LPN to RN Online Programs in KY: Top Degrees & Information
If you’re already an LPN and want to take the next step in your career, now is the perfect time to do so as registered nurses are in high demand. As an LPN, online bridge programs can help you leverage your previous education and experience to help you become an RN. In this guide, we’ll explore three schools offering LPN to RN bridge programs. You’ll discover what’s required to apply and what to expect after graduation.
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Online LPN to RN Programs in Kentucky: A Comparison
If you’re currently working as an LPN, you might consider furthering your career by becoming an RN—you’ll enjoy greater autonomy, higher pay, and expanded professional horizons. But you’ll need to further your education with an LPN to RN program to enjoy these benefits.
Luckily, you can find many hybrid or online bridge programs in Kentucky that offer RN training for current LPNs. Plus, accelerated programs are available if you want to complete your education in less time.
While many programs allow you to complete your coursework online, you’ll need some in-person clinical training, including:
- Clinical hours (always required): train at a healthcare location in your community
- Labs and simulations (may be required): practice nursing skills on-campus with instructors and peers
Choosing the right program isn’t easy. So to help you in your search, we’ve selected three LPN to RN online bridge programs that stand out because of their academic quality, student services, learning flexibility, and affordability.
Western Kentucky University
Located in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers an LPN to ASN bridge program that prioritizes flexibility for students, allowing them to learn remotely and finish quickly.
Features:
- 90% of coursework is online
- Accelerated learning plan—finish in just 3 semesters (12 months)
- Option to enroll before you receive your LPN license—as long as you have already completed LPN training
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $14,790 (tuition only)
Admissions Requirements:
- HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2)
- Current LPN license or current enrollment in LPN program
- Prerequisite courses
- Specific ACT results (for those with <10 credits)
- Minimum 2.75 GAP (for those with >10 credits)
Core Curriculum:
- Calculations for Nursing
- Fundamentals of Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- LPN to RN Transition
- Medical-Surgical Nursing (Courses & Clinicals)
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Skills
- Mental Health Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Maternal Newborn Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Pediatric Nursing
- Nursing Seminar & Practicum
ATA College
The LPN to RN Bridge program offered by ATA College in Louisville has been approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. As an accelerated LPN to RN program, it allows students to finish much quicker than they would in a traditional program.
Features:
- Eligible students graduate in just 15 months
- Partly online, though you will also receive hands-on training on campus
- General education courses incorporated into the program so you don’t need to complete them beforehand
Duration: 15 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $34,222 (tuition and fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Program Director acceptance
- Drug screen
- Minimum TEAS – RN scores (69% reading, 63% math, 60% English
- Minimum ACT score of 19
- Minimum SAT score of 1350
Core Curriculum:
- LPN to RN Role Transition
- Nursing Informatics
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal Health
- Microbiology
- Mental Health Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Acute Care Nursing
- Integrated Practicum
Maysville Community & Technical College
Maysville Community & Technical College offers an online LPN to RN program to meet the needs of current LPNs.
Features:
- Online format, allowing students to balance work schedules and coursework
- On-campus clinical and labs required—dates prepared in advance so working students can plan accordingly
- Provides financial aid opportunities and a relatively affordable tuition structure
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $189/credit for residents; $260/credit for nonresidents
Admissions Requirements:
- Current LPN license
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Official ATI TEAS scores
- CPR certification
- Attendance at pre-admission conference
- Kentucky Nurse Aide registry
- Prerequisite courses
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing Assistant Skills
- Health Care Basic Skills I with Clinical
- Nursing I, II, III, & IV
- Nursing LPN Bridge Course
- Pharmacology
Student Help Center: Common LPN to RN Questions Answered
Whether you’re considering earning your associate’s or bachelor’s degree to become an RN, you probably have questions about the length, cost, and learning outcomes of different programs. We’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions to help you decide which path is right for you.
How long are LPN-RN bridge programs?
Most bridge programs take between 12 and 18 months to complete, though they can take up to three years if earning a bachelor’s degree. Practically all online LPN to RN programs in KY require roughly 60 to 65 credit hours, but this can include the required prerequisites and general education courses.
Students who have only completed the required prerequisites will take longer to graduate than students who may have already completed several general education courses in addition to the prerequisites.
What is the cost for LPN to RN programs?
The cost of an LPN to RN program will depend on the type of school and residency status of the student. Of course, private schools will cost more per credit hour than public schools, and additional costs may be involved.
Your residency status will also significantly impact the overall cost. However, some colleges charge the same tuition rate for online classes regardless of where the student lives.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN program in Kentucky?
While there are many factors that make some programs better than others, the two main ones to consider are accreditation and NCLEX-RN pass rates. No matter what program you choose, it should be:
- Approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBON)
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)
A school’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates can also tell you a lot about the quality of the program. The better the program, the higher the rates will be. At a minimum, try to find programs with rates similar or better than the state average.
Additionally, you may want to seek out programs that offer study strategies and resources for taking the NCLEX-RN exam.
What are the learning outcomes in a Kentucky LPN to RN bridge program?
All LPN to RN programs in Kentucky are a little bit different, but generally, learning outcomes cover concepts such as:
- Basics of science (i.e., anatomy and physiology)
- Advanced medication management
- Application of medical research to practice
- Nursing leadership
- Clinical decision-making
- Communication
Expert Insight
Learning outcomes are skills and knowledge you’ll obtain upon graduation from an LPN to RN program. They may be concepts you’re already familiar with as an LPN, such as patient-centered care or ethical practice. But outcomes for RN programs also focus on advanced concepts like leadership, regulations, and complex decision-making.
Do hospitals pay for LPN to RN programs?
Some hospitals cover all or part of your program via a tuition-reimbursement program. These programs offer employees the opportunity to further their education without having to take out student loans or pay out of pocket.
If you need help paying for a nursing program but can’t take advantage of a tuition-assistance program, many other options are available including online nursing programs with financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Salary & Career Details for LPNs to RNs in Kentucky
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | LPNs/LVNs | $48,420 | $60,460 | $73,220 |
| RNs | $64,170 | $81,040 | $111,750 |
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 | |
| Kentucky | RNs | 47,300 | 50,400 | 3,100 | 6.60% | 2,940 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 10,720 | 11,440 | 720 | 6.70% | 910 |
Source: Projections Central
