Should You Consider an LPN to BSN Program?

 If you're currently working as an LPN, you've probably considered becoming a registered nurse or some other higher-level professional at some point. 

Thanks to LPN to BSN programs, bridging this gap is actually relatively easy. By completing an accredited bridge program, you can earn higher wages and move into positions more to your liking in as little as two years.

Motivations for Earning Your BSN Degree

 The motivations for earning a degree will obviously vary quite a bit from person to person but, generally speaking, the primary reasons to consider going back to school and earning a BSN degree are pay and career advancement. Where your career is concerned, the typical LPN can go from performing support roles to other nurses in working as a manager who oversees the entire nursing staff once he or she has earned a BSN. Being qualified to fill these types of positions puts a person's skill at a premium, with employers from a wide range of health care facilities competing for their services.

Where pay is concerned, whether you work as a registered nurse or pursue a position that requires a BSN, your degree will often translate into a significant increase in pay. The national average salary for BSNs is nearly 30% higher than that of nurse's without this level of education, and the ceiling for pay is also quite a bit higher as a result.

LPN To BSN Program Basics

 In general, LPN to BSN programs is condensed, intense courses that allow students to complete the equivalent of a four-year degree in roughly four semesters (two years). As with all LPN bridge programs, the course is designed for those who have already been working as licensed practical nurses and already possess a strong foundation in basic health care theory and nursing practices.

To be eligible to enroll in an LPN to BSN program, students must usually possess a minimum of six months experience as an LPN, a high school degree or GED, a valid LPN license, and good test scores or grades in previous nursing-related courses. It is important that you review your ability to meet these prerequisites as early as possible if you intend to eventually enroll in a bridge program.

Online LPN to BSN Programs

 Because the overwhelming majority of students who enroll in bridge programs are currently working as licensed practical nurses, online LPN to BSN programs are the favored option for most students. By employing distance learning to complete their BSN degree, students are able to continue working and devoting time to their other responsibilities (family, etc.) while completing their studies. Online courses are primarily classroom-based (very few incorporate lab hours), so this approach is considered ideal for most aspiring BSNs.