Best Online LPN to BSN Bridge Program???

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Hello, I have been an LPN about 3 years now and it's time for me to advance onto getting my RN/BSN...

My first question is... Does anyone have any advice either from their own experience, or experience of somekne they know as to what online LPN to BSN bridge program is the best? Secondly, do you think I should go straight for my LPN to BSN, instead of my LPN to RN first???

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You will not be able to find a 100% online LPN to RN bridge. You will still need to complete clinicals in person. It is possible that you may be able to complete the classroom portion online if there are programs that offer it. Your best bet would be to start looking at programs in your area.

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It depends on what your priorities are. I recommend LPN to BSN if you can. RN is great. But if you don't have a minimum of a BSN some doors just won't open as easy. If you never intend to leave clinical nursing you don't need to worry so much about that. If cost is a factor find a distance learning program offered by your state school system. There are a lot more than you think there are. The best bridge program is the one you get ACCEPTED into that is an ACCREDITED program. It used to be that if they weren't accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) there would be limitations on where you could work/get a license. Other accreditation programs have come along. The other main association is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. They run the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation program. Not all colleges of nursing will be accredited by both but the good ones will usually be accredited by one or the other.

If you can't get into a program run by your state then look for 4 year colleges from other states. Grand Canyon University of Arizona is an example of a decent one with reasonable out of state tuition fees. I am not knocking schools like Phoenix. They can deliver what you want. But, they will cost you a LOT more than going through your own state programs.

One of the other posters already mentioned that you will have to do clinical rotations. No matter how many years you have been an LPN/LVN it won't count as RN clinical training. So, just take a deep breath and do it. You will not be able to do those online. Some schools will arrange clinical locations for you. The 4 year ones are usually pretty good about that . But be sure that they aren't expecting you to set up your clinical locations and find your own RN preceptors.

I hope this is helpful. :p

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to Online/distance Learning forum.

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There are true LPN-RN bridge programs that do not require clinicals, but instead require proof of proficiency through exam. Excelsior College is all online except the clinical capstone exam at the end of the program (the CPNE).

Excelsior is accredited. From Excelsior College's Accreditation - Excelsior College - excelsior.edu, "The associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in nursing at Excelsior College are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The ACEN is a specialized accrediting agency for nursing recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)."

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Specializes in Admin.
There are true LPN-RN bridge programs that do not require clinicals, but instead require proof of proficiency through exam. Excelsior College is all online except the clinical capstone exam at the end of the program (the CPNE).

Excelsior is accredited. From Excelsior College's Accreditation - Excelsior College - excelsior.edu, "The associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in nursing at Excelsior College are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The ACEN is a specialized accrediting agency for nursing recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)."

Excelsior is not accepted in all states (CA for one) and you need to check their website and your State BON before enrolling. It is a financially reasonable and doable program - just do your homework.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Excelsior is not accepted in all states (CA for one) and you need to check their website and your State BON before enrolling. It is a financially reasonable and doable program - just do your homework.

Here is the information by state: State Board Requirements - Excelsior College - excelsior.edu

California and Alabama do not currently recognize the EC degree or RNs who obtained their RN through Excelsior, even if they continue for a BSN or MSN.

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Hello~ I am beginning my search for online LPN to RN programs, and am completely overwhelmed searching for the right school to begin with so any tips would be greatly appreciated! I have been working as an LPN for 2 years now in a private practice, I would like to continue working here afterwards, so I thought an online program would fit best for me. I am nervous in going the online route, as I have read to beware of online programs that will not endorse your license in your state. Please help!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Hello~ I am beginning my search for online LPN to RN programs, and am completely overwhelmed searching for the right school to begin with so any tips would be greatly appreciated! I have been working as an LPN for 2 years now in a private practice, I would like to continue working here afterwards, so I thought an online program would fit best for me. I am nervous in going the online route, as I have read to beware of online programs that will not endorse your license in your state. Please help!

Have you looked for weekend/evening programs in your area? That might work better. Online programs are going to typically have limited acceptibility in ALL states. ISU's LPN-BSN isn't accepted everywhere (I think only 31 states), neither is Excelsior (cannot currently be licensed in Alabama and California). In Georgia, as an Excelsior graduate who works in a private practice, you will likely have to do additional precepted hours. Allegany's program is only open to students in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Hutchinson's program would require you to go to Kansas.

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