RN-BSN Program

In addition to basic RN education, Chico State 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 15th. 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 approximately 3 weeks) and attend a virtual advising session. Advising sessions for the RN-BSN Program are held each semester. Attendance at an advising session is mandatory for all applicants. 

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

Community College Articulation

For information on prerequisite coursework 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 the RN-BSN Advisor, Melissa Cheatham, at mcheatham@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 the RN-BSN Advisor, Melissa Cheatham, at mcheatham@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 should 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

The RN-BSN Program Advisor offers several vritual group advising sessions for prospective RN-BSN students each semester. During the advising session, we will review program information, admission criteria, and application processes for Chico State’s RN-BSN Program. Attendance to a virtual session is mandatory for all applicants. See the Advising Sessions Schedule below and register for the date that works best for your schedule.

Zoom Advising Option

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

Asynchronous Advising Video Option

In liue of attending a live Zoom advising session, you may watch the 20-minute advising video presentation imbedded below anytime and complete the online Advising Quiz afterward.

Advising Quiz

Once you have attended an advising session for prospective students or viewed the advising video, please complete the online Advising Quiz. You will receive the correct answers instantly after submitting and an automatic notification will be sent to the RN-BSN Advisor. This will complete your attendance to an advising session.

Need more help? Please reach out!

Once you have attended a group advising session, prospective students may schedule a one-on-one session as needed using Microsoft Bookings. To schedule an appointment with Melissa Cheatham, click the link: Make an Appointment with Melissa.

4) RN-BSN Program Application

An application will be provided to those who meet all program admission criteria following attendance to an advising session.

5) Chico State Application

You will apply to Chico State following special instructions from the Office of Admissions after you have been accepted to the RN-BSN Program. Please do not apply to Chico State before being admitted to the RN-BSN Program.

Thank you for considering the Chico State RN-BSN Program!