LPN to RN Programs: Path to a Career that’s Always in Demand
If you are presently employed in the field of nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse, the LPN to RN programs may very well be a great way to further your career. Of course, becoming a Registered Nurse will mean you’ll have even more responsibilities, but it could also mean a salary boost of as much as fifty percent. Salary.com says the average earnings for a Licensed Practical Nurse is around $41,000, but for RNs, it’s about $65,000. Unlike some other professions, that are in decline, the Registered Nurse market is predicted to grow up to 22 percent over the next 7 years.
The Two main methods of becoming a Registered Nurse are a 2 year Associate degree in nursing, or a 4 year Bachelor degree in nursing. As a Licensed Practical Nurse you’re already one step ahead of those individuals training to be a Registered Nurse without a background in nursing. By means of LPN to RN programs, also called LPN Transition/Bridge, or LPN Advanced Standing programs, you should be able to become a registered nurse in half the amount of time you would in a regular RN program.
Individuals will find LPN to RN programs at many of the same community colleges that have ADN programs. Signing up for one of these training programs, is signing up for a standard Registered Nurse program, but you will be starting in the third semester, due to your experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse. You’ll only have to go to school for two semesters, or one year, of work, and after that you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination. A number of community colleges also have non-degree LPN to RN programs, however with no degree, your license often is only good within the same state as the school.
In addition to being a Licensed Practical Nurse, the student will also need to have a high school diploma, or the equivalent. A lot of schools also require prerequisite classes, like anatomy, and physiology, to be completed with a C grade or better. You can often test out of these.
The course work required for the ADN LPN to RN program will often vary based on the school. Most commonly courses include surgery nursing, psychology, as well as pharmacology. These training programs will also have supervised interactions with patients based upon the curriculum.
The Bachelor of Science degrees for LPN to RN programs are offered at the university level. The course load involves much of the same courses as an Associate of Science degree, but is a lot more detailed. BSN programs traditionally prepare nurses to work with a greater cross section of the population, from children to geriatric patients, and have to have many more hours of clinical study. The time necessary for this degree is much more than an ADN, and when finished you will take the same certification examination. However, these kinds of training programs are great for nurses who would like to take their studies further and want more job opportunities available to them.
Admission to Bachelor of Science in Nursing LPN to RN programs is also a bit more intense than Associate degree programs. As with an ADN degree program, a high school diploma or equivalent is necessary, and you may even need to take a standardized test such as the SAT. Depending on the program, there might be additional prerequisites and a higher minimum grade point average. In addition, just like regular college admissions, you might have to complete an entrance essay or provide references.
ADN or BSN programs can also be found online. These programs have a great deal more flexibility for those LPNs that continue to work throughout their training, and quite often cost a lot less. The curriculum is just like ordinary campus programs, and the clinical portions will be arranged close to you.
You’ll find an abundance of LPN to RN programs out there that will give the training you’ll need. Simply take the time to be sure to pick a training program that can meet your needs.
Still want additional information concerning how to find the right LPN to RN Programs in addition to what you will be learning? Visit http://TrainToBeAnRN.com for more information and search for local colleges to get started on your career training.
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