How to Transition from an LPN to a BSN
Transitioning from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) qualification to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) requires a nurse to enroll in a higher education program to earn a 4-year college degree. Since the LPN training is vocational, it does not provide the required amount of college education for LPNs to gain an advantage during BSN-level education. However, LPNs with significant nursing work experience may be granted advanced placement status, or be able to take tests that allow them to skip certain nursing courses. In addition, LPN-to-BSN "bridge," "career mobility" or "transition" programs are available to suitably experienced LPNs.
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Instructions
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How To Transition From an LPN to BSN
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Check that you satisfy all the entry requirements. This is the most important step because not all schools accept vocational nursing students, or will allow them to skip courses and enter advanced placement programs. Some schools may require the nurse to start with all other students in the first year of the 4-year program; however many schools will also consider a nurse who has either completed at least one or two years of LPN working experience, or has been trained as an LPN in a school recognized by the BSN degree-granting institution. Complete all required entry courses and make sure that your LPN license is current and valid at the time of application for enrollment. Find out if you are eligible for an accelerated LPN-to-BSN program, which will reduce the amount of time required to gain the degree.
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Contact a BSN admissions director and enroll in a program. Whether or not you satisfy the entry criteria for the program you are interested in, you must speak with the admissions director before applying for entry. In many cases, you may be able to convince the admissions committee that you have the nursing skills and knowledge to skip several classes, or take entry tests to prove this and gain advanced placement status. You must then submit all application forms and documentation (such as previous educational transcripts, diplomas, nursing licenses, vaccination certificates) before the application deadline.
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Complete all courses with at least the minimum grades for graduation. You must complete the prerequisite general and nursing education courses in the order specified by school. Four-year college programs will require that general education and nursing prerequisite subjects are finished before starting the actual nursing program. For example, college-level mathematics, chemistry, English, as well as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, psychology and nutrition must be achieved with satisfactory grades (usually "C" or above) before the student can commence courses in nursing. A nursing preceptorship is a compulsory part of all BSN programs and must be completed before the student will be allowed to graduate.
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