Best Online LPN to BSN Programs

LPNs wishing to attend a BSN school can find programs specifically designed for those who already have their LPN license. Some of these programs are available in online formats for flexibility to allow students to continue working in their current nursing role while attending school. These programs still usually require around 120 credits of coursework, but since students already have some nursing training, their LPN coursework may count for some credit. Depending on the program, students may be able to choose from multiple degree completion tracks that best fit their schedule.

Types of Online LPN-to-BSN Degree Programs

LPN-to-BSN degree programs are available in on-campus and online formats. Online programs may also offer additional tracks with different formatting options to help accommodate students' schedules. For example, depending on the school, students may be able to choose from:

• A full-time track
• A part-time track
• A hybrid track with full- and part-time terms

Curriculum for an Online LPN-to-BSN Degree

Many different nursing courses are available online, including online CNA to LPN courses, but students wishing to receive a more advanced education in the field can enroll in BSN programs. For students with an LPN license, many of these programs are available online and only require around 60 to 75 credits of coursework due to the education LPNs have already completed. For example, most LPN-to-BSN programs require around 48 to 67 credits of prerequisites. LPN-to-BSN students generally take any remaining general education courses and/or prerequisite courses and then jump right into core nursing courses. Many of these nursing courses include clinicals and hands-on learning experiences that can be completed in a student's local area. Some programs may also include courses that help prepare students for licensure and/or explore additional areas of nursing, such as mental health nursing or acute and chronic illness. While exact course titles may vary amongst programs, students are likely to take courses in topics like:

• Community health nursing
• Health assessment
• Nursing leadership
• Nursing care/clinical nursing

How Long Does it Take to Finish an LPN-to-BSN?

While there are some ways to transfer a non-nursing degree to a BSN program, students who have completed an LPN program can complete their BSN degree faster than the traditional 4 years, due to their nursing training and experience. There are some LPN-to-BSN programs that are designed to be completed in 2 to 3 years. Other programs may offer different full- or part-time tracks, or a mix of the two, to help students graduate faster. Part-time programs may be completed in about 2 years, while full-time programs may take as little as 9 months to complete. Hybrid tracks with full- and part-time terms may be completed in as little as 3 semesters.

One of the primary admission requirements for an LPN-to-BSN program is that students hold an LPN license, usually for the state in which students are pursuing the LPN-to-BSN program. Depending on the program, applicants also need to have between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of experience as an LPN. Some students may need to complete various entrance exams and/or meet a specific minimum GPA, such as a 2.5 GPA or higher. Programs may have a GPA requirement for the last 60 hours of credits a student has taken and/or a GPA requirement for science courses. Students typically need to meet prerequisite requirements for these programs, which may include passing (with a 'C' or higher) courses in subjects such as:

• English
• Statistics
• Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Human anatomy
• Human physiology
• Chemistry
• Fine arts
• Humanities
• Social sciences

How to Choose an Online LPN-to-BSN Degree Program

There are many factors to consider when choosing an online LPN-to-BSN program. Typically, students choose a program that is in the same state that they have their LPN license in. Students may need to choose a program that offers an online format that best fits their personal life and work schedule. This may mean finding a program that is available full-time, part-time, or a mix of both. Students may also need to investigate how clinicals for the program work and make sure they have local areas where they can complete the requirements. Attending a program with nursing-specific accreditation also stands out to employers and helps ensure that students are receiving a quality education.

Other outside factors may also contribute to a student's choice in schools. For example, students may need to compare tuition rates and find a school or program that fits their budget and/or provides additional financial aid options, like scholarships. Students may also need to check into any extra equipment or programs needed for online learning. Finally, some students may want to attend schools that offer additional resources to online students, such as advisors or tutoring.

Many students who are pursuing their LPN-to-BSN may qualify for their school's or outside organization's nursing-related scholarships. These scholarships may help students cover costs for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses. Usually, students need to first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for any federal loans or grants and then scholarships help make up the difference. These awards may be based on a student's GPA, leadership skills, community involvement, financial need, and other factors. A couple of examples of available nursing and/or online scholarships include:

• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship- Available to undergraduate or graduate students pursuing an online degree at the University of Arkansas (which offers an online LPN-to-BSN program), this award is given up to 20 students each year in the amount of $2,000.
• National Black Nurses Association Scholarship Program- The NBNA offers several scholarships to students who are members of a local chapter of the organization, are enrolled in a nursing program, have at least 1 year of school left, and are in good academic standing. These awards vary in amount from $1,000 to $5,000.

Some nursing degree programs at the BSN level may hold both program-specific accreditation and regional accreditation. Regional accreditation is awarded to an institution that has met academic standards for all of their degree programs at various levels. Schools with online LPN-to-BSN programs may have regional accreditation from organizations like the Higher Learning Commission. Employers may prefer graduates who have regionally accredited degrees and students needing financial aid usually need to attend regionally accredited schools.

Program-specific accreditation for nursing is usually awarded at the bachelor's level and above by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE is affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and helps ensure that nursing programs have met nursing-specific academic standards. This helps students and employers know that graduates have been well prepared for their future career in the nursing field.

While many students with their BSN do go into nursing, there is still a wide range of career options for those with a BSN degree. For example, even with becoming an RN, students can still choose between various nursing positions and/or different types of nursing, such as taking positions as:

• Neonatal nurses
• Rehabilitation nurses
• Genetics nurses
• Critical care nurses
• Addiction nurses

There are also related nursing positions that may take on more leadership and/or administrative roles. For example, those with a BSN may pursue a job as a nurse manager or administrator and oversee and coordinate nurses in their specialty area. There are also additional industries where nurses can work and apply their knowledge of medicine and care, such as insurance, informatics, and pharmaceuticals.

How Much Can You Earn with a BSN?

As of 2020, PayScale.com reported that graduates with a BSN degree made a median annual salary of $85,539. However, this salary may vary by position, industry, location, and other factors. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reported that some of the top-paying states for RNs, as of 2019, were California ($110,620), Hawaii ($110,700), and Oregon ($93,370). Top paying industries for RNs, according to the BLS, included business support services with a median salary of $81,360, as of 2019, and the federal executive branch with a median salary of $86,690, as of 2019.

After earning their RN license by passing the NCLEX-RN exam, students may wish to further specialize and/or advance their career in nursing. Some students may choose to go on and earn an advanced nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Graduates with these degrees may move on to careers as APRNs, researchers, and other leadership positions.

Experience and/or specialization can also help students further advance their careers in nursing. For example, nursing home administrators, nurse directors, and other medical or health services managers generally need to have at least a bachelor's degree and some work experience in the field. Some students may choose to continue practicing nursing as an RN, but focus their skills working with a specific population of patients or in a specific area of medicine. These nurses may pursue certification from the American Nurses Association's (ANA) American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or board certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Typically, certification requires students to meet education and experience requirements before passing an exam. Nurses must maintain their certification through renewal processes that may require continuing education and/or other forms of professional development.

Nurses across the country may want to join a professional organization in the field to network with fellow nurses and benefit from an array of resources that these groups have to offer. Typically, professional organizations provide benefits to members along with various events, learning opportunities, and other professional development options. Here are a few nursing-related organizations that nurses may participate in:

• American Nurses Association- In addition to the range of professional nursing certifications the group offers, the ANA gives nurses the chance to participate in conferences, webinars, and career and professional development events. The organization is involved in advocacy efforts for the field and even provides organizational credentialing.
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses- The AACN is home to the ANCC that has various board certifications for nurses, but also provides over 300 offerings of continuing education and clinical resources, such as conferences and pocket reference cards.
• National Black Nurses Association, Inc.- The NBNA is intended for Black nurses and hosts an annual conference for continuing education. The group also has webinars, a job center where nurses can search and find jobs, and a newsletter to keep members updated on current events in the field.