LPN to RN Online Programs in Louisiana: Guide to Top Schools
As a current LPN, you have the unique and rewarding opportunity to advance your career and become an RN in states with high demands for nurses. The top online LPN to RN bridge programs in Louisiana can be the way for you to elevate your skills conveniently and affordably. Understanding more about accreditation, curriculum, admission requirements, and costs of these nursing bridge programs can be made simple thanks to this EduMed student guide.
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Louisiana’s Online LPN to RN Programs Uncovered
In Louisiana, online LPN to RN programs can be offered in hybrid formats with built-in flexibility that combines online coursework with in-person clinical practice, allowing working professionals to study while managing their personal and professional responsibilities. While subjects such as nursing theory, ethics, and pharmacology are taught online, students are also required to gain hands-on clinical experience in healthcare settings, which are often located near their homes.
As a professional searching for the right LPN to RN bridge program, it’s important to keep a few key details in mind in selecting the best option for your needs. For instance, choose an accredited program recognized by the appropriate nursing board, as accreditation impacts eligibility for licensure. Additionally, students must research local regulations regarding clinical hours and licensure exams as state-specific RN licensure requirements may differ. Selecting a program that offers strong support services, has a solid reputation, and aligns with both personal and professional goals is crucial for successfully transitioning from an LPN to an RN, so here are three examples of reputable programs to help launch your search.
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SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College’s LPN to RN Program is primarily an on-campus nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. However, some classes—such as the LPN to RN transitions and core nursing classes—are offered online. Students also have the option of completing prerequisites and general education classes online.
One of the program’s unique features is its admissions process. Among other requirements, applicants must complete multiple entrance exams, including the ATI Fundamentals Exam and the TEAS VII, and they must possess an IV Therapy Certification. Each component of a prospective student’s applications is weighted, and applicants receive bonus points if they have already completed post-secondary programs, such as a certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. Finally, students must have completed 24 credits of prerequisites by the end of the spring semester in which they are applying to the LPN to RN Program.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $13,620
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN licensure
- Minimum GPA of 2.8 in all non-nursing courses
- Proof of nursing experience
- Background check, immunizations, and CPR certification
- Proof of selective service registration
- TEAS exam score of 64%
- ATI Fundamentals Exam score of 65%
- Prerequisite classes
- C grade or better in biology, math, and nursing courses
- IV Therapy Certification
Core Curriculum:
- Pharmacology
- LPN to RN Transitions
- Nursing Concepts
- Application of Nursing Concepts
- Microbiology
- Psychology of Human Development
- Nursing Capstone: Transition to Professional Nursing
- Introduction to Visual Arts
- Prerequisites (composition, algebra, human anatomy and physiology, etc.)
LSU of Alexandria
At LSU of Alexandria, current LPNs can enroll in the LPN to Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Track to become RNs with as little as three semesters of coursework and clinicals. To graduate, students must have 72 credits, but the program’s exact length depends on prior college coursework and how quickly students move through competency testing. Most of the program’s coursework must be taken on campus, but many prerequisites are available online. The clinical sites are located in Rapides Parish.
Regardless of how an LPN student progresses through the program, they receive some of the best RN training available in the state. This is evidenced not just by the school’s ACEN accreditation but also by the program’s NCLEX-RN passage rate of 100% for its LPN students. Financial assistance is also available, including the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship.
Duration: Five semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $4,115 per semester in-state, $7,748 out-of-state (based on 12 semester hours)
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN licensure
- C grade or better in prerequisite courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.7
- Transcripts
- Approval from Louisiana State Board of Nursing to enter clinical courses
Core Curriculum:
- Gen Ed Fine Arts
- Introduction to Professional Role
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Clinical Nursing Pharmacology
- Developmental Psychology
- Microbiology
- Clinical Nursing Theory
- Clinical Nursing Clinical
- Statistics
- Communication Fundamentals
- Prerequisites (composition, algebra, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, etc.)
Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College offers an online LPN to RN Bridge Program that combines online coursework with in-person clinical requirements, allowing students to balance their work and studies effectively. The curriculum covers essential nursing concepts such as pharmacology, patient care, and nursing leadership, equipping students for the NCLEX-RN exam.
To be admitted, applicants must hold an active LPN license, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and complete prerequisite courses. Financial aid options are available to help cover tuition costs, making this a flexible and affordable pathway to RN licensure.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $5,788 in-state
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN licensure
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 in general education and required courses
- Grade of C or better in related courses and general education
- Nursing School Admission Exam (Kaplan)
- Ability to meet technical standards
- Drug screening, health documentation, vaccinations
- CPR certification
- Liability insurance
- Prerequisites (e.g., anatomy and physiology, composition, math)
Core Curriculum:
- Transitions in Nursing
- Pharmacology for Transitions
- Nursing
- Special Populations
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making
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Quick Guide: FAQs for LPN to RN Students
As you consider the transition from LPN to RN through online programs in Louisiana, there may be various questions that still arise during your search. Here, this FAQ section features information and answers to common student questions about clinicals, financial aid, accreditation, and more to help you navigate your educational journey and pave a successful path toward becoming an RN.
What are the clinical requirements of the LPN to RN online program?
LPN to RN online programs in Louisiana generally require students to complete in-person clinical hours at local healthcare facilities. These clinical placements provide valuable hands-on experience in patient care, nursing skills, and working in various medical settings. The number of clinical hours required can vary by program, but students must complete them as part of their curriculum before they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Where and how are the clinical requirements completed?
In Louisiana, the clinical requirements for LPN to RN online programs are fulfilled at local healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers. Students are usually assigned to clinical placements in their geographic areas. These clinical hours provide hands-on experience in patient care, nursing techniques, and decision-making. Under the supervision of licensed nurses or instructors, students gain practical experience, with specific locations arranged by the program’s coordinator.
What are the GPA and licensure requirements for LPN to RN programs?
To enroll in an online LPN to RN program in Louisiana, applicants typically need to have a minimum GPA between 2.5 and 3.0. Additionally, they must possess an active, unencumbered LPN license. Some programs may also require the completion of specific prerequisite courses, such as anatomy and physiology, and they may ask for recent healthcare experience. Meeting these academic and licensing requirements is essential for admission and for obtaining RN licensure after completing the program.
Are financial aid options available?
Louisiana is home to several online nursing programs that offer financial aid. Options include federal grants, such as Pell Grants, and student loans available through the FAFSA. Additionally scholarships for RN students may also be available along with state-level funding opportunities. Some programs also provide payment plans to help manage tuition costs, and students may be eligible for workforce development programs or employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement if they are employed in healthcare settings.
What accreditation programs should I look for?
Accreditation for LPN to RN online programs in Louisiana typically comes from regional accrediting bodies, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation (SACSCOC), as well as program-specific organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Nursing school accreditation is essential because it ensures that the program meets high educational standards, which is crucial for eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain licensure as an RN in Louisiana. Accreditation ensures that you’re receiving the level of education you need to meet RN licensure requirements.
LPN to RN Career Outlook in Louisiana
Now that the path from LPN to RN is clear, let’s take a look at what the future holds for RNs in Louisiana. At every level of compensation, RNs earn significantly more than LPNs. Median pay for RNs is $76,650, while it is $50,000 for LPNs, representing a 53% increase in earnings. At the 90th percentile, RNs earn $101,650, compared to $61,840 for LPNs, a difference of nearly $40,000. RNs at the 10th percentile make $60,720, earning nearly as much as LPNs at the 90th percentile.
Job growth for both LPNs and RNs in Louisiana is 7.5%, which is higher than the national average of 5.6% for RNs and 5.3% for LPNs. This shows just how in demand both professions are. However, RNs benefit from higher job availability; there are 2,800 annual RN job openings, compared to 1,650 for LPNs. Review the tables below to learn more.
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