CNA to LVN Programs in California

Are you a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who wants to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)? If your answer is yes, the CNA to LVN bridge program reduces the amount of classroom learning required to become an LVN.

Can a CNA Become an LVN?

Yes. In order for non-CNAs to become LVNs, the state of California requires students to complete 1,530 education hours at a vocational, trade, or private LVN school approved by the California Board of Nursing. Once complete, students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-PN exam before applying to receive their state license. 

However, if you are already a certified nursing assistant, and have a high school diploma or GED, there is an alternative approach that will save you time and money. This approach for nursing assistants makes use of the CNA to LVN bridge program.

LPN vs. LVN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is the same as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The title “Licensed Vocational Nurse” is used in Texas and California. 

In all other states, the title LPN is used. However, the duties remain the same.

CNA vs. RN

The difference in qualifications between a CNA and a registered nurse (RN) is that a CNA is limited to providing basic nursing care. CNAs also usually work under the supervision of an RN.

A CNA does not have the training, qualifications, and licensing necessary to deliver certain types of care that a registered nurse can. While a registered nurse can deliver nursing care to deal with the injuries and help with treatment, a CNA can only assist RNs with basic nursing activities and provide basic nursing assistance.

CNAs spend most of their time getting to know their patients, offering emotional support, taking patient vital signs, and recording information about a patient’s ever-changing condition.

IN addition to providing basic nursing care, nursing experience is another factor that differentiates registered nurses from CNAs. As with most nursing roles, the more nursing experience, and skills you have, the more clinical healthcare you can provide to a patient. In our time, it is very important to devote time to both health and mental. It affects our whole life in a direct way. You can learn more about this on a cool platform that gives a lot of information about the mental health of relationships and development both in career and in personal.

What is a CNA to LVN Bridge Program?

The CNA to LVN Bridge program takes into consideration knowledge and skills gained through work experience. The curriculum reduces the amount of classroom learning required, but still requires passage of the NCLEX-RN exam.

In California, a certified nursing assistant can apply to the California Board of Vocational Nursing to have their credentials upgraded to licensed practical or vocational nurse. This can be done by completing “Requirement 3“. This requirement is Qualification Based on Equivalent Education and/or Experience and discussed further below.

How Long Does it Take to go From CNA to LVN in California?

It takes approximately one year for a certified nursing assistant to become a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse through the CNA to LVN nursing program. However, in order to be approved to become an LVN, there are four requirements set forth by the California board of nursing that must be met.

Requirement One

You must

• be a licensed certified nursing assistant in good standing,
• hold 48 months of work experience in acute care, sub-acute care, or medical-surgical nursing,
• possess a minimum of 6 weeks working in both maternity and pediatric care,
• have completed 54-theory-hour pharmacology courses from a board-accredited school.

Requirement Two

If you have the required work experience and have completed the pharmacology class, you must then obtain an application packet from the California Board of Vocational Nursing by emailing your request to [email protected].

Requirement Three

The third requirement consists of requesting an Employment Verification-Nursing Experience Packet from the board. These forms will be distributed to former/present employers to verify your work hours and experience in each of the required areas.

The employers will complete the necessary information and mail the forms directly to the board. You MAY NOT mail this packet in; it must be done by the employers. Any packets that have been opened or tampered with will not be accepted.

Requirement Four

The final step of the CNA to LVN process is to submit a request for a Live Scan applicant form for fingerprinting. You can download this form from the California Board of Vocational Nursing website.

The agency performing the fingerprinting process will send this form to the Department of Justice and to the FBI for your background check. Once the background check is complete, the agency will forward the results to the CBVN. You will receive notice of a testing site and date within four to twelve weeks from the board.

Additionally, you must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-PN exam.

Who gets paid more LPN or CNA?

An LVN earns an average of $48,840 annually which is right in the middle of what CNAs and RNs make according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The small fraction of licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses that work at government or military facilities are paid the highest salaries, whereas a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse employed at physician’s offices earns the least.

As of May 2020, the median salary for a CNA was $30,850 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To see a list of industries with the highest levels of employment for CNAs and their salaries, check out this table.

How Much Does an LVN Make an Hour?

A blended average, taken from ZipRecruiter, PayScale, and Salary.com, shows $18-$35 per hour. This is also the same for a licensed practical nurse.