RN 30 unit option

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hello,

I am currently an LVN in California and have been planning to go back to get my RN. I have been curious about the RN 30 unit option. I understand that you would only be able to use your license in California and it would be on your license online but from what I understand is you can still get your AA or bachelors. So why is it so bad? Also I am curious if anyone has taken this course towards their RN and if they had regretted it or if they are working already with the 30 unit.

Specializes in ER, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Once I took the NCLEX-RN, I was licensed as an RN, not an LVN anymore.  Once I had RN licensure, I simply transferred my license.  A lot of what is posted is to scare you.  Schools want to make money- they don’t want you to get an inexpensive way out.  Call any board of nursing and say “I have an active, unencumbered RN license in California, can I transfer my license to your state?”  The answer is always “yes.”  Don’t believe everything you read..... 

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Specializes in ER, ICU, PICU, NICU.

My program was about 7 months (2 semesters, part time) and I took the NCLEX-RN via the 30 unit option.  My LVN education was 18 months, M-F, 8-18 with no absences allowed.  Even as an LVN I worked in ER and PICU.

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Specializes in oncology.

So both programs together equaled the same time as an LVN + LVN to RN program.

Wow, I looked up the curriculums at several schools and there are a lot of similarities to the LVN to RN ADN programs. 

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
1 hour ago, nursedt said:

Once I took the NCLEX-RN, I was licensed as an RN, not an LVN anymore.  Once I had RN licensure, I simply transferred my license.  A lot of what is posted is to scare you.  Schools want to make money- they don’t want you to get an inexpensive way out.  Call any board of nursing and say “I have an active, unencumbered RN license in California, can I transfer my license to your state?”  The answer is always “yes.”  Don’t believe everything you read..... 

So you are saying one should not believe what the state board of nursing in California says and do the 30 credit option? Your word is better than that of all colleges I looked at in California as well as the state board themselves? My advice to anyone considering this option is to sit down with your advising office and figure out if this is the best option for you and your circumstances. What one person got away with doesn’t mean you will.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
33 minutes ago, londonflo said:

So both programs together equaled the same time as an LVN + LVN to RN program.

Wow, I looked up the curriculums at several schools and there are a lot of similarities to the LVN to RN ADN programs. 

If you are truly interested I’d do more research. The 30 unit is not the same as a regular bridge program. In normal bridge programs it’s 60 credits. This one is 30. When you take your NCLEX-RN you will be registered as a nurse but your license will signify you earned it by way of the 30 credit option. A lot of states will not endorse that. 

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Specializes in oncology.
1 hour ago, callinshotz said:

The 30 unit is not the same as a regular bridge program. In normal bridge programs it’s 60 credits.

I was looking at the similarities. An ADN program is indeed 60 credits minimum. Some 30 of those credits may be the general education and co-requisites of an ADN degree. It is amazing and at the same time sad we have such a multitude of ways to become an RN in this country which makes it very difficult for the public to understand. Such differences as a 30 unit program and the idea that even though the RN passes the NCLEX does not give them the same mobility as other RNs who graduate from formal educational programs. This situation is somewhat similar to the RN graduates from diploma school but not entirely. 

 

1 hour ago, callinshotz said:

My advice to anyone considering this option is to sit down with your advising office and figure out if this is the best option for you and your circumstances.

This is good advice for anyone looking at any kind of educational course. Time and money can be wisely spent or poorly spent depending on one's life goals in any educational program.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, transplant, management.

The 30 unit option is definitely lesser credits and a shorter time to obtain RN licensure than an LVN to ADN program.  Before I ever became an LVN, I had earned a Bachelors in epidemiology and biostatistics and a Masters in Public Health, so I am not 100% sure the “prerequisite” coursework difference, because I’m sure I already had them and more.  The clinical requirements were just quick refreshers of the LVN program with a nursing leadership course added on top of the curriculum.  Once I passed the RN NCLEX, I had no issues transferring my 30 unit RN license to 8 states.  I just paid the associated fees and sometimes fingerprinted, etc.  One of my friends is a 30 unit RN licensed in all 50 states and does some work from home stuff (I think medical claim adjuster type work).  

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On 11/22/2020 at 4:40 PM, nursedt said:

I am a 30 unit RN, I have licenses in FL, AL, OR, AZ, CA, WA, IL and NY.  I have never had issues transferring my license.  My specialties are mainly ER and ICU (PICU/NICU).  Once you pass your NCLEX, you will have an RN license like any other RN.  I am currently the clinical nurse manager and educator of a PICU and NICU in Seattle, WA.  Don´t let these misleading posts put you against the 30 unit option if you are an LVN/LPN seeking RN licensure.  

Hi,
 

May I clarify that you were an LVN earlier, and did the 30-unit to get your RN first.

From there you went on and do an online BSN and was able to get license from other states?

If you don't mind, may I ask where did you do the 30-unit option and where did you do the BSN? These details will help me and probably a lot more people looking into this option.

Thank you.

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The 30 unit option is explained on the CA BRN website.

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38 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

The 30 unit option is explained on the CA BRN website.

Thanks, it is explained on the CA BRN and also on all the school that offers the option in California. All of them is saying once cannot change which option one get the initial license and it will be hard to get license from other state by endorcement/reciprocal or go on with more education.

A few people here offers personal experience saying it is possible though.

So I would like to learn if anyone has done that, then went back to get the BSN and/or higher degree.

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On 11/24/2020 at 12:24 AM, nursedt said:

I was originally licensed in California; that is where I took the NCLEX as I attended a 30 unit option and was living at the time.  When I later applied for other states, I simply applied for reciprocity in the other states as I had already passed the NCLEX.  Was not a big deal like everyone seems to make it...

Hi!Which 30 unit program did you attend?Did you eventually go to school for your ADN?Thanks. 

 

 

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
On 11/24/2020 at 12:09 PM, daniam25 said:

The 30 unit option is definitely lesser credits and a shorter time to obtain RN licensure than an LVN to ADN program.  Before I ever became an LVN, I had earned a Bachelors in epidemiology and biostatistics and a Masters in Public Health, so I am not 100% sure the “prerequisite” coursework difference, because I’m sure I already had them and more.  The clinical requirements were just quick refreshers of the LVN program with a nursing leadership course added on top of the curriculum.  Once I passed the RN NCLEX, I had no issues transferring my 30 unit RN license to 8 states.  I just paid the associated fees and sometimes fingerprinted, etc.  One of my friends is a 30 unit RN licensed in all 50 states and does some work from home stuff (I think medical claim adjuster type work).  

I am new to this site and was trying to find information on the 30 unit option . Can you travel as a nurse with this licensure in California or any other state . and do they ask for your degree ? Do you say you are a diploma nurse ? 

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