Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) in the state of California are eligible to apply for the non-degree 30-unit option LVN-RN program. This one-year program is an option for the applicant with a valid California LVN license to meet the requirements as prescribed by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam as a non-graduate by completing a maximum of 30 units.

The program provides a Registered Nursing license for California only. No degree is granted upon completion. The student should also be aware that they cannot change their status from a non-degree 30-unit option RN to a degree RN with the Board of Registered Nursing at any time after licensure.

Most other states do not recognize California’s LVN 30-unit option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs in their state. United Nursing College acts as a facilitator. A maximum of 30 units of nursing and support courses are required to fulfill the unit requirement for licensure by the BRN. The 30-unit option student will then take the NCLEX-RN exam as a non-graduate. This status will not restrict their practice within California, however, they may have difficulty applying to a college or university for an advanced degree.

Additional information concerning the LVN 30-Unit Option is available from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), P.O. Box 944270, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100, (916) 322-3350.