Nursing Schools in California that Accept Transfer Students in 2024[UPDATED]

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Michael Tijani

Are you a nursing student looking to transfer to a school in California? Look no further! California is home to some of the best nursing schools in the country, and many of them accept transfer students. Transferring can be a great option for students who want to change schools, move to a new location, or find a program that better fits their needs.

In this article, you will get to know some of the top nursing schools in California that accept transfer students. We’ll cover their various acceptance rates, minimum GPAs, transfer requirements, and other important information to help you make an informed decision about where to continue your nursing education. Get ready to take your nursing career to the next level in the beautiful state of California!

So, who is a transfer student?

A transfer student can be described as a person who has the credits to study or currently studying in a particular institution but for some reason decides to change the institution to a different one and bring over credits he or she may have earned. Unlike a freshman in school, a transfer student has college experience and must have earned some credits.

How can I be transferred as a student?

Well, the process starts with an application. Yes, you saw that right. How hard can it be? All you need to do is apply to the new school you would love to be transferred to provided that you have met the school’s transfer requirement(s).

What are the transfer requirements?

You need to provide among other documents, transcripts from previous academic performances and credits earned.

What are the types of Transfers?

It is okay to be that transfer student you have always wanted to be but you need to know the category you fall into. So, below are the transfer types you need to know;

• Vertical transfer: Here, students transfer from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution.
• Lateral transfer: This type allows students to transfer from a 4-year or 2-year institution to a 2-year institution
• Reverse transfer: This category includes students who enroll for summer or temporary terms. Here, students transfer from a 4-year institution to a 2-year institution.
• Co-Enrolled or concurrent Enrollment: This is a tricky one but awesome. Students in this category could take courses at an external institution while still attending classes at another institution.

List of Nursing Schools in California that Accept Transfer Students. 

It is tremendous to note that California’s nurse-to-population ratio is alarming in the U.S. because, in every 100,000 people, there are 657 registered nurses. It is even more serious in the affluent parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas to be licensed as RNs. To get out of this, you have to study in one of the best nursing schools In California that is properly accredited especially as a transfer student. So, below is a list of nursing schools in California that accept transfer students.

1. University of San Francisco, San Francisco

A Jesuit institution of higher learning 1948 implemented a program so that nurses could earn their baccalaureate degree, especially the nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital. Today, the ‘cura personalis’ principles of the Jesuit principle are still adhered to. If you are not comfortable with the name ‘cura personalis’ you can simply say ‘caring for the whole nation’.

As students pursue clinical rotations in acute care hospitals, trauma centers, ambulatory care clinics, and health care agencies in San Francisco they provide 140000 hours of services every year.

Also, students attending the School of Nursing and health professions can apply for a scholarship administered by the school. You could also seek scholarships from outside sources.

Interested applicants at UCSF must acquire a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible for admission

2. San Diego State University, San Diego

This institution has been ranked as the sixth-best in the U.S. and is very much open to both freshmen and transfer students. Their faculties include a Media Lab, a Health Assessment Lab, a Nursing Fundamental Skills Lab, and the Health Care Human Patient Simulation Lab.

San Diego State University is a part of the College of Health and Human Sciences, their nursing students learn alongside colleges of the Graduate School of Public Health and the Department of Gerontology.

The school is known to sponsor internships in Sri Lanka, Laos, Fiji, Bali, and the Phillippines where students are to spend at least 14 days in the country they were sent to. Also, once the nursing students have mastered the basics of bedside nursing, they can now pursue experiential learning opportunities at any trauma hospital, center, and community clinic in San Diego.

When it comes to the financial aid San Diego State University offers, we talk about several in-house scholarships that are meant for both new and old students.

Academic requirements needed to be admitted to San Diego State University.

A GPA of 3.77 is okay to secure admission into the school. If you have a low GPA, you need a mix of A’s and B’s to compensate for the fair mark but note, the A’s must be more than the B’s. Apart from that, you could also attend classes like AP or IB that could boost your performance.

3. California State University, Long Beach

Cal State University as it is fondly called is known as the third-best public university in the West and has its nursing programs nationally recognized. The university is one of the best for any student who is considering a transfer to a new school because it would give you the opportunity to work with Innovative Health on Wheels and not just be tied to conventional classroom activities.

If you want to be that nurse who is knowledgeably grounded and can stand out in any professional challenge, California State University, Long Beach should make it to the list of options you should consider. It not only collaborates with the city of Norfolk; it provides preventive health care to parents and students in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.

When it comes to their classroom blocks, they are top-notch. California State University, Long Beach has a 10,600-square-foot nursing building containing classrooms, computer labs, and teaching labs.

Their financial aid is impressive as they have implemented twelve scholarships which are currently open to prospective and current students of California State University, Long Beach.

Academic Requirements needed to be admitted into California State University, Long Beach

As an interested applicant, you must acquire an SAT score of 1033 when your verbal and math scores are combined (504 verbal, 592 math). Your Average ACT should be something like this: 21 English, 23 Math, and 22 composites. Only 94% of the applicants whose SAT scores are above average may be admitted.

4. University of California, Los Angeles

It is considered one of the best because of its consistent nature of being among the top 20 nursing colleges in the country according to U.S News and World Report. It is recognized for the educational standards it upholds and the research they carry out year after year. University of California, Los Angeles, is known as the 24^th largest recipient of NIH nursing grants, according to the Centre for Vulnerable Populations Research.

An eight-week summer research program is open to undergraduate students allowing them to be mentored by faculty members in their specific field of interest. Their library is one of a kind having 530,000 volumes and 6000 periodicals. UCLA is one of the nursing schools in California that accept transfer students.

University of California, Los Angeles administers several merit-based scholarships that are available to both graduates and undergraduates in their third and fourth years of study.

Academic Requirements needed to be admitted into the University of California, Los Angeles includes a GPA of 3.0, and no grades lower than C in the required high school courses are needed to be admitted to the university.

You can substitute your SAT subject tests for courses if you don’t meet the requirements.

5. Azuza Pacific University, Azuza

A Christian University founded in 1899 that has a vision of grooming godly models who are ethical in their profession is also a good nursing school in California that accepts transfer students. The school views nursing not only as a prestigious profession but as a calling and educates aspiring nurses on how to take care of both the physical and spiritual needs of their patients.

The school has structured classes, campuses, research labs, and libraries. One wonderful aspect of this nursing school is the school’s laboratory which has enough manikins that enable neophyte nurses to learn and practice clinical assessments besides conventional wound care, injections, and starting IVs. This would further help the students hone the skills needed to become better nurses and have a significant presence in the medical field.

Five academic scholarships are open to transfer students, freshmen, and continuing students.

Academic Requirements needed to be admitted into Azuza Pacific University, Azuza requires that interested applicants must acquire an SAT of at least 1051 or an ACT of 25 to be admitted into Azuza Pacific University. Prior to the competitive spirit in the school, your performances must be incredible.

6. West Coast University, North Hollywood

First founded as an Ophthalmology. The institution was established by the State of California in 1909 and was chartered in May 1997, was acquired by David A. Pyle out of bankruptcy and a program for the education of registered nurses was created.

West Coast University, North Hollywood is a citadel of learning where you can complete your training in just 39 months. You don’t have to joke around or delay your education when every new class cycle begins every 10 weeks.

In 2018, the institution was awarded by the American Association for Men in Nursing as the best nursing school for men. Totally one of the best nursing schools in California that accept transfer students.

You don’t have to worry much about expenses if you can secure a scholarship as West Coast University, North Hollywood is open to tons of scholarships and grants.  Academic Requirements needed to be admitted into West Coast University as an aspiring student require that you must have a GPA of at least 2.0 or higher meaning that you must have graduated from high school. An interview with the University Admission Advisor is also needed.

7. California State University, San Marcos

A public university founded in 1989 with prestigious academic affiliations with AASCU and California state university. The school has 13 teaching credentials, 23 master’s degrees, and Ed.D programs. The school has some colleges like Business Administration, the College of Science, Engineering Technology and Mathematics, the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral, and the College of Education.

Academic Requirements Needed to be Admitted into California State University, San Marcos

You need a GPA of 2.50 to secure a place in the school. They have a semester-based calendar with an acceptance rate of 58%.

8. University of California, Irvine

If your primary interest is community health, the University of California, Irvine, is just the right place to go. Their vision is based on nurturing nurses who do not only care about their pay but those concerned with healthy community life.

University of California, Irvine is a public grant university founded in 1965, roughly over five decades ago. You can imagine the standard of the school. The school has one of the popular mottos of most schools in California, ‘let there be light’. They are accredited by WSCUC. The UC Irvine Medical Centre, a large teaching hospital is administered by the school.

On January 2022, they made 8 Nobel Prize Laureates among other awards. So as an aspiring transfer student, you may be considering the University of California, Irvine as one of your choices.

If you are considering a scholarship, then you need to fill out the UC Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships. Interested applicants must acquire a cumulative GPA of at least 2.4 for residents and 2.8 for non-residents. 

Final Thoughts

California is home to some of the best nursing schools in the country, and transferring to one of these top-ranked institutions can be a smart move for nursing students looking to take their education to the next level. With our list of the top 8 nursing schools in California that accept transfer students, you now have a wealth of options to choose from. From the University of California, Los Angeles to San Diego State University, and many others in between, each of these schools offers a unique and innovative nursing program that can help you achieve your career goals. So, whether you’re looking for a program that emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, a focus on evidence-based practice, or a commitment to social justice and community health, you’re sure to find a school on this list that’s a perfect fit for you. Don’t wait any longer, start exploring your options and take the first step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career in nursing today!