do they have any diversity programs or groups?
2.California State University, Fullerton
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,560 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.5%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Located just north of Anaheim is another excellent school in the CSU system, California State University, Fullerton. Home to nearly 40,000 students, this ethnically diverse school has a low in-state tuition rate and a great location.Nursing studentsinterested in a BSN have two main options: a direct-entry BSN and a traditional BSN. Thedirect-entry BSNis for incoming freshmen, and you’ll being your nursing degree your freshman year. Thetraditional CSUF pathwayis for current students that want to become RNs. The CSUF pathway only admits 5-10 students per year, so this is a tougher program to enter.
3.University of California, Irvine
Annual In-State Tuition: $13,360 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Considered by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top public schools, the University of California, Irvine is an all-around high-quality school. UC Irvine has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity, and graduates tend to have higher salaries than the national average for recent grads. The main undergraduate nursing program – atraditional BSN– also boasts high graduate employment and salaries, but only 2.5% of all applicants are admitted. If students are lucky enough to count themselves among those selected, they’ll be set up for an incredibly successful nursing career.
4.California State University, Long Beach
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,460 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
California State University, Long Beach is home to beautiful beaches and beaches, along with one of the top nursing programs in the state. CSULB’snursing programhas a lofty goal of becoming the premier nursing program, so nursing students can rest assured that they’re getting one of the best educations available. The main focus of the nursing school are the traditional BSN and MSN, the first of which has three different track options: a traditional track, an RN-BSN track, and an accelerated option. The NCLEX pass rate of the recent graduating class speaks to the student outcomes.
5.California State University, Los Angeles
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,383 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.94%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Los Angeles, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, is home to various hospitals where California State University, Los Angeles nursing students can complete their clinicals. Of the nursing programs offered, theaccelerated BSNfor non-RNs is perhaps the most interesting. Intended for current bachelor’s degree holders and recent grads, this program can take as little as 15 months to complete. By the end of the program, students will be ready to take the NCLEX-RN – something which most grads pass on their first try.
6.University of California, Los Angeles
Annual In-State Tuition: $12,920 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.23%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
One of the most recognized institutions in the world, the University of California, Los Angeles. So, it should come as no surprise that UCLA is also home to one of the top nursing schools in California. Most students are going to be interested in earning theirBSNbefore anything else, although the master’s and doctoral level degrees offered by UCLA are among the top in the state, too. The price is higher than other state schools, but in-state students will still pay a low tuition rate.
7.California State University, Sacramento
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,900 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.64%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Located in the state capitol, California State University, Sacramento is one of the most diverse schools in the nation. Students come from across California – and the US – to study at Sac State. One of the university’s top draws is theBSNprogram, perfect for incoming freshmen that don’t have any nursing experience. An RN-BSN program is also available for current nurses that want to complete a degree. Along with other state schools, Sac State is an excellent value for California residents, and they boast one of the highest NCLEX pass rates on this list.
8.San Diego State University
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,084 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.04%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
San Diego State University, home of the Aztecs, has been educating students since 1897. Now home to more than 36,000 students, SDSU has entrenched itself as one of the top public schools in California. Thenursing schoolat SDSU has four main programs: BSN, RN-BSN, a master’s in nursing (MSN), and an LVN-RN. Nursing students at SDSU also have the rare option ofstudying abroad! With the low in-state cost, high NCLEX pass rate, option to study abroad, and the chance to live in San Diego, this is a school that will be on most students’ lists.
9.University of California, San Francisco
Annual In-State Tuition: $34,977 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.85%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
Yes, the in-state tuition at the University of California, San Francisco is incredibly high considering out-of-state students will be required to pay a higher rate. However, that’s the cost of studying at one of the nation’s bestnursing schools. UCSF’s most interesting nursing track is theaccelerated MSN. This three-year program is for current bachelor’s degree holders, and the bachelor’s degree can be in any field. Keep in mind that the tuition rate can change depending on which nursing option you choose.
10.California State University, Stanislaus
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,728 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.26%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
California State University, Stanislaus has two campuses – one in Turlock and the other in Stockton. Of course, not all students will study on campus. Through thenursing school, four BSN options are available: an RN-BSN, an LVN-BSN, an online RN-BS, and a traditional BSN. When it’s time for clinical, CSU Stanislausstatesthat students will be placed “as far south as Madera and as far north as Stockton.” This is meant to give nurses extra exposure and more experience. Of course, the low tuition and high NCLEX pass rate are reasons to look at CSU Stanislaus, too.
how hard is it to get into sac state nursing program
Keep in mind that colleges and universities reserve the right to change tuition rates at any time. The yearly tuition rates listed here will vary for each individual student depending on various factors including,
- Transfer credits
- Completed competency exams
- Amount of credits taken per year
- Financial aid awards
Check with the specific school for current tuition rates.
Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to theBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
- California employs 294,510 nurses, by far the most in the nation.
- Nurses in California earned an annual mean wage of $106,950 in 2018, making it the highest paying state for nurses.
Along with large cities and natural wonders, nurses in California can enjoy the high pay – especially if they specialize in their practice.
However, the downside to California is that it’s one of the lowest employers of nurses per capita. Only 17.32 nurses are employed per thousand jobs, as compared to 19.44 in New York and 25.40 in Pennsylvania.
No state is without its drawbacks, though, and there’s no denying that California is a top destination for nurses looking for a long, successful career in an excellent area.
Next Steps:
Dozens of great nursing school options are in California, but you can only attend one. To find the perfect school, you should first make a list of your top options. Once you’ve determined which schools you’re most interested in, it’s time to prepare your application.
The next steps are to:
- Contact each school’s admissions offices. You can learn about application requirements, nursing school requirements, and anything else about a school through their admissions office. Admissions counselors are there to help you through the application process.
- Make sure you meet the nursing school requirements. Yes, many nursing programs have their own set of admissions requirements on top of the school requirements. Find out what they are how to meet them. Some requirements may need to be fulfilled while in school, so don’t sweat it if you aren’t already eligible.
- Submit your application(s). Always apply to more than one school! Schools may offer more financial aid than you’re expecting, making one option even more affordable. Items you’ll need to submit include:
- High school transcript (GPA)
- ACT and/or SAT scores
- College entrance essay(s)
- Letter(s) of recommendation
Other requirements could also be required, so check with each admissions office representative before applying. Also, if you ever feel lost, contact the admissions office. They can answer any questions you have.
sac state nursing point system
Both in-state and out-of-state students are attracted to California public schools. However, no two schools are the same, and one option could have clear advantages over another – even if the nursing program doesn’t seem as good on the surface.
To pick the best school, compare the pros and cons. This can include anything, including:
- Annual tuition and total program cost (these can be different)
- Cost of living in the area
- Cost of living at the school
- Scholarships, grants, and federal aid offered
- Acceptance rate (both for the school and the nursing program)
- Length of the program
- Potential program outcomes
- Distance from hospitals
- Accreditation (regional and national)
Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation
Accrediting agencies are in charge of setting minimum standards for education programs and ensuring specific programs meet their rigorous standards. An accredited school doesn’t just mean the program is great – unaccredited schools may make you ineligible for federal funding, and many employers will only accept nurses with a BSN from an accredited school.
The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
If a school is accredited by one of these institutions, then its nursing program adheres to strict national standards.
Getting a License in California
To become an RN in California, students should start preparing in high school. The best way to ensure license eligibility in California is to study at a California school, and admission into those schools can be tough. So, preparing early is key, according to theCalifornia Board of Registered Nursing.
After completing your BSN, you’ll need to:
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
- Pass a criminal background check and submit your fingerprints
- Send your information to the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) in California
- Applyto become a nurse via the California Board of Nursing
While waiting for the results of the NCLEX, nurses can apply for an intern permit. This lets nurses earn additional supervised experience before becoming a professional. Some extra practise never hurt anyone!
Conclusion
California is arguably the top destination for nursing professionals. However, there are relatively few nursing opportunities available in the state. That said, California nurses enjoy high wages. To become a nurse in California, the best first step is to earn a BSN through a California school. After, all that’s left is to pass the NCLEX then find a position!
Only 40 students will be accepted to Sacramento State’s competitive nursing program this fall due to uncertainties surrounding whether students will be able to fulfil required courses amid the ongoing pandemic, according to university School of Nursing administrators.
An email sent to nursing applicants said over 311 applications were received, but only 40 seats are available, down from the usual 80 admitted each semester.
“Our goals and hopes were to be able to admit some students as opposed to none,” said Heidi Travis, the admissions advisor for the School of Nursing, in the email.
Travis said the plan may change depending on how the pandemic develops and how the university responds.
Tanya Altmann, chair of the School of Nursing, said in an email that it feels wrong to deny more students. She said some other nursing programs are not admitting for fall and even spring.
“It saddens me as there are so many students wanting nursing and a looming nursing shortage,” Altmann said.
All but one of the 72 nursing students in their final semester will graduate with help from UC Davis Medical Center, Altmann said. She added that students in the other three semesters of the nursing program were unable to complete clinical and will receive incomplete grades in at least one class.
Altmann said that Sac State President Robert Nelsen’s statement that 271 nursing students are unable to graduate is incorrect. Nelsen used this incorrect figure at Monday’s virtual town hall addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, where he said that the nurses would not be able to graduate because full clinical placements at hospitals were not possible.
As of the time of publication, Altmann has yet to respond to further email requests for comment, including how many students will receive incomplete grades and how Nelsen got that number.
Only 80 students are admitted into the program each semestersince at least 2012.
“It’s definitely going to be more competitive than it already is,” said Logan Tuazon, a first-year, expressed interest, nursing student.
Applicants will be notified if they were accepted into the program by email Friday after 5 p.m. Sac State has the16th highest rated nursing program in CaliforniabyRegistered Nursing.org’s program rankings.
Nursing students have always needed to prove their academic skills if they wish to be accepted. The 76 students who were enrolled last spring semester had an average “adjusted” GPA of 3.995, according todata from the School of Nursing.
Nursing students must also do clinicals, the process of being sent to a hospital and doing direct patient care. TheCalifornia Board of Registered Nurses(BRN) regulates that 75% of the work done in clinical is that of direct patient care while the other 25% is indirect training such as simulations, hospital orientations and hospital equipment training.
Altmann said the California BRN is opposing requests to waive requirements for nursing students.
The program currently has no labs due to classes no longer being held face-to-face. Altmann said that if labs resume, they may require social distancing.
Apart from potentially not being admitted into the program, some students are worried about how they will take the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) to get into the program. The testconsists of 170 multiple-choice questions that are designed to test skills students will need to perform in the program in the areas of reading, math, science and English.“I don’t know how the TEAS test is gonna go since the clock is kinda ticking,” Tuazon said.
