LVN to RN Online Programs in CA: Finding Top Schools
In California, the registered nursing shortage continues. If you’re a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and looking to advance your career, an online LVN to RN bridge program could be your next move. Let EduMed walk you through these programs, including how they work, how much they cost, and how becoming an RN can boost your salary. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions from LVNs just like you. Take your next steps today.
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How to Choose an LPN-to-RN Bridge Program in California: Insights from Working Nurses
California’s LPN-to-RN bridge programs operate within a complex licensing landscape, and the programs in this guide are all properly aligned with state requirements. What they can’t tell you is which program works within your specific situation: your location in California, your current employer, and whether you’ll complete the program part-time or full-time. Our nurses share what to consider.
Apply to Multiple Programs Simultaneously
Many of California’s community college LVN-to-RN programs run waitlists, leaving some applicants waiting a year or more for a seat. If you’re serious about pursuing this path, consider applying to multiple programs simultaneously rather than waiting to hear back from your first choice. If you’re accepted, great! If not, you aren’t wasting time waiting when you could be starting a program somewhere else.
Your LVN Experience Is Valuable
As an LVN bridging into RN, you have a good understanding of how the nursing team functions and what tasks can and can’t be delegated, which is an advantage. That experience can help you become a stronger leader.
Inside Online LVN to RN Programs in California
Online LVN to RN programs can offer valuable flexibility, but they’re not fully online. While many schools incorporate distance learning elements (such as live or recorded lectures, assignments, readings, and exams) you should expect to complete key components in person.
Here’s what most programs typically require:
- Online coursework – Core nursing theory classes are often delivered through virtual platforms, allowing you to study on your schedule.
- On-campus labs – Hands-on skills training must be completed in person to build clinical competency.
- In-person class sessions – Some programs include occasional campus visits for instruction, simulations, or testing.
- Clinical experiences – You’ll complete supervised clinical hours at approved healthcare facilities, usually located near where you live.
To help jumpstart your search, we’ve highlighted three online LVN to RN programs in California below. As you explore your options, be prepared to look closely at each program’s format to understand how much can truly be completed online.
California State University San Marcos
Current California vocational nurses interested in a nursing bachelor’s degree will want to consider the LVN to BSN Pathway of CSUSM’s Traditional BSN program.
Current LVNs must first pass the LVN Nursing Skills Assessment and be admitted into the program. They are then awarded 17 NURS course credits corresponding to BSN program courses.
Next, students join the current BSN program cohort and complete the first year of the program (minus courses covered by awarded credits) on a part-time basis, continuing through the next three years as a full-time student.
Features:
- Small number of nursing courses delivered online in an asynchronous format
- Labs and all other nursing courses attended weekdays on CSUSM’s campus
- Many non-nursing and general education courses can be taken online, the majority delivered asynchronously
- Clinical hours completed at local healthcare facilities
- Program begins once annually in the fall
Duration: Four years
Mode: Hybrid
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid California LVN license
- Vocational nursing coursework or equivalent
- Completion of the Pre-Nursing Core (prerequisite coursework) or equivalent, with at least a grade of C and an overall GPA of 2.75
- Minimum 2.0 overall college/university GPA
- Nursing Student Health & Clinical Compliance
- Fitness for clinical practice
Curriculum:
Year One Fall
- Written Communication
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- General, Organic, and Biochemistry (and Lab)
- Oral Communication
Year One Spring
- Language other than English
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Microbiology for the Health Sciences
- Critical Thinking
- Introduction to Psychology
Year Two Fall
- Introduction to Nursing Practice (and Lab)
- Nursing Communication & Assessment (and Lab)
- Mathematical Statistics
- Introduction to Professionalism
Year Two Spring
- Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
- Nursing Care of Adults I (and Lab)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (and Lab)
- Fine Arts
Year Two Summer (optional)
- Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (and Lab)
Year Three Fall
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II
- Nursing Care of Adults II (and Lab)
- Health Promotion and Patient Education
- Culture & Medicine: Healers & Healing
- Ethnic Studies
Year Three Spring
- Nursing Care of Adults III (and Lab)
- Nursing Research
- Family Nursing: Theory and Practice
- Physiology of Nutrition and Disease
Year Three Summer
- Nursing Care of Children (and Lab)
Year Four Fall
- Community Health Nursing
- Community Oriented Nursing & Case Management
- Transition to Nursing Practice (optional)
- Bioethics and Medical Ethics
- United States Government and Politics
Year Four Spring
- Nursing Leadership/Professional Issues
- Leadership and Management Lab
- Transition to Nursing Practice (and Seminar)
- Humanities
- United States History
Pasadena City College
The LVN to RN (Career Ladder) Nursing Option of the Registered Nursing program at Pasadena City College provides students with the nursing theory and clinical skills needed to qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam leading to RN licensure.
Features:
- Lecture classes for most nursing courses delivered online in a synchronous format
- Students to log on and attend class sessions via Zoom on weekday mornings and afternoons
- Many prerequisite and required non-nursing courses available online in either synchronous or asynchronous formats
- Labs are attended on PCC’s Pasadena campus and clinical rotations at program-approved clinical sites
- Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Nursing with a Certificate of Achievement in Registered Nursing
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $46/credit (California residents); $452/credit (non-California residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid California LVN license
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on prerequisite courses
- Minimum score of 62 on TEAS test
- Completion of relevant coursework
- Relevant healthcare certificates, current patient care experience
- Language proficiency
- Health clearance and immunizations
- Clear criminal background check
- Clear drug screen
Curriculum:
Prerequisites
- Reading & Composition
- General, Organic, and Biochemistry (or equivalent)
- Microbiology
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
Nursing Courses
- Nursing Role Transition
- Intermediate Nursing Care Seminar
- Intermediate Medical Surgical Nursing (and Lab)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (and Lab)
- Advanced Nursing Seminar
- Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing (and Lab/Clinical)
Additional Courses
- Psychology
- Humanities
- Fundamentals of Speech
- History
- Political Science
- Human Nutrition
- Statistics
- Sociology
- Critical Thinking
- Physical Education
Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College offers both associate degree and certificate options to LVNs seeking the education and training to become registered nurses. The LVN-RN Transition to Registered Nursing option is a 60-credit program leading to an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing degree and eligibility for the NCLEX-RN exam.
The curriculum consists of:
- General education courses
- Non-nursing prerequisite courses
- Nursing theory courses
- Skills labs
- Clinical rotation hours
Features:
- Degree option requires two years of full-time study
- LVN-RN 30-unit certificate option consists of 29 credits of nursing and biology coursework, resulting in a Certificate of Achievement and NCLEX-RN eligibility
- Both one-year and 18-month certificate programs available
- AS degree and certificate options include nursing coursework combining online learning with in-person classes and clinicals
- Some required non-nursing courses offered online in synchronous or asynchronous formats
Duration: Two years (AS degree); one year or 18 months (certificate)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $46/credit (California residents); $472/credit (non-California residents)
Admissions Requirements:
AS Degree
- California LVN license
- Completion of prerequisite coursework with “C” or better grade and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- A score of 70 or higher on the Registered Nursing Multi Criteria Enrollment Form
- Minimum composite score on TEAS test
- Completion of general education requirements
Certificate of Achievement
- California LVN license
- Minimum of six months recent LVN work experience, preferably in the medical-surgical area
- Completion of physiology course and microbiology course with grades of “B” or better
Curriculum:
AS Degree
- Cultural Anthropology, or Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States
- Anatomy and Physiology
- General Microbiology
- Introduction to Public Speaking, or Group Discussion
- College Composition
- General Principles
- LVN-RN (Associate Degree Nursing) Transition
- Nursing Complex Health Problems Through the Life Cycle
- Nursing in Complex and Multiple Patient Care
- Electives
Certificate of Achievement
- Anatomy and Physiology
- General Microbiology
- LVN-RN 30-Unit Option
- Nursing in Complex and Multiple Patient Care
FAQs About LVN to RN Online Programs in California
While the program profiles above have likely answered several of your questions about how online LVN to RN bridge programs in California work, they’ve also probably raised a few more. Here are the answers to five questions commonly asked by prospective LVN to RN students.
How long do online LVN to RN bridge programs in California take to complete?
The duration of your online LVN to RN program depends on many factors including how many prerequisite courses you must complete and your study pace. But program duration is most heavily impacted by your degree goal:
- Bachelor’s degree (LVN to BSN): three to four years of full-time study
- Associate degree (LVN to ADN): 18 months to two years full-time
- Certificate (LVN to RN): one year to 18 months
What are the admissions requirements for an LVN to RN bridge program in California?
Application requirements for LVN-to-RN bridge programs in California vary from program to program. But you’ll find that most programs have admissions requirements similar to the following:
- A current and unencumbered LVN license; most programs require a California LVN license
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Completion of prerequisite coursework
- Complete the TEAS exam with the required minimum score
- Documentation of clean health and required immunizations
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- CPR certification
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LVN to RN program?
Qualifying LVN to RN students are eligible for a full range of financial aid, including:
- Loans and loan repayment opportunities
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement programs
- Tuition payment plans
The best place to start your funding search is with the financial aid offices for each of the online LVN to RN programs in California you’re considering. Other great resources:
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Where can I complete my clinical hours required for my online LVN to RN bridge program in California?
If you’re a working LVN, you may be able to complete your clinical requirements at your current place of employment. Your online LVN to RN bridge program’s curriculum will include a substantial number of supervised clinical experiences attended in program-approved practice settings in the school’s and/or your local area, such as:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Surgical centers
- Long-term care facilities
The State of California requires that RN students complete a minimum of 500 clinical practice hours for license eligibility.
What is the NCLEX-RN exam like?
If you’re a working LVN who has taken the NCLEX-PN exam, then you already have a basic idea of what the NCLEX-RN exam entails. Similarities between both exams:
- Cover much of the same general subject matter
- Require the same test-taking strategies and skill
- Administered by Pearson/VUE with similar registration requirements and test formats
However, while the NCLEX-PN focuses on vocational nursing skills (such as recording patient data and providing basic care), the NCLEX-RN focuses on the test-taker’s knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of the patient’s condition.
Expert Insight
The NCLEX-RN is designed to evaluate your reasoning and critical thinking skills by presenting comprehensive case studies and scenarios that cover a wide range of nursing topics. As an RN program graduate, you’ll be tested on concepts pertaining to assessment, leadership and delegation, and advanced medication administration, among others.
California LVN vs. RN Salary & Career Comparison
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | LPNs/LVNs | $64,390 | $79,750 | $100,450 |
| RNs | $101,260 | $140,270 | $213,320 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| California | RNs | 333,700 | 376,900 | 43,200 | 12.90% | 23,420 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 78,100 | 92,000 | 13,900 | 17.80% | 7,830 |
Source: Projections Central
