LVN-RN 30-unit-option

elkpark · Aug 22, 2015

AFAIK, that's not a problem for diploma grads. I am a diploma grad, and have gotten licensed in three other states (other than the state in which I trained and was originally licensed) so far over my career without any difficulties or questions.

The "30-unit option," however, is unique to California and people who are initially licensed in CA on that basis are unable to be licensed in other states because the program doesn't meet the minimum educational requirements of any other US state.

johnybhoi24 · Aug 22, 2015

Thank you so much Elkpark!

Does it says in your California license that you're a Diploma RN or not?

Coz I'm about to finish my program but I want to apply for a license now using 30-unit-option. The director of our program is discouraging me coz according to her there will be a note online as well as on my license card that I'm a non-degree nurse.

I don't know if I should believe

elkpark · Aug 22, 2015

I've never been licensed in CA and have no personal experience with the "30-unit option" other than to be aware that it exists. I know that there are a bunch of older threads here that discuss it -- you could use the "search" feature of the site to find them.

The 30-unit option is not the same as a "diploma." "Diploma" grads are graduates of hospital-based diploma schools. That is an entirely different thing than what you're talking about. Since "diploma graduates" are graduates of recognized programs, they have no difficulty getting licensed in other states. The CA "30-unit option" is unique to CA and, because people who get licensed via that route are not graduates of any recognized, legitimate nursing program, they are not eligible for licensure in any other state. However, people with "30-unit option" licensure can work in other states in Federal facilities (military, VA, Federal health clinics) because you can work for the Federal government with a license from any US state, not necessarily the state in which the facility is located.

I'm curious about why you wouldn't believe your program director about this. Wouldn't she know better than either you or me how nursing licensure in CA works?

I'm sure you would get better info from searching for the older threads here on this topic. Best wishes!

johnybhoi24 · Aug 23, 2015

Oh i see! Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that diploma RN is the 30-unit-option RN.

My director is not 100% sure about it too. She told to ask someone from the BRN but that person is taking a long time to reply.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Aug 23, 2015

Oh i see! Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that diploma RN is the 30-unit-option RN.
My director is not 100% sure about it too. She told to ask someone from the BRN but that person is taking a long time to reply.

Diploma is not the 30-unit option. And last I saw your license will be flagged even if you subsequently graduate from a nursing program. (Only your entry to practice counts) Some employers must only hire graduates of nursing program and having a license flagged as a 30-unit option will re

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2015

I was under the impression that diploma RN is the 30-unit-option RN.

No, they're two different scenarios altogether. A diploma RN is a graduate because (s)he actually graduated from a nursing program and was conferred a nursing diploma upon graduation.

On the other hand, a 30-unit option RN is considered a nongraduate for all intents and purposes.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 24, 2015

No, they're two different scenarios altogether. A diploma RN is a graduate because (s)he actually graduated from a nursing program and was conferred a nursing diploma upon graduation.
On the other hand, a 30-unit option RN is considered a nongraduate for all intents and purposes.

I cannot stress what I just bolded enough! TheCommuter is giving much good info...

The only thing that the 30-unit option gets you is the authorization to take the NCLEX-RN. You'd be licensed as an RN if you pass. You wouldn't be considered a graduate of a program because you haven't graduated per se... you simply completed a program and hold no diploma or degree. That's the major problem with attending a 30-unit program that's designated as a 30-unit program.

The school I attended did have that option, however they usually pushed people into their LVN->RN Career Mobility program. This was also a 30-unit course, however, the main difference is that all Traditional RN program prerequisites must be completed prior to entry to the program (this is how they get around the unit limitation) as well as all other GE for an Associates Degree. When the LVN completes that entire educational path, they're given credit for prior learning (LVN school) and they earn an Associates Degree in Nursing. The CA BRN recognizes these graduates as any other ADN graduate. Several of my classmates were Career Mobility students and their license is just as valid as mine and some are working out of state as an RN.

If my options were to attend a Traditional RN program or go 30-unit RN, I'd do the Traditional route because of the significant restrictions that exist for a 30-unit RN. On those employment applications, they do ask if you're a graduate of an accredited program. Since you haven't graduated, you must answer "no".