​Admission Requirements for LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program 

The following options for completion of the COS RN program are available for LVNs.

All applicants must meet the 2.5 GPA requirements overall AND in prerequisite classes prior to applying. An applicant who does not meet this requirement is not eligible to apply to the nursing program under ANY option of study.​ Applicants to the LVN to RN Advanced Placement Program must also maintain a valid/current LVN license. 

There are three options available for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) who want to articulate to become an Registered Nurse (RN):

OPTION I 

1. The student must complete the general education requirements, pre-requisites, and co-requisites as listed on the LVN to RN application.
2. The student will earn an Associate of Science in Nursing Degree from COS.
3. Program prerequisites must be completed prior to application.  Application deadline is February 1st for the fall semester and July 15th for the spring semester.
4. The student must complete the COS LVN Transition Self-Study Module that includes completion of Head-to-Toe Assessment and Skills Check List. The student will attend a one-day "Boot Camp" which will go over the material in the self-study module. Attendance of the one day Boot camp is mandatory. In lieu of the COS LVN Transition Study Module, completion of an LVN Transition course with a “C" or better may be accepted. 
5. Upon acceptance into the RN Program, the student will be placed in one of the ten LVN to RN advanced placement openings available in second semester.
6. The student will verify competency in psychomotor skills ordinarily achieved during the first year of the COS RN program prior to entering NURS 144.
7. Option I will prepare the student to be eligible to take the NCLEX examination. ​

OPTION II

1. The LVN student will complete the entire Registered Nursing Curriculum beginning with the first semester of the program.  Applicants who have not been practicing nursing or who have been working in long term care for a prolonged period are encouraged to consider this option.
2. Application deadline is February 1st for the fall semester and July 15th for the spring semester.
3. Option II will prepare the student to be eligible to take the NCLEX examination.​

OPTION III: 30 UNIT OPTION

Students must meet with the Director prior to choosing this option

1. This option was established and required by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN -CCR1429).
2. The LVN student must complete Biology 30 (Anatomy), Biology 31 (Physiology), Biology 40 (Microbiology), and LVN Transition course. If no LVN Transition course has been taken, the student must complete the COS LVN Transition Study Module that includes completion of Head-to-Toe Assessment and Skills Check List.
3. The student must meet with the Director of the RN program before deciding to follow Option III. The student is also encourage to meet with the nursing counselor to ensure the student understands the limitations to the pathway. The LVN to RN 30-unit option is included in our policies and procedures and on the nursing website.
4. Upon completion of the above courses, the student will then enter the nursing program on a space available basis and complete 21 units of core nursing courses which include NURS 123 Critical Thinking/Clinical Judgement in Nursing (2 units), NURS 133 Concepts of Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing (3 units), NURS 144 Concepts of Adult Health Nursing 3 (6 units), NURS 174 Concepts in Adult Health Nursing 4 (7 units), and NURS 175 Transition to Registered Nursing Practice (3 units).
   
5. Applicants who choose this option must maintain a valid/current LVN license AND have IV certification posted to their LVN license. 
   
6. Application deadline is February 1st for the fall semester and July 15th for the spring semester.
   
7. The 30-Unit Option student cannot change their status to Option l or ll once the first class is attended.
8. Upon successful completion of Option III requirements, the student will receive a certificate of completion from COS and will be eligible to take the NCLEX exam. The student will NOT receive an Associate of Science in Nursing Degree and will NOT be considered a graduate of the college. If and when the 30-Unit Option LVN passes the RN-NCLEX examination, they will be designated as a “non-graduate" by the California Board of Registered Nursing. This designation is permanent. Non-graduate status has implications for out of state licensure.