San Jose State University Nursing School Review

San Jose State University (SJSU) has been educating students for over 150 years. A metropolitan university, this school is the largest college in Silicon Valley, offers over 134 degrees and 110 concentrations, and enrolls over 30,000 students each semester.

Nursing Programs

Pre-Nursing

Students who enter the nursing program at SJSU can expect to gain clinical experience under faculty supervision in local health care facilities. This course of study will also give the student a foundation in professional education, enhanced leadership skills, experience in nursing theory, and help develop professional relationships with others working in health care.

Students wishing to apply to the BS in Nursing program must first apply to and be accepted by SJSU as a Pre-Nursing major. Students that have not yet been accepted into Pre-Nursing may enter the university as undecided majors.

Baccalaureate (BS)

Students must have at least 2 semesters of grades and be declared as Pre-Nursing majors to apply to the Nursing Program. To be considered for the program, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their most recent 30 semester units. In addition, they must have taken Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, English and Statistics, and have a GPA of 2.75 or better in these five courses. They must also take two Chemistry courses and a Communications course with a 3.0 average or higher. Priority will be given to California applicants.

The baccalaureate program at SJSU is approved by the State Board of Registered Nursing, and is accredited nationally by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Those who graduate with a bachelor’s degree may apply for the Public Health Nurse Certificate.

Graduates may sit for the national licensing exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Transfer students may take their prerequisite and general education courses at another college, as long as they are equivalent to those courses offered by SJSU. The university maintains a list of articulation agreements and course equivalencies. For those courses not on the list, students may apply for equivalency consideration by submitting a Prerequisite Course Substitution Form to the university.

Bridge Registered Nurse (RN) to BS

Those who have experience in nursing, such as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), RNs, and those who have taken courses in nursing at other institutions are encouraged to petition for advanced placement in the Nursing Program. Students must be at least sophomores at SJSU and Nursing majors, and have met with an Advanced Placement Coordinator. They will be eligible to begin the Advanced Placement Option after they have at least 60 units of transferable coursework completed.

LVNs that have earned a minimum of 30 units of transferable credit may enter an accelerated program for a BS degree at SJSU. LVNs may also consider the 30 Unit option, a program that allows LVNs to apply for licensure as an RN. The 30 Unit option does not, however, award a degree, and the RN license earned may not be recognized in other states.

Students that are graduates of foreign nursing schools and have transferable credit will receive individual assessment for admission to the Nursing Program.

Masters in Nursing

Students may enter the master’s program and major in Nursing when they have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing earned from SJSU or another accredited institution. If the school they attended wasn’t accredited, their prior classes must be assessed for equivalent content to SJSU’s BS program.

Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing may be admitted conditionally, and will be required to take Community Nursing Theory, Community Nursing Practicum, Nursing Process, and Nursing research before they can be accepted into the program.

To apply to the program, students must submit a goal statement, resume, official transcripts, and references.

The SJSU Master’s In Nursing program has majors in Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Informaticist. The University also offers a Post MS Nurse Educator Certificate and a Post MS Nurse Informaticist Certificate.

In addition, the following are the credentials and certificates may be earned by master’s students:

Audiometry for School Nurses

School Nurse Credential

Clinical School Nurse Specialist/School Nurse Credential

Post Master’s School Nurse Credential

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

SJSU has partnered with California State University, Fresno, to create a joint DNP program. The purpose of this program is to increase the amount of qualified nursing faculty instructors. Students must apply to Cal State, Fresno, and include transcripts, letters of reference, work experience, and a statement of professional goals.

Contact:

San Jose State University

One Washington Square

San Jose, CA 95192

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