LVN to RN 30 Unit option in CA??

ED Nurse, RN · Jan 23, 2016

You can't sit for RN licensure without graduating from an ACCREDITED program. You can find a list of these programs on the state BON site.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 23, 2016

I think that all public colleges have to offer the 30 unit LVN-RN program; however most programs discourage people from applying and often say they have no space.

Here's a link to an AN thread about it: https://allnurses.com/lpn-rn-nursing/lvn-rn-30-828497.html

The general consensus seems to be that you need to understand the limitations if you use this option. No Associate Degree or Bachelors Degree in nursing will be able to be obtained if you go this route.

A better route, the one I'm taking, might be the Lvn to RN bridge program.

You jump into the 3rd of a 4 term adn program. A short transition class must be taken 1st. But the total time is less than 12 months. You graduate with an RN / ADN, just like traditional RN students.

I know a nurse practitioner who states he used the 30 unit option to become an RN. I think he attended a private school to continue his education. So, it's possible, I think to be able to move up the career ladder after using the 30 unit option, but I think you'll have fewer choices of schools to attend that will accept the type of education you have if you pursue the 30 unit option.

Another perk of the 30 unit option is the fact that there are fewer prereqs.

Here's a link from a public school discussing the 30 unit option:

LVN to RN 30 Unit Option (Non-Degree)

allnurses Guide · Jan 23, 2016

Hi all!! 4 year veteran LVN in SoCal here. I'm looking to finally get my RN and am looking into the 30 unit option here in L.A. Now, I already know that I can not take this outside California unless I get an actual degreed RN .. but what about getting an RN job here
IN Cali ?? Anyone go through this program ? Anyone KNOW anything about job prospects ?
I am a very independent learner, so I'm not worried there at all -- I just want to complete an RN as soon as possible. I have an email into the Director of Nursing at UCLA, as many of their postings DO NOT state "must be graduate of accredited RN school", but many do.
ANY insight here would be appreciated. My other options are of course the LVN to ADN, or LVN to BSN .. but with my work schedule that may never be possible (or at a snail's pace!). I'm 34, and really wanted to have my RN 4 years ago! C'est la vie! ;-)
Thank you all in advance for deeper insight into this option here in California !

I was doing the "Snail's Pace Option" taking one prerequisite a semester while working nights as an LVN. When it became clear that hospitals were phasing out LVNs I went full time, took a test to skip the first year of the associates program, and then applied to the RN program at my local community college.

When I started the program I went to eight 12 hour nights in a two week pay period. The RN program was easier than LVN school had been because of my experience. I was so tired that I easily slept in my car during a two hour break between classes. But I graduated and passed NCLEX.

Years later I did an RN to BSN program.

Look for a school with Accelerated Fast Track (AFT) program that admits LVNs only. The education is set up to only teach what was not learned in the LVN program. Regardless of the program you will need the required supervised clinical experience. Some are quite time consuming compared to regular college classes. (For example my two unit maternal/child class required two clinical days, six hours of which was at the bedside and 1 1/2 hour for pre and post conference. then we had to do care plans and tuen them in on the 1 1/2 hour classroom day. We also had to read the chapters and pass the written tests. 17 1/2 hours a week, not counting study time, for 2 units.

Here are the accredited programs:

Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs