Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Valley Foundation School of Nursing has taught me about the beauty and compassion in nursing. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that the program has given me, and I will apply everything that I learned into the clinical setting to positively impact the wellbeing of patients and healthcare workers." 

— Anh Truong, BSN Class of 2024

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program is an in person, full-time program for candidates new to nursing.  

The program prepares individuals for professional nursing practice in a variety of institutional and community settings, as well as for graduate study and roles as nurse leaders.

Extended campus facilities include a wide variety of community healthcare agencies for clinical experience. The School of Nursing has integrated extensive simulation labs which provide an enhanced learning experience.

• BSN Overview
  • 1. Open to California residents who are not already registered nurses 
    2. Is full-time, occurring over five (5) semesters (academic year, Fall and Spring)
    3. Clinical hours are earned through a variety of settings, including: hospitals, public health, long term care, and community health agencies
    4. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared and eligible to take the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN)
    5. Graduates are eligible for Public Health Nursing certification in California upon licensure as a Registered Nurse
• Accreditation

  • The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at San José State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org) and approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses. Please see Professional Licensure and Disclosure information.

• Mission and Goals

  • The mission of the BSN program is to provide educational excellence in the science and art of professional nursing to empower our graduates to be responsible and knowledgeable clinicians, leaders, and scholars who strive to meet changing global healthcare needs.

    Program goals are to: provide a liberal and professional education as a foundation for practice and advanced nursing education; promote an attitude of intellectual inquiry and competency in critical analysis; and to utilize evidence-based practice strategies; and to prepare the BSN graduate for leadership in traditional and emerging roles in response to changing community needs.

    The program also seeks to prepare the BSN graduate to; develop a sound theory base for using the nursing process in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of health problems; and establish collaborative relationships with other healthcare professionals.

    The program proudly works in alignment with the mission and goals of our parent collage, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and those of San José State University.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements (including additional details about; the program’s offerings, outcomes, recruitment and admission policies, grading policies, degree/certificate completion requirements, tuition, and fees) can be found in the university's catalog.

The BSN Roadmap (AY 24-25) outlines prerequisites, classes in the program and their order, and requirements to graduate.

BSN Admission Requirements

Review the requirements to apply to the BSN program.

BSN Information Sessions

Learn about the BSN program prior to applying.

BSN FAQs

Read frequently asked questions for the BSN program.