Butte College is proud to announce the launch of its new accelerated track registered nursing program starting in Spring 2024. This accelerated program aims to address the critical shortage of registered nurses in Butte and Glenn Counties and the surrounding areas by providing a faster path to nursing education and entry into the workforce.
The Butte College accelerated track registered nursing program is a three-semester program encompassing spring, summer, and fall semesters. Every spring semester, the nursing program will admit a new cohort of 48 students, guaranteeing a steady supply of qualified nurses to meet the growing demand in the region. The program offers online theory courses and in-person clinical training. Admittance into the program will be based on a point system that includes factors such as the first attempt TEAS score, grade point average in anatomy, microbiology, and physiology, recent healthcare experience, and local residency.
In addition to the new accelerated track, Butte College will continue to offer its traditional two-year registered nursing program, which admits 48 students each fall and spring semester. Running both programs will significantly decrease the wait time to enter the nursing program and increase the number of RN graduates.
"Butte College recognizes the urgent need for more registered nurses in our community and surrounding counties," said Laurie Meyer, MSN, RN, the nursing program director at Butte College. "By introducing the accelerated track program, we aim to provide a streamlined pathway for aspiring nurses to quickly gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers while meeting the growing demand for healthcare professionals."
A recent study conducted by The Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research at the request of Butte College highlighted the urgent need for registered nurses in our region. The study revealed a projected 6% increase in the demand for registered nurses over the next five years, while the supply of new nurses has consistently fallen short of meeting this demand by 6% annually over the last three years. The introduction of the accelerated track RN program will serve as a strategic solution to bridge this gap.
Most Butte College RN graduates secure employment within three months of graduating while 90% choose to work in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Yuba, and Plumas Counties. By increasing the number of nursing program graduates, Butte College aims to make a significant contribution to filling the need for qualified RNs in Butte County and the surrounding areas.
"Increasing the pool of qualified nurses available to provide patient care in our region is critically important. We are very happy that nursing program leadership at Butte College has undertaken an accelerated RN program to help meet this need," said Donna Larson, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Enloe Medical Center.
“I am so happy for Butte College and our surrounding communities. There is a significant need for RNs in our communities and this new program will help fill the gap. This accelerated program will help get more qualified nurses into the workforce quickly,” said Edie Fischer RN, chief nursing officer at Oroville Hospital.
Applications for the Spring 2024 accelerated track registered nursing program will open on August 1, 2023. For more information about the Butte College accelerated track registered nursing program and other nursing programs, please visit rajcmmementos.com/nursing, or contact the nursing department office at (530) 893-7533.
###
Christian Gutierrez
Public Relations Officer
Butte College
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Content editor:
Christian Gutierrez
530-895-2959
