OnlineLPNtoRN.org

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.

1. What is an LPN to RN program?
2. What are my degree options in this field?
3. 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
	Achieve Test Prep - LPNs can earn an ADN or BSN degree online in half the time and cost of traditional programs. Acheive Test Prep offers no waiting lists to get started, free books, and and works with fully accredited colleges to develop curriculum. Boasting a 92% pass rate on exams, this can be a way for LPNs, LVNs, and Paramedics to earn your RN license.
Accreditation HLC NCA	Purdue University - Purdue 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, Purdue makes it easy for you to transfer to any one of their undergraduate or graduate programs.

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	Takes one to two years to complete, depending on previous coursework and experience as an LPN Requires LPN licensure for admission
LVN to RN	For LVNs who wants to become an RN	Takes one to two years to complete, depending on previous coursework and experience as an LVN Requires LVN licensure for admission
LPN/LVN to BSN	For LPNs or LVNs who wants to become an RN with a BSN	Takes two to three years to complete, depending on previous coursework and experience as an LPN or LVN Requires LPN or LVN licensure for admission
Paramedic to RN	For EMTs and paramedics looking for career advancement as an RN	Takes one to two years to complete, depending on previous coursework and experience in the healthcare industry Requires EMT licensure for admission
RN to BSN	For nurses who have licensure as a RN, but have not yet earned a BSN	Takes two to three years to complete, depending on previous coursework and experience Requires RN licensure and possibly professional experience in the field as a nurse

Back to top

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.	Hospitals Substance abuse clinics Mental health clinics Psychiatric wards Inpatient or outpatient treatment centers
Ambulatory Care Nurse	Ambulatory care nurses typically work in outpatient care facilities, seeing as many patients as possible as quickly as possible.	Hospitals Community clinics Home care Schools
Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse	Cardiac catheterization lab nurses work with patients to measure how well the heart is working.	Coronary care and intensive care units in hospitals Private clinics Cardiovascular catheterization labs
Certified Nurse Midwife	Midwives assist with gynecological exams, family planning, pregnancy health management, birth planning, the delivery process, and newborn evaluation.	Hospitals Outpatient facilities Birth centers Patients’ homes
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	CNAs record vital signs, take patient history notes, assist with personal hygiene tasks, feed patients, and check medical equipment.	Hospitals Outpatient facilities Physicians’ offices
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist	Nurse anesthetists work with anesthesiologists and other nurses to develop and administer an anesthesia plan for patients.	Hospitals Outpatient facilities Physicians’ offices
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.	Coronary and intensive care units Progressive care units Flight units
Cruise Nurse	Cruises nurses work as part of the medical staff on a cruise ship to help patients and employees with health-related matters.	Cruise ships Private yachts Boat tours
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.	Hospitals Schools Private practices Patients’ homes
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.	Hospitals Schools Private practices Patients’ homes
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.	Emergency rooms in hospitals Urgent care centers Helicopters
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.	Emergency rooms Hospitals Helicopters/Airplanes
Forensic Nurse	Forensic nurses serve as liaisons between medical facilities and investigators, working with patients to ensure that their injuries are documented.	Hospital emergency rooms Laboratories Courts of law
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.	Hospitals Physicians’ offices Outpatient care clinics
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.	Nursing homes Private practices Patients’ homes
HIV/AIDS Nurse	HIV/AIDS nurses work with patients dealing with or at risk for developing this medical condition.	Hospitals Physicians’ offices Outpatient care clinics
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.	Integrated care departments in hospitals Patients’ homes Birthing centers
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.	Patients’ homes Nursing homes
Hospice / Palliative Care Nurse	Hospice or palliative care nurses work with patients who are dying to provide the highest quality of live possible.	Hospice care clinics Patients’ homes
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.	Law firms Insurance companies Hospitals
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.	Hospitals Outpatient facilities Physicians’ offices
Medical Surgical Nurse	Medical surgical nurses work with patients before and during surgeries, as well as provide after-surgery patient care.	Inpatient care units Clinics Surgical centers Hospitals Ambulatory care units
Neonatal Nurse	Neonatal nurses work in intensive care units, working with newborns born prematurely or with other complications.	NICUs in hospitals
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.	Hospitals Outpatient facilities Physicians’ offices
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.	Hospitals Physicians’ offices Your own practice
Nursing Informatics Consultant	Nurse informatics consultants work with computers and networks to help medical care facilities deal with the flow of data.	Hospitals Pharmaceutical and research facilities Healthcare consulting firms
Occupational Health Nurse	Occupational health nurses work with employers to prevent injury and illness for works while they are at job sites.	Public health clinics Private practices Schools
Oncology Nurse	Oncology nurses work with patients who have developed cancer and also provide education and assessment of patients who are at risk.	Hospitals Physicians’ offices Outpatient care facilities
Parish Nurse	Parish nurses combine medical knowledge with religious faith that combines physical and spiritual healing.	Churches Hospitals Community health clinics
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner	Pediatric nurse practitioners perform advanced nursing skills while working with children who are ill or injured and their families.	Hospitals Physicians’ offices Your own practice
Perianesthesia Nurse	Perianesthesia nurses care for patients after they come out of surgery until they wake up.	Hospitals Ambulatory surgical units Physicians’ offices
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse	Psychiatric mental health nurses work with patients dealing with mental disease, disabilities, and other problems.	Mental health clinics Correctional facilities Your own practice
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner	Psychiatric nurse practitioners have advanced nursing training, so they can work in leadership positions in the field of mental health.	Mental health clinics Correctional facilities Your own practice
Public Health Nurse	Public health nurses work with the community to promote health through education and research.	Community clinics Schools Outpatient clinics
Radiology Nurse	Radiology nurses work with patients undergoing treatment or screening using MRI, sonography, CAT scans, and more.	Hospitals Outpatient care facilities Physicians’ offices
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.	Community clinics Schools Outpatient clinics
School Nurse	School nurses work with children to provide non-emergency care in an educational setting.	Elementary, middle and high schools Universities
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.	Hospitals Ambulatory surgical units
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.	Hospitals Clinics Outpatient facilities
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.	Hospitals Nursing homes Home healthcare organizations

Back to top