Apply to the RN-BSN Program

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• RN-BSN Informational Meetings

  All prospective students are encouraged to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the RN-BSN program prior to applying to the program. Applicants are required to attend one informational session/advising session as part of the application process. For more information on dates and times and how to join an informational meeting on Zoom, please visit our website: RN-BSN Informational Meetings.(opens in new window)

• RN-BSN Program Overview

  The RN to BSN Program at Chico State is an Advanced Placement Degree Completion Option for ADN graduates and RNs. Students are admitted to the RN-BSN program once each year. Applications are available starting August 1 and due October 31st. The 15-month program begins in June each year 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 3-4 weeks) and attend an advising session. Advising sessions for the RN-BSN Program are held each semester. Attendance to an advising session is mandatory for all applicants. 

  The School of Nursing and RN-BSN program is an integral part of the College of Natural Sciences and is in accord with the University's primary goal to provide a quality education. As a self-supported program, the RN-BSN program is also under the auspices of Chico State’s Professional & Continuing Education (PCE). Therefore, the RN-BSN Program is subject to the policies and procedures of PCE as well as the University. To make yourself aware of those requirements, please become familiar with the most current version of the University Catalog(opens in new window) and PCE.(opens in new window)

  Accreditation

  The BSN and MSN programs at Chico State are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

  Public Health Nursing Curriculum

  Additionally, the RN-BSN curriculum meets the requirements for the California Public Health Nursing certification.

  Delivery Method
  

  • 7 Nursing Theory courses – online, asynchronous
  • 2 Upper Division General Education Courses* – online, asynchronous
  • 1 On-site Clinical Placement in or near student’s county of residency in final semester

  *Waived for students entering the RN-BSN program as a post-baccalaureate student

  Program Highlights & Outcomes
  

  • Quality and affordability
  • Flexibility and convenience for working nurses
  • Reach distant and rural communities
  • Become eligible for California’s Public Health Certification
  • Increase your ability to practice and promote evidence-based nursing to improve patient care
  • Increase your knowledge and clinical skills through hands-on experiences
  • Increase your professional standing and marketability; increase your earning potential and career opportunities
  • Preparation for other advanced nursing degrees and certification programs

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications

  Applicants to the RN-BSN Program must complete or have in progress the following Admission Requirements:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Pass all 8 prerequisites with a grade C or higher
  • Complete all lower division general education courses
  • Complete a total of 70 CSU transferable units
  • California resident
  • Pass NCLEX
  • Be employed as an RN (strongly recommended, but not required)

  Applicants in the final semester of an ADN program or those still attempting to pass NCLEX and secure employment as an RN may be admitted to the program conditionally. Admitted students must pass NCLEX prior to starting classes in the fall semester of the program.

• Prerequisite Coursework

  All applicants to the RN-BSN Program must complete the following prerequisites:

  • Chemistry (general, integrated, inorganic, or organic) (B1) with lab, 3-5 units
  • Human Physiology (B2) with lab (B3), 3-5 units
  • Human Anatomy (B2) with lab (B3), 4-5 units
  • Microbiology with lab, 3-5 units
  • Oral Communication (A1), 3 units
  • Written Communication (A2), 3 units
  • Critical Thinking (A3), 3 units
  • Statistics – Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4), 3 units
• Lower Division GE Requirements
  All applicants to the RN-BSN Program must complete the following lower division general education requirements:
  

  • Arts (C1) – 1 course (e.g., Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theatre)
  • Humanities (C2) – 1 course (e.g., Literature, Philosophy, Foreign Languages)
  • Social Sciences (D1 & D2) – 2 courses (e.g., Intro Sociology & Intro Psychology)
  • Learning for Life (E) – 1 course (e.g., Nutrition or Child Development)
  • Ethnic Studies (F) – 1 course
  • U.S. History – 1 course
  • US Government/Political Science – US constitution/gov/local/CA state/national – 1 course
• California Community College Articulation

  For information on prerequisite coursework when transferring from a California Community College, visit Assist.org.(opens in new window)Assist.org is the official course transfer and articulation system for California’s public colleges and universities and is best used in combination with guidance from an academic advisor/counselor.

• Community College Transfer Worksheets

  There are six main feeder colleges in Northern California for the RN-BSN program. We have worked closely to develop course roadmaps for students completing prerequisites and transferable coursework from each of these institutions. Please inquire with your community college for the most up to date version of their program's roadmap to the RN-BSN program at Chico State.

  Please follow the links below to find a transfer worksheet for each college listed. It is always recommended that you meet with your community college advisor and the RN-BSN advisor as you make plans to transfer to Chico State.

  Transfer Worksheets

  • Butte College (PDF)
  • College of the Redwoods (PDF)
  • College of the Siskiyous (PDF)
  • Mendocino College (PDF)
  • Shasta College (PDF)
  • Yuba College (PDF)

  If you have taken coursework from multiple colleges, use this worksheet:

  • General Transfer Worksheet (PDF)

How to Apply

• Step 1: Attend an Advising / Information Session

  The RN-BSN Program Advisor offers several virtual group advising sessions each semester for students  interested in applying to the RN-BSN program. 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. For more information, see the Advising Sessions Schedule and register for the date that works best for your schedule.(opens in new window) A recorded video presentation is also available.

• Step 2: Complete the Transcript Information Form & Email Unofficial Transcripts

  Email your completed Transcript Information Form (PDF) and all unofficial transcripts to the RN-BSN Advisor, Melissa Cheatham, at mcheatham@csuchico.edu(opens in new window). 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(opens in new window) for specific instructions if you have international transcripts.

• Step 3: Send Official Transcripts

  Request physical copies of official sealed 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 Admissions. 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

  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(opens in new window) for specific instructions if you have international transcripts.

• Step 4: Complete the RN-BSN Program Application

  We invite those who meet all program admission criteria, have completed the transcript evaluation process, and attended an advising session to apply to the RN-BSN program.

  The RN-BSN Application will be available starting August 1st through October 31st.

• Application Scoring

  When the number of applications from qualified candidates exceeds our capacity to accommodate space in our program/clinical placements, applications will be scored for admission.

  Priority points are given in the following areas:

  • Residence in one of the following Northern California counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Lake, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, or Yuba counties (5 points)
  • Nursing employment in above counties (5 points)
  • ADN program graduation in above counties (5 points)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher (4 points)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.25-3.49 (2 points)
  • UD GE Course Completion (1 point each for RELS 332 and MCGS 310)
  • Documented Veteran status is a tie breaker; other ties go to the earliest qualified candidate.
• Step 5: Apply to Chico State
  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 and receiving a special email from the Admissions Office.
• Step 6: Respond to Admission Decision

  Respond to all emails/communication from the RN-BSN Program and the University regarding your admissions status and complete all tasks and steps to begin your clinical clearance.

Next Steps

• Notification of Admission Decision

  All notifications will be sent to applicants via the email address provided on the RN-BSN application in November. You MUST check your email and complete all remaining steps for Admission to the University including applying to Cal State Apply with special instructions from the Admissions Office and setting up your student account to receive email through your Wildcat email address.

• Next Steps

  Once you have submitted your application and after you have been admitted, please check your email daily and respond promptly. You will be receiving additional information regarding required tasks you need to complete to finalize your admission to the program and to get started successfully. Applicants/new students will be contacted through the Wildcat email by the RN-BSN program, the School of Nursing, the Admissions Office, and/or Professional & Continuing Education with important information and deadlines regarding admissions, course registration, and beginning the first phase of clinical clearance. You will receive communication regarding but not limited to the following:

  • Your reply to the admission decision
  • Returning requested documentation and/or signatures
  • Submitting all updated/final official transcripts, if applicable
  • Finishing any pending requirements
  • Registering for classes
  • Beginning the clinical clearance procedures
• Registration & RN-BSN Course Plan

  As you prepare for registration, please review the RN-BSN course plan (PDF) which outlines the sequential order that courses must be taken.

  Class registration and/or drop requests are processed through Professional & Continuing Education (PCE)(opens in new window)

  • April 1 - class registration begins for summer session for continuing RN-BSN students and new students fully admitted to the program and the University
  • July 1 - class registration begins for fall semester
  • November 1 - class registration begins for winter session and spring semester

Help

• Need technical help with the application?

  Please contact the School of Nursing’s RN-BSN Program with questions regarding the online application or application process:

  School of Nursing RN-BSN Program

  Phone: 530-898-4638

  Email: mcheatham@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)

  Please contact the Chico State Admissions Office and Cal State Apply with questions regarding the Cal State Apply application and admission process: 

  Chico State Admissions Office

  Phone: 530-898-6322

  Email: INFO@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)

  Cal State Apply

  Phone: 857-304-2087

  Reminder, do not apply to Chico State through Cal State Apply until you have been instructed to do so by the Admissions Office.

• Resources for Applicants
  • Nursing Student Guidelines (PDF)
  • Prerequisites and Community College Transfer Worksheets
  • University Catalog: Nursing Programs

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