Nursing
Tuition for the Unitek College LVN BSN program varies by campus location and pathway. Costs may differ based on start date, enrollment status, and whether you are entering through a traditional pre-licensure track or the LVN to BSN program. Your Admissions Advisor will provide a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other program-related expenses so you understand your total educational investment before enrolling.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Options may include federal grants, federal student loans, and institutional scholarship opportunities. The process begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After submission, the Financial Aid team will review your eligibility, explain your award package, and outline repayment responsibilities so you can make informed decisions about funding your BSN or LVN to BSN education.
Yes. We offer flexible payment plans to make your nursing education more affordable and manageable. A Financial Aid representative will review your funding sources and, if needed, help you structure a payment plan that aligns with your financial goals.
We recommend completing your FAFSA application as early as possible, ideally before your program start date, to maximize your funding opportunities. Early submission allows time for processing, verification if required, and award packaging so you can begin your nursing program without delays.
Official transcripts from accredited institutions are evaluated to determine which completed courses may satisfy BSN degree requirements. Eligibility is based on course content, credit hours, and grades earned. Each transcript is reviewed individually to ensure alignment with curriculum and state requirements.
Submit your official transcripts for a free evaluation. You will receive a clear summary outlining which credits may transfer and how they apply to your degree plan, helping you estimate your timeline to graduation.
Credits earned at another Unitek Learning school may be transferable within the Unitek Learning network, depending on course equivalency.
The LVN to BSN program at Unitek College is designed for licensed vocational nurses who want to advance to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pursue RN licensure. This pathway recognizes prior education and clinical experience, which may reduce your time to completion. It offers a streamlined route for LVNs seeking career advancement, leadership preparation, and expanded earning potential.
Applicants must provide proof of high school education or equivalent, meet minimum scores on entrance exams, and pass a background check and drug screening before clinical training.
Yes, our LVN-to-BSN program is designed for those who are currently working and licensed as an LVN.
Application fees vary by campus. Your Admissions Advisor will provide details when you begin the application process.
Through advanced placement, you can skip the first three semesters of a traditional nursing program, allowing you to earn your BSN degree in as few as two years, depending on your enrollment status, credit transfers, and pathway.
Unitek College provides structured academic support throughout the entire nursing curriculum. Students have access to faculty coaching, tutoring, and review sessions across key subject areas including Fundamentals, Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Maternal Child Nursing, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Community Health, Nutrition, Leadership, and Medication Math. Additional preparation resources are available to help students strengthen critical thinking skills, reinforce clinical reasoning, and prepare for licensure examinations.
For a Licensed Vocational Nurse, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the next academic step that expands your scope of practice and prepares you for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. At Unitek College, the LVN to BSN program is designed specifically for working vocational nurses who want to build on their existing clinical foundation and transition into a broader professional role. This hybrid program blends online coursework with on-campus skills labs, high-fidelity simulation, and supervised clinical rotations. Graduates are academically prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, positioning them to move from LVN to RN and pursue expanded responsibilities in hospitals, specialty units, community health, and leadership roles.
While it is possible to become an RN through multiple educational pathways, a BSN provides broader preparation in leadership, research, community health, and critical thinking. Many healthcare employers increasingly prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, particularly for roles in acute care hospitals, magnet-designated facilities, and specialty units. Earning a BSN can also increase eligibility for management roles, specialized certifications, graduate nursing programs, and long-term career growth.
Students at Unitek College complete supervised clinical rotations in a variety of real-world healthcare environments, which may include hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health settings. Clinical experiences are designed to expose students to diverse patient populations across the lifespan and to build competency in areas such as adult medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, pediatrics, mental health, and community-based care. In addition, students participate in simulation-based training using industry-standard mannequins and lab equipment to practice critical skills in a safe, structured environment before entering clinical settings.
BSN graduates are prepared to pursue licensure as Registered Nurses and may qualify for roles in a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, surgical centers, physician offices, public health agencies, and specialty clinics. In addition to bedside nursing, a BSN can support career pathways in areas such as critical care, pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency nursing, perioperative nursing, community health, case management, and quality improvement. Over time, BSN-prepared nurses may also pursue opportunities in leadership, education, research coordination, or advanced practice through graduate study.
An RN (Registered Nurse) is a professional license earned by passing the NCLEX-RN exam, while a BSN is the academic degree that often prepares students to qualify for that licensure. In other words, RN refers to your licensure status, and BSN refers to your level of education. Earning a BSN can broaden your career options, enhance your competitiveness in the job market, and provide preparation for leadership roles or advanced nursing degrees.
An LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) is a licensed healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and physicians. A BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), on the other hand, is a degree that qualifies graduates to become Registered Nurses with broader responsibilities, advanced clinical training, and greater career opportunities.
NCLEX preparation is integrated throughout the Unitek College BSN curriculum rather than limited to a single review course. Students have access to ATI testing resources, practice assessments, remediation tools, and faculty-guided review sessions designed to reinforce clinical reasoning and test-taking strategies. Ongoing mentorship from nursing faculty helps students identify areas for improvement and build confidence, ensuring they are academically and professionally prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.
According to the BLS, employment for Registered Nurses is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations.
Yes. BSN-prepared nurses generally have higher earning potential and more opportunities for advancement compared to those with an associate degree. According to NursingProcess.org, the average salary of an RN with an associate degree is $80,660, while the average salary for a BSN holder is $92,560 per year. Salaries can vary depending on healthcare setting, geographic location, level of experience, and certifications.
*Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program (accessed on 1/8/2026).
In the LVN to BSN program at Unitek College, classroom instruction is structured to build on your existing vocational nursing experience while advancing you toward Registered Nurse practice. Coursework is scaffolded and progressively complex, reinforcing core nursing concepts before moving into higher-level clinical decision-making and leadership content. This focused progression supports LVNs transitioning to RNs by strengthening clinical judgment, patient management, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. As an LVN advancing to a BSN degree, your studies expand into:
- Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Obstetrics and Maternal-Child Health
- Pediatrics
- Mental Health Nursing
- Community Health
- Critical Care
- Nursing Leadership and Evidence-Based Practice
The LVN to BSN nursing program includes hands-on training in simulation environments designed to mirror real healthcare settings. These labs allow licensed vocational nurses to refine and elevate their clinical competencies before entering RN-level clinical rotations.
All ground campuses feature:
- Dedicated nursing simulation centers
- High-, mid-, and low-fidelity mannequins
- Virtual reality (VR) clinical simulation technology
- Hospital-style nursing skills laboratories
Students train using Laerdal low-, mid-, and high-fidelity mannequins to safely practice advanced assessment, medication administration, and emergency response skills. For LVNs advancing to BSN-level competencies, this training supports the transition from task-based care to comprehensive patient management. Specialized task trainers may include:
- IV arms
- Chester Chest™ central line trainers
- Partial-body mannequins
- Foley catheter insertion models
- Wound care and ostomy trainers
Fidelity refers to the level of realism a mannequin can simulate. High-fidelity mannequins can replicate breathing patterns, heart sounds, pulses, and physiological changes, allowing LVN to BSN students to practice complex RN-level interventions in a controlled setting.
BSN skills labs replicate modern hospital environments and prepare vocational nurses for expanded RN responsibilities. Students have access to medical headwalls with simulated oxygen and suction, electronic vital signs monitors, EKG machines, defibrillators, hospital beds and medication carts, IV poles with IV fluids and Foley kits, chest tubes, splints and slings, sterile gloves and wound care supplies, as well as wheelchairs and crutches.
Virtual reality enhances clinical preparation by immersing students in realistic patient-care scenarios. Through VR simulation, LVN to BSN students can:
- Conduct advanced patient assessments
- Practice medication administration
- Strengthen clinical reasoning
- Improve communication and leadership skills
VR provides exposure to complex clinical situations that may not arise during scheduled rotations. It offers a safe environment to practice high-stakes decision-making before caring for live patients. Audio, visual, and tactile feedback reinforce learning and help vocational nurses confidently step into RN-level responsibilities.
The LVN to BSN pathway is designed specifically for licensed vocational nurses who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and qualify for RN licensure. For LVNs ready to advance their careers, the LVN to BSN program provides a focused, career-oriented route to RN licensure and long-term professional growth. Key differentiators include:
- Flexible hybrid learning with asynchronous didactic coursework
- Integrated virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation training
- A structured pathway that recognizes prior LVN education and experience
- The opportunity to earn a BSN in as few as two years, depending on transfer credits and eligibility
