RN-BSN Program

RN-BSN Program Description (PDF)

Thanks for your interest in CSU, Chico's RN-to-BSN Program! 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 Degree in Nursing.

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, LVN, or other 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 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. April 2019). 

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. When all of your transcripts have arrived, mail them together in one envelope to Chico State. Please do not send electronic transcripts. 

Address your transcripts to Chico State exactly as shown:

California State University, Chico
Attn: Cinnamon McDonald, RN-BSN Program
Academic Evaluations, Office of the Registrar
Chico, CA 95929-0720

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. 

You must have your transcripts evaluated before you attend an advising session. Allow approximately three weeks for your transcripts to be evaluated. Group advising sessions held on the campus of the A.D.N. programs do not have to have their transcripts evaluated. 

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.

RN-BSN Advising Zoom Session(opens in new window)

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!