LPN to RN Online Programs in KS: Top Schools & Essential Details
If you’re a Kansas-based LPN interested in becoming an RN but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. LPN to RN bridge programs are uniquely designed to give LPNs the education, skills, and experience they need to further their careers and education. In this comprehensive guide to online LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas, we’ll cover specific programs, learning outcomes, delivery methods, salary potential, and more.
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Inside Look at Online LPN to RN Degrees in Kansas
LPN to RN bridge programs provide a simple path for practical nurses to further their careers. Essentially, they give you a way to use the courses you’ve already taken and apply them to an RN program, often making these programs shorter than other pathways to becoming an RN.
When it comes to flexible options for RN training, there are mostly online and hybrid programs available:
- Mostly online: almost all academic coursework is completed virtually, but clinical training is required in-person at health facilities
- Partially online (hybrid): a mix of both remote and in-person classes; minimal visits to campus may be required for labs; clinical training is required at healthcare sites
Choosing the right program for you in Kansas involves looking at the prerequisites, cost, and class options for each school. Below we’ve provided a snapshot of some of the best LPN to RN bridge programs available in Kansas to give you a general idea of what makes a program great.
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson Community College offers an LPN to RN online bridge program accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Kansas Board of Nursing, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Unlike many other programs, the majority of this program’s coursework is offered online. The online format at Hutchinson Community College makes it one of the best options for current LPNs in Kansas.
At the end of this program, students will earn an associates of applied science degree (AAS) and be prepared to work in hospitals, clinics, military bases, correctional facilities, and educational facilities.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Online
Cost: $5,547 for in-state students; $6,457 for out-of-state students
Admissions Requirements:
- Current LPN license
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- Intravenous (IV) therapy certified in Kansas
- Pass the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum score of 58.7%
- More than 1,000 hours of documented LPN work if graduation was more than three years ago
Curriculum:
- Health Maintenance Promotion & Restoration
- Care of the Family
- Human Growth and Development
- Complex Care of the Adult
- Leadership and Management Concepts in Nursing
- Role Transition: Student to the Professional Nurse
Neosho County Community College
For students looking for an affordable education, Neosho County Community College (NCCC) offers a hybrid LPN to RN bridge program. The cost of this program is the same for both in-state and out–of-state students.
The hybrid bridge program offered at Neosho County Community College is accredited by the ACEN and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
This program is specifically for students who have completed their LPN training at another facility or completed their training at NCCC more than a year ago. Although certain classes, labs, and clinical learning experiences take place on campus, the bridge course is offered online.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $95 per credit forIn-state and out-of-state students
Admissions Requirements:
- Current LPN license
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Pass medication calculation proficiency examination with a 95% or higher
- Current IV certification
- Completed Level I general education courses with a “C” or better
- Completed Pathophysiology within seven years of applying with a grade of 80% or higher
- Completion of nursing entrance exam and HESI Bridge Entrance Assessment
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Patient-Centered Care
- Practicum
- Microbiology
- Professional Nursing Concepts
Addressing FAQs About Online LPN to RN Programs
You may still have questions before you decide where — or whether — to apply to an LPN-RN bridge program in Kansas. In this section we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about topics such as duration, cost, and admission requirements for some of the programs in Kansas.
How long are LPN to RN bridge programs?
Most LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas can be completed in four semesters or approximately two years. The length of the program depends on whether you’ve completed pre-requisite courses prior to applying and whether you’re attending classes part or full-time.
Some bridge programs allow you to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) while others lead to a more extensive bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), which will also impact the length of the program.
What is the cost for LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas?
Tuition can range anywhere from $2,000-$20,000 but this can vary significantly between schools so it’s important to check each program before applying. Keep in mind that these numbers only cover tuition, so you may need to factor in other costs such as:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Textbooks
- Supplies and other necessary equipment
If you’re concerned about paying for school, the good news is there are many online nursing programs with financial aid opportunities to help offset these costs.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN bridge program in Kansas?
The most important thing to look for in a nursing program is accreditation. Programs can be accredited at the national, school, and program level. If a program meets certain standards to receive accreditation, then it’s proof that a program is high-quality.
Another thing to look for is the faculty’s education and work experience. Your professors will play a key role in preparing you for your future as an RN because they will not only provide the necessary information you need but also help you establish professional relationships with hospitals and other health care facilities.
Finally, looking at the published NCLEX exam pass rates can give you an idea of how well the program prepares students for their careers.
Do all LPN to RN programs have the same prerequisites?
Most bridge programs will have the same basic requirements for admission, but the prerequisite courses may differ. Most programs include prerequisite courses in medical terminology, general psychology, and English composition.
Often, prerequisites for LPN to RN programs include passing certain courses that you might have already taken during your LPN training.
Although most schools require you to complete these prerequisites before applying, some allow you to work on prerequisite courses while you’re in the program. If you haven’t completed the prerequisite courses for most programs, it’s worth looking into LPN to RN online programs without prerequisites.
Expert Insight
Most science-related prerequisites will be about the same, but courses like psychology or statistics may or may not be required depending on the program. This was the case during my nursing studies. I completed a set of prerequisites that were needed for admission to a particular nursing program. But when I decided to apply to a different program, I had to complete a few more prerequisites.
What are the learning outcomes in an LPN to RN program?
Learning outcomes are skills or knowledge you can expect to gain after completing an LPN to RN program. These might include:
- Communication: honing your communication skills
- Science knowledge: deepening your understanding of human anatomy and physiology
- Evidenced-based practice: Applying medical research to practice with patients
- Ethics: managing legal and ethical nursing-related issues
- Teamwork: collaborating with other healthcare team members
There are a lot of differences in LPN vs RN responsibilities and training, so most bridge programs are designed to prepare you for the additional requirements.
Salary & Career Outlook: The Difference Between LPNs and RNs in Kansas
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | LPNs/LVNs | $49,780 | $61,760 | $77,290 |
| RNs | $63,180 | $79,320 | $100,840 |
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 | |
| Kansas | RNs | 32,310 | 33,910 | 1,600 | 5.00% | 1,940 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 7,000 | 7,420 | 420 | 6.00% | 590 |
Source: Projections Central
