LPN to RN Online Programs in GA: Reviewing Top Degrees
If you’re an LPN in Georgia, becoming a registered nurse is one of the best ways to advance your career. And possibly the best way to get the education you need to become an RN is through an online LPN to RN program. Our guide will introduce you to Georgia’s many LPN to RN programs and help you find the right one. We’ll also tell you about what you’ll learn, the job outlook for RNs in the state, and much more.
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Spotlighting Georgia’s Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs
If you’re a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Georgia ready to advance your career, online LPN to RN bridge programs are a great way to become a registered nurse (RN) and get a bump in pay and responsibilities. Of course, nursing is a hands-on profession, so it should be no surprise that Georgia’s online LPN to RN bridge programs have in-person components, including:
- Face-to-face nursing classes
- On-campus labs or simulations
- Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities
It’s also important to note that very few LPN to RN programs in Georgia bill themselves entirely online. Nevertheless, you’ll discover in your search that many programs offer their required general education and possibly even some nursing courses either fully or partially online, including some delivered in an asynchronous format:
- Asynchronous: engage in learning activities and submit assignments on your own time
- Synchronous: participate in class and other activities on a schedule (i.e., on certain days or times)
To provide you with a better understanding of how these programs incorporate distance learning into their curriculums, here are profiles of three current LPN to RN programs in Georgia that feature online components.
Georgia State University
The LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Bridge program at Georgia State University offers current practical nurses in the state a direct path to starting their RN careers with additional advanced training beyond an associate nursing degree program.
120 credits are needed to earn the BSN degree, including 18 articulation credits awarded for the didactic and clinical knowledge gained in the student’s LPN/LVN program.
Coursework is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online and face-to-face courses. In-person courses are attended on GSU’s Atlanta campus. Clinical rotations are completed with program-affiliated acute care and community-based agencies.
The program begins once annually in the summer semester.
Duration: Six semesters (not including core curriculum prerequisites)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $306-$980/credit (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Graduation from Georgia Nursing Board-approved LPN or LVN program
- Georgia LPN license
- Resume showing proof of work experience
- Letter of reference
- Minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA for general education and science courses
- A minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses
- TEAS exam scores
- Health requirements
Curriculum:
- Bridges to Professional Nursing
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Leadership/Policy
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Caring for Families and Communities
- Health Assessment
- Caring for Adult Populations
- Childbearing Families
- Caring for Children and Adolescents
- Research Methods
- Complex Health Care Problems
- Senior Practicum
- NCLEX Preparation
Perimeter College at Georgia State University
Perimeter College offers its Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program with an LPN to RN Bridge Track exclusively on its Clarkston campus.
Students admitted into the LPN-RN Bridge Track complete 28 credits of nursing coursework attended on the Clarkston campus, beginning with a Bridge to Professional Nursing transition course in the summer term and continuing through the fall and spring semesters.
Students also complete 35 credits of general education prerequisites, all available 100% online in an asynchronous format. In addition to academic coursework, students participate in clinical rotations at program-affiliated healthcare facilities in Clarkston and the greater Atlanta area.
Duration: Two years (including prerequisite coursework)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost:$101-$391/credit (class and residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN license
- Eligibility for college-level English and math
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for required biology general education courses
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 for all other general education courses
- TEAS exam scores
Curriculum:
- General Education Prerequisites
- Bridge to Professional Nursing
- Childbearing Concepts of Nursing
- Childrearing Concepts of Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Concepts
- Advanced Concepts of Nursing
Southern Regional Technical College
LPNs living in Georgia’s south-central and southwest regions can prepare for RN licensure through Southern Regional Technical College’s ASN LPN-RN Bridge program. The program has 72 total credits, including all prerequisite general education and bridge nursing coursework.
Nursing courses are attended on weekdays on campus. All required non-nursing and most general education courses can be completed online. Most classes are offered with online synchronous, asynchronous, and blended delivery options.
Clinical rotations are attended in person at local medical facilities. The program is available on both SRTC’s Moultrie (fall program start) and Thomasville (spring program start) campuses.
Admission is competitive with student rankings based on academic performance.
Duration: Five semesters (including prerequisites)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $13,050.78 (total program cost, including tuition, fees, and books)
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN license
- Minimum of six months of in-field LPN work experience
- TEAS exam scores
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
Curriculum:
- General Education Prerequisites
- Introduction to Nursing Principles of Pharmacy
- Transition to Associate of Science in Nursing
- Life Transitions IV: Maternal/Child Nursing Care
- Life Transitions V: Medical Surgical II
- Life Transitions VI: Clinical Decision Making
Answering Student FAQs About LPN to RN Programs
The profiles above provide an excellent look at how specific online LPN to RN programs in Georgia work. However, you likely still have several questions about LPN to RN programs in general. To help, here are the answers to five of the most often asked questions by prospective LPN to RN students.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN program?
First and foremost, you’ll want to find the program that best prepares you to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain your RN license. Foundationally, this means a program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by either:
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Affordability, study flexibility, and access to support services are also essential elements to look for. Another indication of a program’s effectiveness is its NCLEX-RN pass rate. You can check current state approval status and recent NCLEX-RN pass rates here.
What are the admissions requirements for Georgia’s LPN to RN bridge programs?
The admissions requirements for Georgia’s LPN to RN bridge programs vary somewhat from program to program. But you will likely find that any program you consider will include requirements similar to these:
- LPN license: In most cases, a Georgia LPN license.
- Prerequisite coursework: Typically in subjects like anatomy, biology, English, mathematics, physiology, and psychology.
- Preadmission testing: The two most common tests are the TEAS and the HESI Admission Assessment Exam.
- Requirements for participation in clinicals: Including a physical examination, CPR certification, and several vaccinations. Passing both a criminal background check and drug screening is also required.
What will I learn in my online Georgia LPN to RN bridge program?
The nursing coursework in Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs focuses on providing students with the knowledge and practical skills needed for competent practice as an RN beyond those of practical nurses.
The specifics are commonly spelled out in the form of end-of-program student learning outcomes (EOPSLOs), which you’ll typically find on LPN to RN program websites. A good example of EOPSLOs for an LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is Southern Regional Technical College.
Expert Insight
In many LPN programs, you’ll recap on nursing specialties like adult care, mental health, and pediatrics. But they’ll be introduced from the perspective of an RN, which might include in-depth discussions on how to perform initial assessments of the patient and family, as well as how to devise and manage the overall plan of care.
How affordable are LPN to RN bridge programs?
Affordability is a key feature of LPN to RN bridge programs. This is particularly true of ADN programs offered by public two-year state and technical colleges. The cost figures quoted throughout this guide give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay for your LPN to RN education.
Remember that most of these figures are for tuition only and do not include other program and school fees. You’ll additionally need to factor in the costs of such things as books, supplies, uniforms, etc.
It’s also beneficial to seek out financial aid opportunities, as they may significantly reduce your total program bill. Popular financial aid types include scholarships and grants, tuition reimbursement programs, and tuition installment plans, among others.
How long does an LPN to RN bridge program take to complete?
Program lengths for LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia vary somewhat due primarily to the credential awarded. Coursework (including prerequisites) can take anywhere between 18 months to four years to complete, depending on your final degree:
- Associate (LPN to ADN): 18 months – two years
- Bachelor’s (LPN to BSN): two – four years
Keep in mind, your enrollment status (full-time or part-time) plays a role. Also, some programs allow more flexibility in completion times for prerequisite requirements.
Career & Salary Outlook for Georgia RNs
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | LPNs/LVNs | $46,010 | $62,030 | $76,690 |
| RNs | $68,920 | $93,550 | $128,640 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| Georgia | RNs | 81,800 | 94,310 | 12,510 | 15.30% | 5,990 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 23,160 | 25,940 | 2,780 | 12.00% | 2,130 |
Source: Projections Central
