Which Nursing Program Should You Choose: LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN?
On the other hand, a registered nurse enjoys increased potential for career advancement and higher compensation. RNs, whether they hold a BSN or not, are in high demand. Registered nurses make up the largest health care occupation, with a quarter of a million jobs --and growing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, RN employment is expected to upsize 23% from 2006 to 2016, far more quickly than the national average for all other occupations.
Two popular educational tracks for ambitious LPNs are the online LPN-to-RN degree and the online LPN-to-BSN program. Both of these programs will allow you to apply for better-paid positions, enjoy increased status, and pursue more exciting challenges.
Are you unsure about which program fits in with your career ambitions and current lifestyle? Here are a few factors to keep in mind before making your decision.
Long-term vs. Short Term Benefits
There is an emerging national trend to require all registered nurses to hold a BSN. Therefore, going down the LPN-to-BSN path might be the most efficient and cost-effective option in the long term.
On the other hand, an LPN-to-BSN program will typically take you more time to complete. It may also cost more, although this depends on the amount of federal assistance and private scholarships you're able to secure. Some busy LPNs opt for the LPN-to-RN program and pursue their BSNs at a later time. Also, as an RN, you can take advantage of other degree tracks, such as an RN-to-MSN bridge program.
Financial Rewards
The median annual earnings of licensed practical nurses hovered at about $37,000 in May 2006, with the lowest-paid 10 percent of LPNs earning $10,000 less than the median. After graduating from an LPN-to-RN program, the better job opportunities usually result in a salary hike of about $25,000 per year. However, a BSN degree lets you apply for even more highly paid jobs, such as nurse practitioner or nurse administrator. And a BSN degree is the pre-requisite for advanced practice nursing specialties.
Nursing Specialty Requirements
As an LPN, you are basically a generalist. You cannot start to specialize until you have your RN or BSN degree. It's worthwhile thinking about what area you want to specialize in before you choose your degree program. Do you want to become a perianesthesia nurse, a perioperative nurse, a psychiatric-mental health nurse or a medical-surgical nurse? Do you want to go into advanced practice one day? The answers to these questions should influence your choice of degree.
Think about your long-term career goals, then look at typical job application requirements in your area to decide whether the LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN makes more sense for you. The requirements for various nursing specialties are different in different states, so if you're planning a move at some point, you'll want to read up on the differences.
As you can see, there's a lot to consider before choosing a degree program, but there's really no one better or worse path. For example, Linda and Brendan are both nurse managers who hold BSNs. Linda started out as an LPN and pursued an LPN-to-RN degree program, worked as an assistant nurse manager for 4 years while raising a family, and then earned her BSN degree online. Brendan also started out as an LPN, but chose to apply to an LPN-to-BSN program with an accelerated track.
Both Linda and Brendan are very pleased with the educational paths they chose--and they work alongside dozens of skilled nurses who each have a distinct tale to tell about their nursing career paths. There's never been a better time than the present to take the first step in advancing your nursing career prospects and an online LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN program provides working LPN's the perfect means to do it!
Request Free LPN to RN or LPN to BSN Program Information
Give your nursing career a jump start and increase your income potential by earning your accredited RN or BSN Degree online. There are dozens of exciting and lucrative job possibilities just waiting for you to take the plunge. Attaining your online nursing degree is easier than you think, and you can make the first step right now. Request additional information to speak with a program adviser:
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TopNursing Schools
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University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Online
- Phoenix
- Tucson
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- Killeen
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- Dallas
- Livermore
- Portage
- Palm Desert
Liberty University
Campus
We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.
Programs:- BS in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Lynchburg
Western Governors University
Campus
At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.
Programs:- B.S. in Nursing
- M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
- M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)
- San Francisco
South University Online
Campus
South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention. Enjoy the convenience of earning your bachelor's degree entirely online.
Programs:- Nursing (BSN)
- Savannah
Kaplan University
Campus
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs:- RN to BS in Nursing
- MS in Nursing
- RN to MS in Nursing
- Fort Lauderdale
The College Network
Online
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs:- LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
- Paramedic to RN
- LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
Anna Maria College
Online
Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.
Programs:- RN to BSN
University of St. Mary
Online
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Fort Lauderdale
Concorde
Campus
Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.
Programs:- Nursing - (AAS)
- Nursing - (AS)
- Vocational Nurse
- Kansas City
- Aurora
- San Diego
- Portland
- Arlington
- San Bernardino
- North Hollywood
- Garden Grove
- Tampa
- Orlando
Fortis Institute
Campus
Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Programs:- Accelerated BSN
- PN RN Associate Degree Bridge Program
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Largo
- Miami
- Nashville
- Dayton
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Indianapolis
- Tampa
- Cincinnati
- Pensacola
- Westerville
- Richmond
- Ravenna
- Erie
- Salt Lake City
- Scranton
- Phoenix
- Birmingham
- Smyrna
Grand Canyon University
Campus
Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health
- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
- Phoenix
Independence University
Campus
You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.
From associate's and bachelor's to master's degrees in health education and business, with Independence University you can achieve greater success through distance learning programs that suit your busy schedule, with experienced, student-oriented staff to assist you throughout your distance education.
- BS - Nursing
- MS - Nursing Administration
- Salt Lake City
American Sentinel University Online
Online
Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.
Programs:- RN to BS Nursing
- MS Nursing - Case Management
- MS Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Campus
Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Addison
