LVN to RN Programs San Antonio, TX

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (LVN to RN) Transition program meets the unique learning needs of licensed vocational nurses seeking career advancement. This transition program eliminates the time and cost of repeating courses that were already completed in the LVN program and recognizes the experience gained in practice, enabling the practical nurse to transition to professional nursing in less than one year. Today, as the COVID-19 pandemic increases the demand for nurses, it is a good time to transition and join the team of nurses working on the frontline of healthcare. Most LVN to RN transition programs in Texas require applicants to submit official transcripts from an accredited LVN program and have a current, unencumbered license in the state.

St Philip’s College

The LVN/Military to ADN Mobility program at St Philip’s College utilizes online, face-to-face, and lab clinical experiences to help licensed practical nurses meet the requirements to become a registered nurse. Students will learn the art and science of nursing in the classroom, simulation hospital on campus, and through direct patient care activities in the hospital or other clinical settings. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. The program admits new students once per year in the Spring semester. The duration of the program is one year – three consecutive semesters.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 1 year – 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, General Psychology, Introduction to Ethics, Composition I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Lifespan Growth and Development, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health

Core courses –  Concept-based Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Professional Nursing Competencies, Introduction to Health Care Concepts, Clinical – RN Concept-Based Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Professional Nursing Concepts III, Health Care Concepts III, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts III, Professional Nursing Concepts IV, Health Care Concepts IV, Clinical: RN Health Care Concepts IV

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to St Philip’s College
• Complete prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Science courses must be completed with a GPA 2.8 or higher – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health
• Complete general education courses before applying for the program
• Complete the ATI TEAS by the deadline date of application
• Complete an application to the mobility nursing program
• Submit official transcripts from LVN program
• Must have current licensure as an LVN
• Must have current Health Care Provider CPR card in Basic Life Support for adult, child, and infant. American Heart Association or American Red Cross required
• Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
• Must have medical insurance coverage
• Pass a background check

Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $99 per credit hour for in-district Texas residents and $215 per credit hour for out-of-district Texas residents. Books, supplies, fees, uniforms, CPR certification, and assessments must be covered by the student.

• Website: https://www.alamo.edu/sac/nursing
• Address: 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212
• Phone: 210-486-1144
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Baptist Health System – School of Health Professions

Baptist Health System – School of Health Professions offers advanced placement for students transitioning from LVN to RN into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. The program provides the additional preparation LVNs need to become a registered nurse. Students will learn through lectures and interactive discussions in the classroom and will apply the nursing concepts through substantial patient care activities in various health care facilities. There will be special emphasis on patient care in inpatient perioperative areas, critical care units, emergency departments, pediatrics, obstetrics, adult medical-surgical area, psychiatry, and community-based facilities. Some courses may be delivered online. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science and will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. Applicants to the LVN pathway must complete the prerequisite courses before applying and have a valid Texas LVN license. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are available.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 80 weeks
Method of instruction:  Blended

Course titles:

General education online courses – Composition II, College Algebra, Introduction to Sociology, Medical Law and Ethics, Lifespan Growth and Development,

Core courses –  Foundations of Nursing Practice, Foundations Clinical, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Common Concepts Clinical, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Complex Adult Clinical, Pharmacology, Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Clinical, Care of Children and Families, Care of Children and Families Clinical, Maternal/Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health, Maternal/Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health Clinical, Adaptation to the Role of the Professional Nurse, Advanced Concepts of Adult Health, Advanced Concepts Clinical, Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation, Management of Clinical Care (Capstone), Management Clinical

Admission criteria:

• Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – Anatomy and Physiology II with lab and Microbiology with lab taken at an accredited college
• Must have current licensure in Texas to practice as an LVN
• Submit an application for the AAS in Nursing program online
• Submit official transcripts of prerequisite courses and LPN coursework indicating final grades of C or higher
• Submit TEAS VI exam scores – valid for two years. Reading -29. Math – 63.3, Science – 45.8, English – 60
• Submit copy of high school diploma, high school transcript, or GED certificate
• Provide proof of health insurance
• Must have current CPR certification – BLS for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association
• Pass a urine drug screen and background check
• Submit records of current immunization including Hepatitis B
• Provide proof of health insurance

Program Cost:

Tuition is $18,150 is all general education course requirements are transferred in. Financial aid is available for eligible students.

• Website: https://www.bshp.edu/
• Address: 8400 Datapoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
• Phone: (210) 297-9636
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.02%

Galen College

Galen College’s LVN-to-ADN bridge program is designed for licensed vocational nurses to complete the requirements for practice as a registered nurse. The program is offered on campus or in a blended format with some courses delivered online. The curriculum includes training in the  classroom and has a strong emphasis on hands-on learning during the clinical externship conducted at several health care facilities. The nursing curriculum includes the general education requirements. Transfer credits are accepted after evaluation. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. New students are admitted four times a year. There are no prerequisites for entry.

Program Outline
Quarter credits: 99
Duration: 15 months (full-time) 18 months (part-time)
Method of instruction: Traditional

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I Theory and Lab, Information Literacy and Technology Essential, English Composition, Galen Pathway to Success, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Theory and Lab, College Mathematics

Core courses –  LVN to RN Role Transition, Developmental Psychology, Principles of Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts, Introduction to Sociology, Microbiology for Health Professionals, Concepts of Nursing: The Childbearing and Child Caring Families, Applied Ethics, Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Leadership and Nursing Management, Transition to Registered Nursing Practice

Admission criteria:

• Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalency
• Be able to communicate effectively in English
• Must have a vocational nursing diploma from an accredited program
• Have a GPA of 2.5 or better from the VN program
•  Must have a valid, current, unencumbered VN license
• Provide satisfactory entrance test scores – ACT (18), SAT (980), Multilevel PAX (90)

Program Cost:

General education courses cost $390 per quarter credit hour. Nursing education courses cost $390 per quarter credit hour. Other costs include technology fee, lab fee, clinical fee, books, background fee, registration fee, uniforms, supplies, physical exam, and immunization.

• Website: https://galencollege.edu/campuses/san-antonio
• Address: 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1400, San Antonio, Texas 78229
• Phone: (210) 485-2222
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80%

 Coastal Bend College

Persons interested in enrolling in the LVN to RN bridge program at Coastal Bend College must hold an unencumbered LVN license through the State of Texas BON or a compact state prior to entry. The course content is delivered in online, face-to-face, and blended formats. Students will complete the lab skills sessions on campus and the clinical experiences at local health care facilities. Graduates will earn an Associate Degree and be eligible to sit for the state boards to become a Registered Nurse. New students are admitted twice per year – in August and May.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Blended

Course titles:

Core courses –  Nurse Aide for Health Care, Clinical Nursing Assistant, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment., Common Concepts of Adult Health, Nursing Skills II, Mental Health Nursing, Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Microbiology for Non Science Majors, Microbiology for Non Science Majors Lab, College Algebra, Transition to Registered Nurse, Transition to Professional Nursing, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Care of Children and Families, Nursing Informatics, Humanities and Fine Arts, Human Growth and Development, Advanced Concepts of Adult Health, Care of Childbearing Family, Clinical- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

Admission criteria:

• Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalency
• Take and pass the TEAS with a score of 70% or higher
• Submit a completed application packet with required transcripts
• Must have a current license to practice as an LVN in Texas

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $1098 per semester for in-district students completing 15 credits. Other costs include technology fee, lab fee, clinical fee, books, background fee, registration fee, uniforms, supplies, physical exam, and immunization.

• Website: http://coastalbend.edu/
• Address: 1411 Bensdale, Pleasanton, TX, 78064
• Phone: 1-866-361-4222