The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) at Houston Northwest offers an LVN to RN bridge program tailored to Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) seeking to advance their careers by becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). The program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing, combining online and on-campus learning over 80 weeks. Tuition costs $42,400, covering textbooks and essential fees. Personalized financial aid assistance is available, ensuring students can manage the investment comfortably.
Program Overview
The LVN to RN program at CHCP is specifically structured to help vocational nurses smoothly transition into registered nursing roles. Earning an ADN enables nurses to significantly expand their career opportunities, including enhanced patient care responsibilities, coordination roles, patient education, and advocacy. This bridge program emphasizes developing essential skills like clinical reasoning, communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking, preparing graduates for the multifaceted responsibilities of RNs.
The program delivery features a blend of online coursework and in-person classes, accommodating various learning styles and schedules. Laboratory and simulation experiences are held primarily during daytime hours, while clinical rotations occur during both day and evening shifts, requiring coordination with partnering healthcare facilities.
Curriculum Highlights
The program spans ten comprehensive modules, covering foundational sciences, nursing skills, professional development, and NCLEX-RN exam preparation:
- Licensure Preparation: Includes a comprehensive NCLEX-RN review module, incorporating intensive preparation strategies to ensure graduates are well-prepared for licensure.
- Foundational Sciences: Includes Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Lifespan Growth and Development, establishing critical knowledge needed for advanced patient care.
- Nursing Skills & Assessment: Modules focus on patient assessments, basic and advanced nursing procedures, health promotion, and safe care practices across diverse patient populations.
- Transition to Professional Nursing: Specifically addresses the shift from LVN to RN, emphasizing leadership, care coordination, evidence-based practice, and professional ethics.
- Clinical Experience: Practical hands-on training totals over 512 lab hours and 384 externship hours in various healthcare settings throughout Houston, providing essential real-world experience.
Admission Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Provide LVN program transcripts.
- Hold a current, unrestricted LVN license.
- Score at least 65% on the TEAS entrance exam.
- Successfully complete admissions and panel interviews.
- Pass background checks, drug screenings, and physical exams.
- Submit proof of immunizations and CPR certification.
Financial Considerations
The total program cost is $42,400, inclusive of tuition, a registration fee ($50), and a technology fee ($400). All required textbooks and eBooks are included. CHCP offers personalized financial aid support, guiding students through options such as federal student aid, grants, scholarships, and affordable payment plans. The financial aid team aims to simplify the process, helping students understand available resources to make education financially accessible.
Skills Developed
Graduates will gain proficiency in several crucial nursing competencies, including:
- Safety and evidence-based practices
- Professional communication
- Patient-centered care across lifespans
- Critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Care coordination and management
- Patient advocacy
Career and Job Placement Support
CHCP’s Career Services department actively assists graduates with job placement, providing help with resume preparation, interviewing skills, and connecting students with employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, psychiatric facilities, skilled nursing, home healthcare, and rehabilitation centers.
Who Should Consider This School?
CHCP’s LVN to RN bridge program is an excellent choice for Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Houston area looking for a practical, structured, and career-focused path to becoming a Registered Nurse. This program is particularly beneficial for those who appreciate a blended online and in-person class format, providing flexibility while still emphasizing extensive clinical experience. Students who value personalized financial aid support and a well-rounded curriculum preparing them thoroughly for the NCLEX-RN will find this program highly advantageous. However, prospective students should be prepared for intensive study and a rigorous schedule balancing online coursework, labs, and clinical rotations. CHCP is ideal for disciplined, career-focused individuals ready to step into a more advanced nursing role with comprehensive support throughout their educational journey.
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Price | $42,400 (includes tuition, registration, technology fee, and textbooks) |
| Duration | 80 weeks |
| Online Classes? | Yes, blended format with online and in-person components |
| Requirements | – High school diploma or GED – Unencumbered LVN license – TEAS score of 65% or higher – Transcripts from LVN program – Panel interview – Criminal background check – Drug screening – Physical exam – Proof of immunizations – CPR certification |
| Class Schedules | Daytime for classroom and lab; clinical shifts vary between day and evening |
| Financial Aid Options | Federal student aid, grants, scholarships, military discounts, and payment plans available |
| Address | 12230 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77092 |
| Phone | (713) 425-3100 |
| [email protected] |
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