Deadlines
Winter Session: Sept. 20th
Summer Session: Feb. 20th
Rural California Nursing Preceptorship
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Imagine engaging in a unique clinical nursing experience that builds confidence and competence. The RCNP Program is designed to give students and graduate nurses (RNs) an opportunity to work one-on-one with an RN preceptor(s), engaging in as much independent nursing practice as their skills permit. Participants are able to tailor their experience to meet their goals and objectives in a supportive and personalized educational environment.
Program Overview
We offer two sessions each year: one in Summer (June/July) and one in Winter (December/January). Each placement spans approximately four weeks and includes 150 clinical hours. During this period, students work one-on-one with a preceptor, engaging in independent nursing practice to the fullest extent of their demonstrated skills.
Clinical placements are available throughout Northern California.
Program Manager
Shannon Claireborne
sclaiborne@csuchico.edu
530-898-5797
How to Apply
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
Potential applicants should confirm their eligibility before submitting an application.
Students
- Students must be in good standing at their academic institution
- Progress in Nursing School
- ADN students - no more than 1 semester left in program at the time of participation
- BSN students - no more than 2 semesters left in program at the time of participation
New Graduates
- New graduates are defined as having graduated no more than one year prior to the time of application.
For example, a May 2022 graduate would be classified as a new graduate for the Summer 2023 session - Unlicensed graduates will only be accepted the session immediately following their graduation.
For example, a May 2022 graduate could only participate in the Summer 2022 session - Unlicensed graduates must not have failed NCLEX
Licensed RNS
- Must have a current RN license
- Licensed RNs that have been out of acute care for more than two years must complete a refresher course
- Licensed RNs that graduated more than 2 years ago and haven’t worked in acute care must complete a refresher course
- All refresher courses must have been completed within the past two years
- Licensed RNs on probation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out directly to RCNP staff
Additional Applicant Groups
Priority Applicants
Applicants are selected based on: 1) strength of recommendations, and 2) quality of completed application. One half of all placements are reserved for current Chico State, Butte, Yuba, Shasta, and Simpson University nursing students, however these students are still subject to the requirements and deadlines outlined above. The remaining slots are filled with students attending other colleges and universities, RN Refresher students, and RN graduates.
Chico State RN Refresher Students
Refresher students may apply while concurrently participating in a refresher program; however, they must be "refresher course completed" before they are able to participate in an RCNP clinical placement.
2. Complete the Required Forms
The following items comprise your completed application. Please follow the specific instructions given for each item.
- Application Form
- Applicant Instructions for Obtaining Assessment Forms
- Clinical Faculty Student Assessment Form
- Supervisor/Colleague Clinical Assessment Form
- Letter of Introduction
- Skills Proficiency Check List
- Goals and Objectives
- Required Medical Records
- Record of Personal Health Insurance- submit proof of coverage, e.g. copy of insurance card
- Copy of current (AHA Only) BLS for Health Care
- Professionals card
- Copy of RN license
- Current resume
3. Submit Your Application
The Application Form can be utilized for both summer and winter sessions. Please follow the instructions for each required document, including merging them into one pdf and submitting them to the correct email address (per instructions on the application form).
Assessments should be submitted directly to the Program Manager Shannon Claireborne at sclaiborne@csuchico.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Placements are available during summer and winter sessions. The application period for summer participation opens in January; the winter application period opens in August. The program is very popular and placements are limited. Fifty percent of placements are reserved for current Chico State, Butte College, Yuba College, Simpson University, and Shasta College students. The remaining slots are filled with students from other colleges and universities, RN refresher students and RN graduates.
There is no application fee. The program fees are as follows:
Fee for Licensed RNs (graduated more than a year ago)
- Rural Hospitals: $1000
- Semi-Rural Hospitals: $1500
- Suburban and Urban hospitals: $2300
Reduced Fee for students and newly graduated RNs (no more than one year since graduation at the time of participation)
- Rural Hospitals: $500
- Semi-Rural Hospitals: $1000
- Suburban and Urban hospitals: $1800
All clinical placements are made in the Northern California area. See the RCNP Locations for more details. The RCNP Program Manager is dedicated to providing the student with the best clinical experience available in the specialty area the student desires.
The placement period lasts a minimum of four weeks. Each participant will work full-time to complete 150 clinical hours.
The summer session begins in June or July, the winter session begins in December. Each session lasts approximately four weeks.
Preceptors are selected, in collaboration with the hospital, based on their availability and their willingness to work effectively with a student. The RCNP Program Manager works with preceptors who enjoy teaching in a style that combines monitored independence coupled with appropriate clinical supervision.
The RCNP Program Manager is available for advising any time during the application and placement period. During the placement period the manager will stay in close contact with the student and the preceptor. A meeting, either in person or via Zoom, between the student and the RCNP Manager will be conducted approximately halfway through the preceptorship experience. During the preceptorship, the preceptor is the student's immediate supervisor.
Academic credit is not offered for participation in the RCNP program.
No unfortunately, the BRN will not permit CEUs for this sort of experience.
Applicants will be informed within 3 weeks after the application submission deadline.