No Programs - Getting Frustrated

I'm no where near Louisiana but my school offers advanced placement in the BSN program for LPNs. Although, by "advanced placement," they really mean that you don't have to take two classed during the first semester but you're admitted with the rest of the cohort and it still takes 5 semesters of nursing school plus the 3-4 semesters of pre-reqs before even applying to NS.

I think you have to keep in mind that a bachelor's degree contains a fair number of general education units unrelated to nursing. English, math, liberal arts, social sciences, natural sciences, etc. Then you have nursing program specific pre-reqs like A&P, microbiology, developmental psychology, communication, chemistry, statistics, nutrition. I have a previous bachelor's degree and I had to take 3 semesters of nursing-specific pre-reqs plus 5 semesters of NS so an 8 semester LPN to BSN isn't too bad.

It sounds like a lot now but it goes by quick!

I'm currently enrolled in the LPN program, but I'm already planning ahead for my future. After I graduate and work for a year, I'd like to do an LPN to BSN bridge program. I've spoken with two of my teachers who did the bridge programs themselves years ago, but the programs are no longer offered at the schools they went to.

I cannot find any LPN to BSN bridge programs in my state (Louisiana), even though I'm told they're out there. Actually, let me rephrase that, I found one school. It's one of the Universities here. However, the program is 4 years long, 8 semesters. The same as the traditional BSN program!

Every other school here offers either an LPN to ADN (RN) program or an ADN (RN) to BSN program. But no LPN to BSN program.

That was my ultimate goal, so I'm starting to feel upset and a bit flustered. Are LPN to BSN bridge programs really that hard to come by everywhere, or does it happen to just be my state?

I really hate to do the LPN to ADN program, and THEN do an ADN to BSN program. Just seems like a long road to the same destination.

It seems to me that both the LPN-BSN and ADN-BSN are about the same length. Either way, you'll have years to complete the education. You're looking for shortcuts in a program which requires prerequisites and general education requirements, that takes time. In my state, I do not know of any LPN-BSN programs so I can't really offer an advice on that. We do have RN-BSN programs which is a different thing. You'd be the wiser to ask the school you're interested in what their requirements are for completing a LPN-BSN. Unless, anyone else here is familiar with that.

We offer it at my school but I believe it does go along with the traditional program which is 2 and half years long. Hopefully, you'll find something good luck!!

I don't think there are any LPN to BSN tracks in my state. I actually had never heard of that. LPN is actually not a college degree, it's more of a diploma program because you don't graduate with an Associates (the lowest actual college degree). You can do LPN to ADN in a bridge program that would cut out 1 semester (foundations) of the Nursing Classes, but you will still have to take the Gen Ed pre-reqs as well. Since admission to nursing programs has become so competitive, many colleges are requiring completion of the pre-reqs before admission to the program. When in doubt, I would call your state BON. I am sure they would be able to provide you with accurate information on accredited schools. Good luck!!!

I haven't heard of LPN to BSN programs other than the advertisements online; the schools that I've never heard of.

BSN transfer programs already require lots of pre-req classes that once LPN school did not require, so it is not surprising that it will take 4 or so years. ADN to BSN is always shorter, because ADN graduates already took many of those pre-reqs before ADN programs. Moreover, LPN is not a degree, so LPN to BSN would be almost like starting nursing all over. That's why it is going to take that long.

Note to OP - if you can get accepted into an LSU program - GO FOR IT!! Based on hiring experience of facilities in my company, their grads are top-notch. We love LSU grads, especially LSU-A. It may take a bit longer than you want, but the end result will be well worth it.