LPN to RN Programs: Tips for Sorting Out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Becoming an RN is a great career move. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs make over $26,000 more per year than LPNs on average. Jobs for RNs are also on the rise. The BLS predicts that RN jobs will grow 6 percent (almost double the average job growth rate) through 2033, and this is expected to equate to 197,200 additional jobs! 

Thanks to modern online LPN to RN programs, you can get the nursing education you need to become an RN from wherever you are.

But you need to do your homework before beginning an LPN to RN program. Online LPN to RN programs can be a bit like used cars: some are a great deal and will get you where you want to go, but others will leave you broke and stranded. 

Choosing the right program is tremendously important, and we’re here to help you make the right call. Read on, and learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of online LPN to RN programs.

 The Good of Online LPN to RN Programs

• Online all the time
  By their very nature, online LPN to RN programs enable you to study and complete courses from anywhere that has internet access — no long commutes required.
• Make your own schedule
  Do your work and personal responsibilities make it impossible to squeeze in extra classes? Online programs can give you the freedom to complete your coursework in your own time frame, as it fits your schedule. Want to complete your coursework at 3am on a Sunday? No problem. Neither is noon Saturday, 6pm Wednesday, or any other time that works for you.
• Live instructors and virtual classrooms
  Some LPN to RN bridge programs (like the ones at Achieve) still offer virtual classroom sessions taught by live instructors. If your schedule permits, you can experience classes live and online with an instructor who is available to answer questions and give feedback real time.
• Less expensive than going to a traditional nursing school
  Many online LPN to RN bridge programs cost less than traditional campus-based programs — sometimes even thousands of dollars less.
• Faster completion
  Traditional nursing programs fill up, and it’s not unusual for you to get waitlisted. With online LPN to RN bridge programs, you can typically enroll and start courses within weeks — knocking out required prerequisites and general education courses while you wait to get into nursing classes. 

The Bad of Online LPN to RN Programs

• Often alone
  Online programs tend to offer far fewer opportunities for one-on-one consultation. It’s also much harder to meet up with fellow students at the library for a group study session.
• Self-motivation needed
  This is a big one. Traditional LPN to RN programs are structured and rigid. You have deadlines, assignments, test days and other people pushing you. Online LPN to RN programs offer a lot more freedom, but with great flexibility comes great responsibility. With no classes, no assignments or support from instructors It’s your job to set your deadlines—and then hit them.
• Lack of support
  Make sure that your online LPN to RN program provides personalized support and remediation programs for use in the event that you need it. Also ask the organization to provide their current student pass rates. Good programs can tout pass rates above 90 percent. (Achieve has a 93 percent pass rate!) 
• Hidden fees
  Beware of hidden costs that can actually raise your overall expenses. For example, many online LPN to RN programs tack on up to $600 per course in books alone. Look for programs that include books in the cost of tuition or tell you what the costs for books will be in advance. Be sure to inquire about a program’s additional fees before you enroll. 

The Ugly of Online LPN to RN Programs

There are some fantastic online LPN to RN programs out there. But there are also quite a few that sound great, but fail to prepare you for success. Be on the lookout for these situations:

• Lack of structure or support
  Freedom and flexibility are great, but some programs have so little structure and support that you’re left feeling aimless, under-prepared, and unsure how to move forward. Look for programs that will lay out a plan that you can follow to complete your education. 
• Tuition tie-down
  Some programs may force you to keep paying tuition even if you leave the program. Make sure you read the contract carefully before signing, and know what you are responsible for paying.
• Accreditation
  Worst of all, you may even complete your coursework, only to find that your program wasn’t what you were led to believe. Your program should be recognized by the State Board of Nursing or should provide credits that will transfer to accredited schools that are recognized.

Before choosing your program, make sure you understand the good, bad and ugly about online LPN to RN programs, so you can confidently select a nursing program that works for you. To get the most out of your virtual learning experience, look for organizations like Achieve Test Prep, where you’ll receive the structure and support needed to successfully begin an RN with the flexibility you need to continue working as a nurse.