For Nursing programs at CSU, Bakersfield, Bakersfield College/Porterville College, and Fresno State, see below. 

 For California State University, Bakersfield

What if a student will earn a "C" in a prerequisite science course?
1. Should they drop with a W and retake the course?
They should complete the course.  There is no penalty for earning a grade of "C".    
 
2. Should they earn that C and retake?
Yes, it would be a good idea to repeat the course. 
        
3. Can they make it into your program with a C?
 It is getting tougher to get into the program with any C's in the prerequisite courses.  We base the decision for enter on the GPA of the 8 prerequisites [see CSUB nursing webpage]  So, if the student earns A's in the remaining prerequisites, the C may not be important.
 
4.  Competitively for entrance, how many C’s (as their lowest grade can they receive?)
 Usually no more than one.
 
 What if a student will earn a “D”?
1. Should  they drop with a W and retake?
Yes.  There is a point deduction for a W but D's and F's will have an impact on the students eligibility. At our website, www.csub.edu/nursing/preadmission you can find the rules and regulations for entry.  Look under the "criteria" area on the site.
 
2. Should they earn that D and retake?
Don't take the D or F...take the W. 

Since competition is strong, many students do not take a science during their first quarter.  Some do not take a science their first year so that they can get acclimated to college level courses. 

For Bakersfield College (Porterville College) RN
What if a student will earn a “C” in a prerequisite science course? 
1. Should (can) they drop with a W and retake?
- whether or not they receive a W or a D or F, the result is the same in the formulate for eligibility - so it is up to the student to decide - however, their cummulative GPA would be effected by a D or F

2. Should they earn that C and retake?  (Porterville College, however, does not allow "C" grades to be repeated until after a period of time because a "C" is deemed "satisfactory")
The only reason to retake a C would be to get a higher GPA - it would not count against them to retake with a C -because only W's or failing grades count as a negative

 3. Can they make it into your program with a C?
 Yes - a student could not get into the program in they were a straight 2.0 student (meaning C's in all courses, all science, all Engl, cummulatively) but they could with a 2.5 and no repeats (2.5 in all categories = 70% (minimum eligibility benchmark) - but a repeat would bring that down to 64%)

 4.  Competitively for entrance, how many C’s (as their lowest grade can they receive?)
 See above - all they have to do is meet the 70% benchmark - then it is random selection

 What if a student will earn a “D”?
1. Should (can) they drop with a W and retake?
 Actually - same answer as above applies - it will still result in a negative in their formula computation

 2. Should they earn that D and retake? 
Same answer as W

 3. Can they make it into your program by retaking a course in which they previously made a D?
Same answer as W

 What if a student will earn an “F”?
 1. Should (can) they drop with a W and retake?
 Actually - same answer as above applies - it will still result in a negative in their formula computation

 2. Should they earn that F and retake? 

 3. Can they make it into your program by retaking a course in which they previously made an F?
 
 For California State University, Fresno

The Nursing Department requires applicants to earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on our 8 Pre-Nursing prerequisite courses:  1) English Reading and Composition, 2) Speech/Oral Communications, 3) Critical Thinking, 4) Mathematics, 5) General Chemistry, 6) Microbiology, 7) Human Anatomy, and 8) Human Physiology.  All of these are lower division, CSU transferable General Education (G.E.) classes that may be taken at either community colleges or universities.  All 4 science classes must have a lab component.
 
The minimum GPA required on our 8 Pre-Nursing prerequisite classes is 3.0, however in order to be competitive recent successful applicants have earned a 3.6 or better.   Students may repeat a minimum of 2 Pre-Nursing prerequisite courses to improve their GPA.  If further grade repair is needed consult with the Pre-Nursing Advisor prior to repeating a third Pre-Nursing prerequisite course.

Admission is based solely on the GPA in the prerequisite courses.  To compute your “prerequisite GPA” click here. 
Information taken from http://www.csufresno.edu/chhs/depts_programs/nursing/about/prospective/index.shtml