Pre Licensure FAQ's 
Please read these before submitting an application
Q: If I am a transfer student, is the application process any different?
A: Transfer students must apply to the university by November 30. Then, apply to the Nursing department by February 28th. You will not be notified from the University admissions and Records until after admissions decisions have been finalized in the Nursing Department (late March).
Q: What are the requirements to apply?
A: 3.0 GPA overall and in sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Integrated Chemistry) and completion of the TEAS exam. Starting in Fall 2011, The Department of Nursing will require a CNA license to be complete by August 1 of your starting semester.
Q: Can I still apply if I am a second Bachelors student?
A: 2nd Bachelors students will need to apply to the Nursing department first by February 28th. Then, if you are admitted to the Nursing program, you will need to file a paper application with admissions and records in April. Do not apply to the University first, as the University is not accepting 2nd Bachelor students.
Q: I am an undeclared major and I can’t get into the Pre requisite courses to apply to the Nursing program. What do I do?
A: The prerequisite courses are restricted for Pre-Nursing majors. These classes typically fill up every semester. It is very difficult to get into one of these courses as an undeclared major.
Q: How can I declare Pre Nursing my major?
A: Beginning in Fall 2010, students admitted as "undeclared" or as a major other than "prenursing" will not be able to request and receive a change of
major to prenursing. Only students admitted to the university prior to Fall 2010 will be considered for a change of major to the prenursing category. The academic qualifications and required paperwork to request a change of major are available in the Nursing Department. These requests are only reviewed before each semester begins.
Q: I took my prerequisites at a community college in another part of the state. How do I know if these meet your requirements?
A: If you went to a California public or private college, please look at www.assist.org to check your courses against SSU. If the courses are not listed, contact the Nursing department with a course description.
Q: Can I have outstanding prerequisites when I apply?
A: Yes, as long as these are completed by August 1st of your first semester. It is not recommended to have more than 2 outstanding prerequisites when applying.
Q: How can I establish California Residency?
A: please read this information regarding determining California Residency
Q: What is the TEAS?
A: The TEAS is the “Test of Essential Academic Skills” used by CSU nursing programs as an admission criteria. You can find more information at atitesting.com
Q: Where can I take the TEAS exam?
A: we will offer one opportunity to take the exam on campus. Nearly every nursing school requires this exam, so if you cannot take the test here, you can take it elsewhere and have your scores sent here. For Fall 2011 admission cycle we will be using version 5.
Q: What score do I need to get for SSU Nursing department?
A: We require a minimum score of 75 points.
Q: Can I retake the exam?
A: Yes. You can take the exam for our school as many time as you want our need. We will only look at your highest score. Other schools policies may differ.
Q: Can I include my scores in my application?
A: We prefer you do not include your test scores, but instead have official scores sent from ATI. If you take the exam at SSU, we will automatically get your scores. If you take the test elsewhere, you will need to login to ATI to notify them to send us official scores.
Q:What is a CNA?
A: Certified Nursing Assistant
Q: Where can I get this certification?
A: Local community colleges offer courses, as well as local chapters of the Red Cross.
Q:How are Admissions decided?
A: Admission to the Nursing Program is based on a 100 point system. There are 4 sections of your application: Science GPA, Overall GPA, Essay and a standardized entrance exam TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). GPA and essay are worth 25 points each, while the TEAS is worth 20. The final 5 points are for service area. You must score a 75 on the exam to score any points on your application. Please see the point distribution included on the application for further explanation.
Q: How is my GPA converted to points?
A: We take your science GPA and your overall GPA and multiply it by 6.25 to give you a maximum of 25 points.
Q: How many people do you admit?
A: We admit 24 students once a year beginning in the fall. We receive approximately 200 applications.
Q: Do you have a waiting list?
A: No. We use an alternate list from the day our decisions are made until the day school starts. On the first day of school our Alternate list is thrown out and everyone on the list still interested needs to reapply for the next year.
Q: When are applications available?
A: University Applications are available through the end of November at csumentor.edu. Apply early!
Department applications will be available to download from our website from December through February. Applications are due at the end of February. Postmarked applications with the deadline date will be accepted. 2nd Bachelors students, Please wait to apply to the University until you receive admission notification from the Nursing Department.
Q: When are admissions decisions final?
A: We try to get admissions decisions completed by the end of March. All admission notifications will be sent via email. University transfer students will be notified of their university admission status after the Nursing department notifies all admits.
Q: Do you give extra points to SSU students?
A: We consider SSU students, and transfer students from Sonoma and surrounding counties (Marin, Solano, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties) first.
Q: How do you prove residency in the surrounding counties?
A: We will verify your residency by your most recent transcripts.
How long is the program?
A: The Pre Licensure BSN program is now a two year program.
Q: If I have a Bachelors degree already, will I be able to get through the program faster?
A: There is an option for students to graduate early if they have all of their GE requirements complete. The information is provided at the end of your first semester.
Q: Can I meet with an instructor/ advisor to go over the courses I need to get admitted?
A: The Pre Nursing advisor does not meet with students individually. Please try to attend a monthly information session with the advisor. You can find these dates listed on our website: www.sonoma.edu/nursing.
Q: I am a foreign student. Can I be licensed as a California RN?
A: CABRN Now Requires SSN to apply for NCLEX. Effective on April 26, 2010 California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) will no longer accept applications that do not contain a U.S. Social Security Number. The Nursing Practice Act provides for a unified examination and licensing application. Once an applicant passes the examination, a license is automatically issued. Under these circumstances the BRN cannot accept applications for the examination and licensure without a U.S. social security number.
For those applicants who have failed the exam and want to re-apply; CABRN will not accept re-application without U.S Social Security Number.
If your application was sent prior to April 26, 2010 or if you are already eligible, THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU.