How to Earn a BSN Online if You’re an LPN

Nursing is a great career choice within a growing field, and beginning your nursing career as an LPN is the perfect way to serve in a hands-on role directly responsible for patient care. However, many LPNs have a long-term goal to become a Registered Nurse (RN) which provides them with more career options and potential nurse leadership roles. 

If you’re thinking of an RN career, the job outlook is extremely good. Employment growth for RNs is expected to grow by 6% through 2032 and an additional 177,400 jobs for RNs are estimated to be available nationwide during this time! 

In addition, LPNs who make the move to BSN/RN can expect a big salary increase. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of LPNs is $56,730 per year, while RNs earn an average of $86,070 each year. That’s over $26,000 more per year for RNs! RNs who have obtained a BSN degree will earn $4,000 - $9,000 more than RNs who have earned an ADN. 

Despite the great career outlook, the path from LPN to BSN can feel overwhelming when you’re working full time, raising a family, and trying to have a social life. Understanding what lies ahead and the steps you need to take to earn a BSN will help you reach your goal to become an RN. Keep reading to discover what it takes to move from an LPN to BSN online, including the options available to earn college credit in a way that fits your busy schedule. 

How do LPN to BSN bridge programs work?

There are multiple reasons you might want to advance your career as an BSN from an LPN. As a Registered Nurse, you'll get to provide more advanced care, you’ll have more career and specialty opportunities, you’ll be able to choose from a larger variety of work environments, and you'll also enjoy a higher salary. Not only are RNs in high demand, but many employers prefer to hire RNs who have completed a BSN degree. The Institute of Medicine recommends that 80% of the nurses on staff hold a BSN because their research shows higher education levels equate to better patient care. A report conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing showed that 72% of employers surveyed strongly preferred hiring BSN graduates and a full 28% of them required a BSN degree. 

Fortunately, there are options for advancing your career from an LPN to BSN online. One of the most common ways is through an LPN to BSN bridge program. Some LPN to BSN bridge programs offer you the ability to complete prerequisite courses and potentially even core nursing courses online.

The goal of LPN to BSN bridge programs is to provide you with more advanced education and prepare you to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which you must take to become a registered nurse. BSN programs also include additional leadership, research and community health education that is not found in most ADN programs. 

As a part of your program, you'll review subjects such as:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing leadership
• Mental health
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Health and Illness

You also need to consider whether you want to go to school full-time or part-time. Those who want to earn a degree quickly may prefer pursuing their degree full-time. However, if you need to work as an LPN while you attend nursing school, you may need to consider a BSN program that allows you to study part-time.

What are the requirements of LPN to BSN programs?

The requirements of LPN to BSN bridge programs vary, but each will require you to complete courses in nursing-related subjects, general education subjects, higher level leadership, community health, and research.

Entry into most BSN programs is competitive. Many require a minimum GPA, a high school diploma, a passing score on the TEAS test, and some nursing prerequisites.

You may be able to accelerate the path to your degree. In order to do this, you may be required to demonstrate practical skills or pass an exam to bypass those courses. Generally, you can expect to shorten the time frame only if you’ve successfully completed prerequisites. 

How long do LPN to BSN bridge programs take?

Getting your BSN usually requires four years of school. If you work while you’re earning your nursing degree, you can assume it may take up to twice that amount of time. However, you can accelerate the path to your degree by testing out of prerequisites through credit by exam. Earning credit by exam allows you to obtain credits for college courses by taking and passing one standardized exam that is equivalent to an end of course final. Rather than attending classes for an entire semester, you will prove you have mastered the subject matter by successfully passing one exam, and you earn the same college credits. 

How much do LPN to BSN bridge programs cost?

The amount you will spend on an LPN to BSN program will differ depending on what school you choose to attend and the program's total length. In general, you can expect to spend around $80,000 on a bachelor's degree in nursing, but financing options are likely available and this cost will likely be reduced if you are able to test out of courses using the credit by exam method. 

Achieve Test Prep offers supportive college prep services

If you're looking to move from an LPN to BSN online, Achieve Test Prep can help. We help busy nurses test out of college courses to save time, money, and stress. No matter where you are with your education today, our college prep services can support your goals without sacrificing work/life balance. Connect with our Education Advisors to build a personalized College Plan just for you, mapping out which college courses you can test out of and how to make progress toward your BSN / RN career goals.  

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