Searching for a LVN to BSN program. Any recommedations?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2013

Hi, there. I'm originally from southern CA, but moved out of state several years ago because I could see the writing on the wall regarding the nursing job market there.

Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Texas) offers an LVN-to-BSN program.

University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma) offers an LPN-to-BSN program.

Prairie View A&M Univ. and the Univ. of Texas at Tyler both offer LVN-to-BSN programs.

Indiana State University offers an LPN-to-BSN program.

In addition, other states tend to have more robust LPN/LVN job markets, so you can work full time as an LVN while earning your degree if you relocate.

I know you did not request information on LPN-to-ASN/RN programs, but Murray State College (Oklahoma) offers an LPN-to-RN program with only one prerequisite: earn a 'C' grade or higher in chemistry.

All of the aforementioned schools are state schools, so after one year of residence you'll be entitled to cheaper in-state tuition rates.

dannyi2yu · Jun 10, 2013

wow thank you so much for all the information TheCommuter!! Really appreciate it!

like what you stated above, I would really like to work and go to school at the same time...I have literally applied to 50+ places and have gotten 4 interviews. Not bad but no call backs..

Did you by any chance attend a lvn-bsn bridge program?

what is your current status (job,school) if you dont mind me asking

I am talking to holy names univ, azusa, and westcoast right now as we speak and I am just hoping i could either work or start school soon. I feel so useless being stuck at home and not being able to provide for my parents.

Are the states schools hard to get into? do they have pre-reqs? I attended Concorde career college and dont think any of the classes have transferable units...which really sucks.

If so, can i, should i take the classes at those schools? community colleges?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2013

Did you by any chance attend a lvn-bsn bridge program?
what is your current status (job,school) if you dont mind me asking

I completed the LVN program at Casa Loma College in Van Nuys, CA, in October 2005. I relocated out of state six weeks after graduation and have been continuously employed since receiving my LVN license several years ago. While the credits here were not transferable due to it being a trade school, my LVN license did transfer and I was granted en bloc credit for it.

I completed the LPN-to-RN/ASN bridge program at a trade school in Oklahoma City in 2010. I worked full time as an LVN in a nursing home while completing this program. I have been continuously employed as an RN for the past three years.

I would avoid staggeringly expensive schools such as West Coast University like the plague. You do not want $100k, $75k, or even $50k in student loan debt for the next 10+ years.

I recommend taking your prerequisite courses at local community colleges, but the CC system in CA is so impacted that you will have trouble getting into the classes you need. I took all my prerequisite classes out of state.

dannyi2yu · Jun 11, 2013

gotcha! SO..now the question is en bloc credit is another way of saying units? (college credit)

And you are currently located in OKC and working as an RN there....?

So with your great wisdom, can you guide me towards that direction? I am definitely open to going out of state for school/work.

I just want to be given that opportunity. The only tough thing about this is that, I cant so easily fly to different states for an interview.... working as a LVN, then going to school part time sounds like a really great idea. + I dont want to be paying so much for tuition as you mentioned. I already have like $20k+loan going to school for LVN.

How were you able to get a job from a different state so quickly?

where did you take your pre-reqs to get into a bridge program?

like you mentioned getting a class at a CC is tough and I dont feel like waiting...so my only option right now are private schools..

talked to

National Univ. - 3 and a 1/2 years for $51k (taking pre-reqs at their school)

Azusa Pacific - requires pre reqs, 2 years, not sure about cost, and starts when they have a full class.

Holy Names Univ. - require pre reqs, around $60-70k, 2 and a 1/2 years

Westcoast - You already know of the cost, 3 and a 1/2 years

State Recommendation?

Company/Job Recommendation?

Community College for pre reqs Recommendation?

Calipsychnurse · Jun 16, 2013

This is good info. What do you know about Los Angeles County Nursing School or Saint Mary's in L.A.?

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 17, 2013

I am also from California but moved to Wisconsin to go to nursing school. It might be faster to do LPN to RN then do RN to BSN. I did it in 21 months and didn't have a single college credit to my name when I started. 9 months for LPN (LVN) to RN and another year for online RN to BSN.

dannyi2yu · Jun 17, 2013

hey PMFB-RN! So that was an option i did not look into. From the start i thought it was the fastest and best to go from LVN to BSN. but 21 months really?

How much was the lvn to rn bridge? and what online course did you take for the bsn + price?

i will definitely look into that.

Hope to talk to you more often! The assistance would really help!

and Thank you!!!!!!

-Danny

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 18, 2013

hey PMFB-RN! So that was an option i did not look into. From the start i thought it was the fastest and best to go from LVN to BSN. but 21 months really?

*** Yes it was 21 months. HOWEVER I had several years betweem becomeing and RN and earning a BSN. There is no reason I could not have done it in 21 strait months exept that no way was I going to pay for the BSN. I waited until I worked for a hospital that would pay for it.

How much was the lvn to rn bridge?

*** Cost me $2600 at a public technical college in Wisconsin. I moved to Wisconsin specificaly to do the 9 month LVN (LPN) to RN bridge. It was by a very long shot the best deal out there for me. WI has 16 technical colleges. All have NLN accredited ADN RN programs and as far as I know all do LPN to RN. I chose the smallest, most rual school cause there was no waiting list. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

and what online course did you take for the bsn + price?
i will definitely look into that.

*** I didn't look for the best deal since it wasn't my dime. However the best deal outhere is WGU RN to BSN. Just google WGU and search here on AN about it. many, many discussions here. Cost (last I hear) $3200 flat fee per 6 month semester and you can do as many classes as you want / can handel in that 6 months. Lots of people manager to do it in 6 months (means you could do the LVN to BSN in 16-17 months in you buckle down). One year would be a breeze.

Hope to talk to you more often! The assistance would really help!
and Thank you!!!!!!

*** Any time. One other option to consider. Do the 9 month LVN to RN in Wisconsin then do a 24 month RN to MSN program, like the one at University of Arizona. it's 44 credits from ADN to MSN. No BSN or other bachelors degree required or earned along the way. You could then do LPN to MSN RN in less than 3 years.

dannyi2yu · Jun 18, 2013

*** Yes it was 21 months. HOWEVER I had several years betweem becomeing and RN and earning a BSN. There is no reason I could not have done it in 21 strait months exept that no way was I going to pay for the BSN. I waited until I worked for a hospital that would pay for it.

Yeah I would of done the same. I already have a LVN loan to take care of so any help would be great.

*** Cost me $2600 at a public technical college in Wisconsin. I moved to Wisconsin specificaly to do the 9 month LVN (LPN) to RN bridge. It was by a very long shot the best deal out there for me. WI has 16 technical colleges. All have NLN accredited ADN RN programs and as far as I know all do LPN to RN. I chose the smallest, most rual school cause there was no waiting list. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College.

$2600 sounds so much better then $100k.... So from what i heard, a lot of hospitals require a BSN now and not a ADN. Any input on that? Because i would love to be able to work as a ADN then have a hospital pay for my BSN. (your type of route)

And I know you went to wisconsin from california but how did you take care of housing, transportation,etc?

do they have dorms? I'm wondering how i can move, adjust, and deal with school when I'm out there.

Is the RN ADN valid in california? I just want to be 100% before i commit to any programs. I don't mind working and living out of state but I think i would eventually want to come back to California.

*** I didn't look for the best deal since it wasn't my dime. However the best deal outhere is WGU RN to BSN. Just google WGU and search here on AN about it. many, many discussions here. Cost (last I hear) $3200 flat fee per 6 month semester and you can do as many classes as you want / can handel in that 6 months. Lots of people manager to do it in 6 months (means you could do the LVN to BSN in 16-17 months in you buckle down). One year would be a breeze.

Man that would be awesome...I really hope I can finish within that time frame..

*** Any time. One other option to consider. Do the 9 month LVN to RN in Wisconsin then do a 24 month RN to MSN program, like the one at University of Arizona. it's 44 credits from ADN to MSN. No BSN or other bachelors degree required or earned along the way. You could then do LPN to MSN RN in less than 3 years.

I will definitely look into that. First I want to get my BSN in nursing and possibly consider going in to a PT program after that. If not, the ADN TO MSN sounds like it would be the best bet.

I have absolutely no experience yet....and I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous. Is the school in Wisconsin easy to adjust to?

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

is this southwest Wisconsin tech college WASC and BRN accredited?

i'm interested in learning more about the lvn-asn program

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 30, 2014

is this southwest Wisconsin tech college WASC and BRN accredited?
i'm interested in learning more about the lvn-asn program

I don't know what WASC or BRN (Board of Registered Nurses?) is. Wisconsin doesn't have a Board of Registered Nurses. They call it something else, just board of nursing and they concern themselves with all nurses, not just RNs.

SWTC is both regionaly accredited and NLN accredited and is a public, state supported college. I had no trouble getting a California license (well it did take 3 trys before they would accept my finger prints).