The School of Nursing offers nurses with baccalaureate degrees from foreign nursing schools, non-NLN accredited nursing schools, or those with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees the opportunity to complete the requirements for the Public Health Nurse Certificate. The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) issues the Public Health Nurse Certificate in California when specific course content has been completed. The process for obtaining the certificate differs depending on where the nurse received her/his bachelor’s degree. Find the category below that best describes your educational preparation and follow the instructions given.

BSN Graduates from School of Nursing, CSU Dominguez Hills

All BSN graduates of the School of Nursing are automatically eligible for the Certificate.

After graduation, you must request your official transcript from CSU Dominguez Hills and download the PHN Certificate application from BRN’s website http://www.rn.ca.gov/ or contact the BRN at (916) 322-1988 and request PHN Certificate application. Send your PHN Certificate application to Student Services who will verify your completion of the BSN program. After Student Services verifies your completion of the BSN program here at CSU Dominguez Hills, they will return the form to you. Once the PHN Certificate application is filled out, you will send the completed application, your official transcript and a $75.00 fee to the BRN.

For verification of your completion of the BSN program here at CSU Dominguez Hills, send your PHN Certificate applications to:

Mail:

Attention: CHHS, Student Services
Cal State University Dominguez Hills 
1100 E. Victoria Street 
Carson, CA 90747

Fax: 310-217-6800

• Complete and return the application to the BRN with the $75.00 fee.
  Request transcripts be sent to the BRN from all schools you have attended.
• The BRN will evaluate your transcripts for completion of PHN Certificate content and will issue the certificate or a letter of deficiency.
• If you receive a letter of deficiency, you can register for your remaining courses by contacting Open University at 310-243-3741.
• After completing the required coursework, request transcripts to be sent by Admission and Records to the BRN. Your certificate will be issued within 6 to 8 weeks.

Nurses with Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degrees:

If yours Bachelors Degree is NOT in nursing:

• Enroll in one of the workshops (held in California only) listed in the Nursing website - http://www.csudh.edu/hhs/son/calendar.htm
  You will receive confirmation and instructions regarding workshop requirements.
• Send copies of all unofficial transcripts and course descriptions to the Division of Nursing attention PHN 2 weeks prior to the workshop.
• Following the workshop and transcript evaluation, you will be eligible to apply for admission to the program and to enroll in the course(s) you need.
• When all requirements are met, you will be eligible to apply to the BRN for the PHN certificate

Admission Requirements for the PHN program for Nurses with Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree:

1. Completion of a Baccalaureate Degree
2. Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher in the Baccalaureate Program
3. Current registered nurse licensure for the State of California.

Curriculum for the PHN Eligibility Program:

1. A total of 35 units must be completed. Students may be given credit for courses taken in previous colleges/universities.

The courses are as follows:
Course Number Course Title Semester Units
BSN 306 Human Diversity and Health Care 3
BSN 346* Pathophysiology 3
BSN 380 Health Assessment 4
BSN 400 Health Promotion and Teaching 3
BSN 405 Statistics 3
BSN 410 Community Based Nursing I 3
BSN 411L Community Based Nursing I 2
BSN 420 Community Based Nursing II 3
BSN 421L Community Based Nursing II 2
BSN 430 Health Care Systems, Policy and Finance 3
BSN 440 Professional Nursing Roles 3
BSN 460 Research Utilization 3

* can be taken via challenge exam through CSUDH School of Nursing

BSN Public Health Nurse Certificate Workshop via Telephone Conference only.

• Monday, October 6, 2008 from 10am to noon.

To participate complete the online application and submit by mail or
fax 310-516-3542. Please note that all of your materials (application and
transcripts) must be received two weeks prior to workshop. For more information, please contact Lisette Gonzalez LiGonzalez@csudh.edu.