California LVN to BSN Careers

Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) care for the sick, injured, elderly, or disabled. Also called  “vocational nurses,” LVNs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. Whether it’s to help advance their careers or earn a higher salary, many LVNs decide to make the transition to registered nurse (RN). Most LVNs hold a diploma, certificate, or Associate Degree.

LVNs work primarily in nursing homes, home health care, or doctor’s offices providing basic care. With a BSN degree, a licensed vocational nurse will have the education and training necessary to become an RN. This, along with a BSN, will give them access to many research positions, as well as positions in nurse education, public/community health, consulting, specialized care, and some leadership positions.

Nurses of all degree levels are in high demand today, but an even greater demand exists for nurses that hold a 4-year or advanced degree. This is especially true in the State of California, which has the highest population of RNs in the U.S.

LVN to BSN  Education and Training Programs

Licensed Vocational Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LVN to BSN) programs are designed for working licensed vocational nurses wishing to advance in the field and become leaders in a variety of healthcare settings. In the State of California, most schools require an active California LVN license and a passing score on the LVN Nursing Skills Assessment to apply. Other requirements such as grade point average, may vary.

An LVN to BSN may include course titles such as Professional Nursing Values, Pharmacology for Nurses, Nursing Research, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Psychosocial Nursing, Community Healthcare Delivery, Community Health Frameworks, Community: Population Focus, Nursing Leadership/Management, and Professional Issues in Nursing. It may take 2 years or more to complete a typical LVN to BSN curriculum.

After completion of a LVN to BSN program, graduates will have the coursework needed for licensure by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

LVN to BSN Schools and Training Programs in California

California is home to dozens of schools that offer nursing programs. Schools that offer programs for aspiring registered nurses (RNs) can be found across the state. Although the number of schools that offer LVN to BSN programs isn’t as high, they offer high-quality programs that satisfy all BRN requirements for licensure.

The following are some of the top LVN to BSN schools in the State of California:

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
California State University, Chico, San Marcos, CA
California State University-Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA

Employment and Earnings Outlook for California Registered Nurses (RNs)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer salary and employment information for nurses by degree level. However, LVN to BSN students are on the road to becoming registered nurses (RNs), so the BLS information below should give you a good idea of what to expect from the industry—nationwide and statewide.

The U.S. is home to 2,711,500 registered nurses (RNs), averaging $65,470 per year, and the field is growing. In 2008, the nation was home to 2,542,760 RNs averaging $65,130 per year. For the 2012-2022 decade, employment for RNs is expected to increase by 19% or 526,800 jobs.

The State of California is home to 249,980 RNs averaging around $94,120 per year, up from $83,040 in 2008 when the state was home to 240,470 RNs. As stated earlier, California has the nation’s highest employment level for RNs, with the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale Metro Area leading the pack. Home to 69,540 RNS, this metro area has the 3rd highest employment level for this occupation (among metro areas).

California also offers the nation’s highest average salary for RNs and it is home to the Top 10 Highest Paying Metro Areas for this occupation. The areas include:

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, $122,990 per year
2. Vallejo-Fairfield, $119,310
3. Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, $113,520
4. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, $110,630
5. Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, $107,710
6. Salinas, $105,610
7. Napa, $104,440
8. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, $102,990
9. Modesto, $100,780
10. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, $98,050

The 10% of RNs nationwide averaged $94,720 per year in 2012, and the bottom 10% averaged $45,040 per year.