Know of any 2-3 year programs?

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 19, 2020

I'm assuming, by your name, you're in San Francisco? You can check and see if University of Reno might be a place you can apply. It seems they have a 16 month BSN. Not sure if you fit their criteria or not regarding who can apply. I have not gone there or have any information about this school. All it states is:

"...this program is designed for high school graduates as well as graduates of associate degrees.

Applicants with previous baccalaureate degrees may also apply to this program."

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Apr 19, 2020

12 hours ago, Sfbornandraised said:
I was surprised to see New York and Montana have only 4 year programs for the most part.

I'm a bit confused by this statement. BSN, as your initial college degree, is going to be at least 4 years no matter where you go. The first 2 years you are taking general education and prerequisite courses. The last 2 years would be when you generally take nursing specific courses. (You may could shorten the first 2 years a bit by taking extra courses and Summer courses, but remember that nursing programs are competitive so it's important to not over extend yourself and let your grades suffer.)

If you already have the general education and prerequisites completed then you could apply to nursing programs as a transfer student to complete the final 2 years.

If you already have a bachelor's degree and have completed Nursing prerequisites then there are accelerated BSN programs that can be completed in 16-18 months.

Best of luck.

Sfbornandraised · Apr 19, 2020

Hi! thank you both so much for your input and advice. Once this semester is done I will have 2 associates degrees, so I was hoping to transfer to a two year BSN program. I should have been more clear, but thank you so much for explaining the process to me, I could always use a brush up. But while looking for nursing schools in those states I really only saw 4 year programs. Do you suggest I change the words up and look for "Transfer nursing programs?".Thank you again for your advice, I really appreciate it. Stay safe and healthy out there you two!

and yes, I'm from San Francisco!

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 19, 2020

2 hours ago, Sfbornandraised said:
Hi! thank you both so much for your input and advice. Once this semester is done I will have 2 associates degrees, so I was hoping to transfer to a two year BSN program. I should have been more clear, but thank you so much for explaining the process to me, I could always use a brush up. But while looking for nursing schools in those states I really only saw 4 year programs. Do you suggest I change the words up and look for "Transfer nursing programs?".Thank you again for your advice, I really appreciate it. Stay safe and healthy out there you two!
and yes, I'm from San Francisco!

I probably would just type in BSN or BS Nursing degree to look up which schools offer these.

An associate's degree from one of the CA community colleges almost mirrors the majority of requirements needed in order to transfer to a CSU school. What you can do, is look up your community college and search for CSU GE Requirements OR IGETC requirements. IGETC is for the UC system (not sure if you have looked at UC schools), and UC schools are harder to get into typically. You must have the GE or IGETC requirements in order to begin to apply to a California state school. Nursing school is a whole other animal and, of course, you must also have their pre-reqs done to try to apply into a school of nursing located within the CSU or UC system. So for example, to attend a CSU school, you must apply for admission to the actual school, then also apply for admission into that school's nursing program. Pay attention to all deadlines!!

Applying to a CSU/UC school, you need to have pretty darn good grades. If you do not, then you're better off looking outside of CA.

An associate's degree will put you as a "transfer student." This will be the case in CA or in whatever state you decide to apply in. The main thing you have to make sure is you have all the undergrad requirements needed in order to transfer. Again, this is outside of the nursing pre-reqs needed. I know currently there aren't any in-person counseling sessions going on, but some school counselors can really help in the process if you get stuck. They might be available to you via phone or email

I would strongly suggest you do your research into which schools you want to go to and start making a list if you need any other classes.

In the Nor Cal, you have San Jose, East Bay, San Fran State, and Sacramento for your "local" CSUs that offer nursing.

For private colleges you can look at Samuel Merritt. Don't get confused by their ABSN, which is for people who already have bachelor's degree. Samuel Merritt also offers a BSN program for transfer students. University of San Francisco also has a BSN program too. (Don't confuse USF w/ UCSF. UCSF is the state school and USF is private). These cost a lot of $$$, but for some people it may be the only place they get into due to grades which aren't straight A's.

Sfbornandraised · Apr 20, 2020

WOW! Mergirlc, thank you so much. I can't even begin to tell you how appreciative I am for all your insightful information! I just got out a of a weekend long (on zoom) nursing exploration class, and between that information and your information I defiantly want to make a spread sheet and see what school is best for me. I'm so excited to get into this amazing profession!