LVN to RN Programs in California

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