10-year lease approved, new SDSU location in Chula Vista will be home to hybrid nursing program
The agreement for a location at Chula Vista's new Millenia Library was approved by the City Council April 14.
In response to the growing need for nurses and a strong job market for those in the field, San Diego State University is launching a new accelerated bachelor’s degree for college graduates.
The hybrid program, expected to begin in fall 2026, will be based at a newly approved SDSU location within Chula Vista’s new Millenia Library. On April 14, the City of Chula Vista approved a 10-year lease for SDSU at the library location at 1775 Millenia Avenue. The agreement between the city and the California State University system, on behalf of SDSU, includes about 6,505 square feet of interior space and 718 square feet of patio space.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners and to the elected leaders in Chula Vista and across our region whose vision and collaboration made this initiative possible,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre.
The Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (ASBSN) is a pre-licensure, cohort-based program that can be completed in just 18 months and prepares students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Faculty for the program also teach in SDSU’s acclaimed School of Nursing, which ranks in the top 100 of all nursing programs in the United States.
“This new accelerated nursing program reflects our commitment to creating a clear, efficient pathway for college graduates to enter one of the most essential and in-demand professions,” de la Torre also said. “Together, we continue to build new pathways to opportunity while addressing critical healthcare workforce needs.”
The nursing program will be offered through SDSU Online and taught by SDSU School of Nursing faculty. The program will feature fully online class instruction with hands-on labs held in person at SDSU’s new shared facility in Chula Vista, with clinical hours completed at hospitals, doctors offices and other medical facilities across San Diego County.
SDSU’s expanding footprint
The new location at Millenia Library will be part of SDSU’s expanding footprint in Chula Vista, where it has longstanding relationships with Southwestern College and local school districts.
With the 10-year lease approved, SDSU intends to use the space for classrooms and related educational activities, including programs connected to the School of Nursing and SDSU Global Campus.
This novel agreement between the City of Chula Vista and a four-year university aligns with both Chula Vista’s goal to expand access to higher education locally and SDSU's commitment to serving students from the South Bay.
“We are committed to expanding access to high-quality, career-focused education while addressing critical workforce needs across our region,” said Ian Gibson, dean of SDSU Global Campus, which will administer the online nursing curriculum.
“By leveraging the strength of SDSU’s nationally recognized School of Nursing and our expertise in delivering innovative, high-impact online learning, we are increasing access to nursing education and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals where they are needed most,” Gibson also said.
For college graduates who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are considering a serious transition into nursing, the program is designed for career changers ready to step into patient-centered nursing roles.
The program is accelerated, providing a clear, structured pathway to becoming a registered nurse without starting over academically. The 18-month format reflects a clearly sequenced curriculum that builds on prior academic experience and prepares students for licensure through consistent coursework and coordinated clinical training.
“The Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is designed with the student experience at its core, supporting individuals who are making a transition into one of the most meaningful professions,” said Karen Macauley, director of the SDSU School of Nursing.
Nursing in demand
The new program comes as the nursing and healthcare fields continue to grow, offering rewarding and fulfilling opportunities for people looking to make their communities healthier and safer places to live and work.
Recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job market forecasts find healthy growth in the number of jobs in related nursing fields nationwide:
- Registered nurses: 6% growth with a median salary of $81,220
- Nurse practitioners: 38% growth with a median salary of $123,780
- Nurse managers: 28% growth with a median salary of $101,340
- Public health nurses: 5% growth with a median salary of $79,930
- School nurses: 7% growth with a median salary of $74,560
Those entering the nursing field find a rewarding and growing career that empowers them to make real change in their communities.
“From day one, students are immersed in a collaborative, high-touch learning environment that combines the flexibility of online coursework with the depth of hands-on clinical training,” Macauley said. “They are supported by dedicated faculty, connected to a strong peer community, and guided every step of the way as they build the confidence and skills needed to thrive as compassionate, practice-ready nurses.”
Pictured above, from left: Victoria Barba, Manager, Local Community Relations, Sharp HealthCare; Lisa Schmidt, District Director, Assemblymember David Alvarez; Ana Molina-Rodriguez, SDSU Deputy Chief of Staff; Stefan Hyman, Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services and Financial Aid; Ian Gibson; Karen Macauley; Adrianna Relph, Special Projects and Legislative Manager, City of Chula Vista; and Kara Peterson, SDSU Director of Facilities Planning.
