LVN/LPN to RN - options for (mostly) online education?

[studyingfortests]

Hi, folks.

I have a friend who holds an LVN (California) and wants to get his RN degree. My first thought was TESU, but they do not seem to have much in the way of online options for this route.

However, a quick search turned up this program at Indiana State U that appears to be exactly the sort of thing he would need. However, it seems spendy, and their page that lists state eligibility is down, so I can't even tell if CA residents are eligible. Well phooey, actually, that program isn't available in CA, so it's out.
 
The catch is, he did his LVN at a vocational education program that is not institutionally accredited, so it seems highly unlikely any of his credits or classes would transfer to the bachelor's degree. He has no other college credits, other than culinary school (similar trade school with no institutional accreditation.)

Any thoughts on his best route? Would it be effective to get a low-cost general bachelors from UMPI or TESU and then use that to transfer to a BSN? Or are there schools with alt credit programs that offer an LVN-BSN bridge program?

Thanks in advance!

[RJ77]

I believe that all RN programs are going to be mostly in-person. For the most part, the only fully online programs are the RN to BSN programs, which require the student to have an RN already. He can probably do a 2 year in-person RN program and then do an online BSN.

[Stonybeach]

May I suggest searching for online/hybrid LVN/LPN to RN ASN programs? There appear to be a few programs that require minimal attendance. Unfortunately, living in California is problematic as many states with these hybrid programs do not accept California students. In any case, one would need to commute to another state to attend campus occasionally. Even Excelsior University has become a limited option for their LVN to RN associate degree program because they lost national nursing accreditation for the associate in nursing. However, they maintained the approval of the NY Board of Nursing. The problem with Excelsior is eventually obtaining a license as an RN by endorsement. There have to be numerous LVN to RN associate or bachelor programs available in California. The associate degree gets you the RN license faster! Then, one can continue pursuing the BSN online, hybrid, or traditional without the many restrictions.

https://nightingale.edu/programs/lpn-to-...rview.html

https://www.excelsior.edu/program/associ...n-nursing/

I believe Western Governors grants credits for the LVN, but they are not accepting students from California. https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-healt...ogram.html

Many states will allow the California LVN to obtain an LPN license via endorsement. Then, you would have to move/work/reside in a state like Oregon for a program like Indiana State U like you mentioned previously. I suggest looking for a California LVN to RN school at the associate degree level. I know many hospitals with Magnet ® status require the BSN but getting the RN as soon as possible may be more important. The LVN to RN with BSN programs is typically three years long.

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"The catch is, he did his LVN at a vocational education program that is not institutionally accredited, so it seems highly unlikely any of his credits or classes would transfer to the bachelor's degree. He has no other college credits, other than culinary school (similar trade school with no institutional accreditation.)"

When schools like TESU grant credit for the LVN, it is based on the fact they are licensed by passing the NCLEX-PN exam, which is worth college credit and not graduation from an unaccredited vocational school!

https://www2.tesu.edu/oplr/client.php?cl...MjQyNDg1Mw..

10 credits awarded for NCLEX-PN. One can pay the fee and get the credits posted on a TESU transcript as a non-degree-seeking student. Perhaps other nursing schools offer more college credits for passing the NCLEX-PN? It doesn't hurt to get college credits for what you already know!

[bjcheung77]

State regulations and rules are in place, you may want to review previous posts/threads and also get in contact with your state to see if there are suitable bridge programs and specific pathways options to decide from, certified and licensed requirements differ vastly, you want to make sure before going any pathway you decide on...

[Duneranger]

There are going to be no online LPN to RN programs. Plenty of in-person bridge program out there

[Stonybeach]

https://www.nursingprocess.org/lvn-to-rn...alifornia/

30 LVN to RN programs in California! It will be interesting to see if there are any "hybrid programs," meaning some on-campus attendance for labs/workshops, distance learning didactics, and clinical rotations at approved sites.

[lisarox]

Your friend could move to one of the states WGU's preliscensure program is in.

https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-healt...ogram.html

California nursing is so impacted

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*nursing major is impacted

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https://www.nursingprocess.org/lvn-to-rn...alifornia/

30 LVN to RN programs in California! It will be interesting to see if there are any "hybrid programs," meaning some on-campus attendance for labs/workshops, distance learning didactics, and clinical rotations at approved sites.

I love how they're like 70k is good money in the bay area. 

For living in a shoebox

[Stonybeach]

"I love how they're like 70k is good money in the bay area. 

For living in a shoebox"
[/quote]

And so, the massive exodus of Californians to Texas, Nevada, Arizona and so forth.

[lisarox]

I love how they're like 70k is good money in the bay area. 

For living in a shoebox

And so, the massive exodus of Californians to Texas, Nevada, Arizona and so forth.
[/quote]

I want to leave California, but I don't want to go to any of those states

[bjcheung77]

Maybe have a backup state you want to leave to and make sure you can see if the licensing and being certified in any profession has reciprocity with another state you want to go... It really depends on where you want to go, each state has different requirements for anything that requires to be certified or licensed...