Frequently Asked Questions

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• How do I apply?

  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.

  To see if you are eligible for our program please visit the eligibility page.

• How much will it cost?

  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

• How does the placement process work?

  All clinical placements are made in the Northern California area. See the RCNP Map 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.

• How long is the preceptorship?

  The placement period lasts a minimum of four weeks. Each participant will work full-time to complete 150 clinical hours.

• When does the preceptorship begin?

  The summer session begins in June or July, the winter session begins in December. Each session lasts approximately four weeks.

• Who will be my preceptor?

  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.

• Who provides advising and 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. 

• Is academic credit available for students?

  Academic credit is not offered for participation in the RCNP program.

• Are CEUs available for RNs?

  No unfortunately, the BRN will not permit CEUs for this sort of experience.

• When will I know if I've been accepted?

  Applicants will be informed within 3 weeks after the application submission deadline.