Registered Nurse Schools in California

There are nearly 100 Registered Nurse Schools in California (it's a big state). Nearly 100% of them are Accredited (we have omitted the one's that are not). There are a few different paths to take in your quest to become a Registered Nurse in the state of California. There is one major point we would like you to consider before we get into the different paths you can take. It's critical for those of you that are just starting out particularly and we really want to touch upon this subject at the onset.

The Difference Between LVN and LPN

Many sites across the Internet make no distinction between a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). We here at Registered Nursing Schools feel that making no distinction is a costly error.

For the most part (and this is where the error occurs) the job description, the roles of the LVN and LPN are identical. You still perform the same duties:

• Monitoring patients vital statistics.
• Helping them bathe, dress and eat.
• Administering basic tests.
• Administering or changing IVs.
• Various other bedside duties to assist the patient.

For the most part, the pay is the same and the length and cost of schooling is the same between LVN and LPN certification holders.

So where is the difference?

The difference between LVN and RN is apparent when you decide to advance and become a Registered Nurse.

You see, the LVN is only recognized formally in two states i the country, California and Texas. So if you were to become an LVN in the state of California, you can only work as an LVN in California and Texas. The other states will not let you work as a nurse. That's a big distinction.

Now about the RN certification. If you are an LVN in the state of California, and you want to become an RN, then you can do so but your RN certification is only viable in the state of California. You can get only two types of Registered Nursing Certification and they are:

• A 30-Unit RN Certification
  You complete 30 units of additional schooling and take the NCLEX-RN exam but your certification is stamped with "30 Unit Degree" or something similar which is insufficient outside of California to work as an RN. So if you want to move to another state, you cannot get a job as an RN.
• Non-Degree RN
  As the name implies, your RN certificate is stamped "non-degree" showing that your schooling is insufficient for other states and again, outside of California you cannot work as an RN.

Being an LVN also impacts your transferable credits to other schools. Many other states will only take a portion of your credits when admitting you to their RN programs due to the differences in LVN training requirements.

You're welcome.

That known. It is best to pursue an LPN program from the onset, the schooling is very much the same, so is the cost and you have the flexibility to work anywhere in the country.

Back to the Three Paths to Becoming an RN in California

• Military
  The first path is for the military. Registered Nurse Schools in California are permitted by law to allow military corpsmen to take the NCLEX-RN exam if they have completed the RN education and have clinical experience provided by the military. Sort of a short cut if you will.
• Licensed Vocation Nursing Certification
  No degree is issued and the pitfalls have been described above. Registered Nurse Schools in California that offer this certification, usually require 1.5 to 2 years of study. You end up with the 30-Unit RN certification. Works in California but useless in other states.
• Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN Degree)
  Registered Nurse Schools (particularly we are talking about community colleges and junior colleges in California) offer an ADN degree after 2-3 years of course work. This is a very affordable route to begin your RN journey and we will highlight what we think are the best schools in this area.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN Degree)
  This is a full-fledged Bachelors Degree that is offered at California universities and private colleges that delivers a full RN certification that is recognized throughout the United States. The programs take about 4 years to complete. This is a great route to go if you have the time to devote to the rigorous studies and the money to afford the schooling. Many companies either require or are strongly biased toward a BSN degree wielding Registered Nurse. It also preps you for the next bullet point:
• Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN Degree)
  The masters program takes about 6 years from start to finish and thoroughly prepares you for nursing specialties (like anesthesia or nursing education) as well as being a nursing supervisor where you are in charge of other RNs and LPNs in your ward. The MSN degree holding RN earns a significantly larger salary for good reason. They have more schooling and much more responsibility than a non MSN RN.

  There is also a modified version of the MSN program that registered nurse schools in California refer to as an accelerated MSN nursing program. Basically, if you hold a Bachelors from another field, you can apply much of that previous coursework to your MSN degree and earn your masters in only one or two years.

Below are three lists of Registered Nurse Schools in California divided into sections by degree path. Here's a link list to skip to each section:

• ADN
• BSN
• MSN

Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN Degree) Schools in California

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN Degree) Schools in California

Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN Degree) Schools in California

A note to this list: We are workingon some changes and they are the ability to sort this list, detailed descriptions of each school asn star ratings (1-10) for each so you can see the good and bad of each of the Registered Nurse Schools in California.