Registered Nursing

Graduates of the Registered Nursing program can earn an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) in approximately 21 months.

Graduates are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN), a requirement for practice as a registered nurse.

LVN to RN Bridge Options (Visalia Only)

Licensed vocational nurses can often complete the core RN program in as few as 12 months if earning an A.S. Degree, or as few as 11 months if earning a Certificate of Completion. LVN to RN program length depends on if students have completed all prerequisite courses.

Graduates are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN), a requirement for practice as a registered nurse.

SJVC’s Registered Nursing program is available at the Visalia and Ontario campuses.

SJVC’s LVN to RN Bridge program is available at the Visalia campus.

Registered Nurses work in hospitals, private practices, clinics and home care agencies.

Job duties may include:

• Performing physical exams and health histories
• Providing and coordinating patient care
• Providing health promotion, counseling and education
• Directing and supervising care delivered by other healthcare personnel

SJVC’s LVN to RN bridge program is designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses who want to take the next step in their medical career. This program allows licensed Vocational Nurses to use their LVN experience as credit towards their Registered Nursing program course of studies.

The following options for LVN to RN are only offered at the Visalia Campus:

Associate Degree Option

The LVN to RN Bridge program leading to an A.S. Degree can be completed in as few as 12 months.

30-Unit Certificate Option

In accordance with the Board of Registered Nursing Policy (Section 1435.5), California Licensed Vocational Nurses may apply for the non-degree program. This program is commonly referred to as the “30-Unit option” and prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN Examination, but does not award an A.S. Degree. Completion of this option may not meet the criteria to practice in other states. Non-degree applicants will be considered on a space available basis only and if program resources allow. The RN Bridge Certificate program can be completed in as few as 11 months.

In order to be eligible for the RN and LVN to RN programs, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, and have completed the following prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher at a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:

• Writing and Composition
• Intermediate Algebra
• General Chemistry with Lab
• Intro to Public Speaking
• Human Anatomy with Lab
• Intro to Sociology
• Microbiology with Lab
• Human Physiology with Lab
• General Psychology
• Humanities

Applicants must also:

• Pass the required background check
• Pass a health/drug screening
• Have a current BLS certification from the American Heart Association
• Complete Immunizations/Titers required prior to clinical rotations
• Have reliable plans for transportation/childcare
• Have time to devote to school work outside scheduled class hours

Applicants must also meet the technical standards. Technical standards provide a reference against which candidates for enrollment to the program are evaluated by the Admissions Committee in the selection of students for the RN program.

LVN to RN Bridge Admissions Requirements

LVN to RN Bridge students must meet the above requirements and also have a CA-LVN license in good standing.

The RN and LVN to RN programs have a highly-selective application process in which only the most qualified candidates are chosen to fill available seats.

RN Application Process
For RN, applicants are evaluated on several criteria, including GPA, assessment tests, work experience and a personal interview.

Admission is determined based on a point scale of the following categories:

• ATI TEAS assessments, to be administered during the application process
• Postsecondary education (Attainment, GPA)
• Personal essay
• Application selection interview

LVN to RN Application Process
For LVN to RN, prospective students are responsible for providing proof of admission requirements and submitting additional required documents related to the application process. During the process, prospects will earn points, and final selection is based on total points earned. When a complete application file is received, the applicant takes entrance assessment exams, writes a personal goal statement and meet with the Registered Nursing Program Director and faculty committee for a personal interview.

The final selection will be based on points earned in the following categories:

• RN Fundamentals 2016
• Personal Goal Statement written on site
• GPA scores for general education pre-requisite classes
• Interview

Only applicants with the highest point totals based on their GPA on their prerequisite courses and their LPN-STEP exam will be scheduled for interviews. You must be selected for an interview to be considered for enrollment into the LVN to RN program at SJVC.

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the capacity of the class, applicants may apply for admission the following year. It is the applicant’s responsibility to reapply. No waiting list is maintained or priority given for previous applicants. Each class is selected of candidates with the highest points.

For both RN and LVN to RN, applicants with the highest number of points will be selected.

To begin the application process to SJVC’s Registered Nursing program, download the application and necessary admissions forms.

To begin the application process to SJVC’s LVN to RN program, download the application and necessary admissions forms.

Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions attended must be included in the application packet. The applicant must request transcripts of all completed prerequisite courses be sent to SJVC by the application deadline.

30-Unit Option
In accordance with the Board of Registered Nursing Policy (Section 1435.5) California Licensed Vocational Nurses may apply for the non-degree program. This program is commonly referred to as the “30-Unit option” and prepares the student to take the NCLEX-RN Examination, but does not award an A.S. Degree. Completion of this option may not meet the criteria to practice in other states. Non-degree applicants will be considered on a space available basis only and if program resources allow. See the Program Director for more information.

Challenge/Advanced Placement Policy for Military Trained Healthcare Personnel Requesting Entrance into the RN Nursing Program

Effective August 2017: Individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, specifically: Basic Medical Technician Corpsman (Navy HM or Air Force BMTCP), Army Health Care Specialist (68W Army Medic) or Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IMDT 4N0X1C), may achieve advanced placement into the nursing program with documentation of education and experience qualifying them for the specific Military Health Care Occupation and upon successful completion of the challenge exam(s), dosage calculation exam, and skills competency exam. Download full information.

Foreign Institutions & Transfer of Credit
Applicants who have completed coursework outside of the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF) or equivalent organization. An official copy of the Academic Detailed Report from IERF or an equivalent organization must be included with the application. All applicants must include course descriptions of prerequisite coursework in the application packet.

SJVC accepts credits for the following courses or their equivalents from accredited Colleges and Universities upon evaluation of their transcripts:

*Intermediate Algebra must be equivalent to SJVC’s Math 121/122. **Ethics must be taken at SJVC if not transferred in at the time of enrollment.

A one-page written personal statement explaining why the applicant wants to become a registered nurse (to be done during the interview orientation meeting) must be submitted with the application packet, along with two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of and able to evaluate the applicant’s health care experience.

Qualified candidates will be considered for invitation to interview with the selection committee.

For additional information, please contact the RN Admissions Advisor at admissions.rn@sjvc.edu.

San Joaquin Valley College’s RN program is approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs, California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Board of Registered Nursing
1747 North Market Blvd., Ste. 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-3350 | http://www.rn.ca.gov/

Institutional Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org.

Questions or requests to review documents pertaining to accreditation should be directed to:

Crystal G. VanderTuig, Accreditation Liaison Officer
San Joaquin Valley College
3828 West Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 734-9000
Crystal.VanderTuig@sjvc.edu

State Approvals

CALIFORNIA
SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).

View additional State Approvals for SJVC.