30-Unit Nursing Program

caliotter3 · Aug 20, 2017

You have to find a program that will accommodate your plan. The problem is that most, if not all, programs that offer this, do so on a space available basis. And space is never available. This was discussed in my program 27 years ago and little has changed. Don't be surprised if you can't find a way to make this work.

JulesEvangelista · Aug 20, 2017

Ahh, I see. Thank you for that information!

caliotter3 · Aug 20, 2017

You should still go through the trouble of researching this with schools.

JulesEvangelista · Aug 20, 2017

I plan on contacting CSU next week. However, I think the space issue you mentioned may be a really big issue that I initially overlooked. Therefore, it's probably in my best interest to go through the traditional ADN process. I have a lot to think about. Thanks again!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 20, 2017

One other aspect of the 30-unit LVN-RN course is that when you've completed the course, you will not be a graduate of an RN program. You will not hold a nursing degree for RN. All you will get is basically a course completion certificate that allows you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Because of this, your RN license will be basically forever marked as a "30 unit option" license, even if you eventually go on to earn your BSN because of how you initially earned your license. This also means you stand a very good chance of NOT being able to endorse your license over to other states and work in those other states.

Also, some employers require that their employees be at least graduates of a nursing program. A course completion certificate simply states you've completed the course, not that you have graduated. I suspect given that ADN grads have a difficult time getting jobs in California (my first job was 2 hours away), you likely would face a much more difficult time landing a job.

I have seen LVN-RN transition course where the student is a graduate of the program, has earned the degree, and has all rights and privileges of any other RN program graduate. About a third of my cohort did this and they all got jobs reasonably quickly. They can also all move to a different state and can be licensed there too. Furthermore if they choose to go on to earning their BSN, they can easily do so and some have already.

Lastly, if all your lower division GE is done (and it likely is if you've earned an associates degree (not an applied associates degree) and you have all your nursing prerequisites completed, you could enter a BSN program and it'll be basically a 2 year program for you, maybe a 2.5 year program.

Doing a traditional course will afford you the easiest method of entry as you wouldn't be slotted in on a "space available" basis. An LVN doing a traditional program from the start should quickly master the clinical stuff, leaving you plenty of time to focus on the academics (some review stuff, some new stuff) and you would stand an excellent chance of being a very good student that earns high grades and has a relatively easy time in clinicals.

Just some stuff to consider!

JulesEvangelista · Aug 23, 2017

Thank you so much for the lengthy and informative reply! The last few days I have been doing some much needed reconsideration and have decided to not do the 30-unit option. Instead, I have enrolled in the science pre-requisites and they will be completed in the Spring. I want to have the option of earning an advanced degree in the future and don't want "30 unit option" forever stamped on my license. Thank you both for your honest replies. You likely saved me from a very big mistake, and for that I am very grateful. :)