Earning Your LPN to RN Degree

The goal of an LPN to RN program is to prepare an aspiring RN for future careers in both the nursing field and beyond. For many nurses, being a licensed RN is not enough; they want to expand their knowledge and experience in order to gain the skills and abilities they need to become a Registered Nurse (R.N.) after they have earned a degree.

An LPN degree is generally a four-year bachelor’s degree that can be completed on a full-time schedule by working towards a master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) in less than three years.  An LPN is the level of nurse that begins basic training to become a registered nurse. In most states, an LPN will then take the RN to RN transition course (RN to CRNA) which is a refresher of all the nursing knowledge that is required for an RN to become a registered nurse.  LPN to RN degrees also offers an option to take up to two years of continuing education courses for nurses to further their nursing career.

An LPN has different duties than a nurse.  The LPN will oversee the daily operations of a medical facility, providing patient care while helping nurses focus on administrative tasks.  An LPN will perform nursing aids such as IVs, bandages, blood pressure monitors, and more. They are also responsible for keeping a list of patients who have returned to their facilities.  An LPN may also oversee lab work, patient records, and other administrative tasks that keep the hospital running smoothly.

If you wish to enter the nursing field as soon as you earn your LPN degree, there are numerous opportunities available.  Many hospitals and clinics will hire LPN to nurse staffing agencies in order to provide nurses to their facilities as needed. Other nursing jobs include visiting physicians and rehabilitation centers.

If you have a desire to further your nursing career but do not have the time or money to attend an LPN to RN school, there are other alternatives available to you.  One option is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, which will allow you to focus on LPN duties at a later date. After you earn your LPN degree, you may wish to complete an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), a four-year program that will help you obtain the skills and knowledge you need to become a registered nurse.

There are also Online LPN programs to choose from; this type of program will allow you to work at your own pace while studying as much or as little time as you need.  You will be able to take classes at your convenience while making progress toward your degree in the comfort of your home.

There are also LPN to Nursing schools that provide the LPN to the nursing programs and LPN to NP programs, both at local community colleges and through private colleges.  Online nursing schools allow you to complete these programs in the comfort of your own home, in your spare time, earning your degree while completing your schedule.

There are many other options available to LPN to RN graduates, including the Registered Nurse Practitioner (RN-NP) certification program that is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates an advanced level of skill and knowledge. The RN-NP is a great path to take if you would like to focus your career and advancement on an area of nursing beyond LPN.

Another option available to LPN to RN graduates is to pursue Master’s degrees in Nursing from accredited universities or community colleges that offer the LPN to RN program. These programs typically cover a range of topics including medical terminology, statistics, management theory, and research methodology, among others.

To advance your career as a Registered Nurse, you must meet requirements based upon your specific career goals.  This includes completing specific numbers of hours and passing a specific exam before you can apply for positions as LPNs.  The most commonly held LPN to RN jobs include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners (LPN), emergency room nurses, and family practice nurses.

Before applying for a position, you should be sure to check the requirements for that particular job, so that you can be sure you meet them.  If you are not sure what you want to do with your life as an LPN, the best path is usually to take a Bachelor’s degree first and then look into obtaining your LPN to RN certification later in your career.