How Exactly Do LPN to RN Bridge Programs Work?

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One of the fastest ways to start working in the nursing field is to become a licensed practical nurse, or LPN. The education required for licensing as an LPN only takes about a year, but your job options and salary are limited if you remain working at this nursing level. Becoming a registered nurse, or RN, typically takes two to four years, but if you’re already an LPN, you can join an LPN to RN bridge program to save time and money.

LPN to RN bridge programs build upon the skills you already have as a nurse, which is why they don’t take as long as typical RN programs, which teach students who have no experience with nursing. The exact length of the LPN to RN bridge program depends on the end degree you hope to achieve. As an RN, you can get an associate’s degree, which takes about a year with an LPN to RN bridge program, or you can get a bachelor’s degree, which takes two and a half to three years with an LPN to RN bridge program.

In order to apply to an LPN to RN bridge program, you have to show that you have your LPN license, which requires you to graduate from an accredited LPN program. Some programs also require that you have a certain number of months experience in the work force.

LPN to RN bridge programs save you both time and money. Since you already have a base of knowledge, you don’t have to start from the beginning with your education. The best part of saving time is being able to also save money. You’ll pay tuition and other fees every month you’re in school, so by cutting a year or more from you education, you can save a significant amount of money. Since you’re already working as an LPN, you may also qualify for money for your education from your employer. Many hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities pay for their nurses to go back to school.

Don’t forget that an LPN to RN bridge program’s time-saving characteristic will also allow you to get your RN license more quickly. As soon as you’re officially an RN, you’ll start making more money. This is especially important if you continue to work as an LPN while you go to school. Usually, being a part-time student means that it takes a long time to reach your educational goals, so bridge programs put you on the fast track to becoming an RN.

Upon graduation from an LPN to RN bridge program, you’ll have to take the national licensing exam and meet your state’s requirements to begin working as an RN. Most programs fully prepare you to the exam, and some even provide students with additional study help through career services, student groups, alumni associations, and more.

Don’t forget – if you go through an LPN to RN course, you can then consider taking the next step to get your master’s degree, which allows you to work as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife. You can even get a doctorate in nursing to work in the most advanced nursing positions – but it all starts with becoming an RN.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
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RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Management	Herzing University—Founded in 1965, Herzing University is dedicated to the enrichment of the next generation. The university’s School of Nursing confers online nursing degrees at the master’s (nursing management or nursing education) degree level. The curriculum is designed to represent a wide variety of the nursing spectrum, including surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health.