30 Unit RN option

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Specializes in Wound Care.

In California we have a 30 unit RN option that will allow you to practice as a RN in the state of California only. My question is, if I decided to later go on to complete my BSN will I still be limited to Califonria or would my license open up. What if I just did the 30 unit option and later decided to go back and take the other classes that would have made me a "full" RN. Does anyone know?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It is a LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) program that offers extra course work that will allow you to test for the NCLEX in California but that license is only recognized in California. The courses apply towards your ADN/BSN if you so choose to continue your education...but only in California.

If you continue on in school obtaining your ADN or BSN you will then be able to apply for license by endorsement in other states.

LVN 30 Unit Option - Designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become registered nurses. Takes approximately 18-24 months. No degree is granted upon completion. Most other states do not recognize California's LVN 30 Unit Option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs. Some LVNs prefer to complete an ADN program in order to obtain a degree and to have the flexibility to get an RN license in other states. Most ADN programs will give LVNs credit for some of the coursework they completed to become an LVN.
These programs are 18-24 months long (from a Google search) A typical ADN program is 24-36 months long.

Board of Registered Nursing - Steps to Become a CA RN

The job market stinks right now. There is no nursing shortage. Studies have shown that 47% of nursing graduates are unemployed or under employed.....even those with a conventional BSN.

I wish you the best on your nursing journey.christmasball.png

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Specializes in Wound Care.

thank you!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Some ADN programs offer a pathway to LVN that is similar to the 30 unit option, but you take a transition course, the passage of which essentially gets you credit for prior learning, and says that you've completed your 1st year of an ADN program. You're then "rolled" into the 2nd year and when you complete the program, you've earned a degree. At the college I attend, the LVN program is 3 semesters long, the RN program is 4 semesters long, so if you went LVN and then did their upgrade program, you actually spend 5 semesters in some kind of nursing program + time spend actually working as an LVN prior to entry to the RN program. If you're an LVN and you wish to upgrade, make certain what kind of program your LVN->RN upgrade program is. The "30 unit option" will result in portability issues until you achieve a degree in Nursing. An upgrade path that results in a degree will not have any portability problems.

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