California State University, San Marcos

California State University San Marcos is a public, four-year university in San Marcos, California, with a School of Nursing that prepares students for professional nursing practice. Its prelicensure BSN pathway is campus-based and combines classroom study with skills labs, simulation, and clinical rotations in regional healthcare settings. The school also offers an RN to BSN option for licensed nurses seeking a flexible path to the bachelor’s degree, often in a hybrid or online format. The traditional BSN path typically takes four years total.

Students build core competencies in health assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based care, patient safety, leadership, informatics, and community health. The program places strong emphasis on caring for patients and families across North County San Diego and surrounding communities. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and for entry-level practice in hospitals, clinics, and public health settings. As a CCNE-accredited public program, CSUSM offers an affordable local option compared with many nearby private nursing schools while maintaining close ties to area clinical partners.