LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science

The study of nursing is the application of knowledge from the arts and sciences. The purpose of the Bakersfield College LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program is to provide the foundation for students to become competent registered nurses. The LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science  Program respects the individuality of students and recognizes that each student has different educational, experiential, cultural, spiritual, economic and social backgrounds and a unique support system. The aim of the program is to provide a positive, innovative learning model that fosters the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills so that the graduate nurse is equipped to deliver care to a culturally diverse population in a variety of healthcare settings.
The mission of the Bakersfield College LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program is to prepare entry-level registered nurses as providers and managers of care across the health/illness continuum and as members within the profession. Graduate nurses will collaborate with members of the health care team, be effective communicators, be politically aware, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

Requirements for the LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program:

• One year experience working as an LVN.
• Possession of current California Vocational Nurse License
• American Heart Association BLS - Healthcare Provider card - current within one year. (MEDS B52 fulfills this requirement).
• Graduation from high school or an equivalent education.

Conditional Enrollment:
As a condition of enrollment in any Nursing/Allied Health Program, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening, a background screening, and physical examination clearance (at the student’s expense).

Please note the following:
• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.
• If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the program. In the event that a student cannot obtain a background clearance, the space will be forfeited. Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the program shall be subject to dismissal from the program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.
• A physical examination completed by a physician of the student’s choice is required after acceptance to the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. .
• Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations and mask fit testing are also required and are performed at the student’s expense.
• Proof of IV Certification is required. Students may meet this requirement by taking MEDS B66 prior to entering the LVN-Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program. 

Pre-Requisites:
All pre-requisites must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and applicants must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college. (*Please note that there is a minimum of 2.5 combined GPA required, and no less than a “C” in any course for the Biological Sciences)
• ENGL B1A or ENGL B1AL (Expository Composition) three units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B16 (General Microbiology) five units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B32 (Anatomy & Physiology I) four units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B33 Anatomy & Physiology II four units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college. Anatomy and Physiology requirement can also be met with Human Anatomy (min. of 4 units) AND Human Physiology (min. of 4 units) of equivalent courses from another accredited college.)
 
General Education Coursework:
General education courses are required to graduate from BC with an ADN. Students are encouraged to follow the CalGETC General Education pattern if there is a desire to pursue their Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN).

It is strongly suggested that most of these courses be completed prior to beginning the Nursing Program:
Area 1:  Communication in the English Language (6units)
    a).   Written Communication (3 units)
           • ENGL B1A*-Expository Composition (“C” grade or higher) – prerequisite course
    b).  Oral Communication (3 units)
          • COMM B1*-Public Speaking (“C” grade or higher) (COMM B2* see advisor for approval status)

Area 2: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
         • (Math B22 or PSYC B5 preferred) (“C” grade or higher)

Area 3: Arts and Humanities (3 units)
        • PHIL B12 recommended (“C” grade or higher)

Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)
        • ANTH B2*-Cultural Anthropology or SOC B1*-Intro to Sociology- (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)

Area 5: Natural Science Area (3 units)
        • BIOL B32*-Anatomy & Physiology I, B33*-Anatomy & Physiology II AND  B16*-Microbiology – ALL prerequisite courses

Area 6: Ethnic Studies Area (3 units) any course from Area 6 (“C” grade or higher)

Area 7: 
  a). Lifelong Learning and Understanding (3 units)
      • PSYC B1A*-General Psychology (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)
  b). Kinesiology movement-based course (1 unit)

Area 8: American Institutions (3 units) any course from Area 8 (“C” grade or higher)

*Board of Registered Nursing requirement

Please Note: Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to complete an Educational Planning Course to meet matriculation and graduation requirements and receive priority registration. 
Courses meeting this requirement include:
• NURS B99 - Strategies for Success in a Nursing Program
OR
• STDV B1 - Educational Planning – or any STDV course listed in the BC Catalog. These courses are recommended to be taken during the first semester at BC. 
More information can be found on the Registered Nursing website at www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/nursing/lvn-rn or in the Bakersfield College Allied Health Office, MS 178.

The program outcomes are:
1. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to utilize the nursing process and evidence-based practice to facilitate optimal client outcomes for diverse cultures across the lifespan and in a variety of settings.
2. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of the professional nurse as defined by the California Nursing Practice Act, standards of nursing practice, considering legal. moral, and ethical principles.
3. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to communicate and collaborate effectively in both oral and written formats, employing patient care technologies and information systems with individuals, families, population, communities, and the interdisciplinary team across the health care continuum.
4. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to collaborate with healthcare professionals to enhance quality improvement and safety initiatives at individual and systems levels of care.
5. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to assume the roles of provider of care, manager of care, and member of the profession as an entry-level nurse.

Program Requirements – Include the course requirements and sequencing that reflect Program goals.Required courses-Must have completed prerequisites.
NURSB44 - Nursing Care of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Client
NURSB45 - Transition to Registered Nursing
NURSB46 - Nursing Care of the Medical Surgical Patient 3
NURSB49 - Nursing Care of the Medical Surgical Patient 4
NURSB80C - Nursing Learning Lab 3
NURSB80D - Nursing Learning Lab 4
To Achieve the Associate of Science Degree:
Upon completion of graduation requirements and the required degree courses with at least a ‘C’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Degree.

30-40

Workplace Skills:
As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program, the LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program supports the Bakersfield College mission by offering high quality academic and vocational education to prepare our diverse student population for careers in nursing. Registered Nursing remains a high paying occupation, in which demands have continued to rise. The California Employment Development Department projects that the need for Registered Nurses in California will increase by 16.2% between 2016 and 2026, and the need for nurses in Kern County will similarly increase by 16.1% https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/Occguides/AllOccPrj.aspx?soccode=291141. Additionally, our local Advisory Board members report similar Registered Nurse vacancy rates consistent with both the regional and national data. The members of the Advisory Board reported the number of graduated nurses produced by BC, CSUB, and the proprietary agencies combined is not enough to fill open vacancies, thereby recommending we at least maintain our current enrollment levels for the RN Program. The hospital partners also reported there is a particularly high demand in the specialty areas, such as critical care, perioperative services and emergency room. 
Transfer:
It is the culture of the RNP to encourage students to continue their education and achieve higher degrees.The BC VN-RN and RN programs have partnered with both the CSUB Nursing Program (post ADN graduation BSN program) and Grand Canyon University (concurrent enrollment BSN program), to give our students options for furthering their education. Most recently, October 2024, the VN-RN and RN programs were awarded ACEN National Accreditation, this accreditation opens up many other doors to colleges that require their ADN to BSN applicants graduate from an accredited nursing program. Any student who has graduated from the time of our program's ACEN candidacy, June 2022, will be grandfathered in as having graduated from a nationally accredited school of nursing. 

Requirements for the LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program:
• One year experience working as an LVN.
• Possession of current California Vocational Nurse License
• American Heart Association BLS - Healthcare Provider card - current within one year. (MEDS B52 fulfills this requirement).
• Graduation from high school or an equivalent education.

Conditional Enrollment:
As a condition of enrollment in any Nursing/Allied Health Program, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening, a background screening, and physical examination clearance (at the student’s expense).

Please note the following:
• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.
• If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the program. In the event that a student cannot obtain a background clearance, the space will be forfeited. Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the program shall be subject to dismissal from the program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.
• A physical examination completed by a physician of the student’s choice is required after acceptance to the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. .
• Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations and mask fit testing are also required and are performed at the student’s expense.
• Proof of IV Certification is required. Students may meet this requirement by taking MEDS B66 prior to entering the LVN-Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Program. 

Pre-Requisites:
All pre-requisites must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and applicants must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college. (*Please note that there is a minimum of 2.5 combined GPA required, and no less than a “C” in any course for the Biological Sciences)
• ENGL B1A or ENGL B1AL (Expository Composition) three units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B16 (General Microbiology) five units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B32 (Anatomy & Physiology I) four units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• BIOL B33 Anatomy & Physiology II four units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college. Anatomy and Physiology requirement can also be met with Human Anatomy (min. of 4 units) AND Human Physiology (min. of 4 units) of equivalent courses from another accredited college.)
 
General Education Coursework:
General education courses are required to graduate from BC with an ADN. Students are encouraged to follow the CalGETC General Education pattern if there is a desire to pursue their Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN).

It is strongly suggested that most of these courses be completed prior to beginning the Nursing Program:
Area 1:  Communication in the English Language (6units)
    a).   Written Communication (3 units)
           • ENGL B1A*-Expository Composition (“C” grade or higher) – prerequisite course
    b).  Oral Communication (3 units)
          • COMM B1*-Public Speaking (“C” grade or higher) (COMM B2* see advisor for approval status)

Area 2: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
         • (Math B22 or PSYC B5 preferred) (“C” grade or higher)

Area 3: Arts and Humanities (3 units)
        • PHIL B12 recommended (“C” grade or higher)

Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)
        • ANTH B2*-Cultural Anthropology or SOC B1*-Intro to Sociology- (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)

Area 5: Natural Science Area (3 units)
        • BIOL B32*-Anatomy & Physiology I, B33*-Anatomy & Physiology II AND  B16*-Microbiology – ALL prerequisite courses

Area 6: Ethnic Studies Area (3 units) any course from Area 6 (“C” grade or higher)

Area 7: 
  a). Lifelong Learning and Understanding (3 units)
      • PSYC B1A*-General Psychology (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)
  b). Kinesiology movement-based course (1 unit)

Area 8: American Institutions (3 units) any course from Area 8 (“C” grade or higher)

*Board of Registered Nursing requirement

Please Note: Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to complete an Educational Planning Course to meet matriculation and graduation requirements and receive priority registration. 
Courses meeting this requirement include:
• NURS B99 - Strategies for Success in a Nursing Program
OR
• STDV B1 - Educational Planning – or any STDV course listed in the BC Catalog. These courses are recommended to be taken during the first semester at BC. 
More information can be found on the Registered Nursing website at www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/nursing/lvn-rn or in the Bakersfield College Allied Health Office, MS 178.

Nursing Program Coursework – Required courses- students must have completed prerequisites before taking these courses:
NURSB44 - Nursing Care of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Client

NURSB46 - Nursing Care of the Medical Surgical Patient 3

NURSB49 - Nursing Care of the Medical Surgical Patient 4

NURSB51 - LVN to ADN Role Transitions

NURSB80C - Nursing Learning Lab 3

NURSB80D - Nursing Learning Lab 4

To Achieve the Associate of Science Degree:
Upon completion of graduation requirements and the required degree courses with at least a ‘C’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a LVN to Registered Nursing Associate Degree of Science Degree.