Nursing schools/programs near San Diego/Camp Pendleton

U.S.A. California

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Just found out that we will be relocating to the Camp Pendleton area late summer. What nursing programs/schools are near here that you would recommend? I am looking for my associate's degree or BSN? I already have my BA in English so I may be looking at second degree programs too.

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I am going to Kaplan College in Vista, it's about 20 mins from base. But I am going for my LPN. For RN you may want to try Kaplan in San Diego, it will be more of a commute but they offer the RN program there. There are a lot of other community college programs that are MUCH cheaper BUT be prepared to wait 2-3 years on a waiting list. So it's just depends how long you will be at CP. I too am a miltary spouse and we move every 2-3 years so I am not able to wait for 3 years to get into a program.

FYI, look into the MYCAA once you are here. It is a 6k grant only for military spouses.

Also, there was a poster on here that was also a military spouse going to the Kaplan in SD for the RN program, you may want to ask her more about it since she's going there and would know all about it.

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Thank you for the information! Are the nursing programs at the community colleges a wait AFTER pre-req's are done, or while completing it takes awhile? I'll have to check Kaplan out.

I'm not tecnically military as my husband is with NCIS so I'm not sure how that would work out... More info to dig through, I assume. :)

So how do you like the area? Do you have kiddos? We have 3 and are sooo brand new - relocating from the east coast.

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I think it may vary to which college you have to have them done and ones you don't.

We have 2 kids and really enjoy it out here. Are you going to live on base? The Del Mar beach on Camp Pendleton is hands down the BEST beach here. It's right by the front gate on CP. It's never crowded (except July 4th weekened) and is one of the only beaches in San Diego county you can drink at (alcohol that is) all other beaches banned liquer. It's a nice clean beach, you will love it!!

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Mira Costa College & Palomar College both have ADN programs. CSU-San Marcos has an "accelerated" BSN program and a traditional BSN program....I'm currently in the traditional BSN program at CSU-San Marcos...feel free to ask me any questions bout it

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I can't believe the wait at the community colleges. I saw Mira Costa was 3 years. That is crazy. Palomar's program admissions aren't updated yet. Do you have any idea about them? What other ADN programs are around? I don't want one of the insanely expensive, non transferring credits schools. :)

How is CSU's program? Was it difficult to get admitted for you? I will have to take some pre-nursing classes before I can even apply (Micro and the Chemistry) but the program sounds good.

Thank you so much!

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it's a good program....we're relatively new. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you're only able to apply to the ABSN program. I've heard it's easier to get into than the generic program, but it's a lot of work and costs more since it's thru Extended Learning. I believe they admit students into the ABSN program a few times a year, not sure though

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Thanks for the information! Do you know the cost? What is the cost for the generic BSN?

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, home&pub health, pvt duty.

Doing your prereqs at a community college will save you lots of $'s--plus, if you take all your prerequs you can determine where you will apply. However, if you move around you may want to see what distant learning programs are out there for you. Check the Calif board of registered nursing to see what programs are offered on line. I know the Indiana State has a distant learning program, but it is LVN to BSN.

Another thing to think about...if you have your bachelors, you will not get a pell grant. Those are reserved for people without a bachelors. Essentially, you may have to pay the entire cost...but being a military family member, there may be other financial aid optionns. Best to you...

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Thanks for the information! Do you know the cost? What is the cost for the generic BSN?

The generic BSN follows CSU's undergrad fees....currently it's around $2300 per semester for full-time students (12 units) x 8 semesters=roughly $18k....However since you already have a previous BA, you're only eligible for the ABSN program which was around $32K last I heard....they've extended the program so those figures might not be accurate

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I know the thread is a little old, but wanted to point out that the MyCaa program has been temporarily suspended while they review the program, grrrr!

Here is a link listing the programs approved by the CA BRN. As you research the approved programs, I suggest you check the accredidation of any private schools you may be considering. You may become frustrated later if you find that your units will not transfer to a local school and any further degrees will require the retake of courses you've already completed. In California, you are looking for WASC accredidation in order to transfer your units between local colleges and universities. (I personally ended up choosing National for their reputation of being military friendly and because they are WASC accredited.)

I've heard from fellow pre-req taking students that if you already have your BA/BS, you might be able to go straight for your Master's as an entry level nurse. I understand that Azusa has a campus in San Diego that offers this option. I haven't really done much research on that option since I don't have a degree yet, but there is a listing of schools that offer this program on the site I linked to.

If you are looking at taking the nursing classes at the community college level (is that even possible if you already posess a BA?), Saddleback College (about 45 minute drive from Camp Pendleton's main gate) has a very good nursing program and does not have a wait list. Instead, they admit a certain percentage of students based on GPA. Also, I heard that City College in San Diego also just changed over to a GPA admission program recently too. Both their websites are linked to on the page I linked to before.

Congratulations on taking the first step and good luck in your research on finding the best school to match your needs.

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I am going to Kaplan College in Vista, it's about 20 mins from base. But I am going for my LPN. For RN you may want to try Kaplan in San Diego, it will be more of a commute but they offer the RN program there. There are a lot of other community college programs that are MUCH cheaper BUT be prepared to wait 2-3 years on a waiting list. So it's just depends how long you will be at CP. I too am a miltary spouse and we move every 2-3 years so I am not able to wait for 3 years to get into a program.

FYI, look into the MYCAA once you are here. It is a 6k grant only for military spouses.

Also, there was a poster on here that was also a military spouse going to the Kaplan in SD for the RN program, you may want to ask her more about it since she's going there and would know all about it.

Does Kaplan college have a waiting list too?

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