| An LPN to RN bridge online degree program is an | | | | Ask yourself these questions: |
| educational program that a licensed practical nurse | | | | How will you be able to devote sufficient time to |
| can take to earn a higher degree in nursing. This | | | | learning, while functioning at work and participating in |
| degree qualifies the student nurse to take the | | | | your family's lives? Can you rely on your family's |
| National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The | | | | support to take on or rotate some of these |
| NCLEX is a required examination that all nursing | | | | domestic tasks with you? |
| graduates must take and pass to become a licensed | | | | Second step - inform the human resources |
| registered nurse in the US. | | | | department about your career plans. Their assistance |
| Is the move from LPN to RN a feasible career | | | | will help you several ways: |
| direction for you to take? Yes. There is a growing | | | | 1. Rescheduling work shifts. |
| scarcity of registered nurses. One that a World | | | | 2. Recommendations and guidance on hospital |
| Health Report- 2003 (WHO) acknowledged: "The | | | | supported programs, as many hospitals offer tuition |
| most critical issue facing health care systems is the | | | | reimbursements. |
| shortage of people who make them work". | | | | 3. Assist you in securing a position in your workplace, |
| In the USA today, statistics show that there is a | | | | for your clinical learning experiences. This is a |
| population on ratio of 773 nurses for around 100,000 | | | | requirement of both online and offline nursing |
| patients (The Global Nursing Review Initiative-2005). | | | | programs. |
| Clearly, there is a wealth of job opportunities for an | | | | Third step - do an engine search for the different |
| LPN looking for career advancement as an RN in the | | | | schools. Check out their programs. Submit your |
| health care industry. As an RN, you will gain better | | | | accomplishments to the accredited schools and then |
| autonomy. You will also be in the best position to | | | | compare which among these will give you the most |
| assume a leadership role and substantially increase | | | | credits to becoming an RN. Most virtual schools give |
| their ability to earn. | | | | 30 credits to licensed practical nurses. |
| Is there one particular LPN to RN bridge online nursing | | | | Last step - Once you have selected the program to |
| degree program that you should be looking to join? | | | | enroll in, use the school's resources. Most schools will |
| No - the one that works is a program you have | | | | assign you a guidance counselor to assist you with |
| designed for yourself. | | | | the application process, identify financial aid resources, |
| As an active LPN, you will be juggling a fulltime job | | | | and help you create a schedule that suits your work |
| while studying. The first step then is to evaluate your | | | | and personal schedules. This will help you on your |
| personal circumstances and your career goals. | | | | path to bridge the LPN to RN career path. |