Accelerated Path to RN: Exploring Full-Time BSN Program Options
A full-time BSN program provides a direct and structured pathway toward RN licensure. Designed for individuals ready to commit to a consistent academic and clinical schedule, these programs prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam and equip them with the skills needed to enter the healthcare workforce.
Understanding how full-time BSN programs are structured, how they compare to other nursing pathways, and what opportunities they support can help individuals make informed choices about their nursing education.
What Is a Full-Time BSN Program?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) combines general education with core nursing theory, simulation lab training, and clinical experience. The full-time BSN program at Stanbridge University is designed to be completed in approximately 36 to 37 months.¹
Coursework covers essential topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, mental health nursing, pathophysiology, and population health. Courses are delivered via on-ground, online, and blended (on-ground and online) learning environments. Labs typically take place on campus, and clinicals occur at facility.² Clinical experiences are integrated across terms, giving students the opportunity to apply concepts in healthcare settings under the supervision of licensed instructors.
Comparing Full-Time BSN Programs to Other RN Pathways
There are several ways to become a registered nurse, including associate degree programs and LVN to RN bridge options. A full-time BSN program offers a more comprehensive academic experience by combining foundational nursing knowledge with immersive clinical practice. While it may take more time than an associate degree, the added preparation can support broader clinical opportunities and long-term professional growth.
Some healthcare employers, including Magnet-recognized hospitals, require nurses in leadership and decision-making roles to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This includes nurse managers, nurse leaders, and registered nurses who significantly influence clinical practice.³ Completing a full-time BSN program can help meet these expectations and may support future opportunities in competitive healthcare settings.
What to Expect in a Full-Time Nursing Program in California
California’s full-time BSN programs follow standards set by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students engage in classroom learning, hands-on simulation training, and supervised clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings.
Clinical education is required during each term and includes experience in medical-surgical nursing, maternal health, pediatrics, psychiatric care, and community health. These hands-on experiences help students build confidence and apply nursing theory under the guidance of licensed clinical faculty.
Academic coursework supports the development of clinical reasoning, patient-centered care planning, and communication skills which are essential areas for passing the NCLEX-RN and preparing for a variety of nursing roles.
Stanbridge University’s Full-Time BSN Program
Stanbridge University offers a full-time BSN program, approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, designed to support students from enrollment through licensure. With campuses in Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Riverside County, the program can be completed in approximately 36 to 37 months.¹
Students start with general education and nursing theory, then move into hands-on training in Stanbridge’s advanced labs. In the Nursing Skills Labs, they learn and repeat essential procedures using full-body manikins. The Medical-Surgical Simulation Lab gives students the opportunity to practice responding to acute care scenarios such as cardiac arrest using high-fidelity manikins. In the Pediatrics and OB Simulation Lab, students engage in simulated experiences focused on childbirth, neonatal care, and pediatric nursing with advanced manikins like SimMom and SimNewB. To support anatomy and interactive learning, students also train in the Virtual Reality Lab using zSpace virtual reality systems and the Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table, which allows for immersive, hands-on virtual dissections of organs, body systems, and anatomical structures.
Classes are delivered in small-group formats, giving students personalized feedback and mentorship. Clinical rotations are scheduled at healthcare facilities across Southern California, exposing students to diverse patient populations and care environments. This comprehensive approach helps build practical skills, clinical judgment, and readiness for RN licensure.
NCLEX Preparation and the Path to Licensure
Stanbridge University students begin preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam early in the BSN program through structured content reviews, practice exams, and support from experienced faculty. In the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the BSN cohort at Stanbridge achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN licensure pass rate.⁴
This strong outcome reflects the depth of clinical training and academic preparation provided throughout the program.
Stanbridge supports students beyond the classroom with career services, alumni networking, and continued education opportunities. Graduates of the BSN program may also enroll in Stanbridge’s Master of Science in Nursing, Education (MSN-Ed) program at no additional cost.⁵
Key Features of a Full-Time BSN Program
- Structured curriculum with a consistent academic pace
- In-person classes, simulation labs, and clinical placements
- Preparation for NCLEX-RN and California RN licensure
- Educational foundation for nursing practice
- Pathway to future specialization or advanced nursing roles
Is a Full-Time BSN Program Right for You?
A full-time BSN program offers a direct path to RN licensure through structured instruction, hands-on training, and clinical preparation. Completing the program and passing the NCLEX-RN are key steps in becoming a registered nurse.
For individuals searching for BSN programs near me in Los Angeles County, Orange County, or Riverside County, the Stanbridge University BSN program provides the academic foundation, faculty support, and clinical experiences needed to confidently pursue licensure and enter the field of nursing.
Explore upcoming start dates, tour the labs, or connect with our admissions team by attending a BSN information session. Visit the Stanbridge University BSN program page to learn more.
¹Program duration subject to change. Completion times vary depending upon the start and end dates of a cohort and any individual circumstances that may impact progression.
²Program schedule subject to change.
³Source: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet Recognition Program®, International Magnet Recognition; https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/international/. As viewed on July 8, 2025.
⁴Source: The California Board of Registered Nursing, NCLEX-RN pass rate, NCLEX-RN, Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) program, 2021/2022-2022/2023, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, 2023/2024; http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml. As viewed on January 10, 2025.
⁵The MSN-Ed program is available at no cost to Stanbridge University Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates who began their program on or after August 2024 and who enroll in the Master of Science in Nursing Education program beginning immediately after graduating and obtaining their NCLEX-RN licensure.