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Nursing: Registered Nursing (LVN to RN)

Award Type: Associate in Science

The LVN to RN program, fully accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing, is a two-semester program offered every year starting spring semester. The LVN to RN program is specifically designed to provide the licensed vocational nurse (LVN) with an opportunity for career advancement and prepare the LVN for the additional responsibilities required of the registered nurse. Eligibility requirements to apply for the LVN to RN program include completion of program prerequisites, having a current California LVN license OR recent completion of an accredited vocational nursing program and eligibility to take the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), and entrance criteria. Students who recently completed an accredited vocational nursing program must have a California LVN license by the end of the spring (first semester) to be able to complete the LVN-to-RN program. Continuation in the program is contingent upon passing the NCLEX-PN. Students who have LVN license must maintain current licensure throughout the LVN-to-RN program. The LVN-to-RN program entrance criteria include grade point average (GPA), a maximum of four (4) science repeats, and an acceptable score on a readiness examination. The LVN-to-RN program prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. These courses are BIOL 124, BIOL 125, BIOL 128, PSY 101, MATH 331, and ENGL 101. In addition, the student must complete the college’s graduation requirements for an associate degree. The graduate of the LVN-to-RN program is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The graduate of the Associate in Science in Nursing: Registered Nursing (LVN to RN) 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 major of 26.5 units is required for the associate in science degree.

Spring Semester

Course Number	Course Title	Units
NURS 101	Transitions to Professional Practice	1.5
NURS 102	Med Surg Nursing 1	3.0
NURS 103	RN Practicum 1	5.0
NURS 104	Med Surg Nursing 2	3.0
NURS 111	RN Skills 1	1.0

Fall Semester

Course Number	Course Title	Units
NURS 106	Leadership & Management	1.5
NURS 108	RN Practicum 2	5.0
NURS 109	Med Surg Nursing 3	3.0
NURS 110	Mental Health Nursing	3.0
NURS 112	RN Skills 2	0.5