Today’s Best Online LPN/LVN to RN Bridge Programs

If you want to prepare yourself for higher-level positions and a higher earning potential, LPN to RN programs 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.

Continue reading to find out more about LPN to RN bridge programs, what you can expect to learn, the different types of programs available—including online LPN to RN programs—and the types of jobs you can pursue after you’ve completed your degree. Get started by perusing our list of exceptional programs.

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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 every state. Click on the interactive list below to explore schools in your area.

Types of LPN-RN Programs Online

While there are a lot of options to choose from, not every LPN to RN program is going to fit every student. Whether you’re looking for an online, accelerated, or prerequisite-free program, we’ve created pages designed to give detailed information about the wide variety of LPN to RN bridge programs out there. Below you’ll find a summary of these programs and links to our more in-depth pages so you can gain more information and take your next step with confidence.

Accredited Online LPN to RN Programs

Accredited online LPN to RN programs are a great choice for busy nurses who want to leverage the flexibility of distance learning. These programs are also a great way to cut down on costs since you won’t be required to attend classes on campus. Keep in mind, however, that some schools, like Missouri State West Plains, have in-person requirements, and all conduct in-person, hands-on training during your clinical courses.

6-Month Fast-Track Online LPN to RN

If you’re committed to finishing your degree quickly, then a 6-month fast-track online LPN to RN program may be the right one for you. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these programs are intensive. Ask yourself if you’ll be able to dedicate the required time and energy to complete an accelerated program like the one offered at Laboure College of Healthcare. If not, it may be better to enroll in a program that’s administered at a slower pace. For more information on what your schedule could look like and what it might take to balance your personal, professional, and academic responsibilities, we recommend contacting the schools you’re considering applying to.

LPN to RN with No Prerequisites

You have your LPN or LVN credentials and you’ve been working for a while. But you haven’t completed the prerequisites schools want. This shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your aspirations of becoming a registered nurse. Prerequisite-free LPN to RN programs are the answer. Instead of requiring prerequisites prior to acceptance, they are baked into the curriculum. The University of Arkansas allows students to complete prerequisites online as Pre-LPN to BSN students.

LPN to ADN Programs Online

LPN to RN bridge programs can lead to earning an associate or bachelor’s degree, so if you prefer to spend less time in your program, you may want to choose an online LPN to ADN program, like the one offered at Sampson Community College. Although you won’t earn a bachelor’s degree from enrolling in one of these programs, you will still be able to augment your skills, knowledge, and pay. If you decide later that you want to earn a bachelor’s degree, you will have already laid the groundwork.

LPN to BSN Programs Online

If you’re ready to jump into a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then an LPN to BSN program, like the one at Indiana State University, online may be right for you. This program provides the opportunity to build on your previous education, while getting higher-level coursework than in an associate degree program. These programs generally take two to three years to complete. If you don’t mind being in school a little longer, you should consider this degree.

Inside Online LPN to RN Programs: What to Expect

Although you’ve already received nursing education, it’s important to understand what to expect from an LPN to RN program. From admissions to clinicals, we give you an overview of what happens below.

Prerequisites

There are several prerequisite classes you may be required to take for admission into an LPN to RN bridge program. The following are some examples.

• Introduction to Psychology: The course, which Indiana State University requires, is a primer on psychology, where students learn basic concepts related to memory, intelligence, and development. This provides an understanding of human behavior that all healthcare professionals should have.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology: You will build on your existing knowledge of anatomy and physiology in programs like the one offered at Western Kentucky University. Course topics include biochemistry, homeostasis, and the different systems of the body.

Introduction to Nursing Courses

Once admitted into an LPN to RN online program, you’ll take classes that introduce you to concepts that registered nurses are required to know, such as:

• LPN to RN Transition: This course, sometimes called Transition to Professional Nursing (like at Herzing University), is designed to set students up for success. To do this, the curriculum covers how nurses work with patients on a daily basis. It includes topics such as nutrition, mobility, oxygenation, and metabolism.
• Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice: Although you’re already familiar with nursing, this course will help you gain a deeper understanding of what the registered nursing role entails. Specific topics include how RNs collaborate with other members of a healthcare team, the historical place of registered nurses, and trends in nursing practice.

Professional/Advanced Nursing Courses

As you progress in the LPN to RN program, you’ll begin to take more advanced classes to prepare for the rigors of registered nursing. These may include:

• Advanced Leadership and Management: Also referred to as Leadership and Nursing Management at schools like Galen College, this course is designed to familiarize you with the leadership skills registered nurses should have. This is especially helpful if you aspire to eventually land a managerial job at a healthcare facility.
• Nursing Informatics: Students learn how different technologies are used in a nursing context. You’ll learn techniques for effectively using communication devices, health information systems, and different computer applications.

Clinical Requirements

During the clinicals of your LPN to RN bridge program, you’ll continue to build on the experience you already have as a nurse, while incorporating the new concepts you learned in class. During this time, you may conduct assessments on patients, diagnose them, and create a healthcare plan to maximize treatment outcomes. Additionally, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, clinical judgment, observation, and technical skills.

NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation

Another way schools prepare students for success as a registered nurse is to offer NCLEX-RN exam preparation. These courses, which you may be able to take online, provide a look at the topics covered in every section of the test. You’ll also take practice exams, so you get used to what the test is like.

What’s Next: A Look at Life After Graduation

You’re planning to enroll in an LPN to RN program to advance in your career, so naturally you want to know what jobs will be available to you once you graduate. The following is a look at some of these jobs, so you understand what they entail and how much they pay.