A Comprehensive Guide to LVN-to-BSN Programs in California
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Are you a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) practicing in California who is ready to take the leap and become a registered nurse (RN)?
An LVN-to-BSN program lets you transfer credits from your LVN program so that you can become a BSN-prepared RN in 2-3 years instead of four.
Find out about the top LVN-to-BSN programs in California, the factors to consider when you choose one, and how you can become an RN.
Popular Online Nursing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Accredited LVN-to-BSN Programs in California
LVNs in California can become eligible for an RN license if they graduate from a properly accredited LVN-to-BSN bridge program.
The list below includes all LVN-to-BSN programs in California accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). While many other nursing accreditation bodies exist, the CCNE is the only national organization that has accredited LVN-to-BSN programs in California.
Tuition costs are estimates only and subject to change at any time. Keep in mind that many students receive some form of financial aid to help defray costs. Be sure to check with your school or program for the latest information on costs, financial aid, prerequisites, admission requirements, and more.
Azusa Pacific University
The LVN-to-BSN program is offered at this Christian university’s High Desert, Inland Empire, and Monrovia campuses. The program uses a cohort model, meaning students move through the curriculum with an assigned group of their peers.
- Duration: Two years
- Credits: 72
- Estimated Program Tuition: $60,120
California State University – East Bay
Students in this hybrid online and in-person program take clinical coursework at nearby hospitals or community organizations. Community engagement courses take place in local neighborhoods.
- Duration: 2.5 years
- Estimated Program Tuition:$18,958
California State University – San Marcos
The LVN-to-BSN program at this university includes off-site clinical placements each semester in San Diego and Riverside counties. A new semester kicks off each fall, with the program specially designed for California LVNs who are seeking a first bachelor’s degree as a transfer student.
- Duration: Three years
- Credits: 56
- Estimated Program Tuition: $36,504
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
This Los Angeles campus caters its LVN-to-BSN program to students interested in public health nursing. Program completers are trained to sit for both the NCLEX-RN examination and public health nurse certification following RN licensure. The intensive full-time program trains nurse generalists who can provide holistic care to various populations.
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Credits: 99
- Estimated Program Tuition: $117,600
Loma Linda University
The university website touts its nursing programs as placing “emphasis on student, patient wholeness, and faith-based education.” Students enjoy hands-on learning experience and guaranteed placement at one of seven clinical facilities.
- Duration: 2.5 years
- Credits: 110
- Estimated Program Tuition: $107,766 (includes fees)
National University
The university’s school of health and human services offers online and in-person versions of its LVN-to-BSN program. The university also features year-round enrollments.
- Credits: 180 quarter units
- Estimated Program Tuition: $67,400
Point Loma Nazarene University
Note that the school is not accepting LVN-to-BSN applicants for the 2024-2025 school year.
Located in San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University offers LVNs “a rigorous program that balances a focus on the human and spiritual aspects of nursing” on their way to earning a BSN.
- Duration: Three years
- Credits: 88-89
- Estimated Program Tuition:$135,900
Stanislaus State
Qualified LVNs are admitted to the school’s nursing pre-licensure track in the third semester of the wider program — but only after completing extensive prerequisite coursework. BSN candidates then complete the third, fourth, fifth, and six semesters to obtain their BSN.
- Duration: Two years
- Credits: 30
- Estimated Program Tuition:$12,168
Unitek College
This LVN-to-BSN program offers an advanced placement track for existing vocation nurses. To enter, nurses must have their LVN degree and have already completed all required general education courses. These requirements allow qualified students to skip the first three semesters of a traditional nursing program and earn their BSN in as little as two years.
- Duration: About two years
- Credits: 60
West Coast University
In California, this university’s LVN-to-BSN program is available at the school’s Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County campuses. (It’s also available online.) Students who qualify for the program’s accelerated track can earn their BSN in under three years, and your pre-existing nursing license can earn you nine credits toward your bachelor’s degree.
- Duration: 34 months or more
- Credits: 120
- Estimated Program Tuition:$127,740<
How to Choose an LVN-to-BSN Program in California
When searching for California LVN-to-BSN programs, check to make sure the program has:
- Accreditation and approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
- A high NCLEX-RN exam pass rate
- Flexible scheduling and enrollment options
- Admission requirements you can meet
- Costs you can afford
As a practicing LVN, look at the number of transfer credits the program accepts and the grade requirements. This way, you can decrease the time and money you spend on your program. Many schools require a “B” average or 3.0 GPA in the classes you transfer.
Make sure the NCLEX-RN pass rate and graduation rate are both high. If the graduation rate is high but the pass rate is much lower, this may indicate that the program will not prepare you well to take the all-important NCLEX.
Career Outlook for Nurses in California
According to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023 California paid RNs the highest salary of any U.S. state or territory, with an annual average salary more than $40,000 higher than the national average for all RNs.
Keep in mind, however, that California also has the nation’s third-highest cost of living.
| Location | Total RN Employment | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 322,560 | $137,690 |
| United States | 3,175,390 | $94,480 |
Salary for Nurses in California by Metropolitan Area
California offers nurses the highest salaries, but these metro areas offer higher salaries than the state average.
| Metropolitan Areas | Total RN Employment | Average Annual RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | 40,620 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | 3,960 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 21,420 | $170,780 |
| Napa | 1,690 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade | 21,890 | $154,510 |
How to Become a Registered Nurse in California
To become an RN in California, you’ll complete essentially the same steps as many other aspiring nurses across the country:
- Earn your BSN degree from an approved and accredited program, including LVN-to-BSN programs
- Send your academic transcripts to the California BRN
- Complete an application packet
- Pay the application fee
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Complete a background check
The BRN recommends sending your application packet 6-8 weeks before graduation and taking the NCLEX-RN soon after graduation for better memory retention.
If you complete your accredited LVN-to-BSN program in California, the school sends your transcripts directly to the BRN. Students who earned their degree somewhere other than California must complete extra steps to get their transcripts to the BRN. Your application fee will also cost less if you graduate from an LVN-to-BSN program in California.
Frequently Asked Questions About LVN-to-BSN in California
You’ll likely spend 2-3 years completing your LVN-to-BSN program. How long it takes depends on your number of transfer credits as well as the time and resources you have available to complete the coursework.
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