LVN to RN Bridge Programs
If you are a Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse and are interested in improving your salary and gaining new responsibilities, a LVN to RN bridge program is exactly what you’re looking for. Many LVNs jump directly into nursing school from their vocational programs.
Why Do I Want to Undertake this Course of Study?
Registered nurses are given more responsibility in the hospital setting. They care for many more kinds of patients than LVNs, and are often called on to provide specialized care while the work of the LVN is generally relegated to the general but essential practice of monitoring heart rates, drawing blood, etc. Becoming a registered nurse by enrolling in a LVN to RN course will offer you the opportunity to work more closely with doctors and patients in interesting and challenging situations.
Additionally, the transition pays for itself easily. While LVNs often earn around $30,000 a year, certified RNs very often start upwards of $40,000 and average out just above the $55,000 mark. Becoming an RN also affords you more opportunity to grow and advance your career, with specialist nurses in some cases making over $90,000 a year in a rewarding and challenging career. RNs also tend to receive better benefits, larger yearly pay raises and more opportunities for specialized training.
How do I Become an RN?
You can achieve this through LVN to RN programs around the country. Registered nurses require an associates or equivalent degree with a strong biology background, however LVNs can skip a lot of the rudimentary coursework through a bridge program, because they’ve already completed that training. While almost all major universities and many community colleges and schools offer RN programs, not all will offer an abridged program for LVNs, so its important to do a little homework before enrolling.
First and foremost, make sure you’re enrolling in an accredited bridge program that will be recognized nationwide. I would recommend using programs from a major accredited university for your studies, as these are best for bolstering your resume and you can rest assured in the quality of the courses. Additionally, more student aid is made available to public universities than to other degree programs, so it may be less expensive.
After that, you need to define your schedule. Most LVNs will already have a career, and completing an LVN to RN training program does not need to conflict with your current employer. Do you need a campus with night classes? Would you prefer to take courses online in your spare time? Or would you prefer a full-time study program? Look into local and online universities to determine your options, and choose the one that suits you. Fill out a FAFSA if you’re interested in student aid. Many transitional courses will last from eight months to a year, so plan your schedule ahead.
And yet the most important resource in your course to bridge the gap between RN and LVN is yourself – your dedication to your studies and how you use the resources around you to learn and grow. Remember – you’re halfway there already!