California, CA - LPN to RN Nursing School Program

Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in California is a rewarding line of work. But for those wishing to take their career further, the next logical step is to work towards licensure as a Registered Nurse—the largest group of health care practitioners in the United States, and a group that is expected to grow substantially in numbers in the coming years. In California, Registered Nurses in coastal cities make, on average, around $70,000 per year (according to BLS.gov), well above the nationwide average, plus benefits. With only one more year of schooling required to become an RN once one is licensed as an LPN, it is an attractive option to make the move from LPN to RN in California.

Registered Nurses are responsible for a much larger range of tasks than LPN's in California. Basically, they oversee and manage Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants in patient care. They are also responsible for assessment of patient needs and create and modify a plan of care based on their assessments. Although almost two thirds of RN’s work in a hospital, Registered Nurses can also work in a wide range of other settings from doctor’s offices to long term care facilities and public settings such as schools and community centers. In addition, RNs can be community educators with regards to public health. From occupational and mental health to anesthesia, radiology, rehabilitation, and beyond, the opportunity for specialization extends to all areas of health care.

LPN to RN programs in California adds another year to a nurse’s education. However, they can be completed online while one is still working as an LPN. Prerequisites include current certification as an LPN and, usually, a year of experience working as an LPN. Required courses build upon those taken during LPN training and include math, chemistry, biology, English, communications, sociology, and, of course, a bulk of nursing specific course work. LPN to RN training in California usually leads to an Associate Degree of Nursing, as well, as the nurse will then have completed two years of nursing school.

LPN to RN students take the RN version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which costs $200 to take. Additionally, the California Board of Registered Nursing (https://www.rn.ca.gov/) charges a $75 application for examination fee and $31 for a temporary license once the exam is passed. Successful applicants are placed on the state nursing registry and eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in California as soon as they receive their results.

Taking an LPN to RN in California is only the second step in nursing training. The next step can lead to a Bachelor of Science, Nursing, and after that it is possible to enter graduate programs in both health and education, which lead to even more diverse careers in the education system, public health, patient care and beyond.