When do you get your RN in BSN programs?

You get your RN at the end of the BSN program and after you have taken the NCLEX. There is nothing that I've ever heard of for an LPN - BSN program, sorry.

I've learned there are no short cuts in nursing!

Good luck!

If you're in a program for your BSN, when would you actually get your RN and begin working?

After you pass the nclex test. To take the nclex, you have to graduate from a state approved nursing program.

Also, are there RN/BSN programs that would accept your LPN license as acceptance into the school? I know each school is different but has anyone ever heard of that?

No. Some schools have an LPN-BSN bridge program but you would still need to apply. The school still looks at your application and decides whether to accept you.

There is one program at Penn State that is a non-credit LPN program.

I've never heard of a non-credit LPN program. I'm very curious about it, do you have a link to information about it? I could find nothing about it on their website.

I was thinking of doing that to see if it would be easier to get in somewhere after I have my LPN license. Any advice?

I don't know how much difference it would make. Working as an LPN would help, I think, but you might check the job market before getting your LPN.

I don't think it would help you to aim for the LPN to BSN bridge programs instead of a standard BSN program. For one thing, there are few such programs and most seem to be ways of telling LPNs they can do a standard BSN program (rather than being different programs). Others look like different programs but wouldn't be much help to someone just getting into nursing... by the time you get to the point of applying to the school - you may as well have gone a standard route.