ACADEMICS » Academic Divisions » Health Sciences Division » Nursing » Advanced Placement

LVN-RN Career Ladder

The Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse (LVN-RN) Career Ladder program provides the student with additional theoretical and clinical skills to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private physician offices, and skilled nursing facilities as Registered Nurses. 

Upon completion of the Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse (LVN-RN) Curriculum and General Education requirements, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion in Registered Nursing, an Associate in Science Degree, and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and receive a license from the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to practice nursing in the State of California. 

 

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Courses for Prospective LVN-RN Students

The following 6 courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better in order to be eligible to apply: 

1. Human Anatomy

2. Human Physiology

3. Microbiology 

These 3 science courses must:

  • Include labs and equal 14 semester/21 quarter units. In the event that there are insufficient units, only a college level Chemistry course (with lab) will be used to make up the deficit
  • No more than one (1) substandard grade (W, C-, D, F) between these three (3) courses within the last 7 years
  • COVID-19 Conditions: 
    • Substandard grades (W, EW, NP, C-, D, F) in Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology taken during Spring/Summer/Fall 2020 will not be counted towards GPA calculations and will not count as a repeat. Emergency Withdrawals (EW) in Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology taken during 2021 will not be counted towards GPA calculations and will not count as a repeat. 
    • Online labs for Biology and Chemistry courses will be accepted for courses taken during semesters affected by COVID-19
    • The Nursing Department highly recommends letter grades for the prerequisite courses, especially in Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and English 101. If students choose to take these courses with a "Pass/No Pass", a "P" notation will be interpreted as a "C" in the Chancellor's Formula

4. Freshman English

  • AP scores of 3 or higher will be accepted. This can only be verified with an official transcript from AP CollegeBoard.
  • The Nursing Department highly recommends letter grades for the prerequisite courses, especially in Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and English 101. If students choose to take these courses with a "Pass/No Pass", a "P" notation will be interpreted as a "C" in the Chancellor's Formula

5. General Psychology

  • AP scores of 3 or higher will be accepted. This can only be verified with an official transcript from AP CollegeBoard.
  •  Lifespan and/or Developmental Psychology are not accepted and cannot be substituted

 6. Eligibility for Intermediate Algebra

  • AP scores of 3 of higher will be accepted. This can only be verified with an official transcript from AP CollegeBoard. 

Guided Placement Surveys (GPS) are required for applicants who have not completed Freshman English or Elementary Algebra in a U.S. College or University

 

ACTIVE CALIFORNIA LVN LICENSE

LVN-RN applicants must have a current active California LVN license in good standing.

 

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) or INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (ITIN)

Possession of an SSN or ITIN is required by the California State Board of Registered Nursing for licensure. The department requires a copy of your SSN/ITIN and a government-issued photo ID together on one sheet. Other acceptable forms of SSN/ITIN verification include the first page of your most recent tax return or your W-2 form. These documents will be returned to you.

 

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Applicants without a college degree posted on their transcript must submit proof of high school completion as required by the California State Board of Registered Nursing for licensure. If you have a college degree, proof of completion of high school is not needed. 

If high school was completed in the United States, you may choose to submit proof of completion using one of the two ways listed below: 

  1. One official high school/GED transcript, OR
  2. Submit a copy of your diploma and bring your original diploma for verification

If high school was completed outside the United States, foreign high school must be officially evaluated using one of the official GCC-approved evaluators listed below. Translations will not be accepted. Provide ONE “General Report” from one of the following evaluators. For some companies, you must allow at least 3 weeks for processing. It is the applicant’s responsibility to plan ahead.

World Evaluation Services, Inc.

www.wes.org

212-966-6311

International Educational Research Foundation

www.ierf.org

310-258-9451

 

 

GPA REQUIREMENT

Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and a minimum science GPA (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology) of 2.0

COVID-19 Conditions:

  • Substandard grades (W, EW, NP, C-, D, F) in Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology taken during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020 will not be counted towards GPA calculations

 

NURSING WORKSHOPS

Nursing workshops are held by the Nursing Counselor. Attending the workshop is not mandatory unless you would like to make an appointment with the Nursing Counselor. Please click here for more information on Counseling & Workshops.