LVN to BSN Program in Texas

Our LVN to BSN program at WCU-Texas is designed to help licensed vocational nurses earn their bachelor’s degree and gain the skill needed to become registered nurses.

Dallas LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at WCU-Texas Dallas LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at WCU-Texas

New Student Achievement Grant (Up to $6,500!)

New Student Achievement Grant (Up to $9,500 per academic year!)

Created to support new students with exceptional entrance exam scores (83 on the HESI or 66 on the TEASV), this grant is available to BSN or LVN to BSN students starting Oct. 2024 or Jan. 2025 at WCU-Texas. Learn more.


For additional information and eligibility requirements on the New Student Achievement Grant, please visit the Undergraduate On-Ground Scholarships and Grants page on our catalog.

10 Weeks

10-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year

34 Months

Earn your BSN in as few as 34 months at the Accelerated program pace

9 Units of Advanced Placement Credit

Your previous nursing licensure grants you 9 credits towards your BSN degree

Niche 2025 Best Colleges

#1 Best Colleges for Nursing in Texas
#1 Best Value Colleges in Dallas-Forth Worth Area

Voted as a best Nursing School by The College Application

Voted as a best Nursing School by The College Application

Best College or University in the Best of Dallas 2023 Readers’ Poll hosted by the Dallas Observer

Best in DFW People's Choice

WCU is a gold award recipient in the Education category in the Dallas Morning News!

LVN to BSN Program Highlights

Real Life Icon

Simulations to help you prepare hands-on for a variety of nursing scenarios

Nurse

Clinical placement advisors to help you find a local clinical site that aligns with your goals

Your Success

One-on-one support through no-cost tutoring and preparation for the NCLEX licensure exam

Innovative learning experience that includes augmented reality and original shows

Why Choose the LVN to BSN program at WCU-Texas?

As the healthcare industry advances, many employers are showing a preference for nurses with a BSN preparation. In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, as of 2022, 71.7% of hospitals and other healthcare employers said they prefer BSN graduates, while 27.7% are requiring bachelor’s degrees for new hires.1

Our LVN to BSN bridge program in the Dallas Metroplex lets you apply nine advanced placement credit units for your LVN experience, helping streamline your path to a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The curriculum segues from general education to core nursing classes, incorporating hands-on practice through technologically advanced simulation labs. Our goal is to help you develop both the skills and the confidence to start your RN career successfully.

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Overview: LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Program Details

Accelerated Pace

On-Campus

120 Credits

34 Months

7 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 to BSN Program in Texas 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.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of LVN to BSN tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the LVN to BSN program costs in the Dallas Metroplex at West Coast University.

We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies.

Tuition and Fees

Accelerated*

Degree Type Bachelor of Science (Prior to Fall I 2024) Bachelor of Science (Starting Fall I 2024)
Total Program Credits 1201 1201
Program Length 7 semesters 7 semesters
Full-Time Status (12 to 18 credits) $12,930 $12,930
3/4-Time Status (9 to 11 credits) $10,750 $10,750
1/2-Time Status (6 to 8 credits) $8,405 $8,405
Less than 1/2-Time Status (under 6 credits) (per credit) $1,425 $1,425
Total Tuition Cost (Full-Time) $90,510 $90,510
Registration Fee (refundable) $75 $75
Estimated Total Book Costs1 $5,024 $5,149
Estimated Total Book Shipping Cost1 $502 $515
Estimate for Uniforms Fee1 $130 $250
Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fees1 $2,345 $2,345
Technology Fee2 ($100 per semester) $700 $700
General Education Resource Feesup>3 $500 $500
Estimated Total Program Costs $99,786 $100,044

Indirect Costs

10 Month Academic Year4
Prior to Fall I 2024 Starting Fall I 2024
with parents off campus with parents off campus
Federal Student Loan Fees 100 100 100 100
Course Materials (Personal Electronic Device-1st year only) $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) $2,980 $9,920 $3,120 $10,410
Transportation $2,060 $2,060 $2,160 $2,160
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $6,740 $6,740 $7,070 $7,070
Total $12,880 $19,820 $13,450 $20,740

*Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course per term.

1Includes 9 transfer credits for LVN license.

2The Estimated Book, Uniform and Supply fees reflect the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price totals compiled in January 2022 and are subject to change.

3Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and require electronic course materials/software.

4The General Education Resource Fee includes costs associated with ATI Smart Prep materials. The General Education Resource Fee will be waived for Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, Veterans, Veteran Spouse, Department of Defense employees, dependents utilizing parent’s veteran’s education benefits, and Veterans Affairs employees.

5The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.

Note 1: Students who wish to take Challenge Exams will be subject to a fee of $100 for each Challenge exam. Please see the campus Bursar Office for a full price listing.

Note 2: Course Audits – If a course(s) is being audited, credits for these courses will be included for the student’s schedule status for billing, based on the schedule statuses and amounts shown above. Pre-licensure Nursing students should refer to the program’s Dismissal Policy for information surrounding course auditing.

Note 3: The Total Tuition Cost can be converted to Cost per Credit Hour by using the following calculation:

Total Tuition Cost ($90,510) divided by the Total Program Credits (120) = Cost per Credit Hour ($754).

Admission Requirements

BSN and LVN/LPN-BSN Admissions Requirements-Florida and Texas

For Admissibility into the BSN & LVN/LPN to BSN Program, Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

  1. Submit a completed WCU application for admissions
  2. Submit WCU approved documentation of high school graduation or equivalent
    1. Foreign high school diplomas/credentials or their equivalent must have an official evaluation performed by an approved organization)
  3. Participate in an admissions interview arranged by a University admissions advisor
  4. Achieve a HESI composite score of 76 or higher
    1. HESI exam scores must be within three (3) years of enrollment date.
    2. HESI exam scores below 76 are denied admission
    3. Examination Retake Details
      1. BSN applicants will have a maximum of two attempts, a week apart, to successfully pass the admissions exam.
      2. If an applicant does not pass the admissions exam after two attempts, he or she must wait a period of 1 months to retest and must provide proof of remediation.
    4. Additional acceptable external scores are eligible for full admission:
      1. TEAS score of 43 or higher
        1. TEAS exam scores must be within three (3) years of enrollment date
      2. SAT score of 835 or higher or ACT score of 16 or higher
        1. SAT or ACT must be within three (3) years of enrollment date
        2. WCU only collects Verbal and Quantitative scores for SAT and ACT
  5. Complete an enrollment agreement (must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age)
  6. Meet program-specific entrance requirements.
    1. Applicants to the LVN-BSN program must provide proof of current unobstructed licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

BSN & LVN-BSN Post Secondary Transcripts for Transfer Credit Evaluation

BSN and LVN/LPN-BSN applicants requesting transfer credit evaluation must provide official transcripts by the Add/Drop deadline on the second Tuesday of the term.  All general education, prerequisite, and core nursing coursework must have been taken at an appropriately accredited institution. For nursing credits to be considered for transfer credit, there can be only one year between the end of the last nursing course taken at a previous institution and the beginning of the first course at West Coast University. Exceptions may be considered. Science courses must be taken within the last five years to be accepted for transfer credit. Course syllabi for courses previously taken at another nursing program should be submitted for review to the campus dean for nursing. The maximum allowable transfer credits applied to the BSN program shall not exceed 52 credits of general education, and for the ADN (Florida only) program shall not exceed 27 credits of general education. See the Challenge Credit policy for additional information on receiving nursing credit for previously completed nursing courses. Authority for all final transfer credit decisions is given to the Program Dean/Chair.

Transfer credit will not be awarded based on unofficial transcripts, however, students may be scheduled for their first semester of courses based on unofficial transfer credit review . Financial packaging for the first semester will be estimated without transfer credit unless/until official transcripts are received and evaluated. If transfer credit is evaluated after the add/drop date of the first semester, it will be reflected in financial aid offers for the subsequent semester.

Concurrent Enrollment:   Individuals who are concurrently enrolled at another institution at the time of their matriculation to West Coast University, may be allowed to request transfer credit for courses that are in-progress. In this situation, official transcripts must be received by the end of the first term of matriculation in order to receive transfer credit.

BSN & LVN-BSN Post Secondary Transcripts for Veterans

All applicants who are veterans or seeking transfer credit must submit all official applicable postsecondary transcripts by the Add/Drop deadline on the second Tuesday of the term regardless of applicable transfer credits for timely certification of the veterans request for benefits and receipt of funds.  Please see the Veterans Educational Benefits policy in the Financial Policies and Information Section of the Catalog.

LVN/LPN-BSN Licensure Requirements

LVN/LPN to BSN applicants who possess a current unobstructed LVN/LPN license may be admitted into the West Coast University LVN/LPN to BSN program without requiring transcripts if they meet all other specific program admission requirements, which would include military training. LVN/LPN’s who were able to obtain their LVN/LPN license using their military training as the academic qualifier and those who have graduated from a school that has since closed and transcripts are no longer available.

For additional information, such as transfer credit evaluation requirements, visit our catalog.

Academic Calendar

New academic terms begin, on average, every 10 weeks. The number of semesters required for your program depends on the program pace you choose. For the most updated list of term start and completion dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Simulation Centers

Hands-On Learning

Get access to the tools you need to perfect your nursing skills. Our simulation labs are equipped with industry-current technology, including high-fidelity manikins that react like real patients. They have rising blood pressures and dilating pupils. They can even give birth!

Students practice for a diverse range of situations using the simulation labs, including scenarios in the following nursing areas:

  • Medical and surgical units
  • Pediatrics
  • Maternity/OB
  • Mental health

Experience WCU for Yourself!

Attend an info session to learn what all the buzz is about.

Clinical Placements

LVN to BSN Clinical Placements

Helping You Find a Clinical Site

Our WCU-Texas nursing students have a dedicated team to support them through their clinical practice hours. The Clinical Placements team can leverage their relationship with local healthcare facilities to help you find a clinical placement location. The team is also here to assist you with tracking your hours and making sure you meet all requirements.

NCLEX Support

Licensure Preparation

Once you’ve completed the LVN to BSN program, there is one final step to becoming a registered nurse — passing your licensure exam.

WCU offers one-on-one support to help you prepare for the NCLEX-RN. You’ll have access to a variety of tools and resources, including:

  • A library of study books and videos
  • Practice exams to test your performance
  • NCLEX advisors that can help answer questions
  • No-cost tutoring and one-on-one guidance

Career Services

Supporting You in Your Job Search

WCU-Texas will support you every step of your job search. We have a dedicated Career Services team that can provide you with a variety of resources, including:

  • Help locating open nursing jobs
  • Resume writing workshops
  • Interview coaching
  • General career guidance and professional development

As a WCU student or graduate, you can contact Career Services any time you need help!2

 

Featured Faculty

Katie Kay

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 Piazza

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 to earn your BSN as an LVN?

The LVN-BSN program at WCU-Texas allows you to complete your degree in 34 months (a little under 3 years).

 

What is an LVN to BSN bridge program?

An LVN to BSN program is designed to bridge the gap between your knowledge as a licensed vocational nurse and the knowledge expected of an RN with a BSN degree. It builds on the experience you already have, letting you complete your BSN faster than you would if you didn’t already have your LVN license.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. As part of the application and enrollment process, you will meet with a financial aid advisor that can walk you through the process and explain common funding options, including scholarships and loans. They are a great resource that can help you figure out which financing option is right for you.

For information on the institutional grants available at WCU-Texas, please visit the Undergraduate On-Ground Scholarships and Grants page on our online catalog.

And for more information on other forms of financial aid available, visit our Financial Aid page.

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!

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

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.