CSU, Chico News

California State University, Chico's School of Nursing has received $125,000 in state funds to expand opportunities for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in the North State to become registered nurses (RNs) and earn their bachelor's degrees.

Sherry Fox, director of the School of Nursing, said a new, mainly online, CSU, Chico program will target LVNs who want to become RNs but may not be able to leave work to go back to school.

The new program will begin in June 2007 with a group of approximately 20 LVNs. The program will take two academic years, plus one summer session, to complete. Those who finish will have a BS in nursing and be qualified to sit for the RN licensure exam.

While most of the classes will be administered online, students will need to come to the Chico campus periodically to use specialized equipment, Fox said. Students will also have a preceptor-a professional contracted by the University to work with students-oversee them at a work setting.

Fox said the program helps address the general shortage of nurses and expands the number of RNs, who have additional training and can handle more complex situations and patients compared to LVNs. Fox said there is a large number of LVNs who have completed programs at North State community colleges and are interested in earning a bachelor's degree.

The state funding was made through the Song-Brown Act, which is administered by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Chico was one of 10 nursing programs in the state to receive the funding.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 5th, 2006 at 8:30 am and is filed under 2006 Fall.