SFSU Nursing Student Administering a Vaccine

Nursing Pathways

Why Choose Nursing? 

San Francisco State University prepares future nurses who are passionate about equity, community health, and patient advocacy. Students pursue nursing because they want to make a difference. If you're exploring nursing as your path, consider these reasons that students choose nursing: 

  • You Want to Improve People’s Lives: You feel fulfilled when you help others. Nursing gives you daily opportunities to comfort, care, and advocate for individuals and families. 
  • You Love Science & Hands-On Problem-Solving: From anatomy to pharmacology, nursing challenges you to apply scientific knowledge in real-life situations. 
  • You Want a Meaningful, In-Demand Career: The Bay Area’s healthcare system depends on well-trained nurses. With strong job prospects, your SFSU education prepares you to step into the workforce confidently.
  • You Believe in Community and Collaboration: SFSU’s diverse learning environment mirrors the real-world healthcare teams you’ll join. You learn to care for people from all backgrounds — a vital skill for today’s nurses. 

Is Nursing Right For You? 

Ask yourself: 

  • Do I want a career that blends science, compassion, and leadership? 
  • Am I motivated by helping people during their most vulnerable moments? 
  • Do I thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented environments? 
  • Am I committed to learning continuously throughout my career? 
  • Do I care deeply about equity and serving diverse communities? 

If you relate to these, nursing might an option for you!  

What Do Nurses Actually Do? 

Nurses are at the heart of healthcare — in hospitals, clinics, community centers, schools, and beyond. SFSU graduates work in a variety of settings: 

  • Acute Care & Hospital Settings: Emergency departments, ICU, pediatrics, medical-surgical units, labor & delivery, oncology. 
  • Community & Public Health: SFSU has a strong public health tradition. Graduates often work in community clinics, nonprofits, and outreach programs across the Bay Area. 
  • Education & Leadership: Some nurses become educators, administrators, or advocates shaping healthcare policy. 
  • Research & Specialty Care: From mental health to telehealth, nursing offers dozens of specialties you can explore. 

Understanding Nursing Prerequisites

As a pre-nursing student at SFSU, you'll need to complete prerequisite coursework. Always take these courses for a letter grade (not Credit/No Credit). Prerequisites vary depending on which type of program you're applying to. Not all programs will accept AP or other test credit.  

SFSU's BSN is a two-year program for undergraduate students. Students who have completed a Bachelor's Degree or have completed 96 units are not eligible to apply for the BSN, and must consider BSN-A or ELM programs instead.

Required Prerequisites (must complete with letter grades before applying): 

Course 

SFSU Course Options 
Microbiology with Lab  BIOL 210 & 211 
Human Physiology with Lab  BIOL 212 & 213 

Human Anatomy with Lab 

 BIOL 220 or BIOL 328 
Chemistry with Lab  CHEM 101 & 102 or CHEM 115 
Statistics  MATH 124 or other statistics course

Additional Prerequisites (required to complete but not used when calculating prerequisite GPA): 

Additional Requirements: 

  • TEAS Score: 78 or higher within three attempts 
  • Prerequisite GPA: 3.0 or higher (calculated from the four science courses plus statistics) 
  • Grade Requirements: C or better in all prerequisites 
  • Recency: Science courses must be completed within the last 7 years 
  • Residency: Must be a California resident or eligible for in-state tuition 

SFSU's ELM is a six-semester program for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Graduates of this program will earn both BSN and MSN degrees.  

Required Prerequisites (must complete ALL before application): 

Course 

SFSU Course Options 
Microbiology with Lab  BIOL 210 & 211 
Human Physiology with Lab  BIOL 212 & 213 

Human Anatomy with Lab 

 BIOL 220 or BIOL 328 
Chemistry with Lab  CHEM 101 & 102 or CHEM 115 
Statistics  MATH 124 or other statistics course

Additional Requirements: 

  • Grade Requirements: C or better in all prerequisites 
  • Recency: Science courses must be completed within the last 7 years 
  • BRN Requirement: California Board of Registered Nursing requires a minimum of 16 semester units in natural, behavioral, and social sciences for admission
  • Highly Recommended: General Psychology (PSY 200) or Developmental Psychology (PSY 431) 

If you're considering Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at other institutions, most commonly require: 

Course 

SFSU Course Options 
Microbiology with Lab  BIOL 210 & 211 
Human Physiology with Lab  BIOL 212 & 213 

Human Anatomy with Lab 

 BIOL 220 or BIOL 328 
Chemistry with Lab  CHEM 101 & 102 or CHEM 115 
Statistics  MATH 124 

General Psychology 

PSY 200 

Lifespan/Developmental Psychology 

PSY 431 

Introductory Nutrition 

NUTR 253 

Additional Requirements:  

Some programs may also require sociology, anthropology, or other coursework. 

Entry-level master's programs at other institutions typically require similar prerequisites to BSN programs, with some programs also requiring: 

Course 

SFSU Course Options 

Organic Chemistry 

 CHEM 233 & 234 

Abnormal Psychology 

PSY 452 

Genetics 

 BIOL 355 

ELMSN programs may also require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for admission.

  • Check individual program requirements early! Prerequisites vary significantly between programs. Research your target schools by your sophomore year. 
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (many competitive programs require 3.25+) 
  • Science GPA matters: Your science/math GPA is calculated separately and is heavily weighted in admissions decisions 
  • Use ASSIST.org to find community college equivalents for prerequisite courses 
  • Course articulation: Many nursing programs have articulation agreements with community colleges and publish equivalency charts on their websites 
  • Recency requirements: Most programs require science courses to be completed within the last 7 years 
  • Online courses are acceptable (including labs) at most programs 

Planning Your Prerequisites 

Meet with an advisor to: 

  • Map out which prerequisites you need based on your target programs 
  • Create a course plan that fits your major requirements 
  • Identify which SFSU courses fulfill specific nursing school requirements 
  • Discuss strategies for maintaining a strong GPA while completing prerequisites 

Schedule an appointment with your advisor to create your personalized prerequisite plan.

Preparing your Pathway to Nursing

Prerequisites are not the only consideration when preparing to apply for Nursing programs. You must also prepare for the TEAS exam, and gain hands-on experience in clinical settings. 

It's also essential to prepare a parallel plan for your major, in case you are not admitted to a BSN program, and need to consider other options. 

While you can pursue nursing from any major, many pre-nursing students choose majors that either fulfill nursing prerequisites or align with their interests in health and healthcare. Here are some common choices to consider: 

College of Science and Engineering
  • Biology - Covers many science prerequisites and provides a strong foundation in human body systems 
  • Chemistry/Biochemistry - Provides strong science background, though may include more coursework than required 
  • Psychology - Fulfills psychology prerequisites and provides insight into human behavior and mental health 
College of Health and Social Sciences
  • Kinesiology - Includes anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics coursework 
  • Public Health - Emphasizes population health, health disparities, and community health 
  • Nutrition & Dietetics - Covers nutrition science and can fulfill the nutrition prerequisite 
  • Child & Adolescent Development - Covers developmental psychology, useful for pediatric nursing interests 
  • Sociology - Fulfills sociology prerequisites and explores social determinants of health 
College of Ethnic Studies
  • Race, Ethnicity, and Health - Directly examines the intersection of race, ethnicity, and health outcomes, preparing students to address health disparities and social determinants of health 
  • Asian American Studies - Develops culturally responsive practices for working with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities 
  • Africana Studies - Provides understanding of health disparities and culturally responsive care for Black communities 
  • Latina/Latino Studies - Builds expertise in Latino health issues and Spanish-language healthcare communication 
  • American Indian Studies - Offers knowledge of Indigenous health challenges and culturally appropriate care practices 
  • Race and Resistance Studies - Explores systemic inequities in healthcare and strategies for health justice 
College of Liberal and Creative Arts
  • Spanish or other World Languages - Valuable for working with diverse patient populations 
  • Anthropology - Offers cultural responsiveness skills essential for patient-centered care 
  • Communication Studies - Develops interpersonal skills critical for patient communication

The Bottom Line: Choose a major you're genuinely interested in and will succeed in academically. Nursing schools care more about your GPA, prerequisite completion, and healthcare experience than your specific major. Many successful nurses have come from diverse academic backgrounds!  

Need help choosing? Meet with an advisor to discuss which major aligns with your interests while efficiently covering nursing prerequisites. 

Familiarize yourself with TEAS topics

(4 Sections – 170 questions/150 scored questions) 

  • Reading (45 questions, 55 min) 
    • Key ideas and details (15) 
    • Craft and structure (9) 
    • Integration of knowledge & ideas (15) 
  • Math (38 questions, 57 min) 
    • Numbers and algebra (18) 
    • Measurement and data (16) 
  • Science (50 questions, 60 min) 
    • Human anatomy & physiology (18) 
    • Biology (9) 
    • Chemistry (8) 
    • Scientific reasoning (9) 
  • English and language usage (37 questions, 37 min) 
    • Conventions of standard English (12) 
    • Knowledge of language (11) 
    • Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing (10) 

 

Review Sample Questions and Practice Exams 

 

Register for the TEAS once ready: Register for the TEAS  

  • Online remote proctored tests acceptable for SF State (~$90-140). 
  • TEAS at ATI Candidates may attempt a TEAS at ATI exam once every 14 days. Ensure you register early enough, especially if you want to account for any retakes. SF State allows three attempts. 
  • *Accommodation requests must be submitted to ATI at least 30 days prior to testing/signing up for a test date. For more information on TEAS at ATI exam accommodations, please visit the TEAS FAQ center. 

 

TEAS Score Requirements: 

  • SFSU requires a minimum ATI TEAS Score of 78 or higher within three attempts.