Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse Bridge (LVN to RN)

Admission to the RN program is based on a lottery system and is extremely competitive. However, six spaces are held for students who are already LVNs. These students can then enroll in the LVN to RN bridge program. This increases the likelihood of getting into the RN program and reduces the time to complete your coursework from 24 months to 18 months. You will still need to complete all prerequisites*

Description: Mendocino College offers a 3-semester LVN to RN Bridge Program. Students who successfully complete the Bridge program are awarded the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing and are eligible to sit for the California State Board of Registered Nursing Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN). The Mendocino College LVN to RN program was accredited in 2003 by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

Contact: Ginger Bushway: 707.468.3099; gbushway@mendocino.edu

Time: 18 months. One transition semester in the Spring requiring a 1-day a week class after which students “bridge” into third semester with the RN class in the fall. Additional educational requirements must be met before applying to the Bridge program, including General Education requirements and Nursing pre-requisites.

Salary Potential: $35-$89 per hour

Cost: $2,300; financial aid may be available.

Pre-Requisites: (Same as RN program) and must be a LVN.

Registered Nurse Pre-Requisites

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Sociology or Anthropology
  • English
  • Speech
  • Psychology

For more information or to sign up for classes go to https://www.mendocino.edu/ and click Apply Now in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Science classes fill quickly so be sure to register early.