The Ultimate Guide to LPN to RN Bridge Programs and an RN Career

One of the careers that is in high demand right now is that of nurse. People will always need medical care, and nurses are essential to the health care industry. As a result, the job prospects for nurses of all kinds remain rather strong. There are two main designations of nurse in the United States:

Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Registered nurse (RN)

There are differences between these two types of nurses, and understanding these differences is important as you embark on your nursing career. Registered nurses generally have more autonomy and responsibility than licensed practical nurses, though. Many LPNs decide to become RNs after a while, hoping for career advancement and an increase in pay. For LPNs who have a certain amount of practical experience, it is possible to enter LPN to RN bridge programs to help with advancement.

Difference between LPN and RN

A licensed practical nurse is one who has gone through training in basic nursing skills. LPNs are licensed by individual states to provide patient care. This patient care, though, is generally routine. LPNs normally do a course of study that lasts a year. Part of the year is also spent gaining experience. A LPN must often be supervised by a RN. Some of the care that a licensed practical nurse can provide includes treating and dressing wounds, monitoring and reporting on patient condition, and recording vital signs. Many nurses prefer to start out as LPNs because the time spent in study is shorter than that required to become a RN, and it is possible to start a career (and earn money) earlier. However, after some time spent as a LPN, it often becomes desirable to advance to become a RN.

A registered nurse is one that has gone through more training and education. The course of study may last between two and four years for a registered nurse. However, when a RN is done, he or she may be able to handle more complex situations, treating conditions, administering medications, and taking a more active role in helping doctors and advanced practice nurses. RNs also usually have more autonomy to work than LPNs, and require less supervision. As a RN, it is also possible to get a Bachelor of Nursing degree and enjoy even more responsibility. From there, it is possible to get a Master of Nursing degree and become an advanced practice nurse, and then even get a doctorate in nursing.

LPN to RN Bridge Programs

If you decide that you want to become a registered nurse, it is possible to do so using a LPN to RN bridge program. These program can sometimes even be accomplished online. Most bridge programs are designed to allow you to remain on the job, earning a living, while you advance your education and your career. These programs are desirable because they allow licensed practical nurses to complete RN requirements without repeating some of the credits and courses already taken. Enrolling in a RN program, rather than a bridge program, can sometimes mean repetition.

After you complete the bridge program, you will then be required to pass a national licensure exam to become a RN. This test is known as the NCLEX-RN, and is a standardized test. You will also be required to graduate from an approved program (check with your State Board), and then complete a Nursing and Allied Health application. Once you have met those requirements, you can be designated as a registered nurse.

LPN to RN bridge programs are available around the country, and online. The flexible scheduling often makes it easy for you to complete your requirements. A good program will help you pass your exam, and prepare you for the duties of a registered nurse. The fact that you already have practical experience a nurse, though, should also help you prepare. This practical experience is one of the reasons that bridge programs are allowed, rather than making LPNs start over again in a RN program.

Your Career as a Registered Nurse

Once you are a RN, new opportunities will open up for you. You will be able to have more independence in your work, and be approved to handle more situations. Additionally, you will be eligible to continue your career, earning nursing degrees and perhaps becoming an advanced practice nurse. Advanced practice nurses include nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. Advanced practice nurses have even more autonomy, and in some states can even diagnose and treat most conditions — and even write prescriptions.

Even if you don’t go on to involve yourself in advanced practice, you still have a number of opportunities as a registered nurse. It is possible to specialize in different areas of work, or to specialize in specific settings. Some of the options include:

Ambulatory Care: These nurses often work in clinical settings, treating a wide variety of injuries and illnesses.
Critical Care: These are nurses that work in intensive care departments in the hospital. They are trained to deal with more acute and complex conditions.
Emergency Care: Some nurses specialize in emergency room care, treating conditions that need immediate attention. This is fast-paced work that requires steady nerves.
Pediatric: If you enjoy working with children, you can become a pediatric nurse. In some cases, you might work with infants, and even be assigned to the neonatal intensive care unit, although NICU nurses often have special experience and training to outfit them for the delicate work in such an environment.
Labor and Delivery: As you might imagine, L&D nurses help mothers during labor, and assist the lead health care professional in birthing.
Medical-Surgical: These are nurses that focus their efforts on helping in the operating room, and also aid in diagnosing and treating more serious diseases.
Hospice: Often, hospice nurses are palliative care nurses. They help in hospice settings, often helping with pain management and end of life care.
Home Health Care: These nurses care for patients in their own homes, providing check-ups, administering medication and providing other types of care.

There are a number of other specialties available as well. As a RN, you might have the option to specialize, gaining specific — and sometimes advanced — knowledge in a specific area.

In the end, a LPN to RN bridge program can be a great way to improve your knowledge of nursing, while advancing your career and opening the door to new opportunities.

Licensed practical nurses will eventually hit a ceiling in terms of job responsibilities and pay scale. For the LPN seeking a career advancement as a registered nurse, the right LPN to RN program can open doors to new opportunities within the nursing profession. Below are the best colleges offering LPN to RN and related nursing degree programs.

Top LPN to RN Online Degree Programs

LPN to BSN

Indiana State University >> The LPN to RN program offered by Indiana State University has excellent curriculum that gives students the ability to further their education without requiring them to quit their day jobs. This program is created for nurses that have busy schedules by offering the program online giving greater flexibility than other more traditional programs. This online RN/BSN training program is the only one of its kind, and offers distance learning courses enabling nurses to earn their baccalaureate job without requiring a full time commitment.

LPN to RN Bridge
LPN to BSN

The College Network >> The LPN/LVN to RN (ADN) program offers an exciting new way for nurses to earn their NLNAC accredited degree in half the time and cost of traditional programs with NO Campus Attendance. Nurses can earn their degree in 12-18 months with no waiting list and local clinicals. The College Network has worked with the National League for Nursing to develop and deliver these programs to assure they are up-to-date with current standards and regulations.

RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Admin MSN - Nurse Education	Kaplan University >> Kaplan University's RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs allow students to accelerate their degrees to the next level. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education teach advanced skills in nursing. Graduates of these programs pursue management or teaching positions. Kaplan is also among the largest online educators in the world.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	Walden University >> The BSN program from Walden University gives the education and skills necessary for students of nursing to keep pace with the rapidly changing health care industry by providing a strong foundation of core concepts and insights into the future development of this field. MSN programs are also offered in nurse education, nurse informatics, and nurse management.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	Liberty University >> Liberty University provides a RN to BSN program for registered nursing seeking to obtain their Bachelors of Science degree. This program goes beyond the framework taught for the registered nurse certification and gives a competitive edge that will enable advancement in health care fields. The MSN program in acute care develops the framework to provide health care services in more complex patient issues that arise.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	South University >> The MSN programs in General, Adult Health, and Nurse Education at South University provide excellent curriculum for top notch medical care. The adult health program focuses on providing adult health care for a wide range of medical needs while the nurse education program develops teaching and coaching skills to train future medical professionals. The school also offers RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs. These programs advance students' understanding of complex medical theory and also give the skills necessary for advancement into management.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	Utica College >> Small classes and a professionally-trained faculty known for their clinical experience and knowledge of the field give Utica College online RN to BSN students the foundation for the next stage of their educational and professional careers. In addition to those with associate's degrees, Utica College embraces transfer students, accepting up to 90 credits.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	Herzing University >> At Herzing University, the RN to BSN program gives registered nurses the education and knowledge they need to advance beyond their coworkers and become leaders in their organization. Masters of Science programs in Nurse Education and Nurse Management are developed to provide an excellent knowledge of nursing's complex health care areas necessary to lead and teach the future nursing talent that will provide healthcare in the nation's health care facilities.
BS in Nursing (BSN)	Grand Canyon University >> Grand Canyon University provides a dual degree in MBA/MSN. This program prepares candidates for a rewarding career in management of health care fields. The school also has an excellent RN to BSN program for registered nurses desiring to advance within their company or field. The course work greatly expands the student's knowledge of nursing concepts. A MSN in Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership is offered for professionals that desire to teach and shape the future of the health care industry.
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