Nurse Practitioner Programs at CSULB
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a leading institution for nursing education in the state. Nursing School Review ranked the School of Nursing as the top nursing program in California. This recognition showcases the school’s excellence in education and student outcomes.
CSULB’s nursing education puts students first. The school has a diverse team of dedicated faculty who create challenging programs to prepare future nurses and healthcare leaders. The results speak for themselves – the BSN program has achieved near 100% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates in the last five years.
Students can choose from several nursing education paths at CSULB’s School of Nursing. The school has moved from offering a Master of Science in Nursing to a BSN-to-DNP program. This Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares students to take on complex clinical roles, leadership positions, and teaching opportunities at colleges and universities.
The BSN-to-DNP program runs for three years full-time and requires 72-semester units. Students can choose from five nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Practice
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Life Span
The program uses a mix of in-person and online classes that run for 15 weeks, both in real-time and at students’ own pace. This flexible setup helps students balance their advanced nursing studies.
Students must complete 1000 clinical hours to graduate from the DNP program. They also work on a Doctoral Project that explores practical problems, translates research, or tests nursing interventions with different patient groups.
The school’s quality goes beyond its courses. CSULB stood out among more than 1,700 nursing schools nationwide. The ranking considered program accreditation, costs, academic quality, faculty expertise, and graduate success. The school’s strong reputation for academic excellence continues to attract many students.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available
CSULB School of Nursing changed its advanced practice nursing education in Fall 2023. The school now offers a complete BSN to DNP degree program with five nurse practitioner tracks. This change gives aspiring nurse practitioners several ways to specialize in healthcare areas with high demand.
Students can complete the BSN-DNP program’s 72-semester unit curriculum in three years of full-time study. Each specialty track leads to national certification after graduation. You’ll be ready to practice right after finishing the program.
CSULB offers these five nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Focuses on comprehensive healthcare for adults from adolescence through older adulthood in primary care settings
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Specializes in managing complex healthcare needs of acutely ill adult patients in hospital and emergency settings
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Provides primary care across the lifespan, from infants to older adults, with emphasis on family-centered care
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Concentrates on primary healthcare for children from birth through adolescence
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Specializes in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan
The program’s curriculum has three main parts. Students first complete 15 required nursing courses for 39 credits. The next phase includes 5 courses (24 units) in your chosen clinical specialty. Your final 4 courses (9 units) focus on completing the doctoral project.
The school’s outstanding certification passing rates for its nurse practitioner programs showcase the quality of education students receive. Graduates develop advanced skills in evidence-based research, leadership, health policy, and advocacy through this rigorous curriculum.
CSULB doesn’t currently offer post-MSN graduate certificates for additional specialties or nurse practitioner credentials. The school has also ended its participation in the CSU Consortium for the MSN-to-DNP program. The BSN-to-DNP pathway is now the main route for advanced practice nursing education at this institution.
Flexible Learning Formats
CSULB’s BSN-DNP program uses an innovative hybrid teaching approach that combines face-to-face instruction with online learning. Working nurses can pursue advanced practice credentials while keeping their jobs through this specially designed program.
Students attend both synchronous and asynchronous class sessions during structured 15-week terms. They join real-time discussions with faculty and peers at scheduled meetings. The rest of their coursework fits around their individual schedules.
The program spans 8 consecutive semesters, and new cohorts start in fall terms. Students should plan to adjust their work schedules to handle the demanding academic work and clinical requirements.
Three distinct components make up the curriculum. Students start with foundational courses to build advanced nursing concepts. Next comes specialty-focused coursework that matches their chosen nurse practitioner track. Clinical experiences and research projects round out the practical application phase.
Clinical courses play a vital role in this flexible format. Students work with School of Nursing-approved preceptors. This setup creates tailored learning opportunities in ground healthcare settings while upholding academic standards.
The hybrid format brings practical benefits. Students spend less time commuting, schedule independent study flexibly, and keep their jobs while earning advanced credentials. The program maintains high academic standards just like traditional in-person instruction.
Working nurses can take a realistic path to advanced practice roles without leaving their careers. CSULB shows its dedication to making education available to healthcare professionals who want to expand their practice scope and leadership skills.
Admissions & Prerequisites
The BSN-DNP nurse practitioner program at CSULB expects candidates to meet specific qualifications. All applicants need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
These requirements are mandatory to apply:
- An active, unencumbered, unrestricted California RN license
- Completion of a college-level statistics course
- Three professional reference letters from faculty, colleagues, or supervisors (dated and signed in the last year)
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities
- A one-page single-spaced statement of purpose explaining your motivation to pursue the BSN-DNP degree
- Your direct supervisor’s verification of current employment as a Registered Nurse
- At least one year of clinical experience as an RN
Students must submit their applications through the online Cal State Apply system. We reviewed applications through this platform. CSULB conducts a full picture of each application due to high volumes. The school evaluates academic performance first and then invites qualified candidates to interview.
Selected candidates receive email notifications to schedule an on-campus interview and complete a timed writing assessment. One or two nursing faculty members conduct the interview either in person or online when needed.
Accepted students must attend a mandatory orientation in mid-to-late August before fall semester begins. Students complete a criminal background check during orientation and confirm they meet the health requirements of both the school and assigned clinical agencies.
International students should submit their applications by late October to ensure GPA evaluations finish on time.
What Sets the NP Programs Apart at California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach’s Nurse Practitioner program stands out because of its excellent reputation in healthcare education. The school has moved to a BSN-DNP model that shows its steadfast dedication to preparing practitioners who can handle today’s complex healthcare challenges.
This program excels at combining academic excellence with real-life applications. Students learn critical thinking skills and clinical expertise that help them succeed not only in patient care but also as healthcare leaders.
The program’s location in Southern California gives students access to a variety of clinical settings – from major medical centers to community health facilities. Students get unique experience with different patient populations and healthcare challenges because of this prime location.
The faculty brings their real-life experience to the classroom and connects theoretical concepts with practical knowledge. Their experience-based teaching creates an environment where students turn academic knowledge into clinical skills.
Evidence-based practice is the core of this program’s identity. Students learn to improve patient care outcomes through research opportunities and their doctoral project.
CSULB’s nurse practitioner programs excel through their smart combination of advanced theory, clinical practice, and leadership development.