Admission to the program is based on a number of factors, including the completion of previous college degrees, relevant certificates or diplomas, volunteer and work experience, TEAS test scores, second language abilities and prerequisite grade point average. To be considered for the program, students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 in mandatory prerequisite courses, including human anatomy, microbiology, physiology, English and communications.

During the first year, students take courses in client-centered care, the nursing process, childbearing, prenatal care, pediatrics and psychiatric nursing. The second year of study includes courses on intravenous therapy, medical-surgical nursing practices, leadership and caring for complex clients. Courses combine lectures, labs and in-clinic experiences to give students both theoretical and hands-on knowledge, and small class sizes ensure that students get personal attention from the expert faculty. Students also have the option to complete clinical externships at local hospitals, where they can hone their skills on real patients in a supervised environment.

In addition to completing the nursing track, students must also pass courses in general education subjects, including humanities, history, math, physical education, communications and sociology.

Licensed vocational nurses can become Registered Nurses by completing as little as 30 units at the College of the Sequoias. The fast-paced program is designed for students who have nursing experience and have already completed skills courses.

The nursing program at the College of the Sequoias is one of the most affordable in the state. Annual tuition is just $1,360 for California residents. In addition to paying tuition, students must also supply their own books and uniforms, averaging $1,600. Students who require financial assistance can benefit greatly from the college’s many types of aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs and more.

The Associate Degree in Nursing program at San Joaquin Delta College prepares students to complete the state licensing examination to become Registered Nurses. The four-semester program is approved by both the National League for Nursing and the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Interested students must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, written communications, nutrition and algebra before applying for the program. The admission screening also takes into account the applicant’s previous degrees, relevant health care experience, volunteer and work experience, second language proficiency, life circumstances and TEAS test score. Between 60 to 70 students are admitted to the program each semester.

Students can take advantage of the college’s Nursing Success Center, staffed by professional nurses and counselors who offer free assistance throughout the year. Academic programs at the center include free tutoring, workshops and study groups, a lending library complete with NCLEX review materials and resources for issues like improving study skills, time management and managing test anxiety.

Tuition for the two-year program is approximately $1,008 per year. Students are also responsible for paying the cost of textbooks, lab fees, uniforms and supplies. On average, nursing students can expect to pay approximately $3,700 for the entire program.

The College also offers a program in Vocational Nursing that prepares students to practice in a variety of health care settings. Students interested in the program must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, general psychology, medical terminology and human development before applying for admission to the 46-week program. The program is continuous through the fall, summer and spring semesters, and students divide their time between lectures and clinical labs.

Typical costs for the Vocational Nursing program total approximately $3,725. This estimation includes the cost of tuition, textbooks, lab fees, assessment fees, NCLEX-PN fees and uniforms.

Financial aid is available for students enrolled in both the Associate Degree in Nursing program and in the Vocational Nursing program. The college also maintains a vast database of scholarships from organizations like the Health Professions Education Foundation, California Nursing Students’ Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

San Jose State University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in nursing that prepares students to sit for the California state licensing examination and become Registered Nurses. The program is designed for students to gain a professional and liberal education while developing leadership skills, a sound theory base of the process of nursing, an attitude based on critical analysis and intellectual inquiry and establishing collaborative relationships with health care professionals.

The nationally-accredited program is also approved by the State Board of Registered Nursing, and graduates of the program are eligible to receive a Public Health Nurse Certificate. In 2011, 92.86 percent of San Jose nursing students passed the NCLEX-RN exam.

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the applicant’s grade point average (GPA), TEAS score and writing skills test. Before applying to the program, students must complete prerequisite courses in statistics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and English with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

San Jose State University also offers a bridge program that offers registered nurses, medical corpsman and licensed vocational nurses the opportunity for advanced placement within the baccalaureate program.

The baccalaureate program adequately prepares students to seek a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students in the master’s program develop advanced nursing skills with a focus on either administration or education. Graduates also gain initial competence in nursing research and receive the foundation of doctoral study in the field.

The university’s Clinical Simulation Lab provides students with a safe environment to refine and practice their nursing skills. The innovative lab houses state-of-the-art equipment and includes a web-based digital learning management and audio-video system utilized throughout many classes in both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Tuition and fees for the full-time undergraduate program total approximately $3,793.50 per semester. For the master’s program, students must pay approximately $4,273.50 per semester. Students are also responsible for paying the cost of uniforms, textbooks, lab fees and supplies for the nursing program, which can add up to approximately $1,200 per year.

Modesto Junior College, located in northern California, offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become Registered Nurses.

Admission to the four-semester program is based on the applicant’s grade point average in prerequisite courses, including English, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Students must pass these classes with a C average or higher to be considered for admission into the program. Students must also pass a health clearance and criminal background check, drug screening and complete CPR certification before beginning the program.

During the first year of the program, students take courses in pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, skills and maternity and pediatric nursing. During the second year, required courses include medical-surgical and mental health nursing. Students must also take courses in psychology, sociology and speech communications to be eligible for graduation.

Students may enter the nursing program during either the fall or spring semesters, and most classes are scheduled during the day. All courses take place on the Modesto campus, but students must participate in a five-week preceptorship during their final semester, which takes place in a clinic setting off-campus.

The Human Patient Simulation Lab at Modesto Junior College is one of the finest in the state. The state-of-the-art lab includes everything students need to practice their skills in a realistic setting. The lab is utilized throughout the program and is an important component of almost all nursing courses.

The estimated initial cost of the program is approximately $2,800 for California residents. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th semesters cost an average combined total of approximately $2,500. These estimations include the cost of materials and enrollment fees, health clearance, uniforms, drug screening and criminal background check fees, pre-licensure readiness examination and books.

Financial aid is available to students who demonstrate need. The Stanislaus Health Center awards one full scholarship each year to a deserving Modesto Junior College nursing student, and more scholarships and grants are available through the state’s Health Professions Education Foundation.

California State University’s Fresno campus is home to one of the state’s best Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. The fully-accredited four-year program prepares students to sit for both the California Public Health Nurse Certificate and the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Applicants with no prior nursing education must already be accepted for study at California State University and must have completed coursework in communications, English, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and chemistry with a grade point average of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale before applying to the nursing program. Admission to the nursing program is very competitive, and selection is based only on the GPA of prerequisite courses.

In their first year in the nursing program, students take courses in physical assessments, pathophysiology, basic nursing skills, elderly client care and pharmacology. During the second year, students learn about psychosocial nursing, care of adults, child rearing, family theory and nursing theories and research. The third year consists of courses in complex nursing concepts, community health, advanced skills, leadership and health care economics. Students engage in clinical externships throughout the program.

Nursing students at CSU Fresno can participate in school’s chapters of the California Nursing Student’s Association, the National Student Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing.

Tuition for full-time students is $2,985 per semester. Students must also pay for various school fees, nursing uniforms, textbooks, supplies and lab fees. On average, one semester of nursing school at Fresno State cost approximately $5, 585 in total.

CSU Fresno is committed to making a nursing education affordable for all students. The school offers numerous scholarships and grants to nursing students, ranging in award amounts from $500 per semester to full tuition for the entire four-year nursing program. Financial aid advising is also available to students who demonstrate need.

California’s Mt. San Antonio College offers a fully accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program. The two-year program is designed to prepare students for careers in the field in various practice settings and consists of coursework in science, general education, nursing and clinical nursing practice. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination, which leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Applicants to the program must already be accepted as students at Mt. San Antonio College, submit an application, pass an English placement test, produce two official transcripts detailing educational history and pass physical, background and drug tests. All applicants must have completed prerequisite courses in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology and English with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 before applying to the nursing program.

The program combines in-classroom learning with hands-on clinical experiences that give students the opportunity to practice their skills in a supervised setting on real patients. All students take courses in leadership, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, pharmacology, maternity nursing, psychiatric nursing, public speaking, child growth and development, human anatomy and physiology, public speaking and microbiology.

The Mt. San Antonio College chapter of the California Nursing Student Association is very active on campus. Members of the professional organization hold regular meetings, participate in community service events, network with other nursing students throughout the state and have many opportunities for developing leadership skills throughout their time at Mt. San Antonio College.

The college’s Career Services Center provides students with employment assistance both during and after their time at the college. Nursing students are able to attend specialized workshops on preparing resumes, interviewing skills and job-search techniques.

Tuition at Mt. San Antonio is $214 per unit. In addition to paying tuition, students must also pay a $36 per unit enrollment fee, $11 per semester student activities fee and the cost of textbooks, nursing uniforms, supplies and lab fees.

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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of San Francisco is a four-year degree program designed to fulfill the needs of the health care delivery systems of the future. The curriculum is based on the philosophy that personal growth and professional development in nursing requires a liberal background. The program not only prepares students to become successful nurses; it prepares them to advance both personally and professionally and qualifies them to progress into advanced degree programs.

Freshman admission is selective, and each application is individually reviewed for above-average academic achievements. National test scores, personal statements and letters of recommendation are also given careful consideration.

During their freshman year, students in the nursing program complete coursework in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology and general psychology. The sophomore year consists of courses in applied pathophysiology and pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, elementary statistics, nutrition and clinical labs in alterations in health and illness. During the junior year, students learn about community and mental health nursing, nursing leadership, medical and surgical nursing, management and comprehensive adult patient care. The senior year is dedicated to women’s health, pediatric nursing, sociology, complex care and nursing in the Jesuit tradition.

The School of Nursing has many resources available to students that facilitate learning, including a Learning Resource Center, where students can practice their skills before entering a clinical setting, and a Simulation Lab, which offers state-of-the-art practice mannequins that mimic patient simulations.

Undergraduate tuition at the University of San Francisco is $920 per unit, bring the total cost of the 128-unit nursing program to $117,760. In addition to the cost of tuition, nursing students must also pay lab fees, purchase uniforms, supplies and textbooks and pay for malpractice insurance during clinical labs. Room rates for students who choose to live on campus vary from $6,800 to $11,360 per year in traditional halls.

The sunny Orange County, California campus of West Coast University touts itself as a “technologically savvy learning environment,” and nursing students there benefit from realistic simulations, state-of-the-art labs and a modern curriculum that reflects the future of health care. The 39-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students for successful careers by stressing critical thinking, leadership and decision-making skills in combination with the ethical, moral and legal principles of nursing.

Students applying to the program must have a GED or high school diploma and earn passing scores on West Coast University’s entrance examinations. Both new applicants and current students may also be eligible to sit for challenge examinations that prove competency in an array of subjects. A passing grade on the challenge exams may fulfill certain course requirements, resulting in a faster completion of the program.

Transfer students must have taken all science and general education courses within the last five years. Nursing credits only transfer if the last nursing course at another institution was taken no more than one year before enrollment at West Coast University. All transfer students must also be in good standing with their prior institutions to be considered for acceptance.

Throughout the program, students learn to apply the physical, biological and natural sciences to the nursing practice, utilize the nursing process in restoration, health promotion and illness prevention, apply critical thinking skills to care for diverse patients in a variety of settings, effectively communicate with both patients and other professionals and demonstrate knowledge of fundamental nursing skills. In addition to these outcomes, students also learn to provide therapeutic nursing interventions and assume responsibility for subordinates.

Sacramento City College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and to provide competent nursing care in a variety of settings. The two-year program combines general education and nursing courses with lab experience in local hospitals and clinics, giving students an opportunity to build confidence and practice their new skills on real patients under the supervision of professionals.

In addition to the two-year program, the college also offers an Extended Campus program in partnership with the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region. The Extended Campus offers students an accelerated program of study that includes summer courses. Students in the program can graduate in as little as one year.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or have completed either the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) exam. Students must also earn a score of at least 62 percent on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which assesses skills in reading, English, science, mathematics and language use. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in biology courses and 2.5 in psychology, English and nutrition courses is also required prior to application. Applicants are ranked based on their previous degrees, direct patient care experience, grade point average, health care licenses and certifications, veteran status, TEAS score and second language proficiency. Students with a high total point value are then placed in a random selection pool that takes place twice per year during the Fall and Spring semesters.

The initial program cost is $3,900. This figure includes enrollment fees for the first semester, the cost of a drug screen, immunization tracker and background check, malpractice insurance, a physical examination, LiveScan fingerprinting, initial costs for books, uniforms, supplies and shoes and the cost of CPR certification. In total, the estimated two-year program cost is $5,850 for California residents.