Because so many Licensed Vocational Nurses eventually want to become Registered Nurses, LVN to RN programs in California are extremely popular. Usually referred to as bridge programs, these courses are designed to help LVNs pass the NCLEX-RN examination that is required in order to become a Registered Nurse. Coursework focuses on the theories and clinical aspects of RN work, and can be taken through any approved online or on-campus program. Many vocational nurses immediately begin an RN bridge program soon after finishing whichever of the LVN programs they’ve recently completed.
Why Become an RN?
Registered Nurses not only earn a lot more than LVNs, but they also have more employment opportunities and options for career advancement. Pay for Registered Nurses in nearly 60% higher than the average LVN salary. RNs also enjoy greater flexibility in both their job environment and work schedules than do LVNs. With additional schooling, they even have the opportunity to advance into BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) and PhD-level positions in the medical field.
What are the Requirements for LVN to RN Programs in California?
In order to be admitted to an LVN to RN bridge program, applicants are required to already be a Licensed Vocational Nurse, to have a high school diploma or GED, and to have recorded a 2.0 GPA or better on all of their post-secondary coursework (i.e. any courses taken at one of the accredited LVN programs in California). Some programs also require students to have completed certain classes (e.g. anatomy, physiology, etc.) in the last five years, or get a “recency waiver” excluding them from this requirement based on their relevant work experience.
Directory of LVN to RN Programs in California
There are a total of 73 accredited LVN to RN programs in California. This directory lists them in alphabetical order.
Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria, CA)
LPN to ADN
Program Name: LVN-to-RN program
American River College (Sacramento, CA)
Program: LVN-to-RN Career Mobility
Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA)
Program: LVN to BSN and LVN to RN (30-unit option)
Bakersfield College (Bakersfield, CA)
Program: Nursing Transition (LVN to ADN) Program
Biola University (La Mirada, CA)
Program: transfer-challenge (LVN to RN) program
CCNE accredited
Butte College (Oroville, CA)
Program: Licensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree Registered Nurse (LVN-RN), LVN to RN
Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA)
Program: Associate Degree Nursing Program Advanced Placement
California State University-Fresno (Fresno, CA)
Program: Advanced Placement – BSN
CCNE accredited
California State University-Long Beach (Long Beach, CA)
Program: LVN to RN, BSN
CCNE accredited
California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
California State University-San Bernardino (San Bernardino, CA)
Program: LVN to BSN
CCNE accredited
California State University-San Marcos (San Marcos, CA)
Program: LVN to BSN Program
CCNE accredited
California State University-Stanislaus (Turlock, CA)
Program: LVN to BSN Program
CCNE accredited
Carrington College (Antioch, CA / Citrus Heights, CA / Emeryville, CA / Pleasant Hill, CA / Sacramento, CA / San Jose, CA / San Leandro, CA / Stockton, CA)
Program: LVN to RN (ADN)
Cerritos College (Norwalk, CA)
Program: LVN-ADN MOBILITY PROGRAM
NLNAC accredited
Chabot College (Hayward, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Program: VN to RN
CCNE accredited
Citrus College (Glendora, CA)
Program: LVN to RN transition course
City College of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)
Program: Advanced Placement for LVN’s
College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Associate Degree Program
NLNAC accredited
College of the Desert (Palm Desert, CA)
Program: LVN-RN (Transition Option)
NLNAC accredited
College of the Redwoods (Eureka, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
College of the Sequoias (Visalia, CA)
Program: LVN RN Bridge Program
College of the Siskiyous (Weed, CA)
Program: LVN-RN Step-Up Program
Contra Costa College (San Pablo, CA)
Program: Associate Degree Nursing Program Advanced Placement for LVNs/LPNs
Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Program: 30 Unit Option for LVNs
Cypress College (Cypress, CA)
Program: LVN/PT to RN Career Mobility Program
NLNAC accredited
De Anza College (Cupertino, CA)
Program: LVN Transition to Registered Nursing (Associate of Science Degree)
Dominican University of California (San Rafael, CA)
Program: LVN to RN
East Los Angeles College (Monterey Park, CA)
Program: Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse
El Camino Community College (Torrance, CA)
Program: LVN/LPN ADVANCED STANDING
NLNAC accredited
Evergreen Valley College (San Jose, CA)
Program: LVN Advanced Placement
NLNAC accredited
Fresno City College (Fresno, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Articulation Program
Gavilan College (Gilroy, CA)
Program: Advanced Standing – Registered Nurse Program
Golden West College (Huntington Beach, CA)
Program: Career Ladder Program LVN – ADN
NLNAC accredited
Imperial Valley College (Imperial, CA)
Program: Advanced Placement (LVN to RN)
Loma Linda University (Loma Linda, CA)
Program: LVN to BS Track
CCNE accredited
Long Beach City College (Long Beach, CA)
Program: LVN to RN ladder program
NLNAC accredited
Los Angeles City College (Los Angeles, CA)
Program: Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program LVN Transition/Bridge course
Los Medanos College (Pittsburg, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
Mendocino College (Ukiah, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Bridge Program
Merced College (Merced, CA)
Program: LVN to RN (ADN)
Merritt College (Oakland, CA)
Program: LVN to RN
MiraCosta College (Oceanside, CA)
Program: LVN-RN Career Ladder Nursing Program
Mission College (Santa Clara, CA)
Program: LVN to RN
Mount Saint Mary’s College (Los Angeles, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Mobility Option
Mount San Jacinto College (Menifee, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Transition Program
National University (La Jolla, CA / San Diego, CA)
Program: Licensed Vocational Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (L.V.N. – to – B.S.N.)
CCNE accredited
Pacific Union College (Angwin, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
NLNAC accredited
Palomar College (San Marcos, CA)
Program: LVN-RN step up program
NLNAC accredited
Pierce College (Woodland Hills, CA)
Program: LVN-to-RN
NLNAC accredited
Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, CA)
Program: LVN Advanced Placement Program
CCNE accredited
Rio Hondo College (Whittier, CA)
Program: LVN – ADN PROGRAM
Riverside Community College (Riverside, CA)
Program: ADN (RN) ADVANCED PLACEMENT OPTION
NLNAC accredited
Sacramento City College (Sacramento, CA)
Program Name: LVN to RN Career Mobility Program
Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Program
NLNAC accredited
San Bernardino Valley College (San Bernardino, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Degree Program
NLNAC accredited
San Diego City College (San Diego, CA)
Program: LVN-RN
NLNAC accredited
San Joaquin Valley College (Bakersfield, CA / Cucamonga, CA / Modesto, CA / Rancho Cordova, CA / Visalia, CA)
Program: LVN to RN A. S. Degree Program
San Jose State University (San Jose, CA)
Program: LVN Advanced Placement
CCNE accredited
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana, CA)
Program: LVN to RN (Advanced Placement)
NLNAC accredited
Santa Monica College (Santa Monica, CA)
Program: LVN to ADN
NLNAC accredited
Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa, CA)
Program: Vocational Nursing to Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Shasta College (Redding, CA)
Program: LVN-RN Associate Degree Nursing Program
Sierra College (Rocklin, CA)
Program: Career Mobility LVN to RN Option
Solano Community College (Suisun City, CA)
Program: Career Mobility Program
Southwestern College (San Diego, CA)
Program: LVN to ADN
NLNAC accredited
Unitek College (Fremont, CA)
Program: LVN to Registered Nursing (LVN to RN)
University of Phoenix (Multiple Locations)
Program: LPN or LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Ventura College (Ventura, CA)
Program: 30-unit Option for LVN and LPN Entrants
Victor Valley College (Victorville, CA)
Program: LVN to RN transition college
West Hills Community College District (Lemoore, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Bridge Program
Yuba Community College District (Marysville, CA)
Program: LVN to RN Step-Up Nursing Program