RN to BSN Bridge Programs

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Registered Nurses (RNs) command competitive salaries. RNs have achieved at least an associates level of education, and have passed certification exams which are required to work in the field. However, with only an associates degree, there can be a very tangible limit to how high they can be promoted within their respective healthcare organizations. For this reason, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can be one of the best decisions a nurse can make for their career.

RN to BSN bridge programs are designed to take into account that degree candidates have already completed nursing courses when they completed their associates degree. Courses are focused on presenting new ideas and information about nursing and general patient care. This is useful because in other programs there can often be an overlap of information that has less value for nurses who have already worked in the field.

While graduates are considered RNs, they have unique skill sets and knowledge that can set them apart from their peers. Organizations looking to promote from within, or hire people to manage nursing teams are more likely to consider a candidate who obtains a higher level of education than their peers. Furthermore, some nurses desire to obtain an MSN or PhD in Nursing. Students with high academic and career goals must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. Typically master’s programs do not accept students who have only obtained an associate’s level education.

Completion time of these programs can vary significantly. However, most nurses are able to obtain their bachelor’s degree in two years. Going to school part time can lengthen the amount of time it takes to earn the degree, but it also allows for the student to tend to other commitments (such as family or occupational responsibilities).

Many different schools offer RN to BSN bridge programs. Some of these schools even offer distance education options. For RNs who want to improve their credentials, but don’t want to take time off work in order to do so, distance education can be the perfect solution. Most distance education programs of this type will allow students to attend lectures online. However, there are still clinical requirements for most BSN programs. Finally, for anyone concerned about finances, there are a variety of scholarship options for nursing students.

RN to BSN Online Degree Programs

Other Online Nursing Degree Programs

LPN to RN College Programs

While several schools have online nursing degrees available, few offer LPN to RN programs. What's the good news? We have listed some accredited schools below that do offer the program in addition to schools with other bridge programs available. Find out more information and contact each school by using any of the links below.

Indiana State University—Indiana State University offers a robust online program designed for LPNs wanting to become registered nurses and earn their BSN degree. Since ISU's credits transfer to over 80 campus majors, this is an ideal program for people wanting to open opportunities for their career down the road.

The College Network—The College Network is a partnership with several universities and organizations like the National League for Nursing that focuses on online education and programs, with several courses for nurses or those interested in a nursing career. Specifically, TCN helps students prepare for their PN and RN licensures and move on to earn graduate degrees.

Other Nursing Degrees

Walden University—Walden University is typically a graduate school with several masters and doctoral programs available, but they do have BSN and RN to MSN bridge programs available. Walden is based out of Minneapolis and offers several options in transferring your previously earned credits to and from (or even within) the school.

Kaplan University—Kaplan University is one of the nation's largest and leading online educators and offers several bridge programs for registered nurses to earn their BSN or MSN degree. If you have previously earned credits, Kaplan makes it easy for you to transfer to any one of their undergraduate or graduate programs.

Herzing University—While Herzing University does not offer an undergraduate nursing degree, it is a great choice for working nurses wanting to pursue leadership positions in Nurse Education or Management. With over 10 campuses and 45 online programs available, Herzing has a massive network that makes it easy to transfer to or from the school.

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