LPN to RN in California

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 3, 2016

The prerequisites are not too bad. They'll be the same as any RN program. I would, however, highly advise you NOT to pursue a "30 unit option" program because those programs do NOT result in a degree and therefore aren't worth much outside California. As far as I know, if a school has an RN program, they're supposed to offer a path from LVN/LPN to RN. Look for programs that will result in a degree. As an example, my school, Sacramento City College offers both a 30 unit and a Career Mobility option for the LPN/LVN. What's the difference? The Career Mobility program has identical prerequisite requirements as their Traditional RN program and the graduates are awarded the same degree as I received upon program completion. Their 30-Unit option program does NOT have the same prerequisites (far fewer) and does NOT result in a degree and your License will be specifically and forever noted that you're a 30-Unit Option nurse regardless of degree earned later. In short, while you complete a 30-unit program, you do not graduate from it and that's a HUGE distinction. Both programs will result in you being eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

My advice is actually pretty simple. Take all the RN prerequisites and apply ONLY to Traditional and LVN->RN programs that will result in a degree. Avoid "30-unit option" programs as they'll limit you. Most of us only get to apply to programs only one way... you'll have two ways and they shouldn't be mutually exclusive. You may end up with a shorter path (time-wise) to RN than if you apply only to an LVN-RN degree program.

Oh, and don't just limit yourself to ADN programs. BSN programs may also be a possibility depending upon your previous coursework, but expect that the BSN program will be "traditional only" and that the University may only offer the horrible "30-unit" upgrade path that doesn't result in a degree.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2016

My advice would be to complete the LPN-to-RN transition in a state other than California, then accrue one to three years of RN experience before relocating.

California's schools are ultra-competitive for admission. In addition, the LVN job market in CA is one of the worst in the entire country. Buyer beware.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 3, 2016

My advice would be to complete the LPN-to-RN transition in a state other than California, then accrue one to three years of RN experience before relocating.
California's schools are ultra-competitive for admission. In addition, the LVN job market in CA is one of the worst in the entire country. Buyer beware.

Excellent advice! The one thing I would add is that if this advice is followed, the program has to one that meets California's requirements for initial licensure. One big component is this little thing called "concurrency" where the subject you do in class is the same subject you do in clinical, for instance if you're doing Peds in class, you must do Peds in clinical in the SAME Semester/Quarter. California is very strict about this and this is generally where non-California nurses have problems. Nurses from the Philippines are the most visible of the bunch, but there are nurses in the US that have the same problem.

Read the threads about the problems that grads from the Philippines have and you'll be more aware about what you'll need to look for to avoid having the same problems many of them have.