LVN to RN Program Reviews and Info

Obtaining your LVN (or LPN) to RN degree online through a bridge program is becoming an increasingly popular option for busy nurses who want to continue their career while attending school. Below are reviews of the top fully online options and links to forms where you can request more information about the programs from the schools themselves:

LVN (or LPN) to RN LVN to BSN CRT to RN Paramedic to RN

The College Network – The College Network has developed the leading fully online LVN (or LPN) to RN curriculum. Upon completion, this program will provide you with an Associate Degree in Nursing from NLNAC-accredited Excelsior college, which qualifies you to take the RN License exam, all without having to set foot in a classroom.

Find LVN (or LPN) Programs Near You!

Didn’t find the LVN to RN program you were looking for? Search our nursing degree database below to check hundreds of other online and campus nursing programs across the nation.

LVN to RN : Research Online LVN to RN Program Options

Thank you for visiting LVN to RN, an online resource devoted to providing nurses with the information and links that they need to make an educated decision about whether attending an online LVN to RN program is a good decision for them. Below you will find concise articles on:

• LVN to RN Bridge Program Information
• LVN to RN Programs
• LVN to RN Bridge Program Information
• LVN to RN nursing program options
• LVN to RN School
• LVN RN Programs

1) What types of licensed vocational nurse to registered nurse programs and degrees are available?

LVN or LPN: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing Certificate – To learn vocational nursing skills, student spend around one to two years in a practical/vocational nursing school program. Vocational nurses are responsible for caring for patients and performing basic nursing tasks in a variety of settings from hospitals to government jobs.

ASN: Associate Degree of Science in Nursing; Registered Nurse (RN) – A registered nurse must complete two years of nursing training, earn a ASN and pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain a nursing permit. Registered nursing programs can be found online or on campus at community, nursing or technical colleges.

LVN to RN, ASN, BSN: Associate Degree of Science in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Registered Nurse (RN) – An LVN to RN or LVN to BSN bridge program offers students the chance to accelerate their education by skipping over nursing subjects the students are already trained in. Students can simply get an associate’s degree or go all the way to a bachelor’s or master’s degree through accredited bridge programs.

2) What are the degree or experience requirements to be a registered nurse?

To become a registered nurse, you will need to earn an associate’s degree in nursing, or a two-year degree either online or on-campus from an accredited school. To get an associate’s degree, students must complete 60 to 80 credit hours within program restraints.

If you are already an LVN, there are LVN to RN bridge programs that allow you to skip the subjects you’ve already learned to save time and money. You can find LVN to RN programs online or on campuses at community or technical colleges across the U.S.

All registered nursing students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, to qualify for a nursing license in all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbus.

3) Things to consider when choosing an online LVN to RN degree program?

When you’re thinking about choosing an online LVN to RN degree program, consider several factors before you make a final decision.

Only consider schools with professional, nationally-recognized accreditations. Most schools will have accreditation information posted on its Web site, but you can also check the The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to see if the school is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

Do you have the discipline to do attend your online class and take the tests each week or so? If not, you may want to try a traditional classroom setting. If you can do it, check out reputable LVN to RN programs. You’ll need to fill out a FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to receive any grants or loan offerings from the federal government and your school. So get your tax records together and send the application form in as soon as possible. Be sure to check for early-priority dates and deadlines.

Also evaluate each school’s tuition costs and scholarship and grant offerings as well as career placement help after you graduate. Even if you have a degree, you may need help finding a job. Career counseling and internship placement help should be in your top ten requirements for an online degree program.

If you are already a LVN, consider a LVN to RN bridge program to prevent lost time reviewing basics.

In all States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license.

4) What schools offer LVN to RN bridge degree programs?

Online LVN to RN Bridge Programs

• Chamberlain College of Nursing – Take you education and career to the next level with Chamberlain College of Nursing’s online LVN/LPN to RN bridge program. Students can look at a sample curriculum online at Chamberlain’s Web site.
• The College Network Online – The College Network Online offers LVN to RN bridge programs through 10 universities. The network works with these colleges to allow students to earn college credit by passing credit-by-examination exams such as CLEP®, DSST®, and the Excelsior College® Examination. At the end of the program, students will earn an associate degree of science in nursing from Excelsior College.

On-Campus LVN to RN Bridge Programs

• San Joaquin Valley College – San Joaquin Valley College offers an accredited LVN to RN degree program in Visalia, California. Graduates will earn an associate’s degree in nursing and be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN certification test.
• Azusa Pacific University – Azusa Pacific University offers a LVN to RN and LVN to BSN bridge program at its main campus in Azusa, California. All LVN students must take Theories and Concepts in Professional Nursing prior to any other nursing course at APU.
• Chabot College – Chabot College offers training to current LVN/LPNs to be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN, the certification test for registered nurses. LVNs must be registered in California. The LVN to RN bridge program offers an associate’s degree in nursing, a non-degree option or a 30-unit option to put toward a bachelor’s degree program.

5) What types of careers and salaries are available to students with an associate’s degree in nursing (RNs)?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, registered nurses make a median salary of $57,280 as of May 2006. The top 10 percent of registered nurses brought home $83,440. The lowest paid 10 percent earned $40,250 for a year.

Registered nurses have many job opportunities. Nursing jobs will always be in high demand, particularly in hospital emergency rooms. Some other job prospects for RNs include home health care services, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, government nursing or medical jobs and employment services.

Employment rates for registered nurses is expected to grow by 23 percent until 2016. During 2006 to 2016, registered nurses are predicted to generate 587,000 new jobs – the highest of any career path reviewed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6) Resources for LVN to RN Nursing Students

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook – Licensed Vocational Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses: The handbook’s page on licensed vocational nursing. On this page, you’ll find employment rates statistics, pay scales for LVNs and other helpful information about the career.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook – Registered Nurses: All the information you need to know about training, employment and wages for registered nurses courtesy of the federal government.
• U.S. News and World Report’s Best Careers 2009: Registered Nurse: An article by U.S. News and World Report on one of the country’s fastest growing careers for 2009 – registered nursing.

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