LVN to RN Bridge Programs in California
The experience you bring to the table as an LPN may help you take the leap and decide to become a registered nurse. On this page you’ll find LPN to RN programs in California, how to finish an LPN to RN bridge program, what type of license you need, and what it’s like to work as an RN in California. You’ll learn what additional responsibilities you may be able to take on as an RN. With our list of bridge programs, reach out to California nursing schools near you.
Why Should I Consider LVN to RN Programs in California?
It’s no doubt that nurses are one of the most important parts of the health care industry. As a licensed practical nurse, you’ve likely helped many doctors and registered nurses provide excellent, evidence-based care to patients. This experience doesn’t just benefit your patients; it can also prepare you for the next big step in your career when you decide to enter a LPN to RN bridge program, or a LVN to BSN program and further advance your nursing skills.
Now may be an excellent time to get started as a registered nurse in California. Legislators and policymakers are looking for ways to increase the quality of health care while also cutting costs for providers and patients. By becoming a registered nurse, you can take on a greater scope of practice and provide greater value to your place of employment. Use our list of schools to contact LPN to RN programs in California and find out how your LPN experience can make a difference.
Taking your education to the next level can help you explore new employment opportunities, increase your income potential, and put you in a position to change lives. The Napa Valley Register notes that California has a substantial gap between the amount of providers that are needed for residents and the amount of providers that are actually available. Becoming an RN may help you fill that gap.
When you go from LPN to RN, California salaries often increase significantly. While the average salary for a California LPN is $52,670 per year in 2017 (BLS), registered nurses earn an average of $101,750 per year (BSL, 2017).
Curriculum of LPN to BSN Programs in California
When it comes to LPN to RN programs, California has fairly rigorous standards. Becoming a registered nurse means increasing your scope of practice, taking on more responsibility and independence, and enhancing your theoretical knowledge. In an Associate’s degree program, you can accomplish these goals in about one year of full-time study. A Bachelor’s degree, on the other hand, takes about three years. Look for LVN to BSN programs in CA to earn your BSN while still utilizing your vocational nursing experience.
Both of these degree programs require general education courses, but the bulk of your time may be spent in advanced nursing courses. These courses help you boost your clinical thinking skills, prepare you for the additional responsibilities of being an RN, and help you gain experience with different medical specialties. Your curriculum may include courses like Principles of Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Acute Medical-Surgical Nursing, Concepts of Professional Nursing, and Maternal/Newborn Nursing.
Though you already have plenty of clinical experience as an LPN, you must get even more experience to become a registered nurse. As you cycle through your specialized nursing courses, you should complete clinical rotations that take you through these different specialties.
Upon completion of your program, you must take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as a registered nurse in California. Many schools help you prepare for this exam with a review course or review guides.
There are different financial aid programs in place for nurses returning to school. If you want to earn your four-year degree, consider applying for the Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship, which is funded through the state.
As California’s population continues to grow, health care needs may expand as well. As you prepare for this period of growth, you may be asking, “How can I find LPN to RN bridge programs near me?” It’s simple. Just use the listings on this page to contact California LVN to BSN programs or LVN to RN programs in your area, or visit our resources page for more guidance!
