Medical and Dental Programs
Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge
SJVC’s Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge program is an advanced placement track designed to help vocational nurses qualify to become registered nurses. Earn an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (ADN) in as few as 11 months.
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Program Details
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge Associate Degree program is designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses who desire to take the next step in their careers, allowing them to transfer in credits from their LVN studies. SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
Students in this Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge program will be prepared to work as Registered Nurses within the health care delivery system. Graduates are trained as providers and managers of care, communicators and collaborators, and client advocates and educators. Curriculum—both theory and clinical classwork—covers RN studies in areas such as:
- Health Promotion
- Gerontology
- Medical/Surgical Nursing
- Mental Health Psychiatry Nursing
- Maternal/Child Nursing
- Leadership
Graduates earn an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing, also known as an Associateca Degree in Nursing (ADN), and are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Registered Nursing and Registered Nursing – LVN to RN programs have a highly-selective application process in which only the most qualified candidates are chosen to fill the available seats. Please see the academic catalog or contact an Admissions Advisor for detailed information.
More information on pre-requisite courses is available here: sjvc.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/prerequisite-courses-faqs.
Download the Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge Application
Important Dates
Rancho Mirage – Generic RN application deadline: 6/14/2024
Visalia – Generic RN application deadline: 6/14/2024
Visalia – LVN-RN Bridge application deadline: 9/16/2024
MILITARY POLICY
Effective August 2017: Individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, specifically: Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic) or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT 4N0X1C), may achieve advanced placement into the nursing program with documentation of education and experience qualifying them for the specific Military Health Care Occupation and upon successful completion of the challenge exam(s), dosage calculation exam, and skills competency exam.
COST & FINANCIAL AID
Education may be the most important investment you can make in your future. There is a financial plan available for everyone, including a broad range of financial assistance options. Visit SJVC’s Net Price Calculator to get personalized information on college costs and financial aid for your Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge program. Check out SJVC’s Academic Catalog to learn about program costs by campus and credential level. You also can talk to an Admissions Advisor to discuss the costs of your chosen program and schedule an appointment with an experienced financial aid officer. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
PROGRAM AVAILABILITY
Designed to be completed in as few as 11 months, SJVC’s Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge program is available at the Visalia, Ontario, and Rancho Mirage Campuses.
ACCREDITATION & APPROVALS
San Joaquin Valley College’s Registered Nursing-LVN to RN Bridge program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
Institutional Accreditation
San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001. www.wscuc.org
The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Approvals
CALIFORNIA
SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review the catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).
What Will I Learn?
LEADERSHIP
MENTAL HEALTH PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
MEDICAL/SURGICAL NURSING
MATERNAL/CHILD NURSING
Ready to Do This?
Find your path from LVN to RN
Talk to an admissions advisor about the Registered Nursing-LVN to RN Bridge program and earn your Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (ADN) in as few as 11 months.
Career Opportunities
Are you ready to expand your career responsibilities—and opportunities—from LVN to RN? Registered nurses have more authority and patient-care responsibilities. According to the BLS1, most RNs work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some supervise the work of LPNs, LVNs, nursing assistants, and home health aides. While specific job duties vary, an RN has the training and education for a number of healthcare responsibilities.
Typical RN job duties can include2:
- Assessing patient conditions
- Recording medical histories and symptoms
- Observing patients and recording those observations
- Administering medication
- Patient care coordination or contributing information to existing plans
- Consulting and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Operating and monitoring medical equipment
- Helping perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
- Teaching patients & families how to manage illnesses or injuries
- Explaining homecare treatments
Check out our guide on Registered Nursing in California
Nurses are, above all, caregivers. People who feel drawn to caring for people, who love helping others, and who want to make a difference in the world can choose a career in nursing. Find out more about how to become a nurse and learn about a few different nursing training options in addition to our Registered Nursing – LVN to RN Bridge program that students can take. Learn more about RNs and other nursing career paths in our career guide.
Successful Grads
Ask one of our graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing.
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Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge Program FAQs
HOW LONG IS AN LVN TO RN PROGRAM?
If you’ve been looking for an LVN to RN Bridge program that can help you earn an advanced nursing degree to take your career to the next level, we can help. Our Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge program allows currently Licensed Vocational Nurses to transfer credits from their LVN studies toward an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (ADN).
Graduates of our Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge program are trained as providers and managers of care, communicators and collaborators, and client advocates and educators. Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
WHERE CAN I TAKE AN LVN TO RN PROGRAM IN CALIFORNIA?
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO LEARN IN AN LVN TO RN PROGRAM?
At SJVC, our Registered Nursing - LVN to RN Bridge program offers a comprehensive exploration of essential RN-level skills in areas for leadership, mental health, medical/surgical nursing, gerontology and more.
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will be able to:
- Assist individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve optimal health utilizing the knowledge gained from biological, social, and nursing sciences.
- Formulate a comprehensive plan of care that minimizes risk and optimizes safety using the nursing process.
- Integrate the role of professional nurse into clinical practice.
- Apply psychological, social, and cultural knowledge to nursing practice.
- Use inter- and intra-professional communication and collaboration skills to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care.
- Assume the role of advocate to improve health care delivery by communicating and acting according to the expressed needs of the individual.
- Interpret data and apply evidence to support clinical judgment.
- Develop and implement patient education based on identified need and in collaboration with the patient.
- Utilize a variety of resources, including electronic media and medical technology to provide safe, quality care of the patient and family.
- Provide leadership, manage resources, delegate and supervise members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate the social skills, professional appearance, attitudes and behavior that employers expect of all SJVC graduates.