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Bakersfield Community College offers a Distance Education LVN to RN/ADN Program via Interactive TV (ITV) in collaboration with Cerro Coso Community College and Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. Individuals interested must currently hold an LVN license and have completed all prerequisites prior to the start of the nursing courses. The application period for the Distance Education LVN to RN/ADN BC/CC/PC Program is March 1 through March 31 for the program scheduled to start in the fall semester. The following facilities in Ridgecrest have hard copies of the enrollment application, lists of prerequisites, and general information: Director of Nursing Ridgecrest Regional Hospital 760 446-3551 Director of Nursing Ridgecrest Healthcare Center 760 446-3591 Director of Nursing Drummond Medical Group 760 446-4571 LEARN MORE...

Bakersfield College
Allied Health Division
LVN to Associate Degree Nursing Program
 

General Information

Registered nursing education prepares the graduate to provide services to those who need healthcare. As needs are varied so are educational programs, which may proceed from the simpler to the more complex in accordance with the career ladder concept. The progression reads: nurse assistant, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, and other nurses with Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or Doctorate in Nursing and special certifications. The role of a new graduate is usually that of a staff nurse. With additional education, a nurse may advance to a position of supervisor, administrator, clinical specialist, educator, or researcher.

LVN to Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-ADN) is a two-semester program after the prerequisite courses have been completed. In addition, students must complete all the Bakersfield College general education requirements for graduation.

Vocational Nurses who wish to complete requirements for eligibility for the National Council Licensure Examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California will be considered for advanced placement. Admission to the educational mobility program in nursing is dependent upon completion of all prerequisite requirements and available space.

Enrollment

ENROLLMENT PERIOD

For the students enrolling for the Ridgecrest/Cerro Coso Community College Campus IWV Distant Education LVN to RN Career Ladder Program, the enrollment period is March 1-31 ONLY. All enrollment forms must be received by the Allied Health office with all official transcripts during the period of March 1-31. Refer to www.bakersfieldcollege.edu, then scroll down to the bottom where is says Directories, choose Department Directory, then select Allied Health. You will find links with information about the LVN, RN/ADN, and LVN to RN/ADN Distance Education Programs. For more information please view the following documents and the various Bakersfield College web pages:

• Program Overview
• Easy to Understand Step-by-Step Directions to Apply to the Bakersfield College ADN Program
• Allied Health at Bakersfield College
• Registered Nursing at BC
   

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLMENT

If an Allied Health Program has more students qualified for enrollment than space available, priority is provided to residents of the Kern Community College District.

ALLIED HEALTH
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
1801 PANORAMA DRIVE
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93305
(661) 395-4281
FAX (661) 395-4295
 

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

It is the student’s responsibility to do the following things prior to the Program’s enrollment period.

• Obtain enrollment form from the Allied Health Division office located in Room 178 of the Math-Science Building on the main campus OR in the counseling center located in the Student Services Building on the main campus OR by telephone at (661) 395-4281.
   
• Arrange for an official copy of college transcripts to be mailed directly to the:
  
  Associate Degree Nursing Program
  Bakersfield College
  1801 Panorama Drive
  Bakersfield, California, 93305
  
  Official transcripts must verify equivalent courses taken at other accredited colleges. Requests for consideration of course equivalency must be made by the student to the Bakersfield College Admissions and Records Office, (661) 395-4301. Students attending Bakersfield College may furnish an unofficial original BC transcript from the Admission & Records Office to the Program. It is the student’s responsibility to see that all transcripts are provided during the Program’s enrollment period.
   
• Enrollment forms are only valid for the current available program. Students not enrolled must submit an updated enrollment form each enrollment period.
   
• Students on the Program’s waiting list must also submit an enrollment form each semester until Program is entered.

PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS

All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” grade or higher. Priority is provided to students with all prerequisite courses completed at the time of submitting an enrollment form. Please see the Prerequisites Sheet for detailed info. (PDF)

Prerequisite requirements effective spring 2002 as approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing:

• MATH BA or B200A (Elementary Algebra) 3 units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college, or two semesters of high school algebra. (If you meet this requirement with high school algebra you must submit an official high school transcript).
   
• CHEM B11 or B2A or B1A (Chemistry) a minimum of 4 units is required at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
   
• BIOL B14 (Human Anatomy) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.
   
• BIOL B15 (Physiology) 5 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.
   
• BIOL B16 (General Microbiology) 5 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.
   
• ENGL B1A (Expository Composition) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.
   
• Computer Studies 1 unit or statement of proficiency evaluated during the first semester of Program.
   
• Basic Healthcare Provider CPR card current within one year.
   
• Overall GPA of 2.5.
   
• Graduation from high school or an equivalent education.
   
• Possession of current California Vocational Nurse License.
   
• MEDS B60 (Medical Terminology) – highly recommended.

Courses Required for Licensure

To take the RN Licensure examination students are required to meet all College graduation requirements as outlined in the Bakersfield College Catalog. In addition, students must receive a “C” grade or higher in the Board of Registered Nursing course requirements listed below:

• Speech (3 units) – SPCH B1 or B2 or B3 (Only SPCH B1 is transferable to CSU, UC and private colleges and is the recommended course.)
   
• Behavioral Science (6 units) – PSYC B1A (General Psychology) and
  SOCI B1 (Introduction to Sociology) or ANTH B2 (Cultural Anthropology)

General Education Courses

General education courses are required to graduate from the Bakersfield College Associate Degree Nursing Program, and it is suggested that most be completed prior to enrollment in the Program.

• Social Science (3 units) – HIST B17A (History of the United States) or other social science
   
• Humanities (3 units) – PHIL B12 (Ethics of Living & Dying) or other humanities course
  
  * All graduation requirements of the college must be met to receive the A.S. Degree in Nursing

Program Supply Information

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off-campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees. An estimated cost for books, uniforms, fees and required equipment for the first term of the Program is approximately $900.00. In addition to registration fees and books, the ADN fourth semester’s expenses will include Program Completion activities, Program pin, ATI test, and State Board application fees.

LVN to Associate Degree Nurse Program Curriculum

The following courses are taken after the student enters the Program.

All third semester students will be required to take basic math, pharmacology, and nursing process examinations. These examinations are given at the beginning of the semester. A passing grade in all three examinations must be achieved to progress in the Program.

THIRD SEMESTER

NURS B3B	Medical/Surgical Nursing	2.0
NURS B3BL	Medical/Surgical Nursing Laboratory	2.0
NURS B8	Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing	2.0
NURS B8L	Psychiatric/Mental Health Laboratory	1.5
NURS B32	Advanced Pharmacology	2.0
	Total	9.5

FOURTH SEMESTER

NURS B9	Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing	3.0
NURS B9L	Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing Laboratory	5.0
NURS B10	Nursing Management/Leadership	1.5
	Total	9.5

The clinical laboratory components of all nursing courses are graded on a Credit / No Credit basis only.

ADN students are exempt from the maximum of three (3) Credit / No Credit units that may be taken in a semester and from the maximum of twelve (12) Credit / No Credit units which may be applied toward the AA and AS degrees at Bakersfield College.

Student Transferring to CSUB

Students who plan to obtain their Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Cal State University Bakersfield after completing the Bakersfield College ADN Program will need to take NUTR B10 (Elementary Nutrition), MEDS B35 (Lifespan) and COMM B1 (Communication) at Bakersfield College prior to transfer. In addition, there may be other general education courses required. Contact the Counseling Center 395-4421 for further information.

Enrollment Selection

In the event the number of qualified students for the ADN Program exceeds space available, the following selection process is utilized. Students who are qualified for enrollment enter in the order in which their names appear on the Program Waiting List. The student’s position on this list is determined by random drawing of names by the Director, Assistant Director, and one assistant. To remain current on the waiting list, enrollment forms must be submitted each semester until Program is entered.

Physical Examination and Drug/Alcohol Screening

A physical examination completed by a physician of the student's choice is required when entering the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the following technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required and are performed at the student's expense.

As a condition of enrollment in any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screen. This is performed at the student's expense.

Essential Technical Standards

Nursing students must meet the following essential technical standards to ensure the safety and welfare of the patients, the healthcare team, and themselves. A physical examination performed by a medical doctor determines whether a student meets the technical standards or what accommodations may be necessary.

Technical Standards

• Standing and/or walking most of a shift.
• Bending or crouching several times per hour.
• Lifting and carrying a minimum of 30 pounds several times an hour.
• Lifting and moving up to 300 lbs. with the assistance of 2-3 persons.
• Reaching overhead above the shoulder 90 degrees.
• Utilizing eyesight to observe clients and manipulate equipment under various illumination levels.
• Hearing to communicate with the patient and healthcare team.
• Manipulating medical equipment and accessories, including but not limited to switches, knobs, buttons, keyboards, patient lines, and tubes, utilizing fine and gross motor skills.
• Performing the assigned job responsibilities with the intellectual and emotional functions necessary to ensure patient safety and exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Utilizing sufficient verbal and written skills to efficiently communicate in English with the patient and healthcare team.
• Utilizing the above standards/functions to respond promptly to the patient’s needs and/or emergency situations.

Admission to the College

For further information concerning enrollment procedures at Bakersfield College, please contact the Counseling Center (661) 395-4421 or Office of Admissions and Records (661) 395-4301. For information regarding assessment tests and services, contact the Assessment Center at (661) 395-4479. Catalogs and Class Schedules may be purchased in the College Bookstore. For information regarding Financial Aid and Scholarships contact (661) 395-4427.

Program Accreditation

The California Board of Registered Nursing accredits the BC Associate Degree Nursing Program. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Bakersfield College.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Registered Nursing at the time of application for licensure. For clarification contact the ADN Program Director or the Board of Registered Nursing, 400 R Street, Suite 4030, Sacramento, California, 95814, (916) 322-3350.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the anticipated theory hours and days of class and clinical?

A. Each semester may have slightly different class hours. As an example of days and weeks that the classes meet, the current class of LVN-RN's do not have class on Mondays. They are in class on Tues from 8:00-12:35, Weds from 8:00-10:05. Clinical hours are held Thursdays and Fridays from approximately 7:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Q. Will I have to travel to Bakersfield to take the courses or clinical?

A. Theory (lecture) courses will be held in the Learning Resource Center at Cerro Coso Community College via live TV broadcast from Bakersfield College. Most clinical hours will be held at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. However, travel to Bakersfield College will be necessary to complete clinical objectives in mental health nursing and advanced nurse (intensive care) nursing concepts.

Q. What is the DEADLINE DATE for applications?

A. Applications for this program will be from March 1 through March 31 for the following Fall semester.

Q. Where should an applicant sent his/her application and transcripts?

A. Applications and transcripts should be submitted to the Allied Health Office at Bakersfield College during the application periods as described in the previous answer.

Q. What are the fees and materials for the course?

A. A general estimate of fees ranges from $1200-1500 for the first semester and it goes down to $800-900 for the following semester. Many of the LVN's already own appropriate uniforms and equipment and would not have to spend as much in the beginning. The tuition is about $300 and the books can run $500-1000.
 

Additional Questions?

If you have questions or would like more information please contact:

Bakersfield College Website (or)
Counseling Center
(661) 395-4421

Application

If you would like to apply for the LVN-ADN Program you may download and print the following file and mail it to:

ALLIED HEALTH
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
1801 PANORAMA DRIVE
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93305
(661) 395-4281
FAX (661) 395-4295

All of these documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it for free here.

LVN_ADN Application Form

• Download Form

The following facilities in Ridgecrest have hard copies of the enrollment application, lists of prerequisites, and general information:

Director of Nursing
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
760 446-3551

Director of Nursing
Ridgecrest Healthcare Center
760 446-3591

Director of Nursing
Drummond Medical Group
760 446-4571

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, Bakersfield College provides services and benefits to students regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, medical condition or disability. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to administration and participation in vocational education programs. (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.)

Last updated June 2006

If you have questions or would like more information please contact the Counseling Center at 760 384-6219 or Contact a Counselor Online.