LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program

The 30-unit LVN option plan is offered on a space available basis for LVNs currently licensed in California. Requirements include completion (or challenge) of acceptable college level courses in physiology and microbiology with grades of “C” or better prior to enrollment in the program and completion (or challenge) of NRSR 23 and 24 in sequence. Those who complete this option do not graduate or receive a degree.

LVNs wishing to obtain licensure as a registered nurse through the LVN to RN Upward Mobility program must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

• Successful completion of an accredited licensed vocational nursing program
• Active, unrestricted California LVN license
• Meet the ADN program prerequisites

There are three prerequisites to complete:

1. Prerequisite Course Evaluations

The Nursing Program office does not complete prerequisite course evaluations.

If you have taken a prerequisite course outside of Sierra College and it is not listed on the Equivalency Grid or you are using upper division courses for any prerequisites, contact a counselor.

2. Prerequisite Course Requirements

Prerequisites “in progress” are not accepted.

All prerequisites must be completed with a grade “C” or better, and posted to the appropriate Official College Transcript before submitting an application to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

** Indicates courses which must be completed within 7 years of application to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Non-Sierra Courses: Please refer to the Equivalency Grid to determine if a course taken outside of Sierra College meets our program requirement.

3. Prerequisite TEAS Exam

The TEAS exam must be completed prior to applying in our program.

• An unofficial copy must accompany your application and your score must be reflected on the multi-criteria form
• An official copy of the test results must be sent electronically to the nursing office website

Only the latest edition of the TEAS exam will be accepted by Sierra College. A minimum cumulative score of 62% is required.

Visit atitesting.com to locate TEAS testing locations, dates and resource materials.

Corequisites must be completed prior to beginning the final semester of the program in order to meet the requirements for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

It is highly encouraged that you complete your corequisites before entrance into the nursing program. This is due to possible impaction of classes, as well as the overall difficulty of the nursing program.

If completed, co-requisites may be listed; however, course descriptions are not required. Courses must be completed with a grade “C” or better.

Applications are accepted once a year, beginning April 1 and ending the last business day of April. Applications must reach the nursing department by 4 pm on that last day. You can drop off the application after hours, into the black, locked mailbox outside of RN100.

Mail or Drop off appications to:
Sierra College Nursing Department
Bldg RN-1, Room 100
5100 Sierra College Blvd.
Rocklin, CA 95677

Regular business hours are:
Monday-Thursday: 8 am – 4 pm
Friday: 8 am – noon

Application Form

Download the Application. Only one submission will be accepted per applicant. Multiple applications will result in disqualification.

Application Checklist

Only complete application packets are evaluated for potential admission. A complete application packet consists of the following items:

Once the application acceptance period has ended, all applications will be evaluated. All qualified applications will be randomized and a cohort will be chosen.

Qualification is based on the following criteria:

• Submission of a complete application
• Completion of all program prerequisites and requirements
• An 84% or higher Chancellor’s Office Predictor of Success score (Community College Nursing Prerequisite Validation study)

Only successfully Selected Applicants will be contacted via the email address provided on the application within 4 weeks of the close of the acceptance period (April 30). Please be sure the email address is legible.

Admission into the nursing program is contingent upon:

• A clear background check, drug screening and health screening
• CPR certification (American Heart Association course for Healthcare Providers).

Once admitted into the program, the student must complete NRSR 17, NRSR 23, NRSR 24, and the remaining required program and general education courses. Credit for previous pediatric and maternal newborn LVN education will be determined through proctored examinations once the candidates are selected. This may result in Spring, rather than Fall semester entrance, to ensure a successful program completion.

There will be 3 mandatory orientations that the selected applicants must attend. Please plan accordingly.Non-selected applicants will not be contacted. No telephone verification is provided by the Nursing Department or the Counseling Center.

If not selected:

• All submitted materials will be destroyed. Sierra College does not retain the applications of non-selected applicants.
• A new, complete application must be submitted each application cycle.

Sierra College does not maintain a waitlist for nursing.

How many applications do you receive, and how many students are selected?
For the past 3 years we have received 25-50 applications for the LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program. The number of applicants selected is based on space available in the third semester of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Do I need to take the CPR course before applying to the program?
Applicants do not have to provide a copy of their CPR card to apply. Selected applicants must complete the American Heart Association course for Healthcare Providers prior to enrolling in the class.

I have one pre-requisite course left to take. Can I still apply to the program?
No. All prerequisite courses must be completed and posted to the appropriate transcript prior to applying for the program.

Do I have to have my Communication Studies and Sociology/Anthropology courses completed before I apply?
No. Co-requisites, however, must be completed before completion of the final semester of the program in order to meet the requirements for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. It is highly encouraged that you complete your co-requisites before entrance into the nursing program. This is due to possible impaction of classes, as well as the overall difficulty of the nursing program.

I took my pre-requisites at another college. You are asking for course descriptions for those courses. How do I obtain the course descriptions?
Official college course descriptions may be obtained by photocopying the college catalog for the year and semester the course was completed. Official college catalogs with course descriptions may also be available online through the institution’s website.

I am confused about Math D being required. Can you explain this?
We recommend you see an academic counselor for all graduation requirements.

I see that the science courses and nutrition courses cannot be more than seven years old when I begin the program. One of my courses is older than seven years. Do I need to retake the course?
We recommend that you see an academic counselor regarding course repetition and/or course challenge process.

I took my anatomy and physiology at a school where the courses were combined for two semesters. At Sierra College they are offered separately. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes. We accept equivalent course work. Two semesters of combined anatomy and physiology is equivalent to two semesters of separate course work.

Some of my prerequisites are upper division from a four-year university. Is this okay?
We will accept upper division coursework to satisfy prerequisites. Students using upper division coursework to satisfy prerequisites will not receive units for the upper division courses and they may need to complete coursework to satisfy graduation requirements. We recommend that these students see an academic counselor for guidance.

Is it okay if I turn my application in late? I have a really good reason.
No. All applications must be received by the due date/time. Postmarks are not acceptable.

I was not accepted into the nursing program. Will my application materials be returned to me?
If not selected, all submitted materials will be destroyed. Only transcripts of selected applicants will become property of the District and posted.

I applied last semester and was not admitted. Will I have a better chance when I apply this semester?
Qualified applicants for the LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program not selected due to randomization must submit a complete application each application cycle.

My employer wants to write a letter of recommendation for me to get into the nursing program. Should I enclose that with my application?
Our method is random selection. Letters of recommendation are not considered. We request that you not enclose any in your application packet.

I attended several colleges. Do you need all the transcripts or just those where I took prerequisites? How do I get them to you?
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended in the completion of your pre-requisite courses and all colleges referenced in your application. All official transcripts must be submitted in the application packet. Official transcripts sent directly to the nursing department are not accepted.

Can you tell me why I was not accepted into the nursing program as an upward mobility student?
Each applicant will be notified of the results of the random selection. If you weren’t selected into the upward mobility program, you may contact the nursing office. We are happy to discuss next steps if you weren’t able to meet the 84%.

When should I expect to hear the results of the selection process and how will I be notified?
Only selected applicants are notified via email using the email address clearly documented on their application. It takes approximately two weeks after the close of application acceptance to complete the selection and notification process.

If I have committed a previous legal infraction or have ended employment in a negative fashion with any clinical site used by Sierra College, can I still be in the program?
All clinical sites have final right of approval regarding who may participate in clinical rotations in their facility.