Welcome to OnlineLPNtoRN.org, a comprehensive directory of LPN to RN programs. Our blog is run by Megen Duffy, a registered nurse and a contributing editor to the American Journal of Nursing. For your convenience, we have listed the most commonly asked questions about LPN to RN programs below along with detailed answers.
- What is an LPN to RN program?
- What are my degree options in this field?
- What career opportunities are available for registered nurses?
What is a bridge program?A bridge program is an accelerated-degree option for LPNs, RNs, or holders of undergraduate degrees, who want to advance their careers. These programs are specifically designed to help students acquire further qualifications in a short time. The curriculum consists of traditional courses as well as hands-on training through practicums or internships.
When researching your options, consider the following questions when determining what program is right for you:
- Is the program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or both?
- Does the program prepare graduates for licensure examinations and transition into practice?
- Does the program match your career goals and suit your lifestyle by offering flexible scheduling and online options?
The following online program fulfills these criteria and can be excellent options for LPNs. Click on the program name to request more info.
| School | Description |
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Achieve Test Prep - "Career opportunities for RN’s and RN-BSN’s are brighter than ever. The nursing industry is expecting employment growth through 2020. Average salaries for RNs and RN-BSNs are $62,000-$90,000 respectively. Achieve Test Prep can help you advance your nursing career with its unique ASN/ADN/BSN bridge programs. Ask about our Military Discounts! "Achieve offers a fast-track program that combines the effectiveness of real classroom learning with the speed of credit-by- examination. You can take classes online or on-campus, either way you’ll get access to the same great instructors! There are financial aid opportunities, in addition to free books, allowing you to save both time and money." Available programs include: |
Accreditation
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Purdue University - "Purdue Global’s nursing classes are regularly evaluated to stay current with new technology, treatments, and research. We know that keeping your skills up to date is one of the most effective ways to stay at the forefront of the industry. We also understand that nursing degrees can lead to a variety of career paths, including patient care, administration, and teaching." |
Accreditation
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South University - "If you’re looking to advance your nursing career, the Nursing RN to BSN degree completion program at South University is designed help you earn your degree in an efficient manner. Our course schedule provides you the opportunity to combine campus and online classes or take online classes only, allowing you to pursue your degree on your time, without having to put your career on hold." |
Accreditation
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Grand Canyon University - "The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at Grand Canyon University is dedicated to helping future healthcare professionals grow into socially responsible leaders in the field. In our college, you can study curriculum that focuses on best practices, and quality, ethical, and compassionate healthcare." |
Accreditation
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ECPI University - "ECPI University Online has designed a program to provide working nurses the opportunity to develop the critical knowledge, skills, and perspective required to assume greater levels of responsibility in the field of nursing. Faculty and staff at ECPI University’s School of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute (MCI), recognize that a student’s time, energy, and career are of utmost importance." |
Accreditation
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Sacred Heart University - "In the growing field of nursing, a BSN is now the standard for most, if not all entry-level positions. In this undergraduate program, students gain the BSN they need to become an RN and can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degree. Develop the heart of a healer with Sacred Heart’s RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing." |
Accreditation
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Colorado Technical University - "Take advantage of our online and mobile-friendly nursing degree programs as you prepare for the next challenge in your career. CTU offers RN-BSN and MSN programs which are built on prior foundational nursing knowledge and provide you with the necessary tools to deliver evidence-based care and drive change at the bedside and beyond." |
Accreditation
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Nova Southeastern University - "Nova Southeastern University has multiple pathways that lead to a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Our programs feature online and traditional classes, in several locations, and are catered to the working nurse. The simulation labs create a risk-free, exact model of the clinical experience, and the small class sizes ensures that the experienced faculty focus on you, the student." |
Click here to see a list of more nursing degrees.
What types of nursing bridge programs are available?
There are a variety of nursing degree options, and each of them are slightly different. Depending on your career goals, different levels of education are required.
Online programs are a desirable option for nurses who are working and are unable to take classes on-site. If you’re unsure of what degree you should pursue, we’ve outlined your options below:
| Type of Program: | Program Description: | Additional Information: |
|---|---|---|
| LPN to RN | For LPNs who wants to become an RN |
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| LVN to RN | For LVNs who wants to become an RN |
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| LPN/LVN to BSN | For LPNs or LVNs who wants to become an RN with a BSN |
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| Paramedic to RN | For EMTs and paramedics looking for career advancement as an RN |
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| RN to BSN | For nurses who have licensure as a RN, but have not yet earned a BSN |
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What career options are available to registered nurses?
Registered nurses can work in a variety of healthcare environments. With the right credentials, RNs can specialize in one or more areas of patient care such as ambulatory care or midwifery.
Below is a list of the many career options along with job descriptions for RNs:
| Type of Nurse: | Job Overview: | Common Career Settings: |
|---|---|---|
| Addictions Nurse | Addictions nurses work with patients trying to overcome alcohol or drug abuse. |
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| Ambulatory Care Nurse | Ambulatory care nurses typically work in outpatient care facilities, seeing as many patients as possible as quickly as possible. |
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| Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse | Cardiac catheterization lab nurses work with patients to measure how well the heart is working. |
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| Certified Nurse Midwife | Midwives assist with gynecological exams, family planning, pregnancy health management, birth planning, the delivery process, and newborn evaluation. |
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| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | CNAs record vital signs, take patient history notes, assist with personal hygiene tasks, feed patients, and check medical equipment. |
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| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | Nurse anesthetists work with anesthesiologists and other nurses to develop and administer an anesthesia plan for patients. |
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| Critical Care Nurse | Critical care nurses work with patients who need immediate attention and continual care, most often in emergency rooms and intensive care units at medical facilities. |
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| Cruise Nurse | Cruises nurses work as part of the medical staff on a cruise ship to help patients and employees with health-related matters. |
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| Developmental Disabilities Nurse | Developmental disabilities nurses work with patients who are dealing with physical and mental handicaps as a result of genetic disease, birth defects, or other medical problems that manifested before the age of 18. |
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| Diabetes Management Nurse | Diabetes management nurses help patients who have Type I and Type II diabetes with educating patients and their families about this disease, monitoring blood sugar, and developing nutritional plans with patients. |
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| Emergency/Trauma Nurse | Emergency nurses provide care in high-stress situations, many times when a patient is severely injured or ill and on the brink of death. |
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| Flight/Transport Nurse | Flight/transport nurses work with patients who haven’t yet reached a stable care facility or who can’t make it to one of these locations for some reason. |
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| Forensic Nurse | Forensic nurses serve as liaisons between medical facilities and investigators, working with patients to ensure that their injuries are documented. |
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Genetics Nurse | Genetics nurses work with patients dealing with a variety of hereditary diseases, assisting both with treatment and with family planning concerned with genetics. |
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Geriatric Nurse | Geriatric nurses work with elderly patients to manage diseases, promote health, and generally work with senior citizens to increase their quality of life. |
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| HIV/AIDS Nurse | HIV/AIDS nurses work with patients dealing with or at risk for developing this medical condition. |
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Holistic Nurse | Holistic nurses work with patients to treat medical conditions by examining the “whole” person and treating the cause of the disease, not just the symptoms. |
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| Home Health Care Nurse | Home health care nurses work with patients who need daily help from medical professionals, but who opt to live at home rather than in long-term care facilities. |
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| Hospice / Palliative Care Nurse | Hospice or palliative care nurses work with patients who are dying to provide the highest quality of live possible. |
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| Legal Nurse Consultant | Legal nurse consultants provide expert opinion in courts or help lawyers strengthen their cases and understand the medical information involving their clients. |
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| Medical Assistant | Medical assistants work doing general nursing tasks, giving you a way to get started in this field even if you have little to no formal education. |
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| Medical Surgical Nurse | Medical surgical nurses work with patients before and during surgeries, as well as provide after-surgery patient care. |
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| Neonatal Nurse | Neonatal nurses work in intensive care units, working with newborns born prematurely or with other complications. |
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| Nurse Anesthetist | Nurse anesthetists assist medical teams during surgery or other minor procedures to provide anesthesia-related care to patients during and surrounding a surgery. |
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| Nurse Practitioner/FNP | Nurse practitioners or FNPs serve as the primary caregiver, offering medical care such as annual physicals, basic first aid, prescription administration, nutrition planning, and vaccination. |
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| Nursing Informatics Consultant | Nurse informatics consultants work with computers and networks to help medical care facilities deal with the flow of data. |
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| Occupational Health Nurse | Occupational health nurses work with employers to prevent injury and illness for works while they are at job sites. |
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| Oncology Nurse | Oncology nurses work with patients who have developed cancer and also provide education and assessment of patients who are at risk. |
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| Parish Nurse | Parish nurses combine medical knowledge with religious faith that combines physical and spiritual healing. |
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| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | Pediatric nurse practitioners perform advanced nursing skills while working with children who are ill or injured and their families. |
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| Perianesthesia Nurse | Perianesthesia nurses care for patients after they come out of surgery until they wake up. |
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| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse | Psychiatric mental health nurses work with patients dealing with mental disease, disabilities, and other problems. |
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| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | Psychiatric nurse practitioners have advanced nursing training, so they can work in leadership positions in the field of mental health. |
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| Public Health Nurse | Public health nurses work with the community to promote health through education and research. |
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| Radiology Nurse | Radiology nurses work with patients undergoing treatment or screening using MRI, sonography, CAT scans, and more. |
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| Rehabilitation Nurse | Rehabilitation nurses with patients on a long-term care basis, even if they’ve been injured or suffer from a long-term disease. |
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| School Nurse | School nurses work with children to provide non-emergency care in an educational setting. |
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| Transplant Nurse | Transplant nurses work with patients who are receiving new organs to prepare them for the transplant and provide care during and after the operation. |
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| Travel Nurse | Travel nurses work in general staff nursing roles, but in temporary positions, typically for one month to two years, to support staff members in areas where there is a need for nurses. |
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| Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse | WOC nurses work in the field of wound, ostomy and continence helping patients who have wounds, which are often chronic. |
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