Barstow Community College (BCC) has been selected to receive a $1.99 million award through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure (RNI) Grant Program, Round 2, administered by the Workforce and Economic Development Division. The award is among the largest in the state and reflects BCC’s strong performance in a highly competitive process.
The Chancellor’s Office received 48 applications requesting more than $66 million in total funding. Due to the strength of the applicant pool, awards were issued based on a ranking formula. BCC’s proposal ranked within the top tier of submissions statewide.
This award marks a historic milestone for Barstow and the surrounding North High Desert. BCC will now have the resources to build, equip, and launch a local associate degree in nursing (ADN) program—restoring a long-absent nursing education pathway for a new generation of students. The program is designed to connect with regional universities, including California State University, San Bernardino, to create seamless pathways to bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Clinical partners, including Barstow Community Hospital and SAC Health, will provide essential clinical placements and hands-on training aligned with regional workforce needs.
Grant funding will support the development of a Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)–approved ADN program, including a state-of-the-art simulation lab, faculty and curriculum development, clinical partnerships, and comprehensive student support services such as tutoring, counseling, and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation.
Currently, BCC students must travel 30 to 150 miles to access ADN programs, many of which have multi-year waitlists. Private programs within 100 miles are often cost-prohibitive, creating significant barriers for local students. Regional labor-market data shows more than 2,700 annual job openings for registered nurses, with an average starting wage of $50 per hour and continued growth projected. A local ADN program will help close this gap by preparing nurses who are rooted in—and likely to remain in—the North High Desert.
BCC Superintendent-President Dr. Bagg stated:
"This award is a transformational investment in the health and future of the North High Desert. The Chancellor’s Office recognized the strength of our proposal and the urgency of our region’s needs, and we are honored to be among the top-ranked colleges in this competitive statewide process. For our students, this means access to a high-quality nursing program close to home. For our community, it means a stronger, more stable healthcare workforce. Barstow Community College is proud to help rebuild the nursing pipeline for our region, and we are grateful to our partners who share this commitment."
Survey results from BCC pre-allied health and CNA students strongly validate that a local RN program would reduce commute barriers and that it is "extremely important" to serve their local community as nurses. Students emphasized that a local program would eliminate relocation, reduce financial strain, and make completing an ADN more attainable while balancing work and family responsibilities.
More than 50 years ago, BCC operated a successful vocational nursing program that was later discontinued due to financial constraints. This grant restores that pathway and expands access to healthcare education for the region.
The grant award remains subject to approval by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors in May 2026. Upon approval, BCC will begin program development, with an anticipated start date of August 2027.
About Barstow Community College
Barstow Community College is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, career-focused education that meets the needs of the region’s workforce. Through partnerships, innovation, and commitment to student success, BCC continues its mission to uplift the community and support the next generation of healthcare professionals.
For more information please contact:
Barstow Community College – Public Information Office
Email: asimpson@barstow.edu
Website: Barstow.edu/CTE
