30 Best LVN-to-RN Programs in California – (Online & Campus-Based)


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

Have you been wondering whether becoming an RN is the right career move for you as an LVN in California? While this article can’t help you answer that question, we can give you clear, concise information on the 30 best LVN-to-RN programs in California for 2025 that will help you understand the type of educational investment you’ll be called upon to make should you decide to take the leap.

One other little thing we’d like to clear up: There’s absolutely no functional difference between licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses. The reason they’re called LVNs in California is that traditionally these types of nurses weren’t trained in nursing programs but at vocational schools. That has changed, but the nomenclature stuck. Now that we’ve set you up to win your next game of medical Trivial Pursuit, we will go on to answer your next question, “What are the best LVN-to-RN programs in California?”



RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSING SCHOOLS

TOP 3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD TRANSITION FROM LVN-TO-RN IN CALIFORNIA


Licensed vocational nurses make good money in California. Their average yearly salary is nearly $70,000; in some places like the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, they make more than $80,000. LVNs don’t have to worry about losing their jobs, either. In fact, over the coming decade, employment opportunities for LVNs are expected to increase more than employment opportunities for RNs.

But LVNs have a far more circumscribed scope of practice than RNs, which means that LVNs are very limited in the types of practice settings where they can work. The overwhelming majority of LVNs in California provide direct patient care in long-term nursing care facilities, which is the kind of repetitive work that’s practically a formula for burnout. As a registered nurse, your work life will be far more dynamic because you’ll find employment opportunities over a broader spectrum of practice settings. That’s one reason why transitioning from an LVN to an RN in California is an excellent idea.

Here are three other compelling reasons:

1. The money is a lot better:

California-based LVNs indeed make generous salaries, but California-based RNs make salaries that are 91 percent higher—and in the Golden State, where the cost of living is dizzyingly high, you need that extra income, frankly, to live comfortably. The difference between LVN and RN salaries in California in a single year is $63,410. Multiply that by a 30-year career, and you’ll end up with nearly $2 million additional dollars. That’s serious money.

Remember, too, that salary is not the complete compensation story. Registered nurses typically command far more lavish employee benefit packages than LVNs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses have more access to perks like employee wellness benefits, paid family leave, and childcare than any other profession.

2. Less time on your feet:

All nursing is physically demanding, but for the most part, it’s far more physically demanding for LVNs than for RNs. LVNs typically provide direct care for physically incapacitated patients. You will be bending, pushing, and straining as you transfer patients from beds to chairs or wheelchairs and then back again. LVNs at nursing homes—the practice setting where the majority work—are particularly prone to painful back injuries. In contrast, most RNs have a staff of nursing assistants to whom they can delegate the heavy lifting.

3. LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs are quick and affordable:

Many LVN-to-RN Bridge programs can be completed in less than a year. That’s because an LVN already knows a great deal about delivering high-quality care from their previous education and experience on the job, so an LVN-turned-RN can be counted on to hit the ground running. And a shorter educational program translates into a more affordable educational program.

California is facing the most severe shortage of registered nurses in the nation, and health policy experts recognize that leveraging the skills and knowledge of licensed vocational nurses may be one solution to this pending crisis. More than 100 schools in California offer some kind of LVN-to-RN Bridge Program, many of which receive some form of state funding. In fact, California is so committed to turning LVNs into RNs that the state has codified LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs into law. (See our section on the LVN 30-Unit Option below.)



HOW LONG ARE LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?


One of the great things about enrolling in an LVN-to-RN Bridge Program is that it doesn’t involve a significant investment of time. Most LVN-to-RN programs in California take either two or three semesters to complete.

This is because few LVN-to-RN programs in California customize educational training specifically for licensed vocational nurses. Instead, licensed practical nurses are given the opportunity to earn credits for their LVN education and work experience, which they can then apply toward the completion of their Associate Degree in Nursing. They typically take classes side by side with students enrolled in traditional ADN programs.

In some instances, the number of credits LVNs can earn is a standardized amount, while in others, LVN students are awarded credits based on performance criteria like TEAS scores or prerequisite grades. Thus, if two LVNs apply to the same program, the first may be able to finish it in two semesters, while it will take the second three semesters.

College of Sequoias maintains ten openings in the second semester of its traditional four-semester ADN program for LVNs hoping to become RNs, leaving these students with three semesters to complete. Los Medanos College, on the other hand, promotes successful LVN applicants into the beginning of the second year of its two-year ADN program, leaving them with two semesters to complete.

College of the Desert uses a point system to determine how much advanced credit it should award prospective LVN applicants for their qualifications. Some LVN students are admitted into the second semester of the traditional four-semester ADN program (leaving three semesters to complete), while others are accepted into the third semester (leaving two semesters to complete.)



HOW MUCH DO LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA COST?


LVN-to-RN programs in California are comparatively affordable. LVN-to-RN Bridge Program tuition will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $45,000, depending upon whether you enroll in a public or private school and whether you’re a California resident or a resident of another state.

Keep in mind, though, that these estimates only include costs associated with the LVN-to-RN Bridge Program itself. They do not represent the total cost of the ADN degree you’ll get at the end of the Bridge Program. LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs in the Golden State typically involve between 20 and 35 credits, while ADN degrees usually involve 60 to 72 credits because they include prerequisites and general education classes that most schools require you to complete before you enter the Bridge Program. Tuition costs for Associate Degree in Nursing can run anywhere from $3,000 to $55,000, and on top of tuition costs, you will almost certainly have to pay course fees, technology fees, and campus use fees.

Most of the schools on this list of LVN-to-RN programs in California are community colleges. Community colleges are a cost-effective option. The 2017 California College Promise Act capped resident tuition for community colleges in the Golden State at $46 a credit. Thus, resident tuition costs for Santa Ana College’s 36-credit LVN-RN program is $1,656, but the price for the entire 67-credit ADN degree is $3,082.

The California State Legislature gives community colleges more leeway in setting non-resident tuition rates. At the community colleges on our list, non-resident tuition rates range from a low of $294 per credit (Sequoia College) to a high of $480 per credit (American River College.) If you’re an LVN in Arizona and you travel to Los Angeles to attend Santa Monica College’s 60.5 credit LVN to RN option, you will end up paying $19,118. (Note that Santa Monica College is one of the few LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs that includes prerequisite credits as part of its Bridge Program.)

Apart from community colleges, you also have the option of attending an LVN-to-RN Bridge Program at one of the Golden State’s private for-profit colleges. Gurnick Academy charges $54,510 for its LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program. Why would you choose this option when so many less expensive options are available? Because it may be difficult to win admission into one of the community college programs. Private for-profit colleges typically admit all applicants as long as their applications meet minimum requirements.



WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?


While admission requirements for LVN-to-RN programs in California show some variability by school, most requirements are standard: You’ll need a high school diploma or its equivalent. You’ll need an active, unencumbered California LVN license. You’ll need to have completed all your prerequisites with a grade of “C” or higher before you submit your application. You must agree to a health assessment and a criminal background check. Most California community college Bridge Programs require students to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.

For acceptance into Sierra College’s LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program, widely considered one of the finest Bridge Programs in California, you must complete prerequisite courses in basic English, basic math (algebra or higher), psychology, human development, biology (a one-year sequence), and nutrition, or your application won’t be considered. You must take the TEAS test and score 62 percent or above.

Santa Barbara City College only accepts applications for its LVN to ADN option between January 15 and January 31 (fall entry) and July 1 to July 15 (spring entry.) You must complete the following prerequisites before you apply to the program with a grade of “C” or higher: English Composition and Reading, Anatomy with Lab, Physiology with Lab, Microbiology with Lab. TEAS Version 7 is the only version of the TEAS test SBCC will accept.



WHAT IS California’s LVN 30-UNIT OPTION?


The LVN 30-Unit Option is a career ladder for licensed vocational nurses (described in Section 1435.5 Code in the Laws Relating to Nursing Education Licensure – Practice in the State of California) that lets LVNs take the NCLEX-RN exam upon completion of only 30 credits of nursing classes. This program is unique to the Golden State.

Most nursing programs in California offer the 30-Unit Option, though admission is often made on a “space available” basis. Program curriculum varies from school to school since LVN 30-Unit Option students typically join the traditional ADN cohort in their second year of courses. All courses must meet California Board of Nursing requirements that stipulate a minimum of 9 units of biological science courses and a minimum of 21 units of second-year registered nursing courses.

LVNs who complete the LVN 30-Unit Option don’t earn an associate degree, meaning few states apart from California will recognize your RN license. At the time you’re licensed as an RN, the California Board of Nursing will note your 30-Unit Option status in your permanent record, and this may limit your employment opportunities as a registered nurse even within the Golden State. Nevertheless, this program is a fast and highly affordable way for California LVNs to make the transition to RN.



WHAT ARE THE BEST LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 30 best campus-based and online LVN-to-RN Programs in California.


1. Pasadena City College - Pasadena


Pasadena City College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Pasadena City College’s 36-credit LVN to RN career ladder option is a three-semester course that builds upon the knowledge you’ve already acquired as a licensed vocational nurse. Upon completing a “Nursing Role Transition” class, you’ll join the college’s Associate Degree in Nursing cohort in the third semester of the four-semester ADN curriculum.

Students in this LVN-to-RN program in California will take classes such as maternal/newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, med/surg nursing, and psychiatric/mental health nursing that focus on care for specific patient populations. All prerequisites must be completed before applying to the program, and Pasadena City College strongly recommends meeting all general education requirements before you apply, too.

Sixteen to 18 students are accepted into this program each summer and winter semester. You must have a valid California LVN license and score 62 or higher on the TEAS 7 to apply. Pasadena City College uses a point system to evaluate candidates. Points are awarded for grades, high TEAS scores, military service, completion of LVN studies at Pasadena City College, and similar criteria. This is one of the rare LVN-to-RN programs in California that will transfer general education credits (if those credits satisfy the college’s equivalency requirements) even if you took those classes more than 10 years ago.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Pasadena City College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, Pasadena City College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate was 90 percent.
• Throughout the 2019-2020 academic year, Pasadena City College awarded 85 ADN degrees.
• Pasadena City College partners with Azusa Pacific University on an integrative enrollment pathway that allows students to earn their RN and Batchelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) simultaneously in six semesters.
• All students in Pasadena City College’s LVN to RN career ladder option must pass a proctored ATI Dosage Calculation exam before being allowed to proceed into the ADN program.


2. Pacific Union College - Angwin


Pacific Union College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Pacific Union College’s high NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past four years and its generous accommodations for working LVNs have earned this LVN to RN track a reputation as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. This LVN-to-RN program in California is an advanced placement track: Once you successfully complete an intensive, four-day LVN-RN bridge course, you’ll be awarded 31 quarter credits toward your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree and join the college’s ADN cohort for the first of three semesters. Other courses in the curriculum include “Mental Health Nursing,” “Pediatric Nursing,” and “Maternal-Newborn Nursing.”

The curriculum consists of 115 quarter credits, 41 quarter credits of which are nursing courses. Lecture classes are taught at the Angwin campus on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday every other week throughout a 17-week semester. Twelve-hour clinical rotations are scheduled for Sundays on the weeks you don’t have lecture classes; clinical practicums are scheduled at healthcare facilities throughout Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Lake counties. You should be able to complete this program in 18 months (six quarters.) Pacific Union College’s LVN to RN track is also open to emergency medical technicians.

PUC’s LVN to RN track is competitive and admits no more than 18 students every fall semester. You must hold an unrestricted LVN license and have at least one year of professional experience. Additionally, applicants must score above 58 percent on the ATI TEAS exam. PUC uses a point system to assess applicants’ suitability for admission into this program.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Pacific Union College LVN-to-RN Students

• NCLEX-RN pass rates at Pacific Union College in 2021-2022 were 90 percent.
• Eighty-five students earned ASN degrees from PUC throughout 2021-2022.
• Pacific Union College also offers a two-step ASN/BSN program (hybrid or online) and a BSN program for RNs.
• Pacific Union College is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church; while the college welcomes students from all religious backgrounds, the college’s educational policies reflect its Christian orientation.


3. Santa Barbara City College - Santa Barbara


Santa Barbara City College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Santa Barbara City College’s LVN to ADN option starts in the fall semester. You must complete all prerequisites before you apply to the program. You’ll also need an active, unencumbered LVN license. Like many other LVN-to-RN programs in California, Santa Barbara City College uses a point system to assess applicants, and applicants with high grades in their prerequisites and general education requirements, high TEAS scores, and relevant work experience stand the best chance of admission into this LVN to ADN program.

The LVN to ADN track consists of 60 credits and can be completed in three semesters. You’ll begin your studies with a specialized “Introduction to RN for the LVN” course focusing on physical assessments, IV therapy, and other skill sets that distinguish the RN from the LVN role. Thereafter you’ll join the traditional ADN cohort for the final two semesters of the ADN curriculum, taking classes like “Medical-Surgical Nursing,” “Gerontology-Community Nursing,” and “Transition to Professional Nurse Practice.”

Classes and labs are typically scheduled on weekdays between 8 am to 5 pm. Clinicals are scheduled according to local healthcare facility availability and may include weekends and evening shifts.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Santa Barbara City College LVN-to-RN Students

• ADN graduates from Santa Barbara City College had an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 91 percent in 2022.
• Sixty-nine students graduated from SBCC with ADN degrees during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Santa Barbara City College collaborates on an RN to BSN program with California State University-Channel Islands.
• For LVNs who want to become RNs but aren’t interested in earning a degree, Santa Barbara City College offers the LVN 30-Unit Option.


4. Evergreen Valley College - San Jose


Evergreen Valley College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Hands down, the LVN-RN Bridge at Evergreen Valley College is one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. Students admitted into this program join EVC’s traditional ADN cohort in either the second or third semester of that cohort’s studies.

As with many other LVN-to-RN programs in California, the 37-credit nursing curriculum concentrates on nursing care tailored to the needs of specific patient populations. You’ll need 71 to 74 credits to earn your associate degree. Clinical rotations occur at acute care hospital settings and community health care agency settings throughout San Jose and other parts of Santa Clara County.

Admission into this LVN-to-RN program in California is highly competitive. Minimum requirements include a current, unrestricted California LVN license and completion of prerequisite coursework. If you meet those minimum requirements, you’ll be invited to take the Nursing Challenge Exam. If you pass that exam, you must then pass the TEAS test with a minimum score of 62 percent. Once you pass the TEAS test, you’ll be placed on a waiting list and admitted into EVC’s ADN program when space becomes available.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Evergreen Valley College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, the average NCLEX-RN pass rate for graduates of EVC’s ADN and 30-unit option was 98 percent.
• Evergreen Valley College awarded 67 ADN degrees during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• EVC’s LVN-RN Bridge program is also open to veterans and active members of the military with EMT or other specialized medical training.
• Evergreen Valley offers the 30-unit option for LVNs for whom earning an ADN career is not a priority.


5. California State University-Sacramento - Sacramento


California State University-Sacramento LVN-to-RN Program Details: California State University-Sacramento is one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California that only offers the 30-Unit LVN to RN Option program. The university does not offer an Associate Degree in Nursing program.

Though curriculum requirements for the LVN 30-Unit Option are standard, admission requirements vary according to the policies of the institution offering the program. CSUS’s entrance criteria are comparatively tough: For admission into this program, you must have a 3.0 grade point average in all prerequisite classes and a 3.0 GPA in your two most recent two semesters of post-secondary education. And, of course, you must have an active, unrestricted California LVN license. You should be able to complete this program in two semesters.

Once admitted into this program, you’ll take classes with CSUS’s BSN cohort. Classes begin in the fall semester. Note that admission into this program depends on the availability of spaces; if all available slots are filled with BSN students, California State University-Sacramento will not offer the 30-Unit LVN to RN Option program that year.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential California State University-Sacramento LVN-to-RN Students

• Data isn’t available for NCLEX-RN pass rates among students in the CSUS 30-Unit Option program, but BSN graduates from California State University-Sacramento achieved an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93 percent in 2022.
• RNs who have completed the CSUS 30-Unit Option program are eligible to apply to the university’s RN to BSN program, but they may need to take additional prerequisite coursework.
• California State University-Sacramento also offers a BSN program.


6. Butte College - Oroville


Butte College LVN-to-RN Program Details: When you enroll in Butte College’s LVN to ADN program, your training as a licensed vocational nurse replaces the first year of the degree program, so you’ll start the ADN program in its second and final year. You must complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” before your application will be reviewed, and you must score 62 percent or higher on the TEAS exam to qualify for admission. You’ll also need a current California vocational nursing license and proof of IV certification. If there are more qualified applicants than spaces, enrollment will be determined by lottery.

You’ll begin your studies with two “Transition to ADN Nursing” courses. Other coursework will include classes like “Pharmacology,” “Gerontology—Community-Based,” and “Clinical Nursing.” Clinical rotations take place at Enroe Medical Center and other healthcare facilities throughout Butte County.

This LVN-to-RN program in California includes an ADN nursing capstone that uses what you’ve learned in your nursing theory classes to illuminate a practical challenge you come across during your clinical rotations. You’ll need 85 to 87 credits to graduate from this program, and 51 of those credits will be nursing classes.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Butte College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, ADN graduates from Butte College averaged an 82 percent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Butte College awarded 117 ADN degrees in the 2019-2020 academic year.
• In 2024, this LVN-to-RN program in California added an online accelerated three-semester LVN to ADN track in addition to its campus-based two-year LVN to ADN program.
• Butte College has a matriculation agreement in place with California State University-Chico that allows Butte College ADN graduates to transfer credits seamlessly into Chico State’s BSN program.
• Butte College also gives advanced placement toward its ADN degree to medics, medical corpsmen, medical technicians, and other individuals who've pursued healthcare occupations within the military.


7. Palomar College - San Marcos


Palomar College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Palomar College’s LVN-RN Pathway only admits students when spaces are available in its traditional RN program. You must have graduated from an accredited LVN program, hold an active unencumbered California LVN license, and have accumulated at least six months of professional LVN experience for consideration. The TEAS 7 exam is also a requirement for admission, and all prerequisite courses must be completed before you submit your application. Candidates’ suitability is determined through a point system.

This LVN-to-RN program in California takes three semesters to complete. If you are admitted, you will join the traditional RN cohort in its second (of four) semesters of studies. You’ll need 63.5 to 69.5 credits to graduate with an ASN from this LVN-to-RN program in California, but only 44 credits will be core nursing classes. Nursing coursework will include courses like “Concepts for Behavioral Health,” “Advanced Nursing Concepts I & II,” and “Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Concepts.”


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Palomar College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, 86 percent of Palomar College’s ASN graduates passed the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Forty-three students graduated with ASN degrees from Palomar College in 2019-2020.
• In addition to its ASN degree, Palomar College also offers a 73-credit Associate of Arts in Nursing degree.
• Palomar College partners with National University on an RN to BSN pathway.


8. San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia


San Joaquin Valley College LVN-to-RN Program Details: San Joaquin Valley College’s LVN to RN Bridge program awards you six credits toward your ADN degree upon the verification of your active, unencumbered California LVN license. This LVN to RN Bridge is another one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California that offer LVNs advanced standing: Once you’re admitted into the program, you’ll join the traditional ADN cohort in the third of four semesters. SJVC is widely regarded as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California.

Core nursing credits will comprise 31 of the 71 credits you’ll need to earn your ADN degree. Core nursing classes include “Gerontology/Community Health Nursing (Theory and Clinical)” Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing (Theory and Clinical)”, and “Leadership.” This LVN-to-RN program in California is offered at San Joaquin Valley College’s campus in Visalia, and you should be able to complete it in 11 months. Clinical rotations are scheduled at healthcare facilities throughout Tulare County and other parts of the San Joaquin Valley and may be scheduled for day, evening, or weekend shifts.

You must complete at least 34 credits of the required general education and prerequisite courses with a grade of 2.5 or higher before you apply to the program and take the TEAS ATI exam. You must have a California LVN license and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Applicants will be granted a place in the program on the basis of points they’re awarded for TEAS scores and course grades.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential San Joaquin Valley College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, San Joaquin Valley College had an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 91 percent.
• Fifty-nine individuals earned ADN degrees from San Joaquin Valley College in 2019-2020.
• SJVC offers the 30-Unit LVN-RN Option.
• SJVC partners with Chamberlain University to provide ADN graduates with a comparatively seamless transition into an RN to BSN program.


9. San Bernardino Valley College - San Bernardino


San Bernardino Valley College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Applicants will not be accepted for admission into San Bernardino Valley College’s LVN-RN Bridge program unless they have a year or more of professional experience as a licensed vocational nurse. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of 2.8 or higher, and you must have a valid California LVN license. Classes begin in the spring semester. SBVC generally accepts 10 LVNs a year into its LVN to RN Bridge program.

If you’re accepted into this LVN-to-RN program in California, you’ll be enrolled in a Vocational to Professional Nurse Transition course, where you’ll be administered three challenge exams; the results of those challenge exams will determine whether you’re placed into the first, second, or third semester of the generic ADN program. Most students can complete core nursing courses in two and a half semesters. Core nursing coursework includes classes like “Nursing Care of the Critically Ill,” “Medical-Surgical Nursing III & IV,” and “Advanced Ethical and Legal Aspects of Nursing.” You’ll also take a pharmacology course specifically tailored to RN needs.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential San Bernardino Valley College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, San Bernardino Valley College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate was 79 percent.
• San Bernardino Valley College conferred eighty-one ADN degrees in the academic year 2019-2020.
• SBVC offers the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Students who want to earn their BSN degrees can enroll concurrently at San Bernardino Valley College to pursue their ADN degree and at California State University-San Bernardino to pursue their BSN degree.


10. American River College - Sacramento


American River College LVN-to-RN Program Details: American River College’s LVN to RN Career Mobility track is another one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California that offer LVNs advanced placement into its traditional ADN track. LVNs admitted into this track are awarded 21 credits upon review of their LVN transcripts and join the traditional ADN cohort in their second year of classes. Progression through this LVN-to-RN program in California depends on maintaining a grade point average of “C” or higher. High NCLEX-RN pass rates and a no-nonsense approach to ADN progression have helped establish ARC as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California.

Classes begin in the summer semester with a “Transition to Nursing, Patient, and Healthcare Concepts for the Associate Degree Nurse” course that focuses on the critical thinking skills you’ll need for your new role as a registered nurse. During your second (fall) and third (spring) semesters, you’ll take a two-part “Nursing, Patient, and Healthcare Concepts” course. You’ll attain clinical experience in healthcare facilities and agencies throughout Sacramento. The entire ADN credit load consists of 76 to 77 credits.

Admission into this program is highly competitive. You’ll need a current, unencumbered California LVN license and at least six months of professional LVN experience to apply. You must complete all prerequisite courses before you apply to the program, and you must score at least 62 percent on the TEAS exam.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential American River College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for American River College was 94 percent.
• In 2019-2020, American River College conferred 76 ADN degrees.
• American River College also offers LVN 30-Unit Option as an alternate way for licensed vocational nurses to pursue registered nursing certification.


11. Southwestern College - Chula Vista


Southwestern College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Southwester College’s Step-Up LVN to ADN Program admits students once a year at the beginning of the spring semester in March. Like many other LVN-to-RN programs in California, it doesn’t tailor a curriculum specifically to LVN learning needs; instead, LVNs accepted into Southwestern College’s Step-Up program are given credit toward their entire first year of ADN studies upon verification of their LVN license.

You must hold current LVN licensure in California to apply. Preference is given to LVNs with at least one year of professional experience. You must earn 62 percent or higher on the TEAS exam. All prerequisites and other required courses must be completed before you submit your application, and the higher your grades in that coursework are, the more likely you are to be admitted into the program.

You’ll take an “LVN to RN” class when you begin your transition coursework; this course includes lecture and laboratory components. Other courses include “Nursing Supervision/Leadership 1 & 2” and “Adult Nursing.” Plan on spending approximately 15 hours a week in labs and clinical rotations at selected healthcare facilities in Chula Vista and other parts of the Metropolitan San Diego Area. This LVN-to-RN program in California consists of 23 credits, but you’ll need 60 credits to satisfy the coursework requirements for an associate degree from Southwestern College.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Southwestern College LVN-to-RN Students

• Southwestern College’s ADN students had an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89 percent in 2022.
• In the academic year 2019 to 2020, 69 ADN degrees were awarded to graduates of Southwestern College.
• Southwestern College also offers the LVN 30-Unit option.
• Southwestern College offers a Peri-operative Nursing Program that follows curriculum guidelines recommended by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses and trains students qualified to seek employment in operating theaters.


12. Santa Monica College - Santa Monica


Santa Monica College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Santa Monica College’s 60.5 credit LVN to RN option is lauded as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California, not only because of its consistently high NCLEX-RN pass statistics but also because SMC is the number one community college in the Golden State for transfers into University of California nursing programs. You should be able to complete this program in three semesters.

You’ll take core nursing courses such as “Adult Health Nursing Concepts I & II,” “Mental Health Nursing Concepts”, and “Pediatric Nursing Concepts” that are geared to the specific needs of the patient populations you’ll be working with as an RN. Most of these courses have a lecture component and a laboratory component.

To pursue this LVN-to-RN program in California, you must have a valid, unrestricted California LVN license and at least one year of recent professional experience delivering direct care. You must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in college-level coursework. SMC is one of the rare LVN-to-RN programs in California that does not use TEAS scores as an admission criterion.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Santa Monica College LVN-to-RN Students

• The NCLEX-RN pass rate for Santa Monica College ADN graduates in 2022 was 92 percent.
• Twenty-eight students graduated from Santa Monica College with an ADN degree during the academic year 2019-2020.
• The LVN 30-Unit Option is offered at SMC.
• Santa Monica College collaborates with California State University-Domingo Hills to transfer ADN seamlessly to the university’s BSN program.
• Santa Monica College’s ADN program offers concurrent enrollment with BSN programs at California State University-Fullerton, Charles Drew University, Grand Canyon University, Western Governors University, University of Phoenix, Arizona State University, and Azusa Pacific University.


13. Gurnick Academy - Fresno


Gurnick Academy LVN-to-RN Program Details: Gurnick Academy offers an eight-month (two semesters) LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program at its campus in Fresno. This 25-credit LVN-to-RN program in California commences with a three-week LVN to RN transition course, and its curriculum includes an NCLEX-RN prep class. You’ll graduate with an ADN degree.

Unlike many other LVN-to-RN programs in California, Gurnick’s classes aren’t specifically pegged to the patient populations you’ll be caring for but more toward the structure and function of human organ systems. Your first semester will consist of 16 credits: You’ll spend two days a week attending lectures on Gurnick Academy’s campus in Fresno and two days a week at clinical rotations. Your second semester will involve nine credits: two days of lecture classes and three days of clinical rotations. Clinical rotations will take place at healthcare facilities and community healthcare agencies throughout the City of Fresno and other communities in Fresno County.

Applicants must score 64 percent or above on the TEAS test. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in their LVN-related coursework and at least one year of professional LVN experience. They must also submit a resume, a two- or three-page essay addressing their professional goals, and sit for an interview with a Gurnick Academy nursing program director as part of the admission process.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Gurnick Academy LVN-to-RN Students

• Gurnick Academy’s NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2022 was 64 percent.
• Gurnick Academy also offers the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Gurnick Academy also offers a BSN program at its campus in Concord, California.


14. Los Angeles-Trade Technical College - Los Angeles


Los Angeles-Trade Technical College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Los Angeles-Trade Technical College offers an advanced placement LVN to RN Career Ladder. You’ll be permitted to take the LVN-RN Bridge course if you score 62 percent or higher on the TEAS test (a mandatory part of the program’s application process). If you complete this course satisfactorily and pass the pharmacology test given at the end of the course, you’ll be approved for this LVN-to-RN program in California and placed on its waiting list. The current wait time for the LVN to RN Career Ladder sequence is three to five years.

Licensed vocational nurses join the traditional ADN cohort in their second semester of studies. The 42-credit course of studies will take you three semesters to complete. Lecture courses focus on appropriate care for the patient populations you’ll work with as an RN. You’ll take courses like “Medical-Surgical Nursing,” “Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing,” and “Reproductive Nursing and Women’s Health.” You’ll spend time learning hands-on skills in LATTC’s Simulation Laboratory and participate in clinical rotations at healthcare facilities throughout Los Angeles.

Los Angeles-Trade Technical College’s application policies are markedly different from other LVN-to-RN programs in California: LATTC has no application deadlines, and applicants are accepted into the program on a first-come/first-serve basis. You must complete all prerequisites with a grade of 2.5 or higher before applying to the program, and you must attend mandatory information and prerequisite verification workshops. LATTC’s LVN to RN Career Ladder is only open to licensed vocational nurses with a valid, unencumbered license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Los Angeles-Trade Technical College LVN-to-RN Students

• LATTC’s 2022 NCLEX-RN pass rate was 83 percent.
• Sixty-eight individuals received ADN degrees from Los Angeles-Trade Technical College during 2019-2020.
• Los Angeles-Trade Technical College also offers the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• LATTC has collaborative partnerships in place with California State University-Los Angeles, California State University-Northridge, and California State University-Fullerton for an accelerated ADN to BSN degree.


15. College of the Desert - Palm Desert


College of the Desert LVN-to-RN Program Details: College of the Desert’s ADN Advanced Placement program is open to veterans trained in healthcare occupations while in the military as well as to licensed vocational nurses. This LVN-to-RN program in California uses a point system to assess your suitability for enrollment. Once accepted into the program, you’ll join the traditional ADN cohort in either the second or third semester of their four-semester program depending on how COD’s nursing staff assess your qualifications and previous learning.

You’ll need 72 credits to graduate with an associate degree from College of the Desert, but the nursing curriculum itself only comprises 36 credits. Courses include “Concepts of Nursing Practice - Complex Alterations in Health,” “Concepts of Nursing Practice-Acute Complex Alterations in Health,” and “Issues in Nursing.” Clinical rotations are scheduled at acute care and long-term nursing facilities throughout Palm Desert and other communities in Riverside County.

College of the Desert is acknowledged as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California because its ADN graduates typically have high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Competition therefore can be fierce for spots in this program. You must apply separately to College of the Desert and to the ADN Advanced Placement program. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher before you apply to the program, and you must pass the TEAS exam with a score of 62 percent or higher.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential College of the Desert LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, College of the Desert ADN graduates had a 90 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate.
• During the academic year 2019-2020, College of the Desert handed out 63 ADN degrees.
• LVNs who want to become RNs can also pursue the LVN 30-Unit Option at COD.


16. Mission College - Santa Clara


Mission College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Licensed vocational nurses seeking admission into Mission College’s LVN to RN Bridge Program must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all college-level coursework. You must take the TEAS test and complete all program prerequisites. If you qualify for admission into this LVN-to-RN program in California, your name will be added to a pool. Students invited to enroll in the program are randomly selected from this pool of qualified program applicants.

The nursing major at Mission College involves 64 to 65 credits. You’ll receive 12 credits of advanced placement credit upon verification of your active, unencumbered California LVN license. Your courses will include a “Role Transition LVN to RN” class with lecture and clinical components as well as courses like “Community Mental Health Nursing,” “Leadership and Ethics,” and “Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing.” Your clinical rotations will involve hands-on experiences in acute care hospitals and a variety of community healthcare agencies throughout the city of Santa Clara and other communities in Santa Clara County.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Mission College LVN-to-RN Students

• The NCLEX-RN pass rate for Mission College in 2022 was 70 percent.
• You can take the LVN 30-Unit Option at Mission College.


17. Carrington College - Sacramento


Carrington College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Carrington College’s LVN to RN Bridge is an intensive eight-month program comprising 21.5 credits and 450 clinical hours. You’ll begin your coursework with an LVN to RN transition course that relies upon the Gordon model of health functions. Other core nursing coursework includes medical/surgical nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, and nursing leadership. Classes are taught at Carrington’s campus in Sacramento.

One thing that distinguishes Carrington College’s LVN to RN Bridge curriculum from other LVN-to-RN programs in California is its formal instruction in hands-on skills. An entire class is devoted to helping you develop the arithmetical skills necessary for calculating medication dosages; another class is dedicated to various methods RNs use to administer medications and collect specimens.

This LVN-to-RN program in California is only open to applicants with active, unencumbered LVN licensure and professional experience as an LVN within the past five years. You’ll need to complete all prerequisites with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and you’ll need to score 62 percent or higher on the TEAS exam.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Carrington College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for ADN graduates at Carrington College’s Sacramento campus was 84 percent.
• Sixty-five nursing students graduated with ADN degrees from Carrington College’s Sacramento campus in 2019-2020.


18. Mt. San Jacinto College - San Jacinto


Mt. San Jacinto College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Mt. San Jacinto College’s LVN to RN Transition track is another one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California that uses an advanced placement model. After licensed vocational nurses accepted into MSJC’s transition program successfully complete a “Role Transition” course, they join traditional ADN students in the third semester of a four-semester ADN program.

You must apply separately to Mt. San Jacinto College and its Nursing & Allied Health Department. A Nursing Evaluation Request Form must accompany all LVN to RN Transition applications. You must take the ATI TEAS test. Program prerequisites must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher before you apply to this LVN-to-RN program in California. All applications that meet minimum eligibility requirements will then be assigned points, and candidates with the highest number of points will be admitted.

Core nursing coursework includes classes that focus on the care of the patient populations you’ll be encountering in your new role as an RN. You must earn a grade of “C” or better to remain in the program.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Mt. San Jacinto College LVN-to-RN Students

• MSJC’s ADN graduates had an 84 percent pass rate on the 2022 NCLEX-RN.
• Thirty-five students earned ADN degrees from Mt. San Jacinto College during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Mt. San Jacinto College offers the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Mt. San Jacinto College has partnerships in place with Loma Linda University, University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University, Ohio University, University of Massachusetts, Grantham University, and Southern New Hampshire University that facilitate the seamless transfer of ADN credits earned at MSJC to BSN programs at these universities.


19. West Hills College-Lemoore - Lemoore


West Hills College-Lemoore LVN-to-RN Program Details: West Hills College accepts 10 students every year into its LVN to Registered Nurse program. You’ll begin the 22.5-credit program in the summer semester with a 5-credit “Role Transition, Critical Thinking and a Culture of Health” course, and you’ll complete the program the following spring semester. This LVN-to-RN program in California also requires prerequisite, co-requisite, and general education courses, so earning your ADN degree involves accumulating 60 credits.

West Hills College’s LVN to Registered Nurse program is considered to be one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. Alone among LVN-to-RN programs in California, West Hills College relies upon the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health model to teach basic healthcare concepts. The core LVN to Registered Nurse curriculum includes classes like “Culture of Health 4, 5, & 6” and “Transition Into Practice in the Community.” Clinical rotations also utilize the Culture of Health model and use community practice settings rather than hospital environments.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential West Hills College-Lemoore LVN-to-RN Students

• ADN graduates from West Hills College had a pass rate of 90 percent on their NCLEX-RN exams in 2022.
• West Hills College awarded 34 ADN degrees in the academic year 2019-2020.
• You can also take the LVN 30-Unit Option at West Hills College.


20. Grossmont College - El Cajon


Grossmont College LVN-to-RN Program Details: The LVN to RN Transition track at Grossmont College consists of 51 credits, but you’ll need to take an additional 19 to 23 general education credits to meet Grossmont’s ADN graduation requirements (70 to 74 credits.) Admission criteria for this LVN-to-RN program in California are highly individualized; qualified applicants are admitted when spaces in the traditional ADN program become available. Grossmont College’s ADN education is highly regarded, and its LVN to RN Transition track is considered one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California.

If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll take challenge exams in nursing fundamentals, obstetrics, and pediatrics; how well you do on those exams will determine how many advanced placement credits you receive. Core nursing courses include “Medical/Surgical Nursing I, II, & III,” “Nursing Pharmacology,” and “Psychiatric and Community Health Nursing.” Upon successful completion of the medical/surgical course sequence, you’ll receive 13 credits for your LVN training to apply toward your ADN degree.

This LVN-to-RN program in California is open to military personnel such as Navy corpsmen and Army medics with medical education and training as well as to LVNs. You must complete all prerequisites before you apply to the program with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and you must take the TEAS exam.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Grossmont College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Grossmont College ADNs was 96 percent.
• Grossmont College conferred 46 ADN degrees during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Licensed vocational nurses who want to be registered nurses but aren’t interested in earning an ADN degree can pursue the LVN 30-Unit Option at Grossmont College.
• Once you complete your ADN degree, you can continue taking classes on the Grossmont College campus toward a BSN through Point Loma Nazarene University.


21. Long Beach City College - Long Beach


Long Beach City College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Long Beach City College’s 64.5-credit LVN to RN Career Ladder program is considered one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. The curriculum begins with a “Transition to Second Level Nursing” course that explores the difference between the LVN and RN scopes of practice using Orem's Self Care Theory of Nursing. Once you pass this class, you’ll take a Nursing Department Examination. If you pass this exam with a score of 75% or higher, you’ll be awarded 21 credits toward your ADN degree and join the traditional ADN cohort. This LVN-to-RN program in California will take you three semesters to complete.

Your core nursing coursework will include classes like “Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing,” “Mental Health,” and “Trends in Nursing.” Classes focusing on the specific patient populations you’ll encounter as an RN have lecture and clinical components. Long Beach City College has a state-of-the-art simulation lab where you can learn and practice hands-on skills like starting IVs and drawing blood. Clinical rotations take place in healthcare facilities throughout Long Beach and other parts of Los Angeles County.

LBCC’s LVN to RN Career Ladder program is only open to nurses with current, unencumbered licensure in California. You must complete prerequisites before you apply. You must have a cumulative GPA of 25 or higher in all past college-level coursework and prerequisites. This LVN-to-RN program in California only admits LVNs to this program if space is available in its traditional ADN program.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Long Beach City College LVN-to-RN Students

• Long Beach City College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2022 was 85 percent, but its average NCLEX-RN pass rate between 2017 and 2021 was 94 percent.
• LBCC awarded 86 Associate Degrees in Nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Long Beach City College offers the LVN 30-Unit Option alternative to its advanced placement LVN to RN Career Ladder program.
• If you’re interested in continuing your nursing education and earning a BSN, Long Beach City College has collaborative partnerships with BSN programs at California State University-Long Beach, California State University-Los Angeles, CSU Fullerton, CSU Dominguez Hills, and Vanguard University as well as Grand Canyon, University of Phoenix and Ohio University.


22. Santa Ana College - Santa Ana


Santa Ana College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Licensed vocational nurses applying for entry into Santa Ana College’s LVN-RN program have two options: They can apply for the entire two-year ADN program using the multi-criteria application process, or they can petition for 21.5 equivalency credits and start the program in its third semester after the waiting list gets down to 25 or fewer names. (This LVN-to-RN program in California usually has a long waiting list because it’s renowned as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California.)

Advanced placement admission into Semester 3 of the ADN program depends upon successful completion of the “Role Transition” class and completion of the ATI TEAS Version 7 exam. Core nursing classes for SAC’s LVN-RN program account for 36 credits; you’ll also be required to take 34 credits of prerequisites, corequisites, and general education classes.

Core nursing coursework includes classes like “Mental Health and Acute Concepts” and “Complex Concepts,” which have lecture and clinical elements. Clinical elements include hands-on learning in Santa Ana College’s sophisticated simulation lab as well as patient care experiences in healthcare facilities throughout Santa Ana and other communities in Orange County.

All prerequisites must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher before you submit your application. You must score 62 percent or higher on the ATI TEAS. Licensed Psychiatric Technicians are also eligible to apply to this program.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Santa Ana College LVN-to-RN Students

• Santa Ana College’s ADN graduates had a 91 percent pass rate on the 2022 NCLEX-RN.
• Ninety-six individuals earned ADN degrees at Santa Ana College in 2019-2020.
• Santa Ana College offers a third option for licensed vocational nurses who want to become RNs: the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Santa Ana College has a partnership with California State University-Fullerton that facilitates the transfer of ADN credits toward the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.


23. College of the Sequoias - Visalia


College of the Sequoias LVN-to-RN Program Details: College of the Sequoias is another one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California that offers licensed vocational nurses two ways to become RNs. If you’re interested in completing the program in three semesters, you can either complete the COS LVN Transition Self-Study Module and attend a one-day “Boot Camp,” or you can complete an LVN Transition course with a grade of “C" or better. College of the Sequoias makes 10 such advanced placement openings available in the second semester of each ADN cycle. The advanced placement option is open to individuals such as Navy corpsmen and Army medics who’ve held military healthcare occupations, as well as to LVNs.

Alternatively, you can enroll in the traditional ADN program. College of the Sequoias recommends this option for LVNs who don’t have a lot of practical experience or who have been working predominantly in long-term nursing practice settings.

Core nursing coursework focuses on the needs of patient populations to whom you’ll be delivering care in your new registered nursing role. You’ll take classes like “Concepts of Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing,” “Concepts of Adult Health Nursing,” and “Transition to Registered Nursing Practice.” Clinical rotations occur in various acute care and community healthcare facilities throughout Visalia and other parts of Tulare County. As an LVN to RN program student at College of the Sequoias, you’ll need to complete 56 credits.

You must have an active, unrestricted LVN license and be IV-certified to apply to this LVN-to-RN program in California. You’ll need to achieve 62 percent or higher on the TEAS exam. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher before you submit your application.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential College of the Sequoias LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, College of the Sequoias had an 87 percent NCLEX-pass rate.
• In 2019-2020, College of the Sequoias handed out 98 ADN degrees.
• You can also pursue the LVN 30-Unit Option at College of the Sequoias.
• College of Sequoias offers six online RN-to-BSN courses in conjunction with California State University-Fresno.


24. Fresno City College - Fresno


Fresno City College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Fresno City College’s LVN-RN Articulation Program begins each year at the start of the summer session. It’s an advanced placement track, so you’ll enter the third semester of the traditional ADN curriculum, but you won’t join the ADN cohort because you’ll be taking the required courses in a different sequence than they do.

You’ll begin the required coursework with a “Transition to Fresno City College ADN Program” class that’s divided into lecture and clinical sections. Additional courses will include “Nursing Care of the Older Adult,” “Nursing Care of the Client with Behavioral and Emotional Disorders,” and “Nursing Care of Infants and Children.” The core nursing curriculum comprises 40.5 credits of the complete ADN degree.

You’ll have to apply separately to Fresno City College and its nursing department. Course prerequisites must be taken in a specific sequence and completed with a grade of “C” or higher before you submit your application. You must pass the ATI TEAS exam with a score of 62 percent or higher. LVNs applying to this LVN-to-RN program in California must have an active, unrestricted LVN license. This advanced placement ADN program is also open to individuals who served in health-related occupations while in the military.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Fresno City College LVN-to-RN Students

• ADN graduates from Fresno City n College had an average NCLEX-RN pass rate of 75 percent in 2022.
• During the 2019-2020 academic year, Fresno City College gave out 211 ADN degrees.
• You can pursue the LVN 30-Unit Option at Fresno City College.
• Fresno City College’s ADN program is the largest in California and the second-largest in the U.S.
• Fresno City College and California State University-Fresno partner in an RN-to-BSN program.


25. Sierra College - Rocklin


Sierra College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Sierra College’s LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program is not only one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California but also one of the finest in the nation. The college’s average NCLEX-RN pass rate between 2018 and 2022 is an impressive 100 percent.

The college admits licensed vocational nurses into its advanced placement LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program on the basis of the space that’s available in its traditional ADN class. To qualify for admission into this LVN-to-RN program in California, you must complete all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better. You must score 62 percent or higher on the TEAS test, and your application must achieve a Chancellor’s Predictor Score of 84 percent or higher. The program is only open to LVNs with an active, unrestricted LVN license.

Successful applicants are chosen randomly from the pool of qualified applicants. If you’re selected, the number of credits you receive for your previous education will be determined through a proctored examination process. Depending upon how many advanced standing credits you’re awarded, you’ll join the traditional ADN cohort in either the second or third semester of its four-semester curriculum.

Core nursing courses focus not only on appropriate care for the demographic populations you’re likely to encounter as an RN but also on care for high-risk individuals within those populations. You’ll learn clinical skills in the college’s high-tech simulation lab and perfect them during clinical rotations at healthcare facilities in Rocklin and other Placer County communities.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Sierra College LVN-to-RN Students:

• In 2022, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for ADN graduates was 100 percent.
• Thirty-eight ADN degrees were awarded by Sierra College during the academic year 2019-2020.
• The LVN 30-Unit Option is also offered at Sierra College.
• Selected students can pursue an ADN at Sierra College and a BSN at California State University-Sacramento concurrently.


26. Cerritos College - Norwalk


Cerritos College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Cerritos College’s LVN – ADN Mobility Program offers qualified LVNs the chance to earn advanced placement credits toward an ADN degree on the basis of their education and experience as licensed vocational nurses. To apply, you’ll need a valid, unrestricted LVN license, at least one year of direct patient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and either a TEAS test score of 62 percent or higher or a HESI exam score of 70 percent or higher. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Each application is evaluated individually. Qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list and admitted if there is space for them in the second year of the traditional ADN program. As Cerritos College’s LVN-ADN Mobility Program is one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California, that waiting list can grow quite long. It is not uncommon for applicants to wait two or three semesters before they can enroll.

The 20-credit core nursing curriculum includes classes like “Medical-Surgical Nursing” and “Psychosocial and Community Nursing.” Clinical rotations for this LVN-to-RN program in California are scheduled at healthcare facilities in Norwalk and other parts of Los Angeles County.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Cerritos College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, ADN graduates from Cerritos College achieved an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 88 percent.
• Cerritos College handed out 71 Associate Degrees in Nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Cerritos College participates in the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Licensed psychiatric technicians and veterans trained for healthcare-related occupations in the military are also eligible to apply for advanced standing toward Cerritos College’s ADN degree.
• Cerritos College partners with California State University-Los Angeles, California State University-Fullerton, National University, and Chamberlain University in various ways to jumpstart ADN to BSN education.


27. Los Medanos College - Pittsburg


Los Medanos College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Los Medanos College’s student resources, commitment to diversity, and outstanding NCLEX-RN pass rates place its LVN to RN Transition track near the top of every list of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. In addition to a 20-credit core nursing curriculum, you’ll take general education courses, prerequisites, and co-requisites to meet the 60-credit ADN requirement. Core nursing classes include “Nursing in Health & Illness,” “Leadership/Management,” and “Pharmacology for RNs.” You’ll be able to finish this program in two semesters.

A typical school week will include five to six hours of lectures at Los Medanos College’s campus in Pittsburgh, three hours of nursing lab, and approximately 15 hours of clinical rotation at a hospital in Pittsburg or another Contra Costa County community. Your clinical rotations can be scheduled for either day shifts (7 am to 3 pm) or evening shifts (3 pm to 11 pm.)

This LVN-to-RN program in California starts in the fall semester. Candidates are selected for admission into the LVN to RN Transition track through a randomized computer lottery that includes all qualified applicants. To qualify for admission, you must complete all prerequisites before you apply with a grade of “B” or higher. Additionally, you must have an active, unrestricted LVN license and verifiable work experience.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Los Medanos College LVN-to-RN Students

• Los Medanos College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2022 was 97 percent.
• Los Medanos College offers the LVN 30-Unit Option pending the availability of spaces in the third semester of its traditional ADN curriculum.
• Military and veteran healthcare personnel may be eligible for advanced standing status in Los Medanos College’s ADN program.


28. Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo


Cuesta College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Qualified licensed vocational nurses can receive credit for their LVN education and work experience through Cuesta College’s Advanced Placement (AP) LVN to RN program. Once accepted into this LVN-to-RN program in California, LVNs can skip the first semester of the college’s traditional four-semester ADN program. This program only admits three students a year, however.

Applicants are selected on the basis of prerequisite grades, ATI TEAS scores, and work experience. All applicants must attend a mandatory AP LVN to RN Information Session to be considered for admission. Veterans with documented education and healthcare experience may also be eligible for entry into Cuesta College’s Advanced Placement RN program.

Classes start in the spring semester. The curriculum focuses on caring; thus, LVN to Rn students will take core nursing courses like “Nurse Caring for Medical-Surgical Clients,” “Nurse Caring Concepts for Clients Psychiatrically At Risk,” and “Nurse Leadership/Management.” Cuesta College maintains strong relationships with healthcare providers throughout San Luis Obispo County, which gives its nursing students opportunities to participate in clinical rotations throughout a variety of practice settings. This is one of the many reasons why Cuesta College has a reputation as one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Cuesta College LVN-to-RN Students

• Cuesta College’s near-perfect NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2022 was 98 percent.
• During 2019-2020, 42 individuals graduated with ADN degrees from Cuesta College.
• The LVN 30-Unit Option is another path Cuesta College offers for LVNs who want to upgrade their nursing skills.
• Cuesta College partners with California State University-Monterey Bay on a collaborative ADN to BSN pathway.
• Every student who completes the RN program at Cuesta College receives a $1,000 scholarship through the Sophidion Foundation.


29. Hartnell College - Salinas


Hartnell College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Hartnell College uses ATI Placement Assessments to determine how much credit licensed vocational nurses entering its LVN-to-RN Placement Program can apply toward the college’s ADN degree. Hartnell’s Placement Program is considered one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California, so competition for spots is tough. You’ll need to complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better before you apply.

Depending on how much advanced credit you’re awarded, the program will take you 1.5 to two years to complete. The 39.5 core nursing curriculum includes classes like “Application of Pharmacology Across the Lifespan,” “Care of Clients with Complex Physiology and Psychological Conditions,” and “Care of Clients with Potential or Actual Multi‐System Failure.”

Many of your supervised nursing skills labs will utilize Hartnell College’s high-fidelity simulation lab. Clinical rotations will occur at acute care hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities throughout Salinas and other parts of Monterey County.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Hartnell College LVN-to-RN Students

• Hartnell College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate is 92 percent.
• Hartnell College awarded 44 ADN degrees during the 2019-2020 academic year.
• Hartnell College accepts students pursuing the LVN 30-Unit Option.
• Hartnell College collaborates with California State University-Monterey Bay on a dual-enrollment program designed to facilitate a seamless transition between the ADN and BSN degrees.


30. MiraCosta College - Oceanside


MiraCosta College LVN-to-RN Program Details: Once you’re admitted into MiraCosta College’s LVN-RN Step-Up Program and show proof of your active, unrestricted LVN license, you’ll be granted advanced standing and enter the second year of the college’s traditional two-year 67.5- to 68.5-credit ADN program.

The 22- to 23-credit core nursing curriculum begins with a “Transition from LVN to RN” class and goes on to include courses in “Medical Surgical Nursing,” “Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing,” and “Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership.” This LVN-to-RN program in California schedules clinical rotations at acute healthcare facilities throughout San Diego County, such as Tri-City Medical Center, Palomar Health, Pomerado Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center, and Camp Pendleton.

MiraCosta’s consistently high NCEX-RN pass rates make it one of the best LVN-to-RN programs in California. Students are accepted once a year into its LVN-RN Step-Up Program. For consideration, you must complete all prerequisites with a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher before you apply, and you must score 62 percent or higher on the TEAS exam.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential MiraCosta College LVN-to-RN Students

• In 2022, the average NCLEX-RN pass rate for MiraCosta College ADN students was 92 percent.
• Throughout the 2019-2020 academic year, MiraCosta College awarded 43 ADN degrees.
• MiraCosta College also offers the non-degree 30-Unit LVN-RN Option.
• MiraCosta has a collaborative agreement with Point Loma Nazarene University that allows students in its ADN program to work toward their BSN degrees simultaneously.
• MiraCosta also has agreements in place with Azusa Pacific University, Brandman University, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Grand Canyon University, National University, Ohio University, University of Phoenix, University of Texas at Arlington, and Western Governors University that allow ADN graduates to pursue their BSN degrees at these institutions at a discounted tuition rate.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



WHAT IS THE STARTING SALARY FOR NEW GRADUATES OF LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?


Registered nurses fresh out of one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California can expect to earn $84,700 a year. This comes to $40.72 an hour, $1,629 a week, or $7,060 a month.

Hourly$40.72
Weekly$1,629
Monthly$7,060
Annual$84,700
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR GRADUATES OF LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?


On average, graduates of LVN-to-RN programs in California can look forward to earning $133,340 a year. This calculates out to $64.11 an hour, $2,564 a week, or $11,110 a month. LVN-to-RN program grads typically reach this salary benchmark in their tenth year of employment.

Hourly$64.11
Weekly$2,564
Monthly$11,110
Annual$133,340
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



HOW MUCH DOES THE AVERAGE SALARY GROW WITH EXPERIENCE FOR GRADUATES OF LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?


The more experience you acquire as an RN, the better your executive functioning becomes and the more efficient you are at providing patient care. This is why experienced registered nurses make higher salaries than RNs who’ve recently graduated from an LVN-to-RN program in California.

RNs in California with one to four years of experience make salaries that are 24 percent higher than RNs in California who’ve just transitioned from LVN status. In comparison, RNs with five to nine years of experience make 57 percent more. With 10 to 19 years of experience, you’ll make 91 percent more than you did as an entry-level RN. With 20 or more years of experience, you’ll make more than twice what you were being paid when you first completed your LVN-to-RN Bridge Program in California.

Level of Experience Hourly Weekly Monthly Annual
Entry-Level $40.72 $1,629 $7,060 $84,700
1-4 Years of Experience $50.29 $2,012 $8,720 $104,610
5-9 Years of Experience $63.78 $2,551 $11,060 $132,660
10-19 Years of Experience $77.78 $3,111 $13,480 $161,780
20 Years or More Experience $85.42 $3,417 $14,810 $177,670
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



LVN VS. RN SALARY IN CALIFORNIA: HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU EARN AS AN RN?


Registered nurses in California earn 91 percent more than licensed vocational nurses.

RN Average
Annual Salary
LVN Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$133,340$69,930+$63,410+90.68%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



METRO WISE LVN VS. RN SALARY IN CALIFORNIA: HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU EARN AS AN RN?


The California cities where the differential between RN and LVN salaries is most significant are Santa Cruz and Watsonville, where RNs earn 112 percent more than LVNs. Other California cities where RNs make more than twice as much as LVNs include Modesto (109 percent), Vallejo and Fairfield (108 percent), San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward (105 percent), and Sacramento, Roseville, Arden, and Arcade (104 percent.)

Metro RN Average
Annual Salary
LVN Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Bakersfield $118,170 $65,650 +$52,520 +80.00%
Chico $126,420 $64,720 +$61,700 +95.33%
El Centro $99,280 $63,110 +$36,170 +57.31%
Fresno $123,370 $65,080 +$58,290 +89.57%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim $125,350 $68,530 +$56,820 +82.91%
Merced $117,730 $62,300 +$55,430 +88.97%
Modesto $138,510 $66,300 +$72,210 +108.91%
Napa $146,400 $76,370 +$70,030 +91.70%
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura $122,260 $66,570 +$55,690 +83.66%
Redding $121,730 $62,150 +$59,580 +95.86%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario $121,470 $64,880 +$56,590 +87.22%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade $145,230 $71,280 +$73,950 +103.75%
Salinas $121,030 $69,710 +$51,320 +73.62%
San Diego-Carlsbad $117,830 $67,750 +$50,080 +73.92%
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward $164,760 $80,470 +$84,290 +104.75%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara $160,020 $80,590 +$79,430 +98.56%
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande $125,430 $69,120 +$56,310 +81.47%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville $149,750 $70,550 +$79,200 +112.26%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara $115,170 $68,390 +$46,780 +68.40%
Santa Rosa $151,150 $76,710 +$74,440 +97.04%
Stockton-Lodi $130,370 $68,440 +$61,930 +90.49%
Vallejo-Fairfield $158,340 $76,240 +$82,100 +107.69%
Visalia-Porterville $113,920 $61,190 +$52,730 +86.17%
Yuba City $122,290 $66,260 +$56,030 +84.56%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



LVN VS. RN JOB OUTLOOK IN CALIFORNIA: WHO HAS A BETTER JOB OUTLOOK?


In terms of California employment opportunities, LVNs have a slight edge over RNs. California employment opportunities for LVNs will grow by 15 percent over the next decade, while employment opportunities for RNs will only grow by 11 percent.

Occupation Employment New Employment
Growth (2020-2030)
2020 2030 Number %
LVN 72,40083,500+11,100+15.33%
RN 323,900358,900+35,000+10.81%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



LVN VS. RN JOB OPENINGS IN CALIFORNIA: WHO HAS MORE JOB OPENINGS?


RNs have more than three times as many job openings in California as LVNs.

Occupation New Replacement Annual Job Openings
(New + Replacement)
LVN 1,1105,8706,980
RN 3,50017,70021,200
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



BONUS! IS AN LVN-TO-RN PROGRAM WORTH IT IN CALIFORNIA?


From a strictly financial perspective, enrolling in one of the LVN-to-RN programs in California is definitely worth it. Most LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs in the Golden State cost less than $20,000 and take a year to a year and a half to complete. In your first job out of school, you will make 21 percent more than your average salary as an LVN, and within four years, you will be making 50 percent more. That’s a tremendous return on your educational investment.



MY FINAL THOUGHTS


This article has provided you with a thorough answer to the question, “What are the best LVN-to-RN programs in California?” Even if you enjoy your work as an LVN, it may be worth your while to think about transitioning to RN status: Registered nursing is such a versatile occupation that it should be easy for you to find employment in the same practice settings where you worked as an LVN—only this time, you’ll be the person in charge. And if you plan to stick with nursing until you retire, working as an LVN can be hard on your body as you age: Working as an RN is physically easier. One of these 30 best LVN-to-RN programs in California for 2025 could be the passport to an exciting new phase in your life.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT


1. WHO ACCREDITS LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA?

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredit LVN-to-RN programs in California.



2. HOW MANY ACCREDITED LVN-TO-RN PROGRAMS ARE THERE IN CALIFORNIA?

There are 52 accredited LVN-to-RN Bridge Programs in California.

52


3. HOW MUCH MORE CAN I MAKE PER HOUR AFTER COMPLETING MY LVN-TO-RN IN CALIFORNIA?

Once you complete an LVN-to-RN program in California, your hourly earnings will go up by $30.48.

RNLVNDifference
$64.10$33.62+$30.48


4. HOW MUCH MORE CAN I MAKE PER MONTH AFTER COMPLETING MY LVN-TO-RN IN CALIFORNIA?

Your monthly salary will increase by $5,280 after you graduate from an LVN-to-RN program in California.

RNLVNDifference
$11,110$5,830+$5,280


5. HOW MUCH MORE CAN I MAKE PER YEAR AFTER COMPLETING MY LVN-TO-RN IN CALIFORNIA?

As an RN in California, you can expect to make $63,410 more per year than you did before you enrolled in an LVN-to-RN program.

RNLVNDifference
$133,340$69,930+$63,410


6. LVN-TO-RN SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. LVN-TO-RN SALARY IN THE NATION: WHO EARNS MORE?

The salary differential between RNs and LVNs is 50 percent higher in California than it is in the rest of the nation.

Average California
LVN-to-RN Annual Salary
Average National LVN-to-RN
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$133,340$89,010+$44,330+49.80%


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.



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