LPN to RN Programs

If you are presently a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who would like to obtain a higher level of nursing education to become a registered nurse (RN) then a LPN to RN program may be right for you. Sometimes referred to as a LPN to RN bridge programs, this program can be taken online or it can be taken at a college of nursing in the real world.

This program is your ticket to obtaining a higher degree in nursing to practice as a registered nurse. Once a student nurse has graduated from a LPN to RN program she is then qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). All nursing graduates in the United States are required to take this examination and pass it if they wish to become registered nurses.

You may wonder if you should make the move from a LPN to a RN. While the decision is up to you and needs to fit in with the needs you have for your own life, this is an excellent time to train to become a registered nurse because the need for such professionals is great across the country. According to the Global Nursing Review Initiative in 2005, there is an average of 773 nurses for every 100,000 patients.

Employment opportunities will open up to you when you decide to take the LPN to RN program and work up the ladder occupationally. As well you can look forward to a higher annual salary and more benefits. Licensed practical nurses who are looking to advance in their careers in the medical and health care industry will find many new challenges and many new responsibilities in becoming registered nurses. However you will find that you will rise to these new challenges and welcome more and more of them! Not to mention the fact that RNs have a greater level of autonomy than LPNs do. They also assume a leadership role that is most welcome by many of these health care professionals.

You need to decide whether you wish to return to school full time and attend a brick and mortar post secondary institution or else to study part time through an online program. Some LPNs may have the option of working part time while they attend nursing school full time while others may able to cease work all together while they study. Still others due to financial reasons may need to continue to work full time while they are in school.

LPN to RN programs is offered by any number of schools across the country. There are also plenty of online schools that offer these programs. Still other schools such as the Chamberlain College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio offer a program that is a combination of the two- there is online training as well as online content delivery models