LVN - RN BRIDGE

Nursing schools in California allow licensed vocational nurses to become registered nurses with just one to two years of additional training. Now, through the use of LVN to RN bridge programs most LVNs can become registered nurses in two to three years. Today it is difficult to get accepted into a nursing program. With prerequisites and the waiting lists it takes an average student up to six years to become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree. Most vocational nursing programs are less difficult to get into and only take 12 to 16 months to complete.

Working as an LVN is certainly rewarding, but when you are ready to move to a different level in your career, you can join the ranks of more than one-quarter million working registered nurses (RNs) in California. BRIDGE programs offer degree pathways such as LVN to ADN and LVN to BSN. Professional Medical Careers Institute in Westlake Village offers an academically strong vocational nursing program with about 600 hours of theory in all areas of nursing science and nearly 1000 hours of hands-on clinical experience. The program at PMCI is designed to prepare students for licensure, employment and advancement in nursing. Completion of an LVN to RN bridge program is recommended after successful completion of the vocational nursing program at PMCI and licensure.

After successfully completing PMCI's Vocational Nursing Program and becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), graduates may choose to continue their nursing education through one of many advanced placement and bridge programs offered throughout California. These programs provide excellent opportunities to build upon the strong nursing foundation you receive at PMCI while working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.

Below are several California colleges and universities that offer nursing advancement opportunities for qualified LVNs:

Ventura College – LVN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/academic/nursing-science/advanced-placement

Moorpark College – LVN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/nursing-science/advanced-placement

Santa Barbara City College – LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program
https://discovery.sbcc.edu/nursing/adn/lvninformation.php

California State University Channel Islands – LVN-to-BSN Pathway
https://nursing.csuci.edu/programs/lvn.htm

Los Angeles County College of Nursing & Allied Health – Advanced Placement Option I (LVN to RN)
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/college-of-nursing-and-allied-health/home/school-of-nursing/advanced-placement-for-lvn-option-i/

Los Angeles Pierce College – LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.lapc.edu/academics/pathways/stem/nursing/lvn-to-rn

Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) – LVN to ADN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.lasc.edu/academics/aos/nursing/lvn-rn-bridge

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) – LVN to RN (30-Unit Option)
https://www.elac.edu/academics/pathways/hs/nursing-dept/lvn-rn

Glendale Community College – LVN to RN Career Ladder Program
https://www.glendale.edu/academics/academic-divisions/health-sciences/nursing/application-information/

Pasadena City College – LVN to RN Career Ladder Program
https://pasadena.edu/academics/divisions/health-sciences/nursing-programs/career-ladder/

College of the Canyons – LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.canyons.edu/academics/nursing/admissions/lvn-rn/

Mount Saint Mary's University – LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program
https://www.msmu.edu/departments/nursing/undergraduate-programs/lvn-to-rn-/

These programs provide excellent opportunities to continue your nursing education while building upon the strong nursing foundation you will receive at PMCI.

Please Note: Admission requirements, prerequisite courses, challenge examinations, advanced placement eligibility, application deadlines, and program availability vary by institution and are subject to change. PMCI encourages prospective students to contact each college or university directly for the most current admissions information and nursing program requirements.

• If you already have many of the prerequisites done (biology, anatomy, chemistry, etc.), a bridge / advanced placement program might take 2–3 semesters (6 months –1.5 years) to complete the needed nursing coursework and be eligible to take NCLEX-RN.
• If prerequisites are still pending, add extra time (a year or more) to finish those.
• Some programs (especially non-degree or condensed ones) may allow a quicker turnaround, but they’re rare and highly competitive.

1. List target colleges in your area (Ventura + LA) that offer LVN → RN/ADN/bridge.
2. Meet with a nursing counselor/academic advisor at those colleges, specifically about the LVN → RN track, advanced placement, challenge exams, etc.
3. Map out all prerequisite courses those programs require and enroll in them or see which ones you’ve already completed.
4. Prepare for the TEAS (or whatever entrance exam your target school uses).
5. Apply broadly to multiple programs to increase your chances.
6. Confirm your LVN license, work experience, and transcripts are in good order and ready to submit.

• American River College – LVN to RN Career Mobility Program
  https://arc.losrios.edu/lvn-to-rn-career-mobility-program

• Azusa Pacific University – LVN to BSN Program
  https://www.apu.edu/programs/lvn-to-bsn/

• Carrington College – Nursing Bridge Program
  https://carrington.edu/program/nursing-bridge/

• Cerritos College – LVN to RN Option C
  https://www.cerritos.edu/registered-nurse/option-c.htm

• Chaffey College – LVN to RN Advanced Placement
  https://www.chaffey.edu/acc/hwa/hwa-academics/adn-lvn-rn.php

• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science – LVN to BSN Track
  https://www.cdrewu.edu/academics/program/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-lvn-to-bsn-track/

• City College of San Francisco – Registered Nursing Admissions (LVN Advanced Placement)
  https://www.ccsf.edu/academics/schools/allied-health-physical-education-social-services/registered-nursing-department/rn-program-admissions

• Citrus College – Associate Degree Nursing (Career Mobility)
  https://www.citruscollege.edu/academics/programs/adn/pages/default.aspx

• College of San Mateo – Nursing Program (LVN Advanced Placement)
  https://collegeofsanmateo.edu/nursing/

• Cuesta College – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/divisions/nah/nursingdept/registered_nursing_info/lvn_rn-info/index.html

• East Los Angeles College – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.elac.edu/academics/pathways/hs/nursing-dept/lvn-rn

• Evergreen Valley College – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.evc.edu/nursing-allied-health/associate-degree-nursing/lvn-rn

• Foothill College – Nursing Program (general nursing information)
  https://www.foothill.edu/programs-archive/programs.html

• Gurnick Academy of Medical Sciences – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.gurnick.edu/programs/lvn-rn/

• Los Angeles Mission College – Nursing Program (general nursing information)
  https://missioncollege.edu/academics/health-occupations-nursing/

• Los Angeles Southwest College – LVN to ADN Advanced Placement
  https://www.lasc.edu/academics/aos/nursing/lvn-rn-bridge

• MiraCosta College – LVN to RN Nursing Program
  https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/health-sciences/nursing/lvn-rn-nursing-program.html

• Moorpark College – LVN Advanced Placement
  https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/nursing-science/advanced-placement

• Mount Saint Mary's University – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.msmu.edu/departments/nursing/undergraduate-programs/lvn-to-rn-/

• Mt. San Antonio College – LVN to RN Program
  https://catalog.mtsac.edu/programs/programsaz/licensed-vocational-nurse-rn/

• National University – LVN to RN 30-Unit Option
  https://www.nu.edu/degrees/nursing/programs/licensed-vocational-nurses-to-registered-nurse-30-unit-option-certificate/

• Orange Coast College – Allied Health (no dedicated LVN bridge page)
  https://orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/consumer-health/allied-health/index.html

• Pasadena City College – LVN to RN Career Ladder
  https://pasadena.edu/academics/divisions/health-sciences/nursing-programs/career-ladder/index.php

• Riverside City College – LVN Advanced Placement Information
  https://www.rcc.edu/assets/documents/pathways/health-related-science/nursing/Advanced%20Placement%20Info%20Sheet.pdf

• Sacramento City College – Nursing Program (Career Mobility)
  https://scc.losrios.edu/academics/nursing-program-details

• Saddleback College – ADN Information Packet (includes LVN Advanced Placement)
  https://www.saddleback.edu/sites/default/files/2024-11/Saddleback_College_ADN_Information_Packet_11_15_24_0.pdf

• San Bernardino Valley College – LVN to RN Program
  https://www.valleycollege.edu/academics/pathways/hwa/nursing/lvn-to-rn.php

• San Diego State University – LVN to RN Program
  https://nursing.sdsu.edu/academics/lvn-to-rn

• San Joaquin Valley College – LVN to RN Bridge Program
  https://www.sjvc.edu/program/registered-nursing-lvn-to-rn-bridge/

• Ventura College – LVN Advanced Placement
  https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/academic/nursing-science/advanced-placement

• West Valley College – Academics (West Valley does not offer an RN program; Mission College is the district's RN campus)
  https://www.westvalley.edu/academics/

• California State University, Long Beach – BSN Program (LVN 30-Unit Option referenced in program materials)
  https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-health-human-services/school-of-nursing/bsn-program

• California State University, San Bernardino – LVN 30-Unit Option
  https://www.csusb.edu/nursing/programs/lvn-thirty30-unit-option

Note: This is a partial list. California offers many additional accredited LVN/LPN-to-RN bridge, advanced placement, and career mobility programs.

Tip: Always contact each program's admissions office to verify current prerequisites, science course requirements, TEAS requirements, clinical hour requirements, application deadlines, and program availability, as these requirements may change from year to year.

• Albertus Magnus College — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://www.albertus.edu/lpn-bsn/

• AMG School of Nursing — LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
  https://www.amg.edu/rn-bridge-program/

• Blinn College — LVN-to-RN Transition Program
  https://www.blinn.edu/adn/lvn-transition/index-intro.html

• Cape Fear Community College — LPN-to-ADN Bridge Program
  https://cfcc.edu/lpn-rn/

• Carrington College — LVN/LPN Nursing Bridge Program
  https://carrington.edu/program/nursing-bridge/

• Chamberlain University — LPN-to-BSN Proficiency Pathway
  https://www.chamberlain.edu/academic-resources/nursing-school/lpn-to-bsn/curriculum

• Chattahoochee Technical College — LPN-to-RN Bridge Option
  https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/school-of-nursing/lpn-to-rn-bridge-option.html

• Collin College — LVN-to-RN Bridge Program
  https://www.collin.edu/nursing/LVNtoRN/index.html

• Community College of Rhode Island — LPN-to-RN Option
  https://www.ccri.edu/nursing/lpntornadmissions.html

• Cumberland University — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://www.cumberland.edu/programs/lpn-to-bsn/

• Davenport University — Practical Nurse-to-BSN Pathway
  https://www.davenport.edu/academics/areas/health-professions/bachelors-nursing-pre-licensure

• Fitchburg State University — LPN-to-BS in Nursing Bridge Program
  https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/programs/lpn-bs-nursing-bridge-program-bs

• Florida Gateway College — LPN-to-RN Bridge: Fast-Track Part-Time
  https://www.fgc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/lpn-rn-bridge-fast-track.html

• Florida Gateway College — LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time
  https://www.fgc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/lpn-rn-bridge-traditional-full-time.html

• Galen College of Nursing — LPN/LVN-to-ADN Bridge Program
  https://galencollege.edu/nursing-programs/lpn-lvn-adn-bridge

• Georgia State University — LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  https://admissions.gsu.edu/program/nursing-lpn-to-bsn-bridge-program/

• Goodwin University — LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
  https://www.goodwin.edu/majors/nursing/faq

• Herzing University — LPN-to-ASN and LPN-to-BSN Bridge Options
  https://www.herzing.edu/nursing/lpn-rn/online

• Howard College — LVN-to-RN Transition Program, Big Spring Campus
  https://howardcollege.edu/academics/health-professions-programs/health-professions-big-spring/transition-lvn-to-rn-big-spring.html

• Howard College — LVN-to-RN Transition Program, San Angelo Campus
  https://howardcollege.edu/academics/health-professions-programs/health-professions-san-angelo/transition-lvn-to-rn-san-angelo.html

• Jersey College — LPN-to-RN Bridge Track
  https://www.jerseycollege.edu/nursing-programs/professional-nursing

• Kent State University — LPN and Allied Health-to-BSN Bridge Program
  https://www.kent.edu/nursing/programs/lpn-alliedhealth-to-bsn

• Lee College — LVN-to-RN Transition Track
  https://www.lee.edu/programs/nursing/index.php

• Madonna University — LPN-to-BSN Track
  https://www.madonna.edu/academics/programs/nursing-bsn/lpn-to-bsn/

• National University — LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option
  https://www.nu.edu/degrees/nursing/programs/licensed-vocational-nurses-to-registered-nurse-30-unit-option-certificate/

• Navarro College — LVN-to-RN Bridge Option
  https://www.navarrocollege.edu/academics/lvn-bridge/index.html

• Pennsylvania College of Technology — LPN-to-RN Associate Degree
  https://www.pct.edu/academics/nhs/nursing/nursing-lpn-rn

• Regis University — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://www.regis.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/lpn-bsn

• Saint Xavier University — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://www.sxu.edu/academics/programs/lpn-bsn/index.html

• The Ohio State University — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://nursing.osu.edu/lpn-bsn

• Tidewater Community College — Nursing Program (LPN Advanced Placement)
  https://www.tcc.edu/programs/nursing/

• University of Arkansas — LPN-to-BSN Online Pathway
  https://online.uark.edu/programs/licensed-practical-nurse-bachelor-science-nursing.php

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette — LPN-to-BSN Online Program
  https://online.louisiana.edu/programs/undergraduate/lpn-bsn-online

• University of North Carolina at Pembroke — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://www.uncp.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-health-sciences/academic-departments/nursing/bsn-programs/lpn-bsn

• University of South Alabama — LPN-to-BSN Pathway
  https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/bsn/lpn-to-bsn.html

• University of Texas at Arlington — LVN-to-BSN Program
  https://academicpartnerships.uta.edu/programs/undergraduate/bachelor-science-nursing/lvn-to-bsn/

• Wilson College — LPN-to-BSN Program
  https://online.wilson.edu/programs/bachelors-degrees/lpn-to-bsn/

• Weatherford College — LVN-to-RN Transition Program
  https://wc.edu/programs/all-programs/lvn_rn_transition/index.php

Please Note: This is a partial national list. Hundreds of accredited colleges and universities across the United States offer LPN/LVN-to-RN, LVN Advanced Placement, Career Mobility, and LPN/LVN-to-BSN pathways. Program requirements, prerequisite courses, admission criteria, application deadlines, tuition, and program availability are determined by each institution and are subject to change. Prospective students should contact each school's nursing admissions office or visit the official program website to verify the most current information before applying.