Top LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Indiana: Campus & Online

Have you ever felt, as an LPN, that you’re consistently undervalued and overlooked? Do you get the sense that the major players in your field, from RNs to physicians, don’t see your potential? Well, we have good news for you: you’re in a profession full of bridges. Bridges that help you quickly and efficiently get from where you are to where you want to be. As an LPN you have access to a lifechanging one — the LPN-RN bridge program, and the state of Indiana has several of them waiting just for you. These bridge programs allow you to skip over the rapids of minimal pay, respect, and opportunity. The education you earned while pursuing your practical nursing license, and the skills you’ve gained while working as one, can convert to college credits.

Rapids: skipped. Nothing but smooth sailing ahead.

If you want to take your career a step further, take what you have and step onto the bridge. We’re here to help you. In this guide we’ll give you a sneak peek into the available programs in Indiana that you can consider, discuss program delivery formats, common courses you’ll be expected to pass, and sum things up by answering some of the most pressing questions you may have.

Top LPN-RN Bridge Programs in Indiana

Taking the first step on a new path can be difficult, and we want to do as much as we can to remove that barrier of entry for you. Below we’ve highlighted three wonderful LPN to RN bridge programs Indiana students can consider. Feel free to use them as a springboard to help get you started in your search for the program that best fits your situation.

Learning Outcomes in an Indiana LPN to RN Bridge Program

Though LPN and RN duties overlap, there are several distinct skills and responsibilities that set them apart. While an LPN may prepare a patient for certain treatments in a hospital or clinical setting, RNs are the ones creating the nursing plan of care for each patient. While an LPN may process specimens, RNs are the ones to interpret them. RNs also work more closely with physicians, enjoy relative independence, and delegate specific tasks to LPNs.

During an LPN to RN bridge program students will learn to transition from the role of a pseudo-assistant to that of an independent worker. Students will take general education courses to create a foundation upon which they can build, additional nursing/healthcare courses to expand their knowledge, and clinical training opportunities at local partner facilities.

Below are several courses that are taught within Indiana LPN to RN programs.

Common Courses

LPN-RN Program Delivery Options in Indiana

At first glance, it may seem like a hands-on degree like nursing should only be completed in person on a campus somewhere, but luckily with more and more education moving online, there are three different, equally effective, delivery formats that you can choose from in Indiana. We’ll discuss them below.

Hybrid

LPN to RN courses that are delivered in a hybrid format take in-person and online learning and mesh them together. For example, nursing lectures could be attended on campus, while all homework and discussions are completed online. Clinical hours are always completed in person at local partner sites.

Online

Online LPN to RN programs are carried out entirely through the internet—lectures are often pre-recorded so students can watch them on their own time during the week, assignments open at the beginning of the week for students to complete by the assigned due date–even quizzes and tests are taken online. Online programs often require teachers to have virtual office hours each week to discuss difficult concepts and answer questions. Hands-on learning, often referred to as “clinicals,” happens at partner clinics local to students.

In-Person

In-person courses require students to attend both lectures and labs on campus. If an entire program is on-campus, students might want to consider dropping their employment (if they’re currently working) down to part-time to be able to put in the required on-campus hours. Lectures, tests, and practice labs will happen on campus at the same time each week, with clinical rotations available at nearby care facilities.

FAQs for LPN-RN Bridge Programs in Indiana

There are always a few similar questions that students seem to have, and we’ve answered several of them below. These answers will give you a quick glimpse at some of the most important aspects of an in-person or online LPN to RN bridge program. We’ve done our best to link to various programs throughout Indiana so you can see relevant examples.

How long are LPN-RN bridge programs?

Indiana LPN-RN programs have different lengths depending on the program. If you’re looking to earn an associate degree in nursing (ASN) then you can complete your degree in as little as 3 semesters at schools like the University of Saint Francis, while those pursuing a bachelor’s of nursing degree (BSN) will take closer to 2 years at schools like Ivy Tech Community College. Some programs also offer part- or full-time study options. If you choose to study part-time, then it will naturally take you longer.

What are the admission requirements for LPN to RN programs in Indiana?

The following list of common admission requirements was pulled from several LPN to RN bridge programs in Indiana. Each program noted that admission into its LPN to RN program is competitive, so consider the following requirements as the absolute minimum.

• Verified LPN license in good standing
• Completed pre-requisite courses
• LPN transcript evaluation
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 (preferably 3.5+)
• Kaplan admission nursing test score of 70+ (preferably higher)

What is the cost for LPN to RN programs?

The cost of LPN to RN programs varies throughout Indiana, but typically community colleges and state universities are more affordable than private universities. Below are three example programs throughout Indiana and their corresponding costs.

• Indiana State University – $351/credit hour or $4,856/semester – 70-77 total credits
• University of Saint Francis – $1,120/credit hour or $17,710/semester (fall or spring) – 70-84 total credits
• Ivy Tech Community College – $170.07/credit hour or $2,445.76/semester – 75-77 total credits

What should I look for in an LPN to RN program in Indiana?

The LPN to RN bridge programs Indiana offers are accredited—meaning their curriculums have reached or exceeded a set standard—or are in the process of reapplying for accreditation. You should always look for programs that are accredited by the ACEN or the NLN CNEA. Other things to look for include LPN transcript evaluations (to receive credit for prior education), where clinical experiences are offered, and if courses are available in various formats.

LPN vs RN in Indiana: A Look at Expected Earnings and Outlook

Even if you’re just starting to consider an LPN-RN program, looking at the numbers might open your eyes to the possibilities that being a registered nurse might provide. If you’re on the fence about making the change from an LPN to an RN, check out some of Indiana’s statistics to see just how many benefits you can get from a little more work (ahem—higher pay, higher employability).

Earnings

In most cases, more education means more compensation, and it’s that way for LPNs and RNs. Those who complete an LPN to RN bridge program in Indiana will be able to increase their salary from an average of $48,070 per year to over $62,000. The bottom 10% of nurses in Indiana will make around $46,000 and the top earners can make up to $75,000 (Kokomo, IN). Unfortunately, registered nurse salaries in Indiana fall short of the national average by about 16%.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021

Job Market

There’s been a nursing shortage for years in the United States, with an average of fewer than 10 nurses per 1000 people. Indiana has only 66,800 employed nurses for its state population of over 6.7 million, indicating a great need for nurses throughout the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for nurses is good, with a projected growth of 6% from 2021-2031 and over 58,000 positions available each year.

Source: Projections Central