B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program FAQs

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a leader in regulatory information, a Registered Nurse (RN) is an individual who has graduated from a state-approved school of nursing with either an associate or bachelor’s degree level of education, passed the NCLEX-RN Examination, and is licensed by a state board of nursing, allowing them to provide patient care.¹ The educational requirements for the role can be either associate or bachelor-level degrees.

Citation:

¹ “Definition of Nursing Terms.” National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 2022. (Accessed Mar. 15, 2022.)

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Bachelor of Arts’ Nursing program offers the following paths to completion: 

General or Full BSN Program, 32 months.*
LVN to BSN Advanced Placement, 15 months.†
RN to BSN Advanced Placement, 12 months.‡

*120 Approved Instructional Weeks

†64 Approved Instructional Weeks

‡45 Approved Instructional Weeks

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a leader in regulatory information, a Registered Nurse (RN) is an individual who has graduated from a state-approved school of nursing with either an associate or bachelor’s degree level of education, passed the NCLEX-RN examination, and is licensed by a state board of nursing, allowing them to provide patient care.¹ The educational requirements for the role can be either associate or bachelor-level degrees.

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is an entry-level healthcare professional responsible for rendering primary nursing care within a directed scope of practice² while performing a limited range of nursing functions. They have obtained either a nursing diploma or an associate degree in nursing, taken the NCLEX-PN, and obtained state licensure. He or she practices under the direction of a Physician and/or a Registered Nurse or other advanced healthcare professional.³

Citations:

¹ “Definition of Nursing Terms.” National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 2022. (Accessed Mar. 15, 2022.)

² “Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice.” Texas Board of Nursing, Texas.Gov. 2013. (Accessed Mar. 31, 2022.)

³ “Licensed Vocational Nurses.” BVNPT. The State of California. 2022. (Accessed Mar. 15, 2022.)

According to Career Profiles, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) are two-year degrees for those seeking to become Registered Nurses.¹ While Bachelor Degrees in Nursing (BSNs) are four-year programs for those seeking to become Registered Nurses.*¹ Both the ADN/ASN and BSN degrees qualify students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for RN licensure.¹ 

According to Career Profiles, ADN programs generally focus more on practical skills, while BSN programs delve more deeply into theoretical knowledge. However, the core curriculum for both programs is typically quite similar, with courses in community health nursing, gerontological nursing, pediatrics, maternal and newborn nursing, and psychiatric nursing. BSN programs include courses not offered in ADN programs, such as nursing technology, research, and informatics.¹

*There are several accelerated programs (fast-track or bridge) that may truncate this timeframe.

Citations:
^{1^a, b, c}  “Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN).” Www.careerprofiles.info. Career Profiles. 2022. (Accessed June 7, 2022.)

To have information sent to you or a school representative contact you, fill out our online contact form here. Or call us at 1-877-GURNICK.

The first step is to submit an online application.

Applicants should follow the general requirements for entry into Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. These can be found at General Requirements for Admissions link here.

Please find more info about the Foreign Transcript/Diploma Evaluations process here.

The deadline for applications is one week before the online orientation and one week before the semester’s official start date. Please see an advisor for the current academic calendar.

Please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

Gurnick Academy offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program in the following paths to completion: 

LVN to BSN Advanced Placement, 15 months.*
RN to BSN Advanced Placement, 12 months.†

*64 Approved Instructional Weeks

†45 Approved Instructional Weeks

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts holds national institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ABHES accreditation does not include continuing education courses

Additionally, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to provide the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. CPPEA governs the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

This is a full-time program and requires a commitment to the profession.

No. We currently do not offer night classes for this program.

To review the scheduled breaks during the school year, please see Gurnick Academy’s Addendum.

Please find more info about remediation in our Catalog and Addendum.

No. Each student will complete clinical externships, which will be provided.

No. All externships are unpaid positions.

B.S. in Nursing Program Tuition and Fees

The tables below reflect the upcoming future starts only.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs.

Depending on individual needs or preferences, students may be able to work during the program. However, this depends on the type of work, each student’s individual needs, work-study balances, and life schedules and commitments. 

There are some guidelines for study/life balance. The Hechinger Report cites a 2018 Georgetown University study regarding students working while enrolled in higher education. According to the report, “Students who worked had lower grades and were more likely to drop out” than those who did not work during their college tenure. The report states, “The risk was especially high for low-income students. Other studies seem to concur with this report. The conventional advice to students is to try to work under 15 hours a week if they want to finish their degrees,” says the article.¹

Citation: 

¹ Barshay, Jill. “Working in College Interferes With Studies But Boosts Adult Earnings.” The Hechinger Report. June 17, 2019. (Accessed. June 21, 2022.)

This program offers a four-year Bachelor of Science-level degree.

Test preparation is strongly emphasized throughout our students’ entire curriculum at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.

We have a dedicated Career Services department that may assist with job placements for all students who complete the program. However, we cannot guarantee employment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Registered Nurses is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020–2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.¹

About 194,500 openings for Registered Nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of these openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.¹

Citations:

^{1^a, b} Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. April 18, 2022. Registered Nurses. (Accessed June 10, 2022.)

According to Indeed.com, typical interview questions for Registered Nurses include the following: 

• Do you work well with other nurses, doctors, and staff?
• How would you handle a difficult patient?
• How do you handle workplace stress?
• What do you do if your replacement does not arrive?
• How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor?
• Describe how you manage a busy workload
• Do you have any professional affiliations?
• How would you handle a crisis such as an outbreak?
• How would you handle a patient who struggles with pain management?
• How do you respond when people ask for your personal diagnosis outside of a clinical setting?¹

Citation:

¹ Glisson, Sadie. “Top Ten Nursing Interview Questions and Answers.” Indeed Career Guide. May 25, 2022. (Accessed June 10, 2022.)

According to the online resource, Minority Nurse, poor management, and the lack of support from their management teams are among the most significant complaints nurses have. What makes a poor manager? Nurses may say it does not value open communication and feedback from his or her staff.¹ Another chief complaint within the profession seems to be burnout. Most often, burnout is due to staffing shortages. 

Citation:

¹ Johnson, Nachole. “Why Good Nurses Leave the Profession.” Minority Nurse, Springer Publishing Company. Dec. 13, 2018. (Accessed April 26, 2022.)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses in California made a median annual wage of $120,560¹ as of May 2020. While the national median annual pay for Registered Nurses in 2021 was $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour.²

However, it’s vital to remember salaries differ considerably based on several factors, including years of experience, schooling, workplace setting, geographic location, and other variables.

¹ “Registered Nurses.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor. Sept. 8, 2021. (Accessed Nov. 16, 2021).

² Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. April 18, 2022. Registered Nurses. (Accessed June 10, 2022).

Beyond helping, caring, and serving others, many Registered Nurses report general satisfaction within their professions. According to US News and World Report, RNs received an overall score of 7.4  in job satisfaction. Registered Nurses ranked #5 in Best Health Care Jobs. Best Health Care Jobs and #12 in 100 Best Jobs.¹ Jobs are rated according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors, including stress, professional satisfaction, work-life balance, salary, and more. 

Citation: 

¹ News Staff, “Registered Nurse Ranks Among Best Jobs of 2019.” Usnews.com, 2016. (Accessed May 25, 2022.)

The board of nursing in each state defines what level of care Registered Nurses can and can’t provide through an official document called their “scope of practice.”¹ One should consult their state board of nursing to understand their scope of practice. For California, go here. 

Citation:

¹ “California Board of Registered Nursing.” Ca.gov, State of California. 2019. (Accessed June 8, 2022.)

While they may not prescribe, Registered Nurses may administer medications. “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a Registered Nurse may dispense drugs or devices upon an order by a licensed physician and surgeon or by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.”¹ (Article 2, Scope of Regulation) 

Citation:

¹ “California Nursing Practice Act, Scope of Regulation.” CA.Gov, California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, (DCA). Jan. 1, 2013. (Accessed June 10, 2022.)

Other Registered Nursing functions besides the administration of medication include: 

• Venipuncture or intravenous therapy.
• Parenteral or tube feedings.
• Invasive procedures including inserting nasogastric tubes, inserting catheters, or tracheal suctioning.
• Assessment of patient condition.
• Educating patients and their families concerning the patient’s health care problems, including post-discharge care.
• Moderate complexity laboratory tests.¹ (Article 2, Scope of Regulation) 

¹ “California Nursing Practice Act, Scope of Regulation.” CA.Gov, California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, (DCA). Jan. 1, 2013. (Accessed June 10, 2022.)

Yes. WebMD defines Registered Nurses as “the backbone of the US healthcare system.” A Registered Nurse is a “licensed medical professional who provides hands-on care in different medical and community settings,” further says the journal.¹ 

Citation:

¹ “WebMD Editorial Contributors.” WebMD, WebMd, LLC. June 23, 2021. (Accessed June 8 8, 2022.)

According to O*NET, the top tools Registered Nurses use include the following items. 

• Acute care fetal or maternal monitoring units—bilimeters; fetal monitors; fetal scalp electrodes.
• Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters for general use—angiocaths; pulmonary artery catheters.
• Electrosurgical or electrocautery equipment—electrosurgical devices; grounding pads; loop electrosurgical excision procedure LEEP equipment.
• Endoscopic hemostatic balloons or needles or tubes or accessories—curved hemostats; hemostats; straight hemostats.
• Glucose monitors or meters—capillary glucose monitors; glucose testing equipment.
• Manual resuscitators—manual resuscitation bags; manually-operated oxygen supply resuscitators.
• Medical or surgical suction or vacuum appliances—nasal suctioning equipment; oral suctioning equipment; suction equipment; tracheal suctioning equipment.
• Medical oxygen masks or parts—non-rebreather masks; partial masks; ventimasks.
• Peripherally inserted central catheters PICC—double lumen catheters; peripheral angiocaths; single lumen catheters; triple lumen catheters.
• Reflex hammers or mallets—percussion hammers; reflex hammers.¹

Citation:

¹ “29-1141.00-Registered Nurses.” O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development. (Accessed June 7, 2022.)

Yes. A master’s level nurse is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). However, the term APRN can be an umbrella term for nursing professionals who have earned upper-level degrees, including master’s or doctoral degrees. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, APRNs include these nurse careers: clinical nurse specialists (CNS), nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).¹

Citations:

¹ “Advanced Practice Nursing.” Nursinglicensemap.com, 2U, Inc. Sept. 2021. (Accessed June 8, 2022.)

Yes. According to the NurseJournal, the profession offers two distinct doctorate-level educational pathways. These include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Ph.D. in Nursing Programs. According to the Journal, the DNP is generally sought by those pursuing leadership roles within clinical settings. At the same time, the Ph.D. route is usually pursued by those wishing to teach at post-secondary levels or engage in research. After earning bachelorette and master’s degrees and certifications, DNP certification can be completed in approximately two years, while the Ph.D. requires 4–7 years.¹

Citation:

¹ Krippaehne, Anna-Lise. “Doctorates in Nursing-Ph.D Degrees|NurseJournal.org.” NurseJournal, Red Ventures. Dec. 1, 2021. (Accessed June 7, 2022.)