Applicants who hold a current California Vocational Nurse license (LVN) may qualify for the California Registered Nurse State Licensure Examination without the completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. LVNs may elect to complete a non-degree program consisting of 30 units in nursing and related science courses. A Certificate of Achievement is awarded at the completion of the program. 

California Board of Registered Nursing Regulations
Section 1429 - Preparation Required for Licensed Vocational Nurses

• An applicant who is licensed in California as a vocational nurse is eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse if such applicant has successfully completed the courses prescribed below and meets all the other requirements set forth in Section 2736 of the code. Such applicant shall submit evidence to the board, including a transcript, of successful completion of the requirements set forth in subsection (c) and of successful completion or challenge of courses in physiology and microbiology comparable to such courses required for licensure as a registered nurse.
• The school shall offer objective counseling of this option and evaluate each licensed vocational nurse applicant for admission to its registered nursing program on an individual basis. A school’s determination of the prerequisite courses required of a licensed vocational nurse applicant shall be based on an analysis of each applicant’s academic deficiencies, irrespective of the time such courses were taken.
• The additional education required of licensed vocational nurse applicants shall not exceed a maximum of thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units. Courses required for vocational nurse licensure do not count toward fulfillment of the additional education requirement. However, other courses comparable to those required for licensure as a registered nurse, as specified in Section 1426, may be counted toward fulfillment of the additional education requirement.

Nursing courses shall be taken in an accredited school and shall be beyond courses equivalent to the first year of professional nursing courses. The nursing content shall include nursing intervention in acute, preventive, remedial, supportive, rehabilitative, and teaching aspects of nursing. Theory and courses with concurrent clinical practice shall include advanced medical-surgical, mental health, psychiatric nursing, and geriatric nursing. The nursing content shall include the basic standards for competent performance prescribed in Section 1443.5 of these regulations.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who hold a current California Vocational Nurse license (LVN) may qualify for the California Registered Nurse State Licensure Examination without the completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. LVNs may elect to complete a non-degree program consisting of 30 units in nursing and related science courses. Certificate of Achievement is awarded at the completion of the program.

Admission of LVNs to the Nursing program is on a space-available basis. To be placed on the wait list, the applicant must complete the following program admission requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission.
• An active Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) license without restrictions or limitations.
• Must have a minimum of 1-year direct care experience as an LVN.
• Pass the ATI TEAS with a score of 62% or higher on the first attempt to be eligible to apply.
• Apply to GWC and obtain a student ID number.
• Applicant must provide in writing an attestation to the 30-unit status as a non-degree program prior to or during application.
• Application submitted to the Director/Assistant Director of Nursing.
• Complete and sign the nursing orientation attestation.
• Completion of BIOL G225 Human Physiology and BIOL G210 General Microbiology with grades of “C” or better and with a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
• Attendance to the “LVN to RN” information session.
• Be in adequate health to perform the duties of a Registered Nurse. These requirements are detailed in the current college catalog.
• Submit official transcripts* to the GWC Admissions and Records.
• Completion of the NURS G190 course with a grade of “C” or better.
• Completion of BIOL G220 Human Anatomy, BIOL G225 Human Physiology, and BIOL G210 General Microbiology with grades of “C” or better and with a GPA of 2.5 or greater within the last 7 years.

*Foreign transcripts must be translated by an official agency prior to application to the Nursing Programs. This is required to evaluate equivalency of both high school education and college courses.

More detailed information is available in the Student Handbook on the GWC Nursing website (www.goldenwestcollege.edu/nursing).

Program Requirements

Applicants who are selected must successfully meet the following requirements and are responsible for any costs incurred. Specific information will be provided to the selected applicants once they have accepted their admission in the nursing program.

1. Physical Examination, Titers, and Immunizations: The results of this required physical examination must indicate appropriate physical and emotional health standards for the program.
2. Clear background check and urine drug testing.
3. A current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS CPR card.
4. “Registered Student Nurse” Malpractice Insurance.
5. Uniforms and professional supplies/equipment.
6. Transportation: Adequate, reliable transportation is required.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Patient-centered care/Safety/Quality Improvement
   Provide safe, quality, patient-centered care for individuals and families across the health-illness continuum in a variety of settings to promote positive patient outcomes.
2. Evidence-based practice/Nursing judgment
   Utilize current knowledge from research and other credible sources to make nursing clinical judgments and provide patient care within a family and community context.
3. Teamwork/Collaboration and Informatics/Technology
   Utilize information technology in collaboration with nursing and healthcare teams to facilitate communication and coordinate patient care.
4. Professional Identity
   Demonstrate professional behavior and adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards.

Review Graduation Requirements.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Prerequisite Courses
BIOL G225	Human Physiology	4
BIOL G210	General Microbiology	5
Required Courses
NURS G170	Medical Surgical Nursing I	3
NURS G170C	Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical Practicum	3
NURS G271	Professional Nursing 3	1
NURS G290	Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing	3
NURS G290C	Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical Practicum	5
NURS G295	Mental Health Nursing	2
NURS G295C	Mental Health Nursing Clinical Practicum	1.5
Total Units		27.5

Recommended Program Sequence

These sequences are general maps for students to finish all requirements for the Certificate. There may be advisories or time requirements that students may want to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor for alternate sequencing.

Prerequisites:

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
BIOL G225	Human Physiology	4
BIOL G210	General Microbiology	5

Year 1:

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Semester 1
NURS G170	Medical Surgical Nursing I	3
NURS G170C	Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical Practicum	3
NURS G271	Professional Nursing 3	1
Units		7

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Semester 2
NURS G290	Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing	3
NURS G290C	Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical Practicum	5
NURS G295	Mental Health Nursing	2
NURS G295C	Mental Health Nursing Clinical Practicum	1.5
Units		11.5