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Nursing: 30 Unit Option

Award Type: Certificate of Achievement

The LVN “30-unit” option (Certificate of Achievement) is another alternative to becoming eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and pursue a career as a “non-graduate” registered nurse in the state of California. The student choosing this option is NOT considered a graduate of the nursing program or the college. Most other states do not recognize California's LVN “30-unit” option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs. Applicants to the “30-unit” option must meet with the LVN-to-RN program director for advisement. The “30-unit” option requires current licensed vocational nurse (LVN) licensure. For recent vocational nursing graduates waiting to take the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), continuation in the program is contingent upon passing the licensure examination. Upon completion of the 30-unit option, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The graduate of the Certificate of Achievement in Nursing: 30 Unit Option will:

  • Evaluate nursing care provided to patients, families, groups, populations, and communities across the lifespan from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings to ensure that it is compassionate, age and culturally appropriate and based on a patient's preferences, values and needs.
  • Collaborate with members of the interprofessional health care team to manage and coordinate the provision of safe, quality care for patients, families, and groups.
  • Demonstrate use of best current evidence and clinical expertise when making clinical decisions in the provision of patient-centered care.
  • Use evidence-based quality improvement processes to effect change in the delivery of patient-centered care.
  • Demonstrate effective use of strategies to mitigate errors and reduce the risk of harm to patients, self and others in healthcare, home, and community settings.
  • Use evidence-based information and patient care technology to communicate relevant patient information, manage care and mitigate error in the provision of safe, quality patient-centered care.
  • Assimilate integrity and accountability into practices that uphold established regulatory, legal, and ethical principles while providing patient-centered, standard-based nursing care.
  • Use leadership, management and priority-setting skills in the provision and management of safe, quality patient-centered care.
  • Use verbal and nonverbal communication strategies with patients, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds that promote an effective exchange of information and development of therapeutic relationships.

Program Requirements

A total of 30 units is required for the certificate.

Science Requirements

Course Number Course Title Units
BIOL 125 Human Physiology 4.000 - 0.000 units
BIOL 128 Microbiology 4.500 - 0.000 units

Spring Semester

Course Number Course Title Units
NURS 103 RN Practicum 1 5.000 - 0.000 units
NURS 104 Med Surg Nursing 2 3.000 - 0.000 units
NURS 111 RN Skills 1 1.000 - 0.000 units

Fall Semester

Course Number Course Title Units
NURS 106 Leadership & Management 1.500 - 0.000 units
NURS 108 RN Practicum 2 5.000 - 0.000 units
NURS 109 Med Surg Nursing 3 3.000 - 0.000 units
NURS 110 Mental Health Nursing 3.000 - 0.000 units