Guide to the Best LPN to RN Online Programs without Prerequisites
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NursingNursing Ed.LPN-RN bridge programs help current LPNs use their previous education and experience to take the next step in their career. But what if you don’t have the right prerequisites? If you’re looking for a program without them, you’ve come to the right place.
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If you’re a licensed practice nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and you want more autonomy and responsibility, becoming a registered nurse (RN) is a great next step. However, you’ll need additional academic training to reach that goal, either by earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
The quick option is to enroll in an LPN to RN bridge associate degree program. However, many schools won’t accept you into their bridge program unless you first complete the prerequisite courses.
Depending on your prior educational background, you may have already met these requirements, but if you’re one of the many LPNs who have not, you still have options!
There are several LPN to RN bridge programs out there that don’t require students to have completed their prerequisites before applying. Instead, these programs allow them to do so during the bridge program itself.
Features of LPN programs without prerequisites:
- They don’t require students to take fewer credits to become an RN, but rather they change the time frame of when some of these credits must be earned.
- They’re convenient for prospective RN students who don’t have time to take college classes just so they’ll be eligible to apply to their desired LPN to RN bridge program.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, keep reading to learn more about these programs.
School Profile: Learn About a Top LPN-RN Program Without Prerequisites
LPN to RN bridge programs that don’t require prerequisites take a convenient nursing pathway and makes it accessible to more prospective registered nurses. While non-prerequisite RN bridge programs aren’t very common, they do exist. We spotlighted a popular option below to help you get started on your search for the best program for you.
The LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge program offered by Galen College provides a unique opportunity for LPNs to earn an associate degree in nursing without first having to complete prerequisite courses before applying or enrolling. The curriculum (90 to 107 credits) is set up so that prerequisites are built into the bridge program itself.
Program Features:
- Multiple campus locations across nine states
- Takes 15 to 18 months to finish (depends on campus chosen)
- Coursework includes both classroom and clinical training
- Fully prepares graduates to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam
- Start dates in January, April, July, and September
Common Prerequisite Courses for LPN-RN Bridge Programs
Whether you enroll in an LVN/LPN to RN program with or without prerequisites, you’ll probably need to complete several prerequisite courses. The exact courses will depend on your program’s requirements, but you can usually expect to take several of the following courses either before or during your LPN to RN bridge program. Let’s take a look at what some of these prerequisite courses are.
Anatomy and Physiology
This course offers a general overview of the human body. This includes identification and orientation of body parts and areas, as well as their functions. Topics address various body systems including:
- Muscular
- Nervous
- Skeletal
- Cardiovascular
Delgado Community College is an example of an LPN to RN bridge program with this prerequisite.
Biology
Biology classes are a staple of almost every healthcare program. This course provides foundational knowledge of basic life processes, including:
- Cell components and functions
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Energy transformation
The Nursing LPN-to-RN Progression program at Cincinnati State has this prerequisite.
Chemistry
Most allied healthcare students need to take chemistry, whether in high school or college. During this course, students learn about the basic scientific principles that explain the behavior and properties of matter. Specific topics include:
- Scientific measurements
- Periodic table of elements
- Atomic theory
- Molecular theories
- Chemical bonds
- States of matter
The LPN-to-RN bridge program at Utah Tech University includes chemistry as a prerequisite.
English
Sometimes referred to as writing composition, this class covers the basics of writing. Topics addressed include:
- Grammar
- Writing structure
- Citations
- Rewriting process
Students interested in the Accelerated LPN to RN program offered by Texas County Technical College need to complete this class as a prerequisite.
Introductory Nursing
Introductory nursing (or introduction to nursing) is typically a mainstay of the core nursing curriculum and covers:
- Basics of nursing care and patient wellness
- Effective communication
- Patient assessment
- Pharmacodynamics within acute and long-term care contexts
Introductory Nursing is part of the core curriculum at Mercyhurst University.
Microbiology
Microbiology focuses on the biological process of microorganisms as well as infection control. Course topics include:
- Bacterial growth
- Genetics
- Metabolism
- Pathogenesis
- Sterilization techniques
Highline College requires its incoming LPN to RN bridge students to complete this prerequisite.
Psychology
Psychology is one of the most common nursing prerequisites. As this is an introductory course, the curriculum usually begins with a history of the field, and then shifts into examination of psychological theories and ideas. This class will also address topics including:
- Human behavior, thinking, and neurological processes
- Human development milestones
- Concepts of human learning
The LPN to RN completion program at Stark State College lists psychology as a prerequisite.
Options for Completing Prerequisites
Enrolling in an LPN to RN bridge program that doesn’t require prerequisites is a convenient option for those missing the classes needed for admission. But if attending one of these prerequisite-free bridge nursing programs isn’t possible, there are several options available for completing these prerequisite courses.
Advanced Placement Exams
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school is probably the best way to take care of some of your LPN to RN bridge program requirements, especially for chemistry, biology, and psychology.
A few things students need to keep in mind are that the minimum exam score needed for college credit may vary among schools (some require higher scores than others) and not all high schools offer the same AP courses or any at all.
College Placement Exams
College placement exams are tests used by colleges to determine a student’s level of knowledge in a particular subject. Some schools, such as Missouri State West Plains, will let students receive credit for certain LPN to RN prerequisite courses as long as they achieve a certain score on a college placement exam.
For example, a student will receive credit for completing ENG 110 if they score an 81 or higher on the COMPASS placement exam or an 85 or higher on the ACCUPLACER placement exam.
Dual Enrollment Programs
Dual enrollment programs are special agreements between colleges and high schools that allow students to receive college credit for courses they take in high school. These courses typically include prerequisite courses needed to earn an associate degree in nursing, as is the case at Tri-County Technical College.
While dual enrollment is not a workable option for prospective LPN to RN bridge students who have already graduated high school, it is perfect for current students who know they want to study nursing in college.
Online Classes
Many schools with LPN to RN bridge programs offer courses online. Sometimes these online classes are part of the nursing curriculum and other times they cover general education topics that are also prerequisites for many RN programs.
This is the case for Western Kentucky University (WKU), which requires applicants to its LPN to ASN program to take Anatomy and Physiology no more than five years prior to applying to the program.
Luckily, this course is offered regularly online at WKU, so current WKU students interested in the program can complete the class before formally applying to the nursing program.
Prior Learning Assessment
A prior learning assessment (PLA) is a type of assessment a college or university uses to see if a student may receive college credit for prior life and professional experience.
At Vol State Community College, LPNs who enroll in the RN bridge program can skip the Fundamentals of Nursing class if they complete a PLA that consists of:
- Creating a care plan
- Attending a dosage calculation and skills review
- Taking a medical dosage exam
- Completing a fundamentals review packet
Summer Courses
Before officially enrolling in an LPN to RN program, students have the option of taking summer courses. The courses available depend on the school but often, only general education and prerequisite courses will be available, as is the case with Central Community College.
Transfer Credits
If you’ve taken a prerequisite course at another school, there’s a chance your current school will offer you transfer credits for that class. Galen College of Nursing offers students in their LPN to RN program credit for general education classes they completed at other colleges.
How the transfer process works and what credits you receive will depend on your school’s transfer credit policy.
FAQs for LPN to RN Program Prerequisites
We’ve covered the major aspects of LPN to RN programs that don’t require prerequisites for admission, but you may still be curious about other aspects of how these programs work. The following FAQ section should address many questions you may still have.
Are there any prerequisite courses I can take while I’m in the LPN-RN bridge program?
It depends on the program. For example, students at Galen College of Nursing can take English Composition during their first semester. If you do find an LPN to RN program that allows you to take prerequisites while enrolled, they most likely will be required early in the program.
Expert Insight
It’s important to note that prerequisites cover either general education topics or science-related concepts. You can expect that you’ll need to complete most science-based prerequisites before applying to your nursing program as science is the basis of nursing
Can I retake a prerequisite course if I did not achieve the required grade the first time?
Yes, repeating courses is permissible. And many schools will accept the higher grade of a class that you take multiple times. However, some schools will not accept a failed course, even if you retake it.
The grade requirements for the prerequisites will depend on the school. For example, at Western Kentucky University, applicants must have at least a “C” in Anatomy and Physiology while at Highline College, applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA in all the prerequisites (except for math, where a 2.7 is needed).
Also, consider that repeating courses will add time and/or money to the total cost of your LPN to RN bridge program.
I took the prerequisite courses over 7 years ago, are they still valid?
It depends on the school and class, but seven years is likely too far in the past to receive credit. For example, Stark State College has a three-year cut off for high school biology. After that time, you will not be able to use that course to qualify for a Prior Learning Assessment for Intro to Anatomy and Physiology.
Similarly, Western Kentucky University has a five-year cut off for students who have already taken Anatomy and Physiology and do not want to retake it.
If I’m enrolled in the prerequisite courses now, can I still apply to the program and update my transcripts later?
It depends on the LPN to RN program and the type of class. For example, Hopkinsville Community College allows students to apply while enrolled in an ENG 101 Writing I prerequisite course. Most admissions policies, however, dictate that students need to have already taken their prerequisites before applying.
What minimum grade do I need in my prerequisites to be accepted into the program?
Most LPN to RN bridge programs, such as those at Delgado Community College and Missouri State West Plains, will require at least a 2.0 or “C” average in the prerequisite and/or general education courses. However, some schools can have higher minimum grade requirements, especially for particular classes.
What should I do if my transfer credits were not accepted?
The first thing you can do is look for a different school that will accept your transfer credits. The second thing you can do is take the required courses at the school in which you want to apply. Your choice will depend on the availability of other LPN to RN bridge programs and how competitive they are.
Expert Insight
If you need to retake courses because your transfer credits weren’t accepted, remember that you’ll likely receive an even better grade in the course because you already know the material. Also, consider that some programs prioritize applicants who take prerequisites at their particular institution, so repeating them at certain colleges might give you an edge over the competition.
Beyond the Prerequisites: Additional Admission Requirements for LPN-RN Programs
There’s a bit more to applying to an LPN to RN bridge program than meeting the prerequisite requirements. The following section discusses three other factors programs will consider when deciding whether to accept applicants into their nursing program.
Entrance Exam
Many LPN to RN bridge programs will require applicants to complete an entrance exam. These tests evaluate your readiness for nursing school by assessing your knowledge of various subjects.
TEAS Exam
One of the most common is the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The purpose of the TEAS is to confirm an applicant has the basic academic knowledge to succeed in a nursing program. Every program that requires a TEAS score will have a different minimum score standard.
Other Exams
While the TEAS focuses on your knowledge of general education subjects, other entrance exams assess your nursing-related knowledge. These tests aren’t always required, but some schools ask for one or the other, such as Hopkinsville Community College and Texas County Technical College. Exams include:
- Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) Pre-Admission Exam
- ATI PN Predictor Exam
- NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam
Other entrance exams—accepted by schools like Galen College of Nursing—are also valid. These include:
- ACT
- Standardized College Admission Test (SAT)
- Multilevel Pre-Admission Examination (PAX)
LPN License and Work Experience
An unrestricted LPN license in good standing is a definite requirement for applicants to any program, whether you’re applying to an LPN to RN bridge program that requires prerequisites or not.
If you don’t currently have an unrestricted LPN license in good standing, you may still be eligible to apply to the nursing program, but won’t receive advanced standing as an LPN.
As for LPN work experience, most programs don’t usually require a minimum number of years, although applicants who possess at least one year of experience providing direct care to patients in certain settings may have an advantage during the admissions process, as is the case at Highline College.
Program Interview
Most LPN to RN bridge programs don’t require an interview as part of the admission process. However, it’s something you should be ready for when applying to certain schools.
For instance, at Western Kentucky University, school officials reserve the right to ask an applicant to participate in an admission interview.
