Online LPN to RN Programs: Finding the Right School
If you want to prepare for higher-level positions, an online LPN to RN program can help you take the next step and reach your goals. These programs allow you to build on your education and work experience to earn your degree and take on additional responsibilities more quickly. Use EduMed’s guide to learn how these programs work, the types of programs available, and what the LPN to RN transition means for your career and your salary.
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PROGRAM: LPN to RN/BSN
We help thousands of LPNs/LVNs work towards achieving their Associate Degree in Nursing or RN. The Test-Out Bridge Program makes achieving your RN faster and affordable, and previous college credits will count toward your advanced degree.
Before You Begin…
Before you begin your transition from licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) to registered nurse (RN), you should understand why you want to become an RN. It’s also important to assess whether online learning is right for you. To ensure you’re prepared to take the next steps, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I need to take additional courses or exams to meet the admission requirements?
- Do I have the discipline to complete online coursework, or would I be better suited to a traditional classroom setting?
- Am I prepared for the demands of school on top of work, family, friends, and personal obligations?
- What area of nursing would you want to specialize in? Pediatrics? Oncology? Emergency Nursing?
- What are the financial aid options for the program I selected?
How They Work: Online LPN to RN Profiles
While there are many LPN-to-RN bridge programs to choose from, not every option will fit your schedule, experience level, or learning preferences. Most programs are delivered in a hybrid format, combining online coursework with required in-person labs and clinical rotations.
You’ll also complete transition courses (often titled “Transition to Professional Nursing” or “Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice”) designed to build the advanced knowledge and skills expected of registered nurses.
Here’s what to expect from most LPN-to-RN programs:
- Hybrid learning format: Online classes paired with in-person clinicals and lab work
- Credit for prior experience: Many programs apply your LPN experience toward clinical hour requirements
- Transition coursework: Foundational bridge classes that prepare you for RN-level responsibilities
- Flexible pathways: Options may include accelerated tracks, partially online formats, or programs with fewer prerequisites
Whether you’re seeking a faster timeline, fewer admissions hurdles, or a more online-friendly structure, explore the program guides below for detailed comparisons and next steps.
LVN to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Bridge Program – Panola College
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Panola College offers a 12-month LVN-to-RN transition track with online didactic coursework and in-person clinical experiences. Students must complete the clinicals with in a 70-mile radius of Carthage, Texas, but the rest of the courseload can be completed remotely.
In order to be eligible for the program you must complete the seven general course requirements (composition, introductory psychology, biology, etc.) with and minimum of a “C” in each course.
After graduation, this ACEN accredited program qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN. Applications are accepted in February and September for the respective semesters.
Duration: 60 credits (1 year)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $9,000
Admissions Requirements:
- Have a current LPN/LVN license
- Proof of immunization
- Clear criminal background check and drug screen
- Pass non-nursing and prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C”
- Pass HESI A2 with at least an 80 in the Reading Comprehension and Math sections
- Send transcripts from each college or university attended to the admissions office
Curriculum:
Core Courses: 24 credits in anatomy, microbiology, psychology, and writing
Major Requirements: 25 credits
- Transition to Professional Nursing Competencies
- Introduction to Health Care Concepts
- Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Concept-Based Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- Health Care Concepts
- Professional Nursing Concepts
- Professional Nursing: Review and Licensure Preparation
Elective Courses: 11 credits
Best for: Current licensed vocational nurses who are looking to earn an ADN for career advancement and salary promotion
LPN to RN Bridge Program – Northwest Technical College
The LPN Step-In program at Northwest Technical College is a 64-credit, three-semester Associate of Science (AS) degree designed for current Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who want to become Registered Nurses (RNs). The program includes courses in microbiology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and specialized nursing subjects.
Graduates typically pursue RN careers in acute-care hospitals, state hospitals, physician’s offices, child care centers, and public health agencies.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, the program aims to provide the most flexible quality education to LPNs who want to advance their careers.
Duration: 64 credits (3 semesters)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $13,376
Admissions Requirements:
- Have a current LPN license
- Proof of immunization
- Clear criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have a certified Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
- Pass prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C”
- Prerequisite GPA must be a 2.76 or higher
- Send transcripts from each college or university attended to the admissions office
Curriculum:
Core Courses: 27 credits in anatomy, chemistry, psychology, ethics, and writing
Major Requirements: 34 credits
- Nursing Foundations
- Clinical Practicum
- Transition to Professional Nursing
- Leadership
- Maternal-Newborn Nursing
- Psychosocial Nursing
Elective Courses: 3 credits
Best for: Current licensed practical nurses (LPN) who want to build on their existing skills and broaden their career opportunities
LPN to BSN Bridge Program – Clarkson College
The LPN-to-BSN program at Clarkson College is designed for LPNs aiming to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is available on a full or part time basis to ensure the maximum flexibility for all students. At minimum, the program can be completed in six semesters, combining online theory classes and in person clinicals.
Students receive 15 credit hours for their LPN licensure and participate in small class sizes and clinical groups. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Clarkson College ensures that their program will prepare you to pass the NCLEX-RN.
Duration: 121 credits (6 semesters)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $49,212
Admissions Requirements:
- Have a current LPN license
- Proof of immunization
- Clear criminal background check and drug screen
- Proof of high school diploma or GED
- Prerequisite GPA must be a 2.76 or higher
- Send transcripts from high school and postsecondary institutions to the admissions office
- Complete a 2-3 page program-specific application essay
Curriculum:
General Education Courses: 42 credits
Core Courses: 9 credits of communication, humanities, ethics, and advocacy
Major Requirements: 70 credits
- Concepts of Professional Practice for the LPN to BSN
- Population Health Nursing: Foundations
- Pharmacology
- Managing the Nursing Care of the Adult
- Behavioral Health Continuum of Care
- Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing
- Family-Centered Nursing Care of Children
- Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare
- Population Health Nursing-Global Health and Health Policy
- Concepts of Complex Multisystem Clients
- Transition to Practice
- Principles of Leadership and Management
Best for: Current licensed practical nurses (LPN) who want to move into a leadership role and potentially obtain a graduate degree later on
LPN/LVN to RN Programs Near Me: Online & Campus
Advancing your career by going back to school does not have to mean uprooting your life. While schools across the country offer countless online LPN to RN programs, staying close to home will likely be the most convenient option for you.
It will also allow you to learn what you need to know to earn your state RN license and more easily participate in in-personal clinicals. To help you find a school close to you, we’ve created lists of LPN to RN programs in states across the U.S. Click on the interactive list below to explore schools in your area.
LPN to RN Bridge Program FAQs
Although you’ve already received nursing education, you might have some questions about LPN to RN programs. Below we have provided answers to five of the most common questions prospective students have about these bridge programs.
What is the fastest LPN to RN program?
Some online programs allow you to complete an LPN to RN program in less than a year. For example, Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) offers an accredited LPN to RN bridge program that takes about 9 months to complete. This hybrid program combines online courses with in-person labs to ensure you are prepared for the NCLEX-RN.
Another accelerated LPN to RN program is offered by Hutchinson Community College. This online program can be completed in three semesters (about a year and a half), and awards associate of applied science (AAS) degrees.
Can an LPN challenge the RN NCLEX?
Yes, but it depends on the state you are practicing in. Pennsylvania, Missouri, Hawaii, Georgia, and Florida are the only states that allow LPNs to challenge the NCLEX-RN. However, regardless of residency, you must complete at least an associate degree program in nursing.
If you don’t live in a state where you can challenge the NCLEX-RN, the good news is that you can use your experience as an LPN to shorten your degree program. Your experience can replace the clinical/in-person training requirement for many RN programs so that you can accelerate the program by a couple of months.
Is bridging from LPN to RN hard?
All RN programs come with challenges, but coming into the program as an LPN gives you a greater amount of experience so that you are already familiar with some of the concepts. Your prior experience will prepare you for the rigorous coursework.
The best part about bridge programs is that your previous LPN experience can count towards your degree so you can finish an RN degree in half the time it takes to finish a traditional RN program. Also, online LPN to RN programs make it easier to balance your personal and work obligations with school so that the courseload is more manageable.
Expert Insight
You’ll find that RN curriculum is similar to the LPN coursework you’ve already learned as nursing tasks are similar across all licensing levels (patient care, safety, infection control, and teamwork). The main advanced concepts you’ll learn in an RN program include leadership and some forms of medication administration.
Does Arizona have an LPN to RN program?
Yes. Arizona has multiple LPN to RN programs to choose from. For example, Central Arizona College (CAC) is a public community college located near Coolidge, Arizona, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson.
CAC offers an LPN to RN Bridge option as part of its AAS in Nursing program, with a 2½ semester course sequence leading to a nursing associate degree, eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and Arizona RN licensure. Admission is open to current licensed Arizona LPNs with one or more years of professional work experience.
Additional eligibility requirements for CAC’s program include completion of several prerequisite courses (in biology, English, math, and psychology) and completion of the NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam with a score of 67% or higher. Program starts are available each spring and fall term.
Is ADN the same as RN?
No. ADN is an educational path you can take to become an RN, but the degree alone will not ensure your RN status. ADN is an Associate Degree in Nursing, a two-year academic program that prepares students to become RNs.
An RN, however, is a registered nurse who has earned the NCLEX-RN certification and has earned either an ADN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
How Much Does an Online LPN to RN Cost?
Whether you are going for an ADN or a BSN, the cost for an LVN/LPN to RN program will vary based on the program and the location. As with all educational programs you are responsible for paying for more than just the tuition.
On top of the tuition, there are lab and equipment fees, books, housing, and parking to pay for. Before you choose a program, research the school’s financial aid opportunities to ensure you are getting the best education for the most reasonable price.
To give you an idea of what you will be paying for we have created the table below with estimated costs of various programs. We have cut out the fees for room and board to give you the most direct comparison for the education alone.
| School Name | Program Type | Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University – West Plains | LPN to RN | $26,650 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | LPN to RN | $33,000 |
| Allegany College of Maryland | LPN to RN | $25,620 |
| Eastern Floride State College | LPN to RN | $19,477 |
| Indiana State University | LPN/LVN to BSN | $32,832 |
| California State University – San Marcos | LVN to BSN | $48,492 |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | LPN to BSN | $11,212 |
RN Licensing Requirements
As an LPN you have already taken the NCLEX-PN exam, however, to become an RN you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. While the licensing exam for LPNs focuses on more basic nursing skills like providing comfort care, the NCLEX-RN covers a broader range of information and focuses more on complex assessments and medical administration.
The NCLEX-RN is provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It is a standardized exam that ensures that you are qualified to practice as a professional nurse.
To earn an RN license after graduating from an LPN to RN program:
- Complete an accredited nursing program at either an associate or bachelor’s level.
- Apply for an RN license through your state’s board of nursing.
- Register to take the NCLEX-RN exam and pay the $200 fee
- Pass the exam (if you fail the first time you have up to eight retakes per year.)
To ensure that graduates pass the first time, the NCSBN has created sample questions and exam prep guides to help you study.
Comparing Salaries: LPN vs. RN
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | U.S. | $45,670 | $59,730 | $77,870 |
| Registered Nurses | U.S. | $63,720 | $86,070 | $132,680 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
EduMed’s Best Online LVN/LPN to RN Programs
At EduMed our data scientists use data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the U.S. Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the universities themselves to compile the ranking below. We research and analyze the affordability, quality, and flexibility of these programs to give you the most accurate and unbiased evaluations of these programs.
The goal of these rankings is to make the process of choosing your ideal program a little less overwhelming. Keep reading to review programs that truly stand out and feel free to use our metrics as jumping-off points for your own research.
