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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

Complete LVN-RN Nursing Application which includes the following:

1. Attach all unofficial transcripts from ALL colleges attended including the coursework not applied toward the nursing program.
2. Proof of high school graduation (copy of diploma or official transcripts). If you already have a college degree as evidenced by unofficial transcript submitted, to to step #3.
3. Copy of your current LVN license without restriction.
4. BIOL G220 Human Anatomy, BIOL G225 Human Physiology, BIOL G210 General Microbiology must be completed within the last 7 years.
5. Current direct patient care experience as an LVN (employer verification letter - minimum of 1 year work experience in patient care).
6. Signature on page 2 of the application ackowledging your understanding of consequences on falsification of information on the application.
7. Attach an unofficial TEAS report.
8. Send official transcripts separately to GWC Admissions and Records by the last day of application filing date. Students of Coast Distrcit (GWC, OCC and Coastline Colleges) DO NOT need to submit official transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.

Failure to complete this process results in an incomplete application and is ineligible for processing. 

Selection Process

1. All complete applications submitted by the deadline are evaluated.
2. Admission is based on cohort space availability.
3. Qualified applicants who are not selected are encouraged to re-apply next to the next application period. We do not maintain a waitlist.
4. Admission offer will be sent to the CCCD student email address.

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. Clear background check (criminal and/or civil) for the last 7 years.
2. Clear urine drug screening.
3. Titer and Immunizations per Healthcare Agency requirements and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
4. Social Security NUmber or TAX Identification Number (ITIN).
   1. Required for program admission and to be eligible for the CA Board of Registered Nursing State Licensing Examination.

For course equivalency and transcript evaluations, contact GWC Counseling.

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 and Program Maps.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Prerequisite Courses
BIOL G225	Human Physiology	4
BIOL G210	General Microbiology	5
BIOL G220	Human Anatomy	4
Required Courses
NURS G170	Medical Surgical Nursing I	3
NURS G170C	Medical Surgical Nursing I Clinical Practicum	3
NURS G271	Professional Nursing 2	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		31.5