Jumping From LPN To BSN

By earning admittance to an accredited LPN to BSN program, Licensed Practical Nurses have the opportunity to improve their career prospects significantly.

Not only does this important degree qualify a Practical nurse to be a Registered Nurse, but it often guarantees that the nurse will be paid at the high end of the range for RNs too.

Bridge programs (including online LPN to RN programs) providing this popular degree can be completed in as few as four semesters, and are traditionally accessible online to working LPNs.

The Definition of a BSN

The abbreviation BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and it is, for all intents and purposes, the equivalent of a four-year university nursing degree. Between RNs, those that hold a BSN degree tend to be entrusted with additional responsibility, earn higher salaries, and get better opportunities for growth.

LPN to BSN Programs - How to Become a BSN

Whether you are currently an RN or LPN, it is possible to become a BSN by registering in and successfully finishing a LPN to BSN bridge program. Admission requirements for the majority of programs call for pupils to be a currently licensed Practical nurse or RN, have documented evidence of at least one year of experience working as an LPN or RN, and hold a degree or certification from an accredited LPN or RN program. Many programs carry additional requirements for references, minimum GPAs in previous course work, and minimum scores on standardized entry exams.

The standard material included in LPN to BSN programs includes both nursing theory and clinical study, and is generally finished in just two years (or four semesters).  Because many health care facilities opt to put BSNs in administrative positions, most programs also concentrate most of their course load on the skills required in such roles.

For LPNs, completing their accredited bridge program qualifies them to sit for the NCLEX-RN test that's required to be an RN.

Online LPN to BSN Programs

A large number of LPN to BSN bridge programs are accessible online to account for the fact that most students are currently full-time Practical nurses or RNs. Whereas web-based LPN programs require some level of clinical work to finish, classes for BSN bridge programs can be finished entirely online.

Should You Become a BSN?

Any quick internet search on the subject of becoming a BSN will reveal a number of conflicting views from those involved with the nursing field. While it is true your starting pay after earning your degree may not be much higher than an RN’s, over time, you will have the capability to advance far more easily than your colleagues who haven't completed a BSN. With this advancement, obviously comes higher earning potential - not to mention more opportunity to build the precise kind of career you’ve always desired.

The choice of whether or not to earn a BSN is a personal one, and the extra commitment and cost necessary to pursue a higher degree is not for everybody. You should consider, however, the belief that there's a growing sentiment in the health care industry for making BSN degrees a requirement for all RNs. Whether or not this will come to pass is uncertain, but what is guaranteed is that enrolling today in an LPN to BSN program will put you in an excellent position to succeed in professional nursing whatever the future holds.