LPN/LVN to RN California almost impossible!!

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Anyone else out there feel like it's almost impossible to get from an LVN to RN in California? I've been trying for 2 years and its about the hardest thing ever. Any thoughts? I'm in San Diego by the way...

Specializes in 4.

It is definitely tough as we are not only competing with other LVN's but also with everyone getting an RN degree. It is ridiculous!!! There are several schools in the Los Angeles area that still have an LVN to ADN-RN program but the availability changes every semester related to budget cuts. From what I am told many LVN's either do not excel on the TEAS exam or can pass the LVN to RN bridge. In my opinion, I don't pay attention to the negativity. I know it will take hard work as I have to work while getting my degree and nothing will hold me back from furthering my education. I am almost done with my pre-req's and you better believe, I will find an LVN to RN program regardless of where I have to go because I am responsible for my success.

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You know what really drives me crazy...its the fact that different schools require their own little prereq that they add in order to apply for that program. You would think that with all the required prereqs...(ap1/2, micro and all the gen. education) would be a universal requirement, but no. To put it into perspective...One school requires a mandatory pharm class just to apply while another requires an IV cert class just to apply and another one requires that you take a transition course BEFORE even applying. That is just ridiculous...California really needs to streamline this nonsense. How they think a person has the time to devote all these extra things in order to just even apply is beyond me. To add to the Irony, they accept 10 applicants a year...smh

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I think the LVN as a whole is a trap...getting into an RN program as an LVN is the hardest and most stressful thing I've had to experience. I agree with you that its ridiculous how many people are getting their RNs. Put it this way...the last school I applied to pushes out 240 RN graduates a year VS 40 LVN to RN graduates a year.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

In my area: the capital region, I applied to 2 community college Lvn-rn programs at the same time I was accepted by one of them. On my first try!

Many of my co workers and former classmates attend the private Lvn to RN program through Carrington.

I'm sorry you're having such difficulties!

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KickRox, I feel ya. I saw your post on another thread about LPN (LVN wherever you are) being a trap and it totally is! I SO wish I would have gone straight to RN because I feel like I'm going to be sitting around for years just waiting for some LPN to RN program to let me in when they'll accept 50 students with no experience at all. And it's not like I have bad grades, I'm pulling a 4.0 right now! It is frustrating and I can totally empathize with you.

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

Hello everyone. I thought I'd chime in while I'm here working a 11p-7a shift in home care and I need to stay awake lol!

I've been an LVN for 11 years now. I graduated with honors in June with an associates in health sciences and liberal arts. A year ago, some of my classmates applied and got accepted into RN programs, I took an extra year to take the bachelor's pre reqs non-stop during the Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and finally Spring semesters. They're either on their third or final semester, while I'm struggling to get in. It's so frustrating! This is my second round of applications to the same schools! Now, I'm going father out to apply just to increase my chances. I can see how these for profit schools prey on desperate people that want to become RNs.

It is ridiculous how one school has a list of requirements while another has theirs. Last year I applied at COC for their bridge. What disqualified me was not having my IV cert. So this time, right after graduation I signed up for a class and when I went to apply, they said no bridge program this year, ugh!!! Oh well, at least I finally have that. I also was told by another school, I have less of chance to be accepted as an LVN since only a handful get in. One school can get 500 applications, 200 would be LVNs applying for 5 spots which can vary every semester. Thats not considering if they've met all requirements of course. Even after this person saw my grades, she told me I should apply generic. It's tough to read on here how some seem to easily get into a school, while some of us aren't as lucky.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Certainly each program is different and has their own curriculum and they can set their prerequisites. In my area, two of the programs are very similar in what they require for generic and LVN-RN upgrade. Two others (one of which is a public university) also have prerequisites that are similar to each other's. The basic difference between the two groups? Those programs require either microbiology or organic chemistry. Their prerequisite courses do change from time to time. Sometimes courses become co-requisites, sometimes courses get dropped altogether only to be reinstated later.

Since each RN program has their own curriculum, they have to figure out a way to get LVNs to be able to enter in an advanced standing status and ensure that they're educationally ready to take the NCLEX and yet be able to provide credit for past learning so that the student is able to graduate with a degree. My own program's upgrade path requires identical prerequisites as the generic students and the upgrade students are accepted into a transition course, if they pass, they'll get a slot, just not necessarily immediately. My class had more than the normal amount of upgrade students. They generally did just fine, all passed the NCLEX, all earned the same degree that I did.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is that LVN upgrade programs generally blend the upgrade LVNs into a generic RN class. This means that seats are limited so it's not surprising to me that there may only be 5 seats for 500 candidates. When faced with those odds, why not apply both as a generic and upgrade student? You could end up waiting a few years before you find an "upgrade" seat whereas you might only wait a couple semesters (or less sometimes) for a "generic" seat.

Just something to consider... Oh, and I waited 8 consecutive semesters (4 years) for a generic seat, and I wasn't an LVN.

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Yea i know what you mean about having 2 applications pending...1) LVN to RN and 2) Generic RN...u know what the funniest kicker is? They don't allow you to have 2 applications pending...*****. I just tried it at National University...I was like HOW IN THE F*%k is that not possible!?!? It just keeps getting better my friends...LOL

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Just keep trying and don't give up. Good things come with time.

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

"Just - keep - swimming, just - keep - swimming🐟🐠....."

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Hello, I realize this is an old post, but I am struggling right now on deciding which course to take to become an RN. I also live in the Sac area.. what are the 2 schools that offer an LVN-rn? Are you talking about Sac State? I wasn't aware of another one, if you wouldn't mind sharing :-)

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Hello, I realize this is an old post, but I am struggling right now on deciding which course to take to become an RN. I also live in the Sac area.. what are the 2 schools that offer an LVN-rn? Are you talking about Sac State? I wasn't aware of another one, if you wouldn't mind sharing :-)

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