Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in California

If you are a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in California, an LVN-to-BSN bridge program is the fastest route to becoming a registered nurse with the degree most employers prefer. Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Here are the accredited bridge programs in the state, with the details that decide where you apply.

Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in California

California State University, East Bay runs a pre-licensure program open to LVNs. Priority goes to current full-time Cal State East Bay students, first-time local transfers without a bachelor's degree, and honorably discharged service members. Applicants outside those groups are unlikely to be admitted. Second-language fluency and healthcare experience help.

• Program: LVN-to-BSN
• Campus: Hayward, CA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admission Requirements: Prerequisites with a 3.0 GPA and all grades C or higher; 70% overall TEAS score with minimum 65% in English and reading; current, unencumbered California LVN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months (pre-licensure)
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

California State University, San Marcos admits only four LVN-to-BSN students each fall, who then enter the regular BSN program as second-year students. Applicants take a nursing skills assessment the May before fall term and must score 100% on skills and math.

• Program: LVN-to-BSN
• Campus: San Marcos, CA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admission Requirements: Current, unencumbered LVN license; pre-nursing core or equivalent with 2.75 GPA; IV certification
• Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.7%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $88,074 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

National University starts classes monthly, one course at a time, with evening, weekend, and online options. Onsite instruction is available at the San Diego, Los Angeles, and Fresno campuses. Service members and families get discounted tuition.

• Program: LVN-to-BSN
• Campus: La Jolla, CA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admission Requirements: General education and nursing prerequisites with 2.75 cumulative GPA; C or better in all prerequisites
• Minimum Time Commitment: 15 months
• Onsite Requirements: No
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.9%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $84,367 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

This program list was last reviewed before 2025; confirm current tuition and admission rules with each school before applying.

How LVN-to-BSN Programs Work in California

California and Texas use the LVN title; every other state calls the same license an LPN. A bridge program builds on your existing clinical skills, adding nursing theory, leadership, and a broader scope of practice, then qualifies you for the NCLEX-RN. Common courses include health assessment, nursing research, clinical leadership, and community health nursing. Most programs let you transfer credits from your vocational training, and the path typically takes two to three years.

Applying to a California LVN-to-BSN Program

Requirements vary, but you will generally need an active California LVN license, completed prerequisites (often anatomy, physiology, and microbiology), and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Some programs accept applications year-round; others have a single annual window. Most also want transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation, and any required exam scores. If your GPA is borderline, talk to admissions, since experience or language fluency can carry weight.

Attend only an accredited program. Accreditation is required for licensure and confirms to employers that your training meets clinical and academic standards. Every program listed here is accredited.

What You Can Earn

In California, LVNs earn a median of $77,170 and registered nurses earn a median of $140,330 (BLS, May 2024). Earning a BSN can nearly double an LVN's pay, alongside more autonomy and a clearer path to graduate study.