RN-BSN Program

Currently Enrolled RN-BSN Students (Advising Memos)

RN-BSN Program Roadmaps and Transfer Worksheets

RN-BSN Program Description (PDF)

In addition to basic RN education, CSU, Chico has offered RN-BSN education since the School of Nursing began in 1954. The RN-BSN Program is a pathway for registered nurses (RNs) to earn their Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN).

Chico State's RN-BSN Program uses online delivery methods to make it as flexible and accessible as possible. The program is designed to reach the most distant areas of our rural region, and meet the needs of nurses who have seven-day-a-week, around-the-clock work schedules.

Is the RN-BSN Program right for me?

• Are you a registered nurse?
• Are you interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing?
• Are you in an ADN program and ultimately want to become a BSN-prepared RN?
• Do you live in a rural area that makes commuting to campus difficult?
• Do you want to enhance your career as a health care professional and become a leader in your field?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, you are a perfect candidate for the RN-BSN Program!

Important Information

Students are admitted to the RN-BSN program once each year. Applications are due February 15. The 15-month program begins in June of the year you submit your application and ends in August of the following year.

In order to be considered for the program, you must have your college transcripts evaluated (allow appox. 3 weeks) and attend an Advising Session. Advising sessions for the RN-BSN Program are held each semester. Attendance at an on-campus or virtual session is mandatory for all applicants. 

For more information on admission policies and our program description, please read our RN-BSN Admission Policies (PDF) (rev. December 2017) and RN-BSN Program Description (PDF) (rev. July 2020). 

Community College Articulation

For information on course requirements when transferring from a local community college, visit our RN-BSN Roadmaps & Transfer Worksheets page. 

How to Apply to the RN-BSN Program

1) Complete Transcript Information Form

Email your completed Transcript Information Form (PDF) to Jan Ellis at jlellis@csuchico.edu. Transcripts you send in will not be evaluated until we have received your Transcript Information Form. 

Students with international transcripts: The process for evaluation of International Transcripts is more complex and takes additional time. Email Jan Ellis at jlellis@csuchico.edu for specific instructions if you have international transcripts.

2) Send Transcripts

Request physical transcripts to be mailed to yourself. Do not open them. When all of your transcripts have arrived, mail them together in one envelope to Chico State. Please do not send electronic transcripts. 

Transcripts mailed through the US Post Office are to be addressed like this: 

Cinnamon McDonald 720

Office of the Registrar

400 W. 1st St. 

Chico, CA 95929

Transcripts being shipped by DHL, FedEx, UPS, or other carriers should be addressed like this:

Cinnamon McDonald 720

Office of the Registrar

940 W. 1st St

Chico, CA 95929

3) Attend an Advising Session

Advising sessions for the RN-BSN Program are held each semester. Attendance at an on-campus or virtual session is mandatory for all applicants. See the Advising Sessions schedule below and email Jan Ellis at jlellis@csuchico.edu to enroll in a session. 

Virtual Advising Sessions are held online using a meeting tool called Zoom. Zoom is free and can be accessed from your computer, tablet, or phone as long as you have Internet access. You may have to download Zoom, allow approximately 15 minutes for setup.

You may watch the attached 23-minute video and follow it up with submission of the completed Quiz  below (link) to get credit for attending an Advising Session if you wish. Email Jan at jlellis@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)(opens in new window) to report that you have watched the entire video and submit your Quiz so she can note that you have completed the Advising Session requirement.

Post Video Quiz (PDF)

 RN-BSN Virtual Advising Session

Lost? View the CSU, Chico Campus Map(opens in new window)

4) Application

An application will be provided to those that meet all program admission criteria following attendance at an Advising Session.

Thank you for considering the CSU, Chico RN-BSN Program!