Registered Nursing (RN)
The Butte College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares you to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). You can pursue the RN through the Regular (Traditional) track or the one-year Accelerated track. This page walks you through what you need to get started: the entry requirements, how the application and selection process works for each track, what the program costs, and where and when the program meets. Review each section below, then reach out to the Nursing Office with any questions.
Registered Nursing Resources
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
Who can apply
- Be 17 years of age or older with a 12th-grade education or equivalent.
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a "C" or better (no recency requirement):
- BIOL 20 — Human Anatomy
- BIOL 21 — Human Physiology
- BIOL 15 — Microbiology
- FN 2 — Basic Nutrition
- ENGL 2 or ENGL 3 — Reading and Composition
- PSY 1 — Principles of Psychology
- CMST 2, 2H, or 4 — Public Speaking / Group Discussion
- Earn a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 (and a 2.5 across Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology, with no more than one repetition of those three science courses).
- Take the TEAS exam and earn a composite score of 62% or higher (by the first or second attempt).
Co-Requisites
Co-Requisites courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be complete before your program begins.
- Area 2 G.E. - Mathematical Concepts: One course, 3 unit minimum
- Area 3 G.E. - Arts and Humanities: One course, 3 unit minimum
- Area 6 G.E. - Ethnic Studies
Considerations
All nursing programs require certain physical abilities and behaviors for successful completion. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed registered nurses.
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
How to apply
- Complete all prerequisite courses before applying.
- Take the TEAS exam (composite 62% or higher).
- Complete a Butte College application if you are a new or returning student.
- Submit the RN Application to the Nursing Office (Accelerated-track applicants use the Accelerated Track RN Application). Forms are posted about three months before the deadline.
Apply to Butte College RN Application Accelerated Track RN Application
Reapplication
Applicants who are not selected for the two year RN program may reapply, and the odds of admission increase with each consecutive reapplication. Applicants who decline a seat more than once may not reapply, and applicants who have failed more than once from any nursing program are not eligible to apply. Reapplications are not accepted for the Accelerated Track RN program.
How students are selected
Regular (Traditional) track — lottery
When there are more qualified applicants than seats, students are chosen by a computer lottery. The majority of seats will go to those students that have been reapplying the longest. Your chances of being selected will increase with each consecutive reapplication.
Accelerated track — 100-point rubric
The Accelerated track admits the top 48 applicants by a 100-point rubric:
- TEAS composite (first attempt): 25 pts (80–100) · 15 pts (75–79.99) · 5 pts (70–74.99) · 0 pts (62–69.99)
- Biology GPA (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology): 25 pts (4.0) · 15 pts (3.50–3.99) · 5 pts (3.00–3.49) · 0 pts (below 3.0)
- Healthcare work experience in the last 2 years (CNA, EMT, LVN, Paramedic, Monitor/Perinatal/Surgery/ED Tech): 25 pts (1,800+ hrs) · 15 pts (1,000–1,799) · 5 pts (500–999) · 0 pts (under 500)
- Residency in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, or Plumas county: 25 pts
Deadlines
RN applications are available twice a year between December 1st and February 28th and again between May 1st and August 31st.
RN Accelerated Track applications are available once a year between May 1st and July 31st.
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
Estimated cost
The estimated total program cost is approximately $8,100, including registration and fees, books, a medical skills kit, testing platforms (ATI, Kaplan, and Shadow Health), a laptop, a physical, immunization tracking, TB testing, scrubs and shoes, background screening, BLS/CPR certification, and the post-graduation NCLEX-RN exam and RN licensure fees. Costs are approximate and subject to change and do not include living expenses or transportation.
See the RN estimated program expenses sheet for the full breakdown.
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
Where
The RN program is held on the Butte College main campus, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA, with clinical rotations at partner sites in the area.
Time commitment
Regular (Traditional) track
A two-year program; nursing theory is offered in a hybrid format with in-person labs and clinical practice.
Accelerated track
A one-year, three-semester program (36 units) that begins in Spring; nursing theory is delivered fully online, with labs and clinical in person. A cohort of 48 students begins each year and earns an Associate of Science in Accelerated Track Registered Nursing.
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
Advanced placement for military health care personnel
Service members who have held a qualifying military health care occupation — Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic), or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT 4N0X1C) — may earn advanced placement into the ADN program with documentation of their education and experience. Two pathways are available; contact the Nursing Office for the Military Challenge policy and next steps.
Category
Academic and Technical SupportAudience
- Future
Continue to a bachelor's degree (ADN to BSN)
Butte College has a matriculation agreement with Chico State that lets Registered Nursing graduates transfer into the Chico State nursing program and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in less time.
Accelerated Track FAQ
Common questions about the one-year Accelerated Track Registered Nursing program.
You can apply from anywhere, but the 25 residency points are awarded only if your permanent address is in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, or Plumas County. Prove it with a state-issued ID or driver's license showing the address (no PO Box) plus one non-DMV document (lease or rental agreement, utility bill, cell phone bill, or tax return). Applicants outside these counties may still apply but receive no residency points.
You may apply for both the Regular and Accelerated tracks, but you must submit a separate application for each track you want to be considered for.
The schedule and teaching modality differ. The Accelerated Track is completed in one year, includes summer classes, and delivers all nursing theory online. The Regular Track runs two years with summers off and hybrid theory. Consider your readiness for an accelerated pace before applying.
No. The two tracks use different acceptance criteria: the Regular Track uses a lottery once minimum criteria are met, while the Accelerated Track uses a point-based system.
Yes — you may take the TEAS twice (in any distinct version) to reach the minimum 62% composite. However, only your first attempt in any distinct version is used to award selection points.
In the Accelerated Track, only your first attempt in each science course counts toward entrance. In the Regular Track, you may take one science course twice, and the higher grade is used.
All prerequisites and co-requisites must be complete before you begin (co-requisites may be in progress when you apply but must be finished before starting). Of 100 possible points:
- First-attempt TEAS composite: 25 pts (80+) · 15 pts (75–79.9) · 5 pts (70–74.9) · 0 pts (62–69.9)
- First-attempt GPA in Anatomy, Physiology & Microbiology: 25 pts (4.0) · 15 pts (3.5–3.99) · 5 pts (3.0–3.49) · 0 pts (2.5–2.99)
- Healthcare work experience in the last 2 years (LVN, CNA, EMT, Paramedic, Monitor Tech, Perinatal Tech, Surgery Tech, ED Tech, Patient Care Support Tech, or Corpsman; proven with an employer letter and license or certification): 25 pts (1,800+ hrs) · 15 pts (1,000–1,799) · 5 pts (500–999) · 0 pts (0–499)
- Permanent residence in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, or Plumas County: 25 pts
Have questions about Butte College Nursing?
Contact the Nursing Office. Program applications are available online and in the Nursing Office about three months before each deadline.