Best LVN-to-RN Programs

Applicants to LVN and LPN programs that lead to an RN license should firstly already be licensed vocational/professional nurses and their licenses must be active and in good standing. If you are currently an LPN or LVN and you are thinking of pursuing a career as an RN, but you are still working full-time, then an LVN to RN bridge program could be right for you. These programs are typically designed to fit the schedules of working adults. Additionally, the curriculum builds upon the knowledge you've already gained as a licensed vocational nurse so that you don't have to spend as much time in an academic program. This means that you can earn your RN license faster than if you were to enter a regular RN program.

However, if you intend to become a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree, then an LVN to RN program would not be the right choice for you. LVN to RN bridge programs are either non-degree programs, or they result in an associate's degree. An LPN to BSN program would be a better fit if this is your goal.

How to Choose an LVN to RN Bridge Program

While LVN to RN bridge programs technically only exist in California and Texas, LPN to RN bridge programs are their equivalent, meaning you have plenty of programs to choose from, which can be overwhelming. The first place to start looking for potential programs is the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator Tool. This search tool allows you to find programs through filters such as location, degrees and programs offered, and tuition. It also provides helpful statistics that may aid you in determining if a program is of good quality, such as graduation rates, retention rates, student-to-faculty ratio, and more.

When choosing a program, factors such as location, availability, and cost will come into play, but you also want to consider your interests and what a program can do for you. For example, does one program offer more classes than the other? Does one program require more laboratory or clinical experience hours than the other? Are there opportunities to connect with other students, such as a nursing student organization? Additionally, becoming an RN requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam and while no program can guarantee that students will pass, it can be helpful to know if a program adequately prepares students for this. Some programs offer a specific class that teaches students skills for taking the exam. If that sounds like something you would benefit from, then you may want to consider that.

Lastly, programs that are non-degree or 30-unit options are designed to specifically meet the education requirements for the state that the program is in. This means that, for example, if you graduate from a 30-unit option program in the state of California, no state outside of California will recognize an RN license that is earned from that program, meaning you would have to take additional classes if you want to work as an RN in a different state. So, it can be helpful to look up requirements from the Board of Registered Nursing in each state you're thinking of attending school or working in. Any questions you may have about a program can be answered by an academic advisor from the school(s) you're interested in.

Admissions Requirements for LVN to RN Programs

The admissions requirements for LVN to RN programs are a little more specific than traditional RN programs. This is because the programs are designed for licensed vocational nurses who already have some knowledge and experience in the field, so it's different than starting a program as a new student with no previous experience. The first requirement for admission into an LVN to RN program is to have completed a vocational nursing program and provide official transcripts. An extension of this requirement is a current, active, and unencumbered LVN license, which means that the license has not been revoked, suspended, or made probationary or conditional as a result of disciplinary actions.

A few other common admissions requirements for LVN to RN bridge programs can include:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Admissions interview
• Interview with the school's nursing panel
• Complete an LVN to RN entrance exam
• Complete a nursing program entrance exam
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Additionally, there are a few prerequisite courses that need to be completed. Students may have completed some or all of these courses as part of their initial LVN training, but if they haven't, then they can complete the courses before starting the nursing courses in an LVN to RN program. These courses can include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. Lastly, due to the nature of the program, applicants must pass a criminal background check and drug screening test, pass a physical exam, be up-to-date on their vaccinations, and possess CPR certification. The specific requirements of each program will vary by school.

Most programs are similar to associate degrees, where the common length of time it takes to complete the program is 2 years when studying full-time. Other LVN to RN programs, such as 30-unit option ones, take as few as 18 months to complete. Each program will have normal courses, some of which can be done online, as well as laboratory and clinical courses, which take place at a set time each week, affecting the length of the program.

Another way to measure the time to completion is credits. Each course is worth a certain number of credits and when you earn enough credits, you're able to graduate. Traditional associate programs usually require around 60 credits, but since LVN to RN programs are designed for students with previous post-secondary education, students may not need to take as many courses to reach the 60 credit amount. Some programs will use the term 'units' to describe credits; so, a 30-unit-option program is similar to earning 30 credits of an associate degree, which is why 30-unit-option programs are classified as non-degree programs.

The cost of a program depends on many factors, some of which are due to each student's unique situation, such as their location, the courses they take, and their living situation. LVN to RN bridge programs are typically available at technical, trade, and community colleges, where tuition is usually charged per credit or course instead of a flat rate. These colleges don't usually have dorm rooms, so students don't have to pay for room and board. Additionally, since LVN to RN programs require fewer courses than traditional RN programs, the cost goes down even further. Each college will have its own rates and associated fees or additional costs. Usually, students from out-of-state and international students will pay higher tuition or higher fees than in-state students.

Some fees that may be included are an enrollment fee, student fee, athletic fee, transportation fee, and a health facilities fee, among others. These types of fees are usually the same amount for each student regardless of the program they are in. While the specific rates vary, these fees can each cost as low as $8 and as high as $400 for each type. Some schools have a tuition fee, which is when a student is charged a fee based on how many credits they're planning to earn. For example, if a student is earning 6 credits or fewer for the semester, they would pay a fee of around $1,600, but if they're earning more than 6 credits for the semester, the fee will increase to around $2,800. When it comes to tuition, costs can be as low as $190 per unit/credit. For a program that requires 60 credits, that would make the tuition come to $11,400. On the higher end of the tuition spectrum, some programs can cost as much as $42,000.

The courses in LVN to RN bridge programs are divided between theory, laboratory skills, and clinical skills. General education courses may also be included depending on the program. Theory courses are done in the classroom and/or online, laboratory courses are done in laboratories or lab simulations, and clinical courses consist of students learning skills on-site at a health care facility with real patients under the direction of a registered nurse. Courses typically consist of topics related to science, nursing theory, and practical nursing skills, as well as healthcare law and ethics. General education courses may include college mathematics, psychology, and communications; these are usually taken before most of the nursing courses. Clinical courses are usually taken at the end of a program so that students have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they've learned.

Fundamentals of Nursing

Fundamentals of nursing courses introduce students to the field of registered nursing and teach basic nursing skills that can be applied to almost any situation. While licensed vocational nurses already have some basic nursing skills, fundamentals of nursing courses expand upon those skills as well as teach them new ones for job responsibilities that a registered nurse would have. These courses typically focus on fundamental nursing skills for adult patients, not pediatric patients. Students can learn a variety of skills that can include clinical decision-making, safety procedures, patient care/bedside manner, health care interventions, and communication. By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic nursing care concepts as well as provide basic nursing care with a clear focus on what the patient needs.

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Medical-surgical nursing courses are typically broken up into 3-4 separate courses. So, for example, you would take Medical-Surgical Nursing I one semester, Medical-Surgical Nursing II the next semester, and so on, until you finish that course sequence. These courses cover a wide variety of topics related to nursing care, with each topic getting more advanced as the course sequence continues. Students can learn concepts and skills in patient care for a variety of settings, including community health, chronic care, critical care, and acute care. The specific topics discussed in each course may vary by school, but students usually start by learning basic care for moderate health concerns that are related to respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and endocrine system problems. They also learn general care for concerns such as diet, exercise, safety, social interaction, and more problems that adults may face in their daily lives that impact health. These courses may also have clinical components.

Behavioral Health Nursing

Behavioral health nursing courses may also be titled psychiatric/mental health nursing. These courses teach foundational theory and skills needed for working as a nurse for behavioral health patients in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care centers. Students can learn about common psychiatric and mental health disorders that patients of all ages can face and how to properly care for these patients. Courses may integrate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs or Orem's Theory of Self-Care to guide students in how to care for mental health patients in a way that addresses their physical, emotional, and social needs. Students can learn how to give care in psychiatric community health settings as well as care for acute and chronic mental health situations. Proper communication techniques for mental health patients are also usually a common part of these courses.

LVN to RN Transition

LVN to RN transition courses are designed to teach students how to transition from their role as an LVN to their eventual role as an RN in many different areas of the nursing field, including patient care, clinical decision making, communication skills, and more. Students can learn about the increased responsibilities they will have and how to expand upon the nursing skills they've already gained to succeed as an RN. Students may also learn about and discuss topics such as professional behaviors, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, safety, leadership, collaboration, and managing care. The legalities and ethics surrounding evidence-based nursing practice are also discussed. By the end of the course, students should be able to distinguish the responsibilities between the LVN and RN roles and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of pharmacology and the overall nursing care process.

Accreditation is the process of reviewing a school or academic program to see if it meets standards set by educational and industry professionals. The 2 types of accreditation are institutional, which is when a college as a whole is accredited, and specialized, which is when a program within a college is accredited. An example of an institutional accrediting body that grants accreditation to associate degree programs is the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).

Specialized accreditation can also be done for schools that focus on one subject area. For example, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits schools of business. The main difference between institutional and specialized accreditation is that institutional accreditation mainly focuses on academics at the college as a whole and specialized mainly focuses on programs of certain industries, like business, nursing, and psychology.

The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education all provide accreditation to nursing schools and programs across the United States. It's also important to enroll in a program that is approved by the state's nursing board. So, for example, an LVN to RN program in California must be approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. While it's not the same as accreditation, it is a way to ensure that a program is meeting standards.

After finishing an LVN to RN bridge program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you can begin working as a registered nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses have a median annual wage of $75,330 as of 2020. However, many factors determine the salary of a registered nurse, the main ones being career level, place of employment or type of nursing work, and location. For example, the BLS states that registered nurses who work in government have an annual median wage of $84,490, while registered nurses who work in educational services have an annual median wage of $64,630.

PayScale states that psychiatric registered nurses have an average yearly salary of $66,838 as of 2021. Psychiatric registered nurses in the 90th percentile make about $92,000 a year, which can be due to location and experience. According to PayScale, psychiatric nurses late in their careers have an average salary of $74,408, with the nurses in this category who are in the 90th percentile making as much as $102,000. Newly graduated registered nurses who are just entering their careers have an average salary of $57,582 as of 2021.

Earning an associate degree and becoming a registered nurse can be just the first step in a nursing career. There are many types of nursing degrees you can pursue to expand your education and career opportunities. Typically, the higher the level of your degree, the more options you have for work. Many advanced nursing degrees allow you to choose a specific type of nursing practice to study, as well as learn more about the nursing and health care industry overall.

Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing

A bachelor's degree in nursing is known as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and awards registered nurses with a bachelor's degree. This makes the option of future study a little more accessible than if an RN were to just graduate from a diploma or associate degree program. Traditional BSN programs accept applicants who have no nursing knowledge or experience; these applicants could be college freshmen or transfer students from a different degree program. Another common option is the RN-BSN program, which is for registered nurses who want to obtain their bachelor's degree. Traditional BSN programs can be completed in as few as 3 years, while RN-BSN programs can be completed within one year. There are also LVN to BSN programs in California and Texas, two states that use the term LVN.

Master's Degrees in Nursing

A master's degree in nursing is known as a Master of Science in Nursing and takes about 2 years to complete. Similar to the RN-BSN option, there are RN-MSN degrees, but many MSN programs will require applicants to have a BSN as well as be a registered nurse. MSN degree programs allow registered nurses to study advanced nursing concepts and become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). These programs also allow students to choose a specific area of nursing to study, such as neonatal, family nurse practitioner, women's health, and nursing education, among others. At the master's level, students can also pursue a master's degree in public health nursing. This degree may be part of an MSN program, or it may be a combined Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health degree. This degree allows nurses to practice with a population-based public health approach, usually to improve and advocate for the health of and health access to the public. Other MSN degree concentrations that are not strictly focused on traditional nursing practice can include nurse informatics and nursing administration.

Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

There are 2 types of doctoral nursing degrees - a Ph.D. in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). A Ph.D. in Nursing is intended for academic research in the field; graduates are prepared to teach in nursing classrooms and perform research on topics related to how the field of nursing can improve as well as how health care can improve overall. The completion of a Ph.D. in nursing largely depends on how long students take to write their dissertation, but it usually takes at least 3-4 years. A DNP is for registered nurses who wish to continue practicing in the field and take on leadership roles and give more advanced, specialized care. DNP programs offer many areas of study, including pediatric care, adult-gerontology, nurse anesthesia, and nursing administration, among others. Many DNP programs require applicants to have an MSN degree, but there are BSN-DNP programs available. An end-of-degree DNP project is also required, similar to a Ph.D. dissertation; the length of DNP programs varies, but they can last 3-4 years.

Certificate Programs in Nursing

Since a specific diploma or degree is required to become a registered nurse, there are no certificate programs that will prepare you for work as one. However, there are nursing certificate programs that can complement your nursing education to give you specialized knowledge in a certain topic. Many certificates in nursing are available online and are for graduates of BSN and MSN programs. Just like a degree specialization, you can choose an area of study to pursue. Some include nursing informatics, nursing leadership, population health, nursing education, and healthcare policy, among others. Certificate programs consist of just a few courses. A certificate may be done alone or alongside a degree program, in which case it may take longer to complete. Some certificate programs have clinical components.

Financial aid is available to those who are pursuing an LVN-RN program. While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great place to start - it allows students to see what types of federal aid they qualify for and how much - it's not the only type of aid available. In addition to federal loans, grants, and work-study programs, students can apply for scholarships. Scholarships can have several criteria that varies based on the population a student belongs to (such as LGBT or minority groups), to location, degree, major, and school attendance. Scholarships for nursing students are available across the U.S.

The Daughters of the American Revolution offers the Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship of $2,500 to 3 students who are accepted into or currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing. Coursey Enterprises awards student scholarships twice a year to first-year nursing students. Each award is for $250 and applications run from September to December and February to June each year.

The Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to non-traditional students in associate and bachelor's degree programs in nursing. Non-traditional students are students who did not immediately enter college after high school and instead joined the workforce or made other commitments.