Esther Igboerika, DNP, APRN, CPNP
Chief Nursing Officer and BSN Program Director
Nursing is about providing care to individuals, families and entire communities.
Advance your practice to the next level.
At Fresno Pacific, you’ll gain knowledge and skill to improve health for all through leadership and service. To join this program, you’ll need an active RN license or proof that you’re completing the final steps of RN licensure.
You’ll learn about community and public health nursing, nursing research processes and conflict management from faculty with decades of nursing experience. Courses focus on clinical decision-making, critical thinking, holistic care and leadership instruction to prepare you for nursing management.
If you don't currently have your RN license and are not in the final stages of the RN licensure process or enrolled in an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, we encourage you to check out our Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) program option.
View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate DisclosureApply to FPU
Program Highlights
- Built for practicing and soon-to-be RNs. To join this program, you’ll need an active RN license or proof that you’re completing the final steps of RN licensure.
- Students currently in their last semester of an accredited associate’s degree in
nursing (ADN) program are welcome to apply. However, they must meet and submit
proof of all required criteria before they can begin in the program including final
transcripts showing receipt of their ADN degree and proof of an active nursing
license or application for licensure.
- Students currently in their last semester of an accredited associate’s degree in
- Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and backgrounds.
- Study under experienced faculty.
- The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Fresno Pacific University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org) and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (http://www.rn.ca.gov).
- Graduates of the program meet California BRN requirements to apply for the Public Health Nurse certification.
- Click here for a detailed program brochure
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Faculty
Magdalena Ruiz, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-C, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing and MSN Assistant Program Director
JoAnna Crocker, MSN, MHA, MBA, PsyM, RN, FNP-BC, NE-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing and BSN Assistant Program Director
Laura Grant
Assistant Professor of Nursing and MSN Program Director
Marione J. Lear
Clinical Instructor of Nursing
Program Director: Esther Igboerika, DNP
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program (RN to BSN) is designed for registered nurses who wish to advance their careers or prepare themselves for graduate education in nursing. The program is geared toward the educational needs of RNs. The program responds to the changing healthcare needs in the San Joaquin Valley and helps meet the acute shortage of BSN-prepared nurses in the area.
The modern healthcare environment is becoming more complex due to advancements in technology and medical science, as well as the increasing acuity and complexity of the patient population. Nurses must have a scientifically based liberal arts education and critical decision-making skills. This program prepares graduates intellectually, spiritually and professionally to assume roles as providers, designers, managers, and coordinators of care.
The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice by the Association of Colleges of Nursing (2008) provides the curricular elements and framework for preparing graduates for the 21st century.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Fresno Pacific University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements include a minimum 2.4 GPA, an associate's degree in nursing, and an active nursing license or proof of application for licensure.
Nursing Health Clearance
BSN students are required to meet the preceptor site's health clearance requirements before beginning a practicum. All BSN students are strongly advised to carry their own health and liability insurance.
NCLEX
An RN to BSN student may be awarded up to 15 elective units of credit for successfully completing the NCLEX-RN examination. Elective credit may apply toward the baccalaureate nursing degree in the amount of one unit of academic credit for every unit of required pre-licensure college-level nursing course credits not previously accepted in transfer to FPU.
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Credit will be awarded toward the RN to BSN degree after successful completion of NURS 315
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A combined maximum of 30 units may be awarded for Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, military or ACE credit, NCLEX-RN, and transfer credit from unaccredited institutions.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Integrate theory and research-based knowledge and skills from arts, humanities, and sciences, to develop a foundation for professional and personal life.
- Design, implement, and evaluate client centered care by assessing, coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals.
- Demonstrate compassionate, spiritual, ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional clinical decision-making skills based on critical thinking.
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a professional nursing leader in the health care delivery system by embracing the value of lifelong learning.
- Demonstrate inter-professional communication and collaboration for improving client health outcomes across the life span.
- Analyze evidence-based health care practice to improve the quality of care.
- Utilize health care policies and healthcare economics in shaping healthcare delivery.
- Utilize system engineering and informatics to facilitate health promotion, disease prevention, and maintenance of health in delivering community and population based services.
- Demonstrate professional leadership through advocacy in the political process health care policy to improve the health care system.
- Evaluate and enhance one's own professional values within the context of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice, and conflict resolution.
Credit-Bearing Grades
Students must earn a C or higher in all nursing, general education, and elective courses to receive credit.
Program Length
This is a scheduled, 12-month cohort program.
Locations Offered
Online with onsite labs and clinicals
Additional Requirements
Recommended to be taken prior to entering the cohort:
- CHEM 100 - Introductory Chemistry Credits 3
or equivalent introductory chemistry course
Required Courses (35 Units)
The following units must be earned at Fresno Pacific University:
- BIB 114 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
- BIB 230 - Biblical Perspective of Vocation Credits 3
- ENG 342 - Advanced Academic Research and Composition Credits 3
- NURS 315 - Professional Role Development, Nursing Theory and Health Promotion Credits 3
- NURS 330 - Health Assessment Credits 2
- NURS 330L - Health Assessment Clinical Laboratory Credits 1
- NURS 335A - Principles of Patho-Physiology and Pharmacology I Credits 2
- NURS 335B - Principles of Patho-Physiology and Pharmacology II Credits 2
- NURS 420 - Nursing Research Credits 3
- NURS 435 - Public Health Nursing and Global Health Issues Credits 3
- NURS 445 - Public Health Nursing and Community Health Assessment Practicum Credits 2
- NURS 450 - Information Technology and Health Care Economics Credits 3
- NURS 465 - Leadership and Clinical Management Credits 2
- NURS 465P - Leadership and Clinical Management Practicum Credits 1
- NURS 472 - Transcultural Nursing Credits 2
Electives
Upper-division elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Science minimum. This requirement may also be met through allowable college coursework, Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, and Military or ACE credit.
Possibilities Await With an FPU Education
You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.
Ready to take the next step?
To be considered for admission to the RN to BSN program, you must already hold an active, unencumbered RN license or be in the final stage of RN licensure following completion of an accredited ADN program. See below for more details. Eligible candidates should submit the following:
- Completed Application for Admission. There is no application fee.
- Official college/university transcript(s) from each college or university attended as well as verification of high school graduation.
- Transfer students with an AA/AS degree are not required to submit high school transcripts.
- A final transcript will need to be submitted before you may enroll in classes.
- Transcripts can be sent electronically by your institution to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu or via mail in an envelope sealed by your institution to: Fresno Pacific University
Office of the Registrar
1717 S. Chestnut Ave
Fresno, CA 93702
- An associate’s degree in nursing is required before starting this program with a minimum cumulative university GPA of 2.40 (4.0 scale).
- Submit proof of active nursing license or proof of application for licensure.
Students currently in their last semester of an accredited associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program are welcome to apply. However, they must meet and submit proof of all required criteria before they can begin in the program including final transcripts showing receipt of their ADN degree and proof of an active nursing license or application for licensure.
View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate Disclosure here
Transfer Agreements
The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:
- Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
- Baccalaureate-level courses
- Grade of C- or better
- Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
- All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
- No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
- Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements
View full transfer policy View agreements for your school
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.
Non-traditional Admission
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Tuition & Financial Aid
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
Alexandra Green
Mathematics
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the BSN program are prepared for advanced nursing positions throughout the health care industry, as well as administrator positions in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices and retirement centers. They are also qualified to pursue graduate studies in nursing.
Career Possibilities
- Nurse, serving in:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Public Health Agencies
- Mission organizations
- Nurse, providing:
- Direct patient care
- Education
- Administration
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether you're a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more