LPN with a BS in exercise science, looking to further nursing education

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 8, 2012

I would start by finding how many LPN-RN or LPN-BSN programs there are in your area vs. online options. There are few options for LPNs in the online arena, but they do exist. A lot of people do Excelsior's program, which is primary test-out exams for nursing classes followed by a 2.5-day clinical exam, the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE). The CPNE can be a bit of a stress-fest, but it's doable (I did it). Excelsior grads do have some limits on licensure in some states, though, due to the nature of the program and a lack of clinicals concurrent with theory. Here are a couple of links:

Excelsior College | Program Details

State Board Requirements - excelsior.edu

There is also an LPN-BSN though Indiana State University: Indiana State University : Department of Baccalaureate Nursing Completion : LPN-BS. That program has online classwork and in-person clinicals, but also has some issues in certain states.

Those are the "biggies" that I know about (Excelsior I know about personally; I'm back with them for my MSN as well). If those don't work for you, you might consider going to a brick-and-mortar program to bridge from LPN to RN, then look at online RN-BSN bridge programs. There are tons of accredited online programs for RN-BSN. Congrats on your recent achievement, and for wanting to further your education! :)

sbearde7 · Dec 25, 2012

Thanks for the input! What is the cost of the excelsior program?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 26, 2012

If you download the nursing catalog from that first EC link, there are tools to help you estimate the program costs. It will depend on how many general education classes you have completed already, really. With your degree, you might only have to do the nursing portion.