Bridge licensed vocational nursing to registered nursing (LVN-to-RN) programs pave the way for LVNs to advance to the next rung on the nursing career ladder. In just 12 to 24 months, you can complete the requirements for a registered nursing degree and qualify to take the national licensure exam to become a registered nurse. Admission to nursing programs remains competitive. Many schools maintain extensive waiting lists of eager applicants which can extend the average time for a registered nursing degree to 4 years. However, your vocational nursing education and experience almost always remove the hurdles to admission – the only one being space availability. Moreover, they will give you an advanced status in the program to complete the requirements with just 12 months of full-time study.
What is an LVN-RN program?
The LVN-to-RN program was designed with the goal-oriented vocational nurse in mind. Colleges in California offer two degree pathways – the LVN to ADN or the LVN to BSN. Both paths qualify candidates to take the nursing licensure exam to become a registered nurse. Your overall goals and resources (time and money) will determine the path you take. For example, the ADN route does not cover the additional liberal arts and advance nursing courses required by the BSN, so the completion time is much sooner. It is an upward mobility program that permits entry in the second or third semester of a registered nursing program. Students completing the prelicensure requirements will then be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and join the ranks of distinguished RNs across America.
The California LPN 30-Unit Option
The LPN 30-unit option is a career ladder pathway for LVNs to become registered nurses. Nurses pursuing this option will complete the state’s requirements to practice as a registered nurse. The nursing program will not award a degree upon completion of the curriculum. Since the training will not be recognized in other states, some LVNs prefer the traditional route of obtaining an ADN or BSN degree to qualify for a license in other states should they need it.
You must have a current LVN license to enter the program. Upon completion of 30 units of nursing and support courses, you will become eligible to take the licensure exam as a non-graduate. You cannot change your status from a non-degree 30-unit RN to a degree RN after licensure.
LVN-to-RN Programs California FAQs
How does an LVN become a registered nurse in California?
Decide on the degree you would like to achieve. There are three options to becoming a registered nurse:
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- LVN-to-RN program which leads to an associate degree
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- LVN-to-BSN program which leads to a bachelor’s degree
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- LVN-30 Unit option which qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN and practice as a registered nurse in California
The path you choose will guide your choice of college.
Select a college and apply for admission
75 California nursing schools offer upward mobility registered nursing programs for licensed vocational nurses. Apply for more than one college to maximize your chances of admission.
Apply for your RN license
You must have a registered nurse license administered by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Apply early – at least 8 weeks before you graduate from the program. You will need to submit your transcripts, complete a background check, and take and pass the licensure exam.
How long is the LVN-to-RN program in California?
Most LVN-to-RN programs require at least 12 months of full-time attendance to complete. Your actual completion time will depend on the prerequisites you have to complete and the school’s requirements for graduation.
Can I get into an LVN to RN bridge program in California?
The admission requirements vary by program, but there are common requirements to all programs that you’ll have to meet. These are:
- Completion of the nursing prerequisites
- Possession of a current license to practice as an LVN
- Transcripts from your LVN program
Some schools have a stipulated GPA requirement, a clean criminal record, and passing scores on an admission exam.
While entry into a bridge LVN-to-RN program may not be as competitive as entry to a registered nursing program, limited space availability may be of real concern. Apply early and to as many schools that meet your requirements for your best chances of admission.
How will an LVN-to-RN improve my job outlook and salary?
What can you expect after obtaining an RN degree and a license to practice? For one there will be more opportunities for growth and employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment change for registered nurses as 197,200 and only 16,900 for vocational nurses. Healthcare employers are hiring more registered nurses than vocational nurses – even in long-term care.
Your salary will also get a boost. Registered nurses earn more than vocational nurses. Again, based on the BLS figures, registered nurses earn up to 40 percent more than vocational nurses – even in cities like San Francisco, Napa, and Sacramento where vocational nurses among the highest paid nationwide. Over time, as you gain experience as a registered nurse, you can almost double your LVN salary – which is a colossal return on your investment.
What’s the difference between ADN and BSN
You will complete the ADN and the LVN-ADN at a community college. It involves the completion of at least 60 semester units of general education and nursing courses.
The BSN and the LVN-BSN are offered at a four-year college or university and leads to a bachelor’s of science in nursing. The BSN requires completion of at least 120-semester units of general education and nursing courses. You may complete a portion of the BSN coursework at a community college and transfer the coursework to the bachelor’s program.