LVN to RN 30-Unit Option

Program requirements and information relevant to program goal

Yuba College offers an LVN to RN 30-Unit Option which is a non-degree nursing, non-graduate, education alternative. In accordance with California State Regulation 1429, this option allows the student to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN in a “non-graduate” status, defined as a person completing the minimum requirements for licensure without completing the requirements for a degree. 

Upon completion of the 30-unit option the student will not be a graduate of Yuba College or obtain an Associate in Science in Nursing Degree. The 30-unit option is a non-graduate status is not an accredited program and therefore the student upon completion may not be eligible for employment by certain employers including the military or any federally funded or governmental facilities such as the Veterans Administration. Upon completion of the 30-unit option and after passing the NCLEX-RN the student may be licensed as a registered nurse in California. However, states other than California may not grant RN licensure based upon the completion of this option. In addition, career laddering to a higher level (RN, BSN, MSN) may also be limited.

30-unit option students are admitted into the second year (fourth semester) of the RN program, joining the generic cohort, dependent upon space availability. The applicants are ranked for admission based on out Readmission Policy (see our Student Handbook at https://yc.yccd.edu/nursing/program/). There are two periods per year and students are potentially accepted for entry into the spring or fall semester. The nursing program at Yuba College is impacted; there are more students who apply than can be accepted into the program. Since this pathway is based on space availability, please contact 530.740.1745.

The pathway consists of a combination of general education and nursing courses with related laboratory experience in local health agencies. There are morning, afternoon, evening, night, and weekend clinical experiences required which may change with limited notice. A grade of "C" or better is required in each nursing course for progression in the courses.  

Program costs are approximately $4,000. The student is responsible for providing uniforms, laboratory fees, health examination, health insurance, drug testing, criminal background check, necessary equipment, living expenses and transportation to off-campus laboratory locations. Nursing program students should expect fees of approximately $575 to take the NCLEX-RN. All costs/fees are subject to change.

Note: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) protects the public by screening applicants for licensure to identify potentially unsafe practitioners. The law provides for denial of licensure for crimes or acts, which are substantially related to nursing qualifications, functions, or duties. At time of licensure application, all convictions must be reported except for minor traffic violations. (Business and Professions Code §480 and Nurse Practice Act ARTICLE 3 §2761) 

Note: Providing a Social Security Number (SSN) OR Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): Pursuant to Business and Professions Code §30(c) the BRN will not process any application for licensure unless the applicant provides a SSN or ITIN. The Nursing Practice Act provides for a unified examination and licensing application. Once an applicant passes the examination, a license is automatically issued. Under these circumstances the BRN cannot accept applications for the examination and licensure without an SSN/ITIN.

Prerequisite skills or enrollment limitations 

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK: 

Biology (minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA required): 

BIOL 5 Human Physiology ...................................................4 units – 2 theory 2 lab

BIOL 6 Microbiology ............................................................4 units – 2 theory 2 lab

NURS 13C 30-unit option LVN-RN Bridge Course (minimum 2 GPA required)...10 units – 6 theory 4 lab  

Note: There is no recency requirement for prerequisites. 

Note: In-progress grades are not accepted for prerequisite courses.

Note: Some prerequisite courses have their own prerequisite(s). Please refer to the current course description for additional information. 

Note: Our Nursing Course Equivalencies list will determine acceptance of pre-nursing courses taken outside the Yuba College Community District. If a course is not listed and an applicant wants to the course(s) to be considered work with a Yuba College counselor for the petition process. 

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of the latest edition of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), developed by the Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI). A minimum composite score is necessary to be eligible for application to the program (see Yuba College Website for nursing (nursing.yccd.edu). 

2. 2. Active and unencumbered Current California Vocational Nurse License (LVN)

3. Graduation from an accredited vocational school of nursing or demonstrated mastery of course content by Challenge Examination

4. Completion of our NURS 13C 30-unit option LVN-RN Bridge Course 

     a. The Yuba College Nursing Program does not take a bridge course from another school, the course must be completed at Yuba College

     b. Course must be on the student’s transcript to apply 

5. An LVN is offered conditional enrollment will provide their syllabi of each of their previously completed LVN courses 

     a. The syllabi will be reviewed for course content, hours of clinical (direct patient care), the depth/breath of the course

     b. These LVN’s previously completed LVN nursing courses will be reviewed for potential placement in our program

6. Current Intravenous Therapy certification

7. Students admitted to the Yuba College Nursing Program are required to have specified clinical compliances 

     a. Immunizations and compliances 

     b. Drug and alcohol screening 

     c. Criminal background screening

          i. Applicants who are found to have certain violations that preclude clinical placement will have the offer of admission rescinded. 

     d. All costs related to clinical compliance are the responsibility of the applicant. 

     e. Our department’s drug, background, and compliance policy and procedure are in our Student Handbook located on the Yuba College Website for nursing (nursing.yccd.edu). 

Note: The Yuba College Nursing Program reserves the right to make changes in the enrollment criteria, academic requirements, grading standards and other processes without notice at any time

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps: 

1. Students must meet with the Director of Nursing, Allied Health by appointment call 530.741.6978 to meet prior to submitting request for the 30-unit option.

     a. Sign and agree to the 30-unit Non-Graduate Status Attestation

2. Students must complete a Yuba College application and complete the college entry requirements

3. Applicants must obtain a Yuba College student identification number to access the online application

4. OFFICIAL transcripts (outside the Yuba Community College District) and all other supporting documents must be submitted by the posted due date for the candidate's application to be accepted

5. Meet all eligibility requirements (above)

6. Complete our online application during an open application period 

7. Applicants will be offered time sensitive conditional enrollment

     a. If selected there is a mandatory onsite orientation requirement

8. Applicants who meet the criteria are admitted on a space-available basis 

     a. Our generic Associate in Science Nursing (ASN) program and our LVN to RN Career Mobility programs are impacted   

     b. Placement in the 30 unit option is done utilizing our Readmission ranking policy in our Student Handbook 

Note: Detailed information about program requirements, enrollment criteria, enrollment applications and deadlines are available on the Yuba College Website for nursing (nursing.yccd.edu). 

Only students who meet the educational and pre-nursing requirements and follow the enrollment procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 

Student learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will evaluate nursing care provided to clients, families, groups, populations, and communities from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings to ensure that it is compassionate, age and culturally appropriate and based on a client's preferences, values and needs.

Upon completion of this program, students will Collaborate with members of the interprofessional healthcare team to manage and coordinate client care.

Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate use of current evidence and clinical expertise when making clinical decisions.

Upon completion of this program, students will integrate technologies into practice that support clinical judgment in the management of client care.

Upon completion of this program, students will use quality improvement strategies to effect change in the delivery of client care.

Upon completion of this program, students will evaluate effectiveness of strategies used to support a culture of safety that reduces the risk of injury to patients, self and others.

Upon completion of this program, students will integrate accountable and responsible behaviors that uphold established regulatory, legal, and ethical principles.

Upon completion of this program, students will use leadership, management and priority-setting skills in the provision and management of safe, quality client-centered care.

Upon completion of this program, students will use communication skills that promote an effective exchange of information, development of therapeutic relationships, and shared decision making.

0- zero

This 30 unit option is in accordance with California State Regulation 1429. Due to our impacted generic Associate in Science Nursing (ASN) program and our LVN to RN Career Mobility programs we have not offered any applicants/students this certificate in over 15 years.  

Program Goals and Objectives 

Upon completion of the certificate:

• Obtain licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse through successful completion of the NCLEX-RN Examination

• Function in all roles of the Registered Nurse as a competent entry level practitioner in all patient healthcare settings

• Utilize evidence-based practices as foundation for the safe delivery of healthcare to the patient and family

• Contribute to improvement of healthcare systems to support high-quality, safe, patient centered nursing care

• Incorporate lifelong professional and personal development as a part of one’s identity as a nurse

Valid transfer

There is no guarantee that credits earned at Yuba College in this 30 unit option will transfer to another institution. 

Occupational goal

Obtain employment as a Registered Nurse

Our 30 unit option requires the following:

• Completion of the prerequisite course work

     o  Minimum 2.50 GPA or higher in physiology and microbiology

     o Minimum 2 GPA NURS 13C 30-unit option LVN-RN Bridge Course

• Pre-testing qualification (TEAS exam must be 67 or higher to apply)

• Clinical Agencies prohibit students who are taking, (or under the influence of) any (DEA) Schedule I, and some Schedule II, III and IV drugs from participating in a clinical setting-even with a valid prescription.

• Submit all required health and program information and clinical requirements by designated deadlines will not be eligible to enter (or continue in) the program and/or may be dropped for non-compliance of health and clinical requirements.

• Students are required to disclose any major changes in health, medications, drug abuse, mental disability, or inappropriate use of alcohol while enrolled in the Nursing Program.

• Clear background check and drug screening to participate in placement(s) in clinical facilities

• Physical Evaluation completed within 3 months of the program start date and annually while in the program

• Titers for Varicella, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella

• Tdap/Tdp vaccination

• Influenza vaccination

• COVID-19 vaccination

• Complete a fit test to verify that a respirator/mask is both comfortable and provides the wearer with the expected protection

• Completion of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation- American Heart Association BLS a 2-year certification

• Completion of the clinical facilities onboarding

• Attendance to the mandatory orientation/onboarding

• Must carry personal health insurance

• In addition to the expenses of regularly enrolled students (living costs, meals, travel, activity fees, books, tuition, etc.), Nursing students have the additional expenses of uniforms, licensing, health examination, drug testing, criminal background check, and others expenses. Nursing students are eligible for grants and loans available to any Yuba College student meeting the financial aid criteria

• Completion of the certificate including course work and clinical experiences

    o Earn 75% of better in each nursing program course