LPN to RN Programs – Accredited Online

Graduating from a nursing program can be accomplished in a number of ways. Depending on the time, budget, and educational credits already earned, the candidate may be able to start work as a registered nurse (RN) in less than a year! Most universities have nursing schools and students are able to attend prerequisite classes and apply after 2 years. These students will graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) and can apply for state licensure and ultimately employment as a RN.

However, for some students this isn't the best path.

Perhaps the student changed majors multiple times and now has credits which do not apply to nursing instead of credits that do. Additional classes are required to apply for nursing school and the cost is too high to start over at a 4-year university or the wait list too long.

Others may find themselves wishing to leave a career after many years to become a nurse and the traditional university setting does not appeal to them. Either the hours are not flexible enough to balance both work and family or the cost of classes to too high.

For those who wish to avoid the traditional university setting, have no fear. Bridge programs exist!

Should an LPN/LVN Become an RN?

The short answer is "Yes! Absolutely!"

Phasing out LPN?

Many healthcare facilities, including hospitals, have already started phasing out the LPN position, with the intention of making it obsolete. Some lucky LPNs already employed for many years before this started have likely been "grandfathered" into their jobs, however they may have been asked to earn the RN to keep the job. This is mostly due to many RNs seeking employment and the inability to assign patients solely to a LPN, as LPNs legally require direct RN supervision. Eventually, the LPN position is likely to be completely gone.

Career Flexibility

RNs have a lot more options for places to work versus LPNs. Hospitals, clinics, physician's offices, insurance companies, pharmaceutical sales, education, and many more options exist for RNs. Some of these may still employ LPNs but the positions will be far less common and the pay far less as well.

More Money

RN's make more money than LPN's. See the below salary table outlining the increase in pay from an LPN vs RN position by state.

State	LPN Annual Salary	RN Annual Salary	Percent Increase
Alabama	35,570	56,470	58.8%
Alaska	54,380	85,740	57.7%
Arizona	50,760	71,300	40.5%
Arkansas	36,040	56,480	56.7%
California	51,700	98,400	90.3%
Colorado	46,780	69,600	48.8%
Connecticut	55,170	76,370	38.4%
Delaware	47,700	70,160	47.1%
District of Columbia	52,680	80,040	51.9%
Florida	41,540	62,720	51.0%
Georgia	38,010	62,350	64.0%
Hawaii	46,520	88,230	89.7%
Idaho	39,430	60,320	53.0%
Illinois	44,870	68,030	51.6%
Indiana	40,580	58,900	45.1%
Iowa	38,750	54,020	39.4%
Kansas	39,460	56,800	43.9%
Kentucky	38,090	57,980	52.2%
Louisiana	37,810	60,230	59.3%
Maine	41,750	63,320	51.7%
Maryland	50,440	72,210	43.2%
Massachusetts	53,820	85,770	59.4%
Michigan	44,310	67,180	51.6%
Minnesota	42,000	71,450	70.1%
Mississippi	36,400	56,560	55.4%
Missouri	37,660	58,040	54.1%
Montana	38,760	61,810	59.5%
Nebraska	38,760	57,550	48.5%
Nevada	52,760	80,240	52.1%
New Hampshire	47,590	65,790	38.2%
New Jersey	52,950	78,330	47.9%
New Mexico	46,360	65,790	41.9%
New York	45,660	77,110	68.9%
North Carolina	41,730	60,030	43.9%
North Dakota	39,790	58,120	46.1%
Ohio	40,790	62,490	53.2%
Oklahoma	38,320	57,830	50.9%
Oregon	48,550	82,940	70.8%
Pennsylvania	43,550	66,570	52.9%
Rhode Island	52,110	75,510	44.9%
South Carolina	39,070	59,670	52.7%
South Dakota	35,210	53,970	53.3%
Tennessee	36,420	57,030	56.6%
Texas	44,880	68,590	52.8%
Utah	43,080	61,100	41.8%
Vermont	44,420	64,320	44.8%
Virginia	40,500	63,880	57.7%
Washington	49,220	78,540	59.6%
West Virginia	35,020	56,390	61.0%
Wisconsin	42,820	65,590	53.2%
Wyoming	43,300	60,790	40.4%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data extracted on August, 2016

LPN vs RN: The Differences

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a nurse who has completed nursing prerequisites plus one year of nursing school. The LPN cannot work in the same settings as a registered nurse and they often find themselves limited to only a few places for employment. However, the registered nurse can work in the same settings as the LPN, usually in a supervisory role, plus a lot more.

For this reason, LPN programs may be less desirable than RN programs, but they are usually still available in most states. Many LPN programs are being phased out of schools because LPNs are being hired less and less in the healthcare marketplace. But for the individual wishing to fast track to an Associate's degree in nursing (ADN) this may be a great option.

The LPN to RN program may be a shortcut method of being accepted into nursing school and much faster than attending traditional ADN or BSN programs. And for employment opportunities, most facilities do not require a Bachelor's degree to get hired but may require it within a set amount of years or employment. See RN to BSN.

Check out our breakdown of the two career paths with RN vs LPN.

What Are the Benefits of LPN to RN Programs?

When compared to ADN or BSN programs many benefits exist for the LPN to RN bridge program.

Short Waiting List

Attending a trade school or community college which offers the LPN program may have a shorter waiting list and be less expensive than the RN program. And once completed the LPN qualifies for the LPN to RN bridge program. Because many students do not consider becoming a LPN as a stepping stone to becoming a RN the waiting list for the bridge program is often much shorter than traditional RN programs.

Short Program

LPN to RN bridge programs are only about a year, or less to graduate with the Associate's Degree of Nursing (ADN). Because the bridge program only needs to teach the second year of nursing school, the first was completed during LPN school, and meet the state requirements for clinical hours this program is shorter than attending the traditional ADN program all at once.

Smaller Class Size

Because this is not the traditional path most students consider the class sizes may be smaller than ADN or BSN programs. This can be helpful when trying to find tutoring or asking questions to the instructor during class. Many instructors will know the students by name and be available for help when needed. Closer bonds between students is common which helps form study groups and build an understanding of material.

Healthcare Experience

LPNs are usually working in the healthcare field as a nurse while adding to their nursing education with the RN program. This experience in healthcare is priceless. School can teach a nurse how to be safe and understand the human body but nothing quite takes the place of gaining actual real world experience.

Work During School

Most LPN to RN programs are scheduled with the working nurse in mind. Whether it be shorter hours for more days a week, evenings, longer hours for less days a week, or some variation, LPN to RN programs support the LPN work schedule.

RELATED - During RN School & After

What Are the Requirements of LPN to RN Bridge Programs?

While requirements vary with each program and each school some similarities are likely to exist.

High school diploma or GED
18 years old or older
Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English
US citizen or permanent resident
Graduation from an accredited nursing school
GPA of 2.5 or greater
Prerequisite courses satisfied with LPN program or otherwise
LPN license in good standing with the State board of nursing

LPN to RN Classes and Curriculum

Many of the basics of nursing are learned during the first year of nursing school, which is the LPN program. So LPNs already know the basics of patient care and some critical thinking skills.

But one of the hallmark differences is teaching the LPN to become a more independent critical thinker. After all, by law, the RN supervises the LPN, so the RN needs to be able to function safely and independently as an expert nurse while under the supervision of a physician.

The LPN to RN curriculum requires graduates to be experts in:

Advanced physical assessment
Advanced pharmacology
Anatomy and physiology
Advanced biology
Critical thinking

What Kinds of Clinical Hours Can I Expect in the RN Program?

State law requires additional clinical hours to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

These hours may be totally different settings than the LPN program or may be in the same areas. This all depends on the school's and state's requirements.

RN clinical areas may include:

Intensive care units
Medical-surgical floors
Telemetry units
Long-term care facilities
Community health settings
Psychiatric care facilities
Neonatal ICU
Pediatrics

Why Are Clinical Hours Important for Nurses?

Clinical hours are intended to apply classroom teaching to the "real world." Learning about a disease in a textbook and then actually taking care of a patient who has this disease are two very different things.

Textbooks teach the nursing student about a disease process by discussing:

Signs and symptoms
Predispositions
Disease characteristics
Nursing implications of the disease process, such as,
- Risks for skin breakdown
- Nutritional status
- Airway management
- Barriers to discharge

Clinical hours are intended to apply these abstract ideas to the practical use of patient care. The nursing student will solidify learning during clinicals and put a human aspect to textbook disease processes.

What Happens After Nursing School Graduation?

Once the ADN is completed the nurse may now take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for state licensure as a RN. This allows the nurse to apply for employment.

Many students network and explore employment opportunities during RN clinicals. This is a great way to find a job post-graduation. Networking with the nurse managers by asking for contact information and permission to contact upon graduation is a great start.

OTHER RN BRIDGE PROGRAMS