RN to BSN

The RN to BSN Program at CNI College emphasizes evidence-based clinical practice and leadership, preparing licensed Registered Nurses to expand upon their Associate of Science or diploma education. The program is rooted in a liberal education framework that leads to a bachelor’s degree and focuses on organizational and systems leadership, scholarship for evidence-based practice, information management and patient care technology, health care policy and finance, interprofessional communication, and clinical prevention and population health.

The NSG 404 course includes a 90-hour direct care experience in the community and seven hours of child abuse and neglect training, which satisfy the Public Health Nursing (PHN) certificate requirement for the State of California.

Program objectives. Graduates model professional nursing behavior and accountability; optimize critical thinking, clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice; cultivate interprofessional collaboration; use informatics; develop healthcare education initiatives; integrate ethical, legal and cultural competence; engage in leadership roles; and develop life-long learning goals.

Fully online coursework, local practicum options, faculty mentoring and tutoring support, strong emphasis on leadership, technology, and evidence-based practice, and student-centered scheduling.

For didactic courses, the ratio is one faculty member to twenty-five students, and the population-based nursing clinical preceptorship keeps the same one-to-twenty-five ratio.

All RN to BSN Degree Completion Program applicants must have graduated from an Associate Degree Nursing Program and have a clear current California State License to be considered for admission; no entrance exam is required. RNs may receive up to 107 quarter credits for an ADN degree, and the general education requirements must be completed before beginning the core nursing (NSG) courses.

Entrance requirements include a preferred overall 2.5 GPA (official transcripts required), a minimum grade of “C” on all degree requirement and nursing coursework, an applicant’s statement of purpose, a personal interview (face-to-face, online, or conference call), current CPR certification, one year’s work experience (recommended), a background check contracted by CNI, and health clearance prior to enrollment.

The program is offered in a 10-week quarter format with two courses each quarter. Online courses run asynchronously each week from Monday 8:30 AM PST to Sunday 11:59 PM PST, with discussion posts due Wednesday and peer responses Friday. Practicum hours depend on site availability and may be scheduled any day of the week, including weekends, evenings and nights.

Start dates follow the quarterly schedule; next start: classes start November 9, 2026 (CNI College homepage).

Cost of the program. The catalog’s estimated schedule of total charges for the entire educational program is $11,275.00:

• Registration fee: $75.00
• Books, supplies, uniforms: $895.00
• Technology fees: $1,500.00
• Tuition: $8,805.00

Tuition by pay period. Institutional charges are posted to the student tuition account pay period by pay period; the registration fee, books and supplies for the entire course are assessed in the first payment period. The catalog’s schedule for this program is: pay period 1: $3,122.31, pay period 2: $3,122.31, pay period 3: $2,515.19, pay period 4: $2,515.19.

Overtime charges. If a student needs additional time beyond the expected graduation date, CNI College extends a courtesy period of up to three weeks without additional charges; thereafter overtime tuition is charged at $12.40 per hour for the remaining hours.

Books and supplies allowance. For cost-of-attendance budgets the College uses the California Student Aid Commission’s 2026–2027 student expense budget, which allows $1,089 per academic year for books and supplies (tuition, registration fee and other charges are actual institutional charges).

Federal financial aid. CNI College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in selected Title IV programs, and this program is eligible to participate in USDE Title IV programs. Available aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and use federal school code 032423 (Career Networks Institute – CNI College).

Cal Grant. The State of California, through the California Student Aid Commission, sponsors Cal Grant A, B and C for undergraduate students; applicants must file a FAFSA (or Dream Act Application) and a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the March 2 or September 2 deadline.

Veterans’ benefits. CNI College is approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons, including Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment) and Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) benefits; contact the College’s School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.

Payments. Students are encouraged to make tuition payments electronically through Tuition Options unless alternative arrangements have been approved by the Financial Aid Office. The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate is currently $0.00 per $1,000 of institutional charges.

Graduates of the RN-to-BSN program are prepared for advanced careers in the nursing field, building upon their existing credentials as licensed Registered Nurses, with enhanced preparation for leadership roles, broader mobility across care settings, and a stronger foundation for graduate study.

Outcomes (School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar years 2023 & 2024). Job placement rate: 87% (2023) and 90% (2024). Completion within 150% of program length: 94% (2023) and 88% (2024); on-time completion: 89% (2023) and 73% (2024).