On Monday, October 3, the future of nursing at California State University San Marcos was solidified by CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. His approval of the bachelor’s degree program, paired with recent endorsement from the California Board of Registered Nursing and the California Postsecondary Education Commission, means that the university may now officially accept applications for the first cohort of nursing students, who will begin coursework in fall 2006.
Although the university began this fall to enroll first-time freshmen as “pre-nursing” status, enrollment was not open to other qualified candidates, such as transfer students from local community colleges. With all of the approvals in place, all interested students may apply for entrance into the university with pre-nursing status, with the potential of being accepted as a nursing major in fall 2006.
The university is accepting 44 students for the initial nursing major cohort. As with many of the nursing programs in the CSU system, the Cal State San Marcos program will open as an impacted major. According to Judy Papenhausen, director of nursing, this means that applicants will be judged on supplemental criteria and rank order status. “We’ve had an overwhelming response from people interested in applying for our program,” said Papenhausen. “We’re excited to get the first cohort of highly qualified candidates working toward their nursing degree.”
According to Papenhausen, final approvals now clear the way for development of the RN to BSN program, which is scheduled to begin in fall 2007. This program is designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) interested in earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN).
Full information about the program, including a list of supplemental criteria that will be considered, is available at www.csusm.edu/hhs/nursing. Information is also available by calling 760/750-7353. Students interested in nursing will need to apply through the regular application process on CSU Mentor, www.csumentor.edu, for spring or fall 2006.
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