Entry Level MSN Programs in California

Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by Omoyeni Adeniyi

There are not many entry-level Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs in California. If you are looking to get an MSN degree focused on being an outstanding registered nurse, this article will help guide you.

The following articles cover all the latest information you need to know about entry level msn nursing programs in california
best entry level msn programs. You will also discover related posts on entry level msn programs & what is the easiest msn program on collegelearners.

Entry Level MSN Programs In California

Our Master’s Entry Program in Nursing program is a three-year accelerated program culminating in a Master of Science degree in nursing for people without previous nursing preparation but who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Graduates of this program are prepared in advanced nursing roles, which are registered nurses (RN) with graduate academic preparation that qualifies them as experts in clinical practice, community health and policy. The advanced nursing role incorporates the functions of clinician, educator, health policy expert, consultant and/or researcher.

Direct entry nursing programs, or entry-level programs, make it easier for those with non-nursing degrees to obtain their master’s in nursing without having to earn a second bachelor’s degree. This article provides information on direct entry programs in California.View Schools

Western University of Health Sciences

For those who do not have an educational background in the nursing sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, located in Pomona, California, offers a direct-entry program that can be completed in two-years with a six-semester full-time schedule. Keeping with the educational standards set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master’s Essentials and Quality and Safety in Nursing Education (QSEN), successful program completion means that students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for their registered nurse licensure and then acquire their Master of Science in Nursing degree.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a private, not-for-profit university located in Riverside, California that offers entry-level Master of Science in Nursing degrees for those who already hold a non-nursing science baccalaureate degree but who desire careers as nurse practitioners or nursing specialists with a holistic educational foundation in nursing science based on nursing theory. For those students who have not already taken the prelicensure classes, this program offers students pre-licensure courses that prepare them for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) as well as preparing them for their nine-semester master’s coursework.

Azusa Pacific University

Ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the best schools in the nation in 2017, Azusa Pacific University, located in Azusa, California, is another state school that offers a direct entry program and it is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN). After successfully completing coursework that includes pathophysiology and nursing for specific population, as well as gaining clinical experience in hospitals and with those commonly underserved segments of the population like the poor and homeless, graduates are qualified for the California Registered Nurse License and Public Health Nursing Certificate and are able to apply for California state’s clinical nurse specialist and/or nurse practitioner certifications.

University of California Irvine

The University of California Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing offers a direct entry accelerated Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in community and population health that prepares students for the national licensing examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses while also readying graduates for certification eligibility as a public health nurse. Students will benefit from clinical rotations that include community immersion opportunities that aim to produce advanced practice, evidence-based nurse practitioners and leaders who are well prepared to work in a multitude of healthcare settings or advance their education by continuing on to doctoral studies.

University of San Diego

The University of San Diego welcomes non-nurse undergraduate and graduate degree holders who desire advanced nurse generalists’ careers to apply to their 21-month master’s entry program in nursing (MEPN) in pursuit of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) degree. Along with Nursing Practice with Mothers and Infants, Nursing Practice with Psych-Mental Health Clients, and Evidence-Based Practice: Role of Theory and Research coursework among other rigorous studies, students will have access to major healthcare centers within San Diego County for their clinical in preparation for careers as registered nurses, nurse educators, and other work in the nursing sciences.

University of California Davis

The master’s entry program in nursing (MEPN) at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing in Davis, California is another state school preparing students to begin and advance their careers in the nursing sciences as nursing leaders with a focus on addressing the healthcare needs of diverse populations over the lifespan. Without skimping on clinical hours, this accelerated program can be completed in 18 months by those with non-nursing discipline baccalaureate or higher degrees who have already taken the prerequisite nursing science courses.

University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco’s school of nursing offers a three-year master’s entry-level in nursing program which culminates in a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Although students begin with foundational studies, their education culminates in graduate-level academia and advanced clinical skills readying them to be specified advanced practice experts in the roles of consultants, educators, clinicians, and/or researchers.

University of San Francisco Orange County

Providing clinical sites at St. Joseph Hospital, Orange; St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and others, the University of San Francisco Orange County offers a direct entry program that can be completed in two-years with continuous full-time study. In order to be considered for admission, applicants need to complete 16 semesters or 24 quarter credits in various sciences like psychology, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

*Source:NCES (tuition)

The state of California has several direct entry nursing programs for applicants with non-nursing undergraduate and graduate degrees. While some schools require prerequisite courses to be completed prior to admission, other schools offer programs that integrate foundational coursework into the curriculum as students work toward master’s degrees and professional certification in the nursing sciences.

Popular Schools

Pacific Oaks College

BACHELOR DEGREES

• B.A. in Advocacy and Social Justice

MASTER

• M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy

CERTIFICATES

• Early Childhood Education Certificate in STEAM

San Joaquin Valley College

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS

• Construction Management
• Criminal Justice: Corrections

CERTIFICATES

• Dental Assisting
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Southern New Hampshire University

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS

• AS in Marketing

BACHELOR DEGREES

• BA in Psychology

MASTER

• MS in Higher Education Administration

Grand Canyon University

BACHELOR DEGREES

• Bachelor of Science in Business for Secondary Education
• BS in Psychology

MASTER

• M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
• M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors

Regent University

BACHELOR DEGREES

• B.A. in Communication

MASTER

• M.A. in Communication

DOCTORAL

• Ph.D. in Communication

Strayer University

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS

• Associate in Business Administration

BACHELOR DEGREES

• Bachelor in Business Administration: Management

MASTER

• Jack Welch Executive Master of Business Administration

CERTIFICATES

• Diploma in Acquisition & Contract Management

Best RN-to-MSN Programs in California

RN to MSN Bridge Requirements

For you to be admitted into an RN to MSN bridge program, you need to have a current license as an RN, and a solid GPA from any previous nursing training. These programs are competitive and entry can be difficult. Typically, you will need to complete undergraduate prerequisite classes, about 20 hours of RN to BSN classes, and then you will enter the MSN program, where you will take a full time slate of classes for three or four semesters.

However, choosing this path is a smart move, because you will have many exciting RN career options in nursing before you. You can choose clinical tracks that include nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and nurse anesthetist. You will be able to enjoy a high degree of responsibility and a higher pay scale.

RN to MSN Bridge Salary

The best part of the bridge program from RN to MSN is that you can enjoy a much higher salary.

In California, there are several excellent online and campus based RN to MSN bridge programs. The median salary for an RN with at least a bachelor’s degree is $64,000. And, if you earn your MSN, you can enjoy a salary as high as $95,000. If you eventually decide to pursue an advanced nursing profession such as a nurse anesthetist, you could earn $125,000 a year or more.

California RN to MSN Bridge Schools

Collapse All Expand All

1. California State University – San MarcosLOCATIONSan Marcos, CA
2. Dominican University of CaliforniaLOCATIONSan Rafael, CA
3. University of San FranciscoLOCATIONSan Francisco, CA
4. University of San DiegoLOCATIONSan Diego, CA
5. California State University – FullertonLOCATIONFullerton, CA
6. West Coast UniversityLOCATIONLos Angeles, CA

Whichever of these RN to MSN bridge programs you choose, you will be moving into a dynamic and in demand career field in advanced practice nursing.

direct entry msn programs new york

Direct entry or accelerated MSN programs as they are often called are designed for those individuals who hold a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree who have a desire to enter the field of nursing. If you are already a Registered Nurse then this is NOT the program for which you are searching.

If you are an RN holding a BSN degree then you are likely seeking a BSN to MSN program. If you are an RN holding either a nursing diploma, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, or a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree then you are likely seeking a RN to MSN program. If you are still reading then you must have a non-nursing Bachelor’s and are not currently a Registered Nurse.

Choosing a Direct Entry Program

The time commitment and curriculum required for accelerated MSN programs vary depending on the MSN specialization that you choose. Clinical rotations are a time consuming part of most all MSN programs. This is especially true for Advanced Practice Nursing specialty programs.

Because students entering direct entry MSN programs have no experience as an RN, certain MSN specializations might not be available to them. For example, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist specialization will typically require at least 1-2 years of experience as a critical care nurse.

Depending on the college or university offering the direct entry program, students may be allowed to first complete their BSN as part of the program thus enabling them to qualify for more specializations. However, this is not the norm. Most programs will not award any nursing degree until you have completed the MSN program.

A Typical Accelerated MSN Program

The first year or so of a typical direct entry program will include Bachelor’s level nursing courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, Life Sciences, Nutrition, Pharmacology, etc. Some programs may actually require that you take some portion of those classes before being admitted to the program.

Once you have taken the Bachelor’s level courses you will begin taking actual graduate level courses. There will be a core set of MSN courses that are required which typically include courses in Leadership, Ethics, Health Informatics, Nursing Theory, etc. You will also take graduate level electives pertinent to your area of specialization.

California Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA
• California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA
• California State University, Fresno in Fresno, CA
• California State University, Fullerton in Fullerton, CA
• California State University, Long Beach in Long Beach, CA
• California State University, Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA
• Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA
• San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA
• University of California, Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA
• University of California, San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
• University of San Diego in San Diego, CA
• University of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
• Western University of Health Sciences in Poloma, CA

Connecticut Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Yale University in New Haven, CT

Georgia Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Georgia Regents University in Augusta, GA

Hawaii Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI

Illinois Direct Entry MSN Programs

• DePaul University in Chicago, IL
• Millikin University in Decatur, IL
• Rush University in Chicago, IL

Indiana Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN

Maine Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME

Maryland Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD

Massachusetts Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA
• MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA
• Northeastern University in Boston, MA
• Regis College in Weston, MA
• Salem State University in Salem, MA
• Simmons College in Boston, MA
• University of Massachusetts Worcester in Worcester, MA

Minnesota Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN
• University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN

Missouri Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Saint Louis Univeristy in Saint Louis, MO

New Hampshire Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH

New Jersey Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ

New Mexico Direct Entry MSN Programs

• New Mexico State University in Las Cruses, NM

New York Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Columbia University in New York, NY
• Pace University in Pleasantville, NY
• University of Rochester in Rochester, NY

North Carolina Direct Entry MSN Programs

• East Carolina University in Greenville, NC

Ohio Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH
• College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, OH
• The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH
• University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH
• University of Toledo in Toledo, OH

Pennsylvania Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA
• University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA
• University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA
• Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Tennessee Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN

Texas Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX

Virginia Direct Entry MSN Programs

• University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA

Washington Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA
• Seattle University in Seattle, WA

Wisconsin Direct Entry MSN Programs

• Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI
• University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI