WCU-Miami BSN Graduate Spotlight: Gaston Mirabal Jr.
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Alumni
Nursing
LVN to BSN Program
Leverage your skills as a licensed vocational nurse or licensed practical nurse to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and prepare to become a registered nurse.
10 Weeks
10-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year
34 Months
Earn your BSN degree in as little as 34 months at the Accelerated program pace
9 Units of Advanced Placement Credit
Your previous nursing licensure grants you 9 credits toward your BSN degree
LVN/LPN to BSN Program Highlights
Simulation labs equipped with high-fidelity manikins that react like real patients
No-cost tutoring and study materials to help you prepare for your RN licensure exam
Streamlined curriculum that lets you get credit for your previous nursing education
Innovative learning tools including augmented reality and mobile study apps
Why Choose an LVN/LPN to BSN Program?
There is a great need for BSN-prepared nurses in today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape. According to an American Association of Colleges of Nursing study from 2022, 71.7% of healthcare employers had a strong preference for nurses with BSN degrees, and 27.7% made a BSN a requirement for newly hired nurses.1
Our LVN to BSN bridge program helps you earn your degree through a student-centric, innovative approach to learning. As thought leaders in education, we’re constantly seeking the best tools for our students. Your learning experience can include original tv shows, educational games, augmented reality tools, and more!
WCU Campuses with the LVN/LPN to BSN Program
Explore the LVN/LPN to BSN program at WCU!
Overview: LVN/LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Program Details
Depending on which campus you attend, you can choose between various program paces. All campuses offer the Accelerated pace while some offer additional paces for those who need greater flexibility in their school schedules.
Here are our available paces for the LVN/LPN to BSN program:
Accelerated Pace
On-Campus
120 Credits
34 Months
7 Semesters
Evening and Weekend Pace*
On-Campus
120 Credits
39 Months
8 Semesters
Working Professional Pace**
On-Campus
120 Credits
49 Months
10 Semesters
Curriculum
General Education within the Area of Study
| Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Name | Hours |
| PATH 370 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PHIL 434 | Medical Ethics and Issues | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 | |
Approved Credits
| NURS 199D | Advanced Placement Credit (LVN) | 9 |
General Education Redesign
| Category and Requirements | WCU Course Requirements | Transferable / Options |
|---|---|---|
| Cat. and Req. | Trans. / Options | |
| Foundational Course | FYS 001(0): First Year Seminar (only offered at Los Angeles and Ontario Campuses prior to Spring II 2024) or FHE 100(3): Foundations of Higher Education (offered at all Campuses; Los Angeles and Ontario Campuses starting Spring II 2024) | Non-transferable |
| A1- Written Communication (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum) | **ENGL 140(3): Written Communication I **ENGL 240(3): Written Communication II | Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements. |
| A2. Oral Communication (2.5 Semester Credits Minimum) | **SPCH 142(3): Oral Communication | Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements. |
| A3. Critical Thinking (2.5 Semester Credits Minimum) | **PHIL 341(3): Critical Reasoning | Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements. |
| A4. Quantitative Reasoning (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum) | MATH 108(3): College Mathematics I MATH 211(3): Statistics | Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements. |
| B1– Social and Behavioral Sciences / Cultural Diversity, Tradition (8 Semester Credits and 3 Courses Minimum) | **PSYC 160(3): Psychology **PSYC 290(3): Life Span Psychology **HUM 370(3): Cultural Pluralism | Equivalent to PSYC 160 Equivalent to PSYC 290 Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements. |
| B2. Life and Physical Sciences (12 Semester Credits and 4 Courses Minimum) | ANAT 260(4): Human Anatomy PHYS 261(4): Human PhysiologyCHEM 280(4): Chemistry MICR 290(4): General Microbiology | Equivalent to ANAT 260 Equivalent to PHYS 261 Non-transferable at the Orange County Campus starting Summer I 2023 Equivalent to CHEM 280 Equivalent to MICR 290 |
| B3. General Education Capstone (3 Semester Credits) | CAPS 401(3): General Education Capstone (only offered at Los Angeles, Ontario Campuses prior to Spring II 2024) | Non-transferable |
| A minimum of 46 credits is required for graduation. | ||
Note: The following course must have been taken in the last 5 years: ANAT 260, CHEM 280, MICR 290, and PHYS 261.
Note: If scheduled, the following courses are to be taken at WCU: FYS 001, FHE 100, CAPS 401, and PATH 370 and PHYS 261 (Orange County campus only, starting Summer 1 2023).
**As of April 2019, this course will be delivered online, asynchronously, through the institution’s Learning Management System except where otherwise authorized by the Program Dean/Director.
Core Nursing Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Name | Hours |
| NURS 110 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 180 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 190 | Physical Assessment | 2 |
| NURS 201 | Medical Surgical Nursing-Promoting Wellness | 3 |
| NURS 210L-AB | RN Skills Laboratory | 2 |
| NURS 211L | Medical Surgical Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 222 | Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness in the Mentally Ill | 3 |
| NURS 223L | Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 225 | Nutrition in Health and Disease | 3 |
| NURS 306 | Expanding Family and Community (OB) | 2 |
| NURS 307 | Developing Family and Community (PEDS) | 2 |
| NURS 316L-A | Expanding and Developing Family and Community Practicum (OB) | 1.5 |
| NURS 317L-A | Developing Family and Community Practicum (PEDS) | 1.5 |
| NURS 340 | Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 342L | Public Health Nursing Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 350 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 420 | Principles of Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURS 431 | Disaster Management | 2 |
| NURS 440 | Issues and Trends in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 480 | Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 481L | Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 493* | Integration of Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 497 | Nursing Capstone | 1 |
| NURS 498L | Integration of Nursing Practices | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 59.0 | |
NURS 210L: (LVN/LPN to BSN students only)
*NURS 493R – Taken if student is unsuccessful in NURS 493.
Note: Upon satisfactory completion of the transition courses (NURS 110 and NURS 210L), the LVN/LPN to BSN student will receive 9 units of Advanced Placement Credit (NURS 199D or NURS 199E).
| Program Credit Distribution (LVN/LPN-BSN) | |
|---|---|
| Program Credit Dist.(LVN/LPN-BSN) | |
| Approved Credits from Previous Licensure | 9.0 |
| General Education Semester Credits | 46.0 |
| General Education within the Area of Study | 6.0 |
| Core Nursing Courses | 59.0 |
| Total Program Semester Credits | 120.0 |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the LVN/LPN to BSN Program Cost?
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future. For a breakdown of the LVN/LPN to BSN program costs, visit the program page for the campus you wish to attend.
- LVN to BSN program in Richardson, TX
- LPN to BSN program in Miami, FL
- LVN to BSN program in Los Angeles, CA
- LVN to BSN program in Ontario, CA
- LVN to BSN program in Orange County, CA
We offer several LVN/LPN to BSN program financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Admission Requirements
To review the admission requirements for WCU’s LVN/LPN to BSN program, please visit the program page for the campus you plan to attend:
*Only available at Miami and Texas campuses
**Only available at the Miami campus
Request Info
Academic Calendar
New academic terms begin, on average, every 10 weeks. The number of semesters required for your program varies based on the program pace you select. To see a list of term start and completion dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Simulation Centers
Industry-Current Technology
Each of our WCU campuses is equipped with simulation centers that allow you to put your education to practice using high-fidelity manikins that mimic the physiological responses of real-life patients. In our simulation labs, you’ll practice everything from routine to emergency care, giving you hands-on experience in a safe environment that allows for instructor feedback.
As an LVN to BSN student, you will experience simulations designed to teach you the role of a registered nurse in various medical settings, including:
- Medical and surgical units
- Pediatrics
- Maternity/OB
- Mental health
Schedule an Info Session
We invite you to attend one of our informative presentations on our programs.
Clinical Placements
Helping You Secure a Local Placement
We know how important your clinical experience is, and that’s why we work with our LVN to BSN students to assist with their clinical placements. We have a team that is dedicated to helping you find a healthcare site that meets the requirement of your program.
With our large network of partner hospitals and healthcare providers, we can assist with everything from site selection to compliance tracking and clinical experience coaching. You won’t have to navigate the process alone!
NCLEX Support
Helping You Prepare for the NCLEX
Once you complete your LVN to BSN program or LPN to BSN program, you should be ready to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). To help you feel as prepared as possible for the big day, we provide you with hands-on support during your program, including:
- Individualized guidance from an NCLEX advisor
- NCLEX bootcamps to help you build and test your knowledge
- No-cost tutoring to help you in areas where you’re struggling
- Access to virtual library of books and videos
Career Services
Professional Development & Job Search Assistance
We’re here to support you not just in your studies, but in your professional journey as well. Our Career Services department offers the help you need to find job opportunities, prepare for interviews, and put your best foot forward.
We offer a variety of services to WCU students and graduates, including:
- One-on-one career guidance
- Professional development workshops
- Mock interviews
- Help finding job listings2
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses can work in various healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government facilities
- Educational services3
Explore job opportunities with the help of our Career Services team!
Featured Faculty
Katie Kay, DNP, RN, PCCN-K
Dean, College of Nursing
Dr. Katie Kay is the Dean for West Coast University’s College of Nursing where she provides direct oversight to the academic quality and delivery of prelicensure-through-doctoral nursing education. She is a nurse educator and leader with a collaborative, service-oriented mindset. Dr. Kay remains passionate about accessibility for both education and healthcare to improve the way we are delivering care to the communities we serve. Prior to her appointment at West Coast University, Dr. Kay served as the Vice President of Healthcare Academics at Emeritus where she was the in-house expert for nursing and healthcare education. In her time at Emeritus, she partnered with several leading academic institutions to create high-quality, accessible, and affordable upskilling and reskilling programs to address key gaps in healthcare delivery and healthcare leadership. Dr. Kay has also previously held the title of Senior Director of National Academic Operations at Chamberlain University, where she was responsible for providing leadership to university-wide academic, quality, and experiential learning initiatives. In her tenure at Chamberlain University, she also worked as adjunct faculty and held the role of Associate Dean of Faculty in the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner track.
Her passion for accessibility also stems from her work as an administrator at a large metropolitan hospital where she had oversight of the day-to-day operations of 22 inpatient units. Primary areas of leadership included patient safety, acuity management, throughput, accreditation, advocacy for professional nursing practice, and re-attainment of Magnet distinction.
The most recent publications for Dr. Kay include The 3 P’s: Pharmacology Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology (Crowley, Wallace, Letz, and Kay) and a poster presentation titled “Innovative Approaches to Clinical and Practicum Placements.”
Dr. Kay is a member of the American Association for Critical Nurses, the National League of Nursing, and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and she serves as the Executive Director for the Association of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
Chiarina P. Piazza, PhD, MEd, RN
Dean, College of Nursing | California Program Director
Dr. Piazza has been working in the university since 2009. Her past roles included Faculty; Campus Associate Dean of Nursing, Academics; Campus Dean of Nursing; and Associate Dean, College of Nursing. Most recently, she has been appointed to the position of Dean, College of Nursing.
She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of San Diego, a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
With a commitment to community service, Dr. Piazza is a Commissioner for the Sister Cities Commission of Anaheim. And has previously served as Commissioner, Orange County Human Relations, and Board Member for the School Nurses of California Foundation.
FAQs
How long does it take for an LVN to earn a BSN?
As a licensed vocational nurse, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at WCU in as little as 34 months at the Accelerated pace.
We also offer additional paces at select campuses for students with more demanding schedules. These include our Evening and Weekend pace, which can be completed in 39 months, and our Working Professional Pace, which can be completed in 49 months.
What is an LVN to BSN bridge program?
In an LVN to BSN bridge program, you’re able to use your current nursing licensure and experience to give you a head start toward your BSN — essentially allowing you to “bridge the gap” between your skills and your degree. This provides you with faster time to completion for your program.
Can I still pursue my BSN degree if I’m a working professional?
Yes, you can. We offer multiple program paces so we can provide our working students with maximum flexibility. If you’re interested in attending class after-hours, you may want to sign up for our Evening and Weekend pace. We also offer a Working Professional pace that allows you to take fewer courses per term so you can better balance work and school.
Can I become an RN after completing the LVN to BSN program?
Yes, once you complete our LVN/LPN to BSN program, you can take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Our program is designed to help prepare you for the exam, as we teach you the foundational competencies of being a registered nurse, and we provide valuable exam prep resources such as no-cost tutoring, NCLEX bootcamps, a virtual library of educational material, and more.
Can I get financial aid?
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. View our Financial Aid page and then speak with a WCU financial aid advisor to fully explore your options. Depending on your eligibility, you could qualify for financial aid such as student loans, grants, and scholarships. View our list of Undergraduate On-Ground Scholarships and Grants.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Have Questions?
Pursuing your degree is a big choice. Fill out our form and one of our admissions advisors will contact you to answer any questions you may have!
1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses,” October 2022
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, Accessed July 31, 2023
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
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