Licensed vocational nursing to registered nursing (LVN-RN) bridge or transition programs remove the angst for vocational nurses who are on the fence about going back to school. If you’re desirous of a wider scope of practice and higher compensation for your role and function on the nursing team, you should consider becoming a registered nurse. Instead of two years of study, the transition program will prepare you for the licensure exam and practice as a professional nurse in just one years. LVN-RN transition programs in Texas reward vocational nurses with 13+ credit hours for previous education and experience. You might need to complete transition programs to confirm your eligibility for advanced placement in an Associate Degree Nursing program.
Tarrant County College
Licensed vocational nurses and paramedics may enroll the Associate Degree Nursing program at Tarrant County College and shorter the program completion time to 15 months through the Fast-Track option. The program is approved by the Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Vocational nurses will have the opportunity to build upon their existing knowledge and skills to care for patients in the role of a professional nurse. Theory and hands-on training will emphasize communication, professionalism, teamwork, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, safety, and compassion. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for registered nurses. A part-time option is not available in the fast-track route. Students will attend classes for 15 consecutive months.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 15 months
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture and Lab), Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture and Lab), Microbiology for Science Majors (Lecture and Lab) or Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (Lecture and Lab), General Psychology, Composition I, Lifespan Growth and Development
Core courses – Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Nursing Skills I, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Maternal and Newborn Nursing and Women’s Health, Clinical-Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Care of Children and Families, Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Complex Concepts of Adults Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Admission criteria:
- Must have a current TCC Student ID number – obtained after acceptance to TCC
- Must have completed the prerequisite courses and general education courses for the fast-track option. Courses must be completed with a grade C or better
- Must meet the TSI requirements for enrolling the college credit courses
- Submit official college transcripts
- Submit a letter of good standing from the dean or director of nursing from the LVN program
- Must have a current, unencumbered vocational nursing license
- Must be able to meet the performance requirements to ensure patient safety
- Take and pass the HESI A2 admission test with a minimum score of 75 on each section – Anatomy and Physiology, Grammar, Math, Reading, and Vocabulary
- Complete the immunization requirements before applying to the program – MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Seasonal Flu
- Obtain a negative drug screen
- Provide proof of medical insurance
- Must have current Health Care Provider CPR Certification (American Heart Association)
- Must have health insurance
- Submit required documents to CastleBranch – Photo for ID badge, physical exam, TB screen, immunization documents, CPR certification, health insurance coverage, and TBON blue card or letter
- Participate in a Nursing Program Orientation
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $64 per semester hour for Tarrant County residents and $126 for Texas residents from other counties. The cost for uniforms, books, and supplies must be added to the cost. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 245 East Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: 817-515-2339
- Email: nursing.department@tccd.edu
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.29%
Weatherford College
The LVN to RN transition program at Weatherford College comprises of 48 semester credit hours of theory and practical instruction. Vocational nurses are admitted in the summer semester where they will complete 10 weeks and continue the program in the fall to graduate at the end of the spring semester. Upon successful completion of the required 48 credit hours, students will be awarded 12 credits for previous LVN courses. Applicants must hold current licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of Texas. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 48
Duration: 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Core courses – Professional Nursing Competencies, Introduction to Health Care Concepts, Health Care Concepts I, Professional Nursing Concepts I, Clinical I, Health Care Concepts II, Professional Nursing Concepts II, Clinical II, Health Care Concepts III, Professional Nursing Concepts III, Clinical III, Health Care Concepts IV, Professional Nursing Concepts IV, Clinical IV
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Weatherford College online
- Submit a completed Health and Human Sciences application with official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Submit passing TEAS scores – 70% on the reading section and an Adjusted Individual Total Score that is equal to or above the Mean-National Average Score
- Complete the TSI requirements for enrolling the college credit courses
- Complete the prerequisite science courses – must have been taken within five years prior to admission
- Provide proof of first Hepatitis B immunization or positive titer with application
- Complete a back/spine examination by a licensed physical therapist
- Submit documentation of up-to-date immunization including Tdap, MMR, Influenza, and Varicella
- Must have current medical health insurance
- Must maintain current American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR
Program Cost:
The cost of the program is $7,314 for in-district students and $8,778 for out-of-district students. The cost includes tuition, parking, lab fees, testing fees, liability insurance, NCLEX fee, and other fees. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://wc.edu/
- Address: 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086
- Phone: 817-594-5471
- Toll-Free: 800-287-5471
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.68%
El Centro College
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) may complete the Associate Degree Nursing Program (LVN to RN) through the Advanced Placement (Bridge) program at El Centro College. Through the integration of previous health care knowledge and skills, the LVN will be prepared to complete the requirements for the AAS degree in a shorter time. Faculty apply a concept-based approach to nursing to prepare vocational nurses for the role of a professional nurse who will provide patient-centered care and function as effective members of the health care team. Applicants must complete three advanced placement or bridge courses : a three-credit hour lecture course (RNSG 1324), a one-credit-hour skills component (RNSG 1118), and a one-credit hour nursing competencies component (RNSG 1126). These require 2 to 3 full days of classes in the first semester of the Advanced Placement Program. Students will then be placed in the third semester for the AAS program after passing the bridge courses. The program can be completed in two semesters. Thirteen additional credits will be awarded for courses from the first two semesters of the traditional ADN program.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 2 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – College Algebra, Composition I, General Psychology, Introduction to Physical Fitness and Sport, Anatomy and Physiology I or Applied Anatomy and Physiology I, Pharmacology or Nursing Pathophysiology, Applied Anatomy and Physiology II or Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology for Non Science Majors, Humanities/ Fine Arts
Core courses – Maternal/Newborn Nursing and Women’s Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse, Care of Children and Families, Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse
Admission criteria:
- Meet the requirements for admission to El Centro College
- Complete the required assessment tests and any remediation including the state TSI math requirement
- Must have a current license to practice as a vocational nurse in Texas
- Submit an official transcript from an accredited vocational nursing program
- Submit high school diploma, transcript or GED
- Submit an official transcript of prerequisite courses completed with a grade C or better
- Submit a completed application packet to the Nursing Admission office
- Must meet the TSI requirements for enrolling the college credit courses
- Complete the immunization requirements before applying to the program – MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Seasonal Flu
- Must have current medical insurance
- Must have American Heart Health Care Provider CPR Certification
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $79 per credit hour for Dallas County residents and $135 per hour for other Texas residents. Students must budget additional for uniforms, fees, textbooks, and supplies. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 801 Main St., Dallas, TX 75202
- Phone: 214-860-2000
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.43%
Navarro College
Navarro College’s LVN bridge program is based on a mobility curriculum that includes a summer bridge or transition courses that lets vocational nurses bridge the gap between their vocational nursing education and the second year of the ADN program. Vocational nursing applicants will complete the degree requirements in one year. They must have a current LVN license and at least nine months work experience in an acute setting. Graduates will receive an Associate Degree in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX to practice as a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 1 year
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology, General Psychology, Lifespan Growth and Development, Speech, Composition, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Approved Fine Arts/Humanities Elective
Core courses – Concepts of Nursing Practice For Articulating Students, Clinical- Nursing Practice For Articulating Students, Pharmacology, Integrated Care of the Patient with Complex Health Care Needs, Clinical – Nursing Care of Clients with Complex Health Care Needs, Integrated Client Care Management, Clinical – Integrated Client Care Management, Approvided Language/ Philosophy
Admission criteria:
- Attend a Nursing Information Session
- Must be admitted to Navarro College as a degree-seeking student
- Must have a current license to practice as a vocational nurse
- Must have 9+ months of experience as a vocational in an acute care setting – recommended
- Submit official transcripts of LVN program to NC Registrar
- Take and pass the TEAS with the minimum required scores – 72.4 on Reading Comprehension, 68.6 points Math, and 57.2 points Science
- Provide documentation of immunization requirements – 2 MMR, 2 Varicella, 1 Tdap, 1 influenza, complete HepB vaccine series
- Register for fingerprints
- Submit blue card from TBON
- Register for drug screening
- Provide proof of American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider CPR
Program Cost:
The cost of the program is $1,399 per semester for in-district students completing 15 credit hours and $2,254 per semester for out-of-district students. The cost covers tuition only. Additional costs for fees, liability insurance, textbooks, and supplies must be covered by the student.
- Website: https://www.navarrocollege.edu/
- Address: 1900 John Arden Dr., Waxahachie, TX 75165
- Toll-Free: 1-800-NAVARRO
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%
Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.