LVN to RN Bridge Program Information
This program builds on the education that Licensed Vocational Nurses have already obtained. The prospective applicant must hold an unencumbered LVN license through the State of Texas Board of Nurses or a compact state prior to entering this program. Upon successful completion, graduates will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to become a Licensed as a Registered Nurse through the Texas Board of Nursing. Currently, this program is currently pending approval. Upon approval from the Texas Board of Nursing, the program would start Fall 2025.
The modalities for the coursework will include online coursework and in-person lectures and labs at the Beeville Campus, and external clinical experiences. Students will be required to attend lectures and labs in person at two to three days per week. In addition to the in-person lectures and labs, clinical experiences will be scheduled at various times and locations within the college district.
Requirements for the program include:
- Satisfactory scores on entrance exam (TEAS)
- TSI complete for Reading and Writing
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses with a "C" or better
- Cleared background check
- Completion of all immunizations as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Current CPR certification for Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association
- Selection into the program. The selection committee will select applicants for the program according to a scoring system. Points are scored for applicant's GPA on prerequisite courses, TEAS score, and completion of coursework. Selection for this program are competitive.
Application procedure:
- Apply for admission to the college by following the steps at found on the Student Success Page (/student_success_engagement/index.html)
- Schedule and take the TEAS exam.
- Receive the link for the online application after attaining satisfactory scores on the entrance exam.
- Receive and complete the application online prior to the deadline.
- Await an email to see if you have been selected by the Selection Committee.
- Return your acceptance letter.
Prerequisite Courses – Coursework must be completed prior to applying to the program
- Texas Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) approved credit
- BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIOL 2420 Microbiology
- ENGL 1301 Composition I
- PSYC 2314 Human Growth and Development
Semester I
- RNSG 1118 Transition to Professional Nursing Competencies
- RNSG 1128 Introduction to Health Care Concepts
- RNSG 1208 Dosage Calculations for Nursing
- RNSG 1324 Concept-Based Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- RNSG 1161 Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse Semester II
Semester II
- PSYC 2314 Life Span Growth & Development
- RNSG 1538 Health Care Concepts III
- RNSG 1137 Professional Nursing Concepts III
- RNSG 2362 Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse
Semester III
- PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics
- RNSG 2230 Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation
- RNSG 2539 Health Care Concepts IV
- RNSG 2138 Professional Nursing Concepts IV
- RNSG 2363 Clinical – Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Capstone Course)
Total Semester Hours = 60
Registered Nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in Texas have a variety of career opportunities across different healthcare settings.
Hospital-Based Careers:
Medical-Surgical Nurse – Provides care for patients with various medical conditions.
Emergency Room (ER) Nurse – Works in fast-paced emergency departments handling critical cases.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse – Cares for critically ill patients under close monitoring.
Operating Room (OR) Nurse – Assists in surgical procedures and post-operative care.
Labor & Delivery Nurse – Supports childbirth, newborn care, and postpartum recovery.
Long-Term & Specialized Care Settings:
Rehabilitation Nurse – Assists patients recovering from surgery, strokes, or injuries.
Geriatric Nurse – Works in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare.
Psychiatric Nurse – Provides mental health support in hospitals or behavioral health centers.
Outpatient & Community-Based Roles:
Clinic Nurse – Works in physician offices, urgent care centers, or outpatient facilities.
Home Health Nurse – Provides medical care to patients in their homes.
Public Health Nurse – Educates communities on health and wellness.
School Nurse – Supports student health in educational institutions.
Other Opportunities:
Travel Nurse – Takes short-term assignments in hospitals across Texas and beyond.
Case Manager – Coordinates patient care and treatment plans for insurance or healthcare organizations.
Dialysis Nurse – Specializes in kidney care for patients undergoing dialysis treatment.
With Texas experiencing a high demand for nurses, ADN-prepared RNs have strong job prospects. Many also choose to pursue a BSN through RN-to-BSN programs to expand their career opportunities in management, education, and advanced practice roles.
The estimated cost for Â鶹´«Ã½ College’s Nursing Program varies based on residency status:
- In-District Students: Total program cost is approximately $11,635.
- Out-of-District Students: Total program cost is around $14,859.
- Out-of-State Students: Total program cost is about $15,254.
These estimates include tuition, fees, supplies, and additional costs such as books, uniforms, medical equipment, NCLEX testing fees, and pre-admission expenses like background checks and drug screenings. Course fees and differentiated tuition also contribute to the total cost, ensuring students have access to necessary resources and hands-on training.
** Applications for the program will be accepted beginning August 2024 for the potential August 25, 2025, start date. You must have all the items listed above prior to application submission to be considered for the program. For more information, please contact:
Beeville – Heather Flores (361) 354-2544, hflores4@coastalbend.edu
Alice – Kendall Cox (361) 664-2981, Ext 3031, kdcox@coastalbend.edu
Kingsville – Cynthia Silvas (361) 592-1615, Ext 4054, cbsilvas@coastalbend.edu
Pleasanton – Jeannie Winter (830) 569-4222, Ext 1204, jmwinter@coastalbend.edu