Can you get your RN after a noncredit LPN program?

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Penn State University offers a noncredit LPN program. After you complete the program, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX. If you receive your LPN, can you still go for your RN if its a noncredit program? I would want to transfer in to another RN program since Penn State doesn't have an RN program in the area.

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Best bet - call the university directly and ask them. Then post here what you were told since there may be someone else with that same question.

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i was thinking about attending a non accredited school for lpn and i wondered the same thing. there is a school that does lpn to rn transitioning i think online too, but im not sure, and they are accredited by the nln. i emailed the program chair and asked the same question. he said as long as you hold a valid license, your good to go. i actually still have the email, let me put the quotes in...........

"for admission to our associates nursing program you simply have to have a current lpn license."

sincerely,

mark kelly

admissions counselor

1-888-647-2388, ext. 27

[email protected]

www.excelsior.edu

theres the information. i had contacted them back in october of 2009.

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I never found a credit lpn course........so i assumed, all lpns can go to rn, besides to get in rn you still need the pre reqs done (gen ed, a+p chem physicology etc) regardless of being a lpn or not.

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Specializes in LTC, peds, rehab, psych.

You can go to get your RN, but you will have to take prereq classes first, which will take about a year, then another year of nursing classes after that. So it will take you two years to get your RN ADN either way. If you do the LPN route first then you added an extra year most likely. However, I'm an LPN who is starting their prereqs for RN and I wouldn't trade all my LPN nursing experience for the world.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Many LPN programs have credits that are not transferable, but you can still earn your RN license as long as you complete prerequisite classes for the RN program at a local community college or state university that is accredited. I attended a private LVN program at a trade school where credits did not transfer and was still able to earn my RN license.

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When non accredited is stated. I am assuming, (I don't like to assume), that you mean that those credits are not accepted by state colleges. I think most if not all of those colleges are accredited by the board or other entities. In California, you can use your LVN/LPN license, regardless of where you went to school and get your ADN, with a step up program of 1 year after some pre req's. It is the license that counts not the credits. If you are going for your BSN then I don't know of any state school that will accept "non accredited," school credits.

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I am having the same problem in deciding what to do. I don't know whether to attend the community college for my ADN or to attend a non-accredited school for my lpn and then take online courses for ADN. I want to go the quickest route possible. I'm having a very difficult time in deciding which is the fastest and best way to go. Help!!!

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ya i'd also like more information on this... i know that csuf has an lvn to bsn program so i'm thinking of just doing that so i can have some experience under my proverbial belt.... I see all these happy grads turn sad due to them not getting hired for no experience... :( so i'm hoping this will not only "fast track" , for lack of a better word, but also give me a little edge...

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Some of you are talking about a "non-accredited" school. If your school is "non-accredited" you will not be able sit for the NCLEX-PN. "Non-'credit" school, I'm assuming you mean the credits are not transferable to a community college or university.

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@ hospice nurse lpn..

I personally, was referring to a non-credit LVN program such as the one's offered by local "adult school" and ROP places.

I was not interested in trade schools or anything like that.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Some of you are talking about a "non-accredited" school. If your school is "non-accredited" you will not be able sit for the NCLEX-PN.
This is not completely accurate.

State boards of nursing do not require accreditation for LPN programs. State boards of nursing will grant eligibility to take NCLEX-PN if the LPN program is approved to operate in that state. However, the program does not need to be accredited. Accreditation is an extra level that some practical nursing programs attain, but it is not necessary for obtaining licensure.

A nursing program only needs to be state-approved (not accredited) in order for the graduate to attain eligibility to sit for state boards and obtain a license.

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