LVN to RN Programs Sacramento, CA

California State encourages career mobility for its nurses. Whether you’re a registered nurse seeking to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing or a licensed vocational nurse in pursuit of a registered nursing degree, there is a bridge program that supports your goal. The LVN to RN program is open to currently licensed vocational nurses who plan to complete the requirements for a registered nursing degree without repetition of the nursing and general education coursework completed in the LVN program. If you’re considering this route, you might be able to enter the RN program at the second or third semester and earn your degree in just 12 months. Some programs require the completion of prerequisite coursework as well as a transition course. The nursing courses will follow the traditional path to the AS degree and will reinforce nursing concepts to promote, maintain, and restore health in patients with common and complex diseases.

Sacramento City College

The Associate in Science Degree LVN-RN Transition Registered Nursing Program at Sacramento City College is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. LVNs will complete general education, science and nursing courses with clinical experiences at local hospitals. The nursing courses are three semesters in length. They must be taken in sequence and requires a passing grade on the theory and clinical component for progression. It is recommended that practical nurse students reduce their work schedule to a part-time schedule to complete the program successfully. They will receive the AAS degree after completing the program requirements with a passing grade. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Admission to the LVN-RN pathway is subject to space availability and requires an active LPN license.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 55-56
Duration: 2-3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Cultural Anthropology or Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, Introduction to Public Speaking or Group Discussion, College Composition, General Principles

Core Courses – LVN-RN Associate Degree Nursing Transition, Nursing Complex and Health Problems Through the Lifecycle, Nursing in Complex and Multiple Patient Care
Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to Sacramento City College
• Submit an application for admission to the AS Registered Nursing – LVN-RN
• Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent – applicants with an AA/AS do not need to submit proof of high school graduation
• Must hold licensure as an LVN in the state of California
• Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better – BIOL 430, BIOL 431, BIOL 440
• Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better – PSYC 300 or PSYC 480; ENGWR 300 or ENGWR 488; COMM 301 or COMM 331; SOC 321 or SOC 482 or ANTH 310 or ANTH 481
• Take and pass the Registered Nursing Multi-Criteria Enrollment Form with a score of 70 or higher
• Complete all general education requirements and competency requirements (reading, writing, and mathematics) before applying to the program – recommended
• Complete the latest education of the TEAS and obtain the minimum composite score of 62%
• Submit a copy of current relevant Healthcare Certification/License if applicable
• Must have current American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Providers certification
• Must have malpractice insurance
• Must complete a background check and drug screen

Program Cost:
Tuition costs $1,288 per year for full-time CA residents. Students will need to budget for background check, drug screen, physical exam, immunizations, malpractice insurance, transport to the clinical site, CPR certification, books, uniforms, identification badges, licensure exam, live scan, and supplies.

Website: https://scc.losrios.edu/
Address: 3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone: (916) 558-2111
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Sierra College

Sierra College’s LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program is open to currently licensed vocational nurses seeking to become a registered nurse. LVNs join the program in the second or third semester to complete the requirements for licensure as a registered nurse. A placement exam, administered after selection, will determine where the applicant is placed in the program. Students will complete the theory and clinical requirements for the nursing courses. All general education courses must be completed before admission to the program. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Program Outline
Semester credits: 56
Duration: 12 to 18 months
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Composition and Literature, Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, Elementary Algebra or Practical Math, Psychology, Sociology

Core Courses – Medical Surgical I and Pediatric Nursing, Medical Surgical II and Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Medical Surgical and Maternal Newborn Nursing

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to Sierra College
• Must have successfully completed an accredited licensed vocational nursing program
• Must have an active, unrestricted California LVN license
• Must meet the ADN program prerequisites
• Submit official transcripts for all prerequisite courses except Sierra College
• Submit official transcripts for all courses referenced in the Program Application
• Complete and submit the multi-criteria entrance form – 70 points is required to qualify
• Must have an active, legible email address
• Complete the latest education of the TEAS and obtain the minimum composite score of 62%
• Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers certification
• Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen
• Must achieve a score of 84% or higher on the Chancellor’s Predictor Score

Program Cost:
Tuition costs $46 per unit for California residents. Books, supplies, fees, uniform, background check, drug screen, and insurance are additional.

Website: https://www.sierracollege.edu/index.php
Address: 5100 Sierra College Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone: (916) 624-3333
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Napa Valley College

There is no defined LVN to RN (Associate Degree Program in Nursing) program offered by Napa Valley College. However, LVN candidates may apply to the ADN program as a new applicant and request advanced placement through the Program Directory. LVNs will be subject to the same eligibility requirements as other applicants and may be admitted only on a space/resource available basis. The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and prepares students for success on the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 76.5
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Microbiology, Reading and Composition I, Human Growth and Development (Life-Span)

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Health & Wellness, Chronic Illness & Geriatric Care, Career Communication or equivalent, Maternal Newborn Nursing Care, Mental Health Nursing Care, Pediatric Nursing Care, Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness I, Social Science Elective (from approved list), Nursing Care of Patients with Acute Illness II, Capstone Course, Humanities (from approved A.S. Degree List)

Admission criteria:

• Complete an Application to Napa Valley College online
• Meet with a counselor to review prerequisite requirements
• Obtain and bring official transcripts from high school or equivalent GED certificate – only unsealed, official transcripts will be accepted
• Submit official transcripts from an accredited LVN program
• Must have a current valid California LVN license
• Complete a successful skills demonstration
• Submit an official TEAS transcript with a score of 62 or better
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
• Submit documentation of immunization records – Hep B, MMR, Varicella
• Complete a satisfactory background check/drug screen
• Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers certification

Program Cost:
The approximate program cost of $5,500 includes tuition, fees, uniforms, books, lab kits, orientations, HealthStream modules, and licensing expenses.

Website: https://www.napavalley.edu/Pages/default.aspx
Address: 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 256-7000
Toll-Free: (800) 826-1077
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.75%

Gurnick Academy

The advanced placement (LVN to RN) program at Gurnick Academy is open to licensed vocational nurses seeking to complete the requirements to practice as a registered nurse. They will qualify for placement in the third semester of program after completing the LVN to RN transition course. LVN candidates for entry must first complete the general education requirements and have an active, unrestricted vocational nursing license. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 25

Duration: 8 months (2 semesters)
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Body in Health & Disease I w/Lab, General Microbiology with Lab, English Reading and Composition, Algebra I, General Psychology, Human Body in Health and Disease II with Lab, Nutrition in Health and Disease, Critical Thinking, Introduction to Sociology, Public Speaking, Basics of Effective Communication

Credit granted for these courses – Fundamentals of Nursing Theory, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical and Lab, Health Assessment Theory, Health Assessment Skills Lab, Fundaments of Pharmacology

Core Courses – Nursing Transition Advanced Placement Theory & Lab Course, Pathophysiology, Maternal Newborn Theory, Maternal Newborn Clinical, Care of Children Theory, Care of Children Clinical, Medical/Surgical III Theory – Advanced Med/Surgical, Medical/Surgical III Clinical – Advanced Med/Surgical, Mental Health Theory, Mental Health Clinical, Medical/Surgical IV Theory – Complex/Critical Care, Medical/Surgical IV Clinical – Complex/Critical Care Med/Surgical & Leadership

Admission criteria:

• Must attend an information session
• Must submit a completed application with the aid of an admissions advisor
• Must take and pass the Admission Assessment test – TEAS VI with a minimum composite score of 64%
• Must pass an interview with the Nursing Program Director or Associate Program Director in person or via Skype
• Must submit a two-to-three-page writing essay on why the applicant has chosen professional nursing as a career
• Must submit proof of one year of full-time LVN work experience within the last three years or a recent graduate of an LVN/LPN school within one year at the time of application
• Must provide transcripts showing proof of completing the 33 units of General Education courses that make up semesters I and II of the ADN Generic Pathway
• Must submit a resume
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in non-biology, math, and science coursework – official transcripts are required
• Complete the requirements for immunizations, health screening, background check, and CPR/First Aid
• Must meet the program’s general performance requirements

Program Cost:
Tuition and fees cost $45,122 per academic year.  Books cost an additional $255 per year.  Expenses for the entrance exam, background check, clinical supplies, screening, immunization, and CPR are not included.

Website: https://www.gurnick.edu/
Address: 2121 South El Camino Real, Building B-200, San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: 1-877-GURNICK
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 70.33%

American River College

The LVN to RN Career Mobility program at American River College draws on nursing science, natural physical and biological sciences, as well as the social sciences and humanities. The program prepares the California Licensed Vocational Nurse for advanced placement in the second year of the Registered Nursing Program. Nursing courses are offered in sequence and requires a grade of C or better for progression in the program. Placement in the program is subject to availability. Program graduates will demonstrate entry-level competencies and meet the educational requirements needed to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 55-56
Duration: 2-3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:
General Education Courses – Cultural Anthropology or Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, Introduction to Public Speaking or Group Discussion, College Composition, General Principles

Positive credit after LVN Transcript Evaluation: Nursing, Patient, and Healthcare Concepts I, Nursing, Patient, and Healthcare Concepts II

Core Courses – Transition to Nursing LVN-RN, Patient and Healthcare Concepts for the Associate Degree Nurse, Nursing, Patient and Healthcare Concepts III, Nursing, Patient, and Healthcare Concepts IV

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to American River College
• Submit an application for admission to the AS Registered Nursing – LVN-RN
• Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent – applicants with an AA/AS do not need to submit proof of high school graduation
• Must hold licensure as an LVN in the state of California
• Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better – BIOL 430, BIOL 431, BIOL 440
• Complete prerequisites with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better – PSYC 300 or PSYC 480; ENGWR 300 or ENGWR 488; COMM 301 or COMM 331; SOC 321 or SOC 482 or ANTH 310 or ANTH 481
• Take and pass the Registered Nursing Multi-Criteria Enrollment Form with a score of 70 or higher
• Complete all general education requirements and competency requirements (reading, writing, and mathematics) before applying to the program – recommended
• Complete the latest education of the TEAS and obtain the minimum composite score of 62%
• Submit a copy of current relevant Healthcare Certification/License if applicable
• Must have current American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Providers certification
• Must have malpractice insurance
• Must complete a background check and drug screen

Program Cost:
Startup program costs are approximately $6,500. This cost includes uniforms, lab fees, malpractice insurance, equipment, transport to off-campus labs, and books.

Website: https://arc.losrios.edu/
Address: 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: (916) 484-8011
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.54%