What’s the Best LPN to RN Program Online?

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There are a number of online colleges with LPN to RN programs available. While it might not be a difficult decision to go back to school to become an RN, choosing which program is best for you takes careful deliberation. There are pros and cons to each program available, so let’s talk about some of the major factors to consider.

Accreditation

By far, one of the most important characteristics for an online nursing program to have is accreditation. Schools that aren’t accredited often don’t require much of their students. Essentially, they are diploma mills, handing out certifications in exchange for “tuition” money. This isn’t true of every non-accredited program, of course, but if you work in the field of medicine, you need to have an education from an accredited school or you may not qualify for licensing. If your school isn’t accredited, you also may not qualify for scholarships and grants.

Hands-On Learning

Medical work is very hands-on, so training has to be as well. Find out what kind of hands-on learning is available with every LPN to RN program you consider. Does the school have partnerships with local hospitals? Are there simulators available online through the program? If your education boils down to lectures and reading, it is probably not the top LPN to RN program online.

Experienced Nurses as Professors

Just because you don’t go to college on a campus doesn’t mean that your professors don’t need to be authorities on the subjects that they teach. Most of your professors should be experienced nurses or other types of health care professionals. Ask for credentials to ensure that those teaching you about nursing are qualified to do so.

NCLEX-RN Preparation

To become an RN in your state, you must graduate with at least a 2.5 GPA and you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Does your online program help you prepare for this test? A quality education doesn’t necessary teach for the test, but at the same time, your final weeks in the LPN to RN program should focus on what to expect for the exam. They should also help you fulfill other requirements to become an RN, such as filling out the Nursing and Allied Health application if you haven’t done so already. In other words, your online program should have a support system to help you go from student to nurse.

Modern Material

As an LPN, you likely already know the ropes when it comes to nursing. However, as the world changes, hospitals get new equipment and doctors learn new techniques every single day. The best LPN to RN programs available online don’t shy away from this new technology. If you graduate from the program and everything you’ve learned is 10 years out of date, you might as well have just continued to be an LPN.

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.

LPN to RN (BSN)	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.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	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.
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BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	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.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	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.
MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Management	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.