Lvn-RN 30 unit option CA

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Hey all I am an Lvn in California starting a bridge program where I have decided to do the 30 unit option and was curious if here was anyone out there doing the same or that had any additional input. By doing this route I'm saving about13k that I can put towards my bachelors and also saving time too

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Just be careful about one thing with your 30 unit option upgrade... it may initially limit your ability to work outside of California. Once you get your BSN, that may change. While all RN programs are required to have this option in California, some may offer a bridge course that results in a degree, typically an ADN type degree. The program I'm attending does a bridge program instead of the 30 unit upgrade. Those LVN's that pass the "bridge" course then get to start the 2nd year of the regular nursing program. Those grads get the same degree as the "regular" program students. It might be worth checking into!

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Just be careful about one thing with your 30 unit option upgrade... it may initially limit your ability to work outside of California. Once you get your BSN that may change. While all RN programs are required to have this option in California, some may offer a bridge course that results in a degree, typically an ADN type degree. The program I'm attending does a bridge program instead of the 30 unit upgrade. Those LVN's that pass the "bridge" course then get to start the 2nd year of the regular nursing program. Those grads get the same degree as the "regular" program students. It might be worth checking into![/quote']

Hi akulahawk! What school do you attend? I'm interested in a Lvn to Rn bridge in California.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Hi akulahawk! What school do you attend? I'm interested in a Lvn to Rn bridge in California.

I attend Sacramento City College. They're not the only program in the Sacramento region that does a career mobility program that results in an ADN being awarded to LVN's that choose this route. That other program is at American River College.

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I attend Sacramento City College. They're not the only program in the Sacramento region that does a career mobility program that results in an ADN being awarded to LVN's that choose this route. That other program is at American River College.

Oh okay. I'm actually in Los Angeles and looking for a program out here. Hope it's going well for you.

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This is just out of curiosity how long is the lvn-rn 30 unit option and what is the job market like toward RN's with 30 unit option? Last, if you where to go the rn-bsn route this way, can you go to a cal state or only university of phoneix?

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What classes do you have to take? Trying to figure out what route to take for my RN.

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What classes do you have to take? Trying to figure out what route to take for my RN.

I have just started looking around online but it seems like most are the same prereqs for a traditional ADN. Are you located in LA or IE?

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Most schools will not admit you into a BSN program if you do the 30 unit option because you have no degree. Tread very carefully before chose this and make sure you have a program to go too. Get it in writing even.

I did a LVN to BSN pilot program and we were able to sit for boards early utilizing the 30 unit option. Not having a degree was a HUGE pain in the butt. It ranks you below the other new grads. And there are TONS of them. I was told by two major hospitals I only got an interview because I was already in a BSN program and only had 3 nursing classes left (nursing theory, community health and nursing research). A few people in my program looked into transferring to finish but could find no one to accept them. Even online.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
This is just out of curiosity how long is the lvn-rn 30 unit option and what is the job market like toward RN's with 30 unit option? Last, if you where to go the rn-bsn route this way, can you go to a cal state or only university of phoneix?

The 30-unit option usually lasts right about 2 semesters + a short transition course. One of the "problems" with getting an initial RN license by way of the 30-unit option, your license will always be noted as being a 30-unit nurse, regardless of the education you later pursue because you initially earned your license through the 30-unit option, not a degree option.

I have heard that the 30 unit RN has an even tougher time getting jobs than an ADN precisely because of the lack of a degree.

I hold an ADN. I would have chosen an ABSN or a traditional BSN route if those options were open to me. I will pursue a BSN once I can afford it, but that'll be a 2nd Bachelors so my educational program will be somewhat shorter than others may have.

The common theme here is that we're all pretty much telling you to be very careful about selecting a program that does not result in a degree. Standard 30-unit programs don't do that. You will unnecessarily restrict your options, even though you'll be licensed as an RN and pass the same NCLEX as the rest of us.

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Which LVN to BSN program let you sit for boards early? Thanks!

Most schools will not admit you into a BSN program if you do the 30 unit option because you have no degree. Tread very carefully before chose this and make sure you have a program to go too. Get it in writing even.

I did a LVN to BSN pilot program and we were able to sit for boards early utilizing the 30 unit option. Not having a degree was a HUGE pain in the butt. It ranks you below the other new grads. And there are TONS of them. I was told by two major hospitals I only got an interview because I was already in a BSN program and only had 3 nursing classes left (nursing theory, community health and nursing research). A few people in my program looked into transferring to finish but could find no one to accept them. Even online.

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Thread bump, so I'm also considering going for my RN after I come back from the Philippines to handle some family matters. The LVN-RN 30Unit doesn't mean you earn at least an Associates? I have such a hectic schedule and am considering doing that or just sacrificing the time for an online course. The headache of it is the fact that I am from Southern California, and the BRN is very strict on accreditation. My only realistic option is to ask an advisor from Kaplan(where I Grad my VN) or ask someone from National Univ about my options pursuing and RN degree from the LVN standpoint. The market for nursing is very competitive that the minimum is a BSN, and I would love to have the highest of opportunities upon completion. Where I work currently accepts ASN RNs, if I went that route I would definitely have my spot reseved(considering I pass dreadful NCLEX). But anyway just to reiterate, 30units does not mean ASN, correct?? Thanks in advance, and happy nursing.

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