LPN to RN: Advancing Your Career
Working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a rewarding and fulfilling career path for many.
One of the benefits of nursing as a career is the ability and flexibility it gives you to, in some senses, engineer your ideal job. You can seek more training or get right to work as soon as possible, specialize or remain open to various types of medicine and medical environments. One transition many choose to take is that of becoming a registered nurse (RN) after receiving licensure for and working as an LPN. Is that career advancement calling your name? If so, here’s what you need to know.
Additional Training and Education for LPN to RN
Schooling to become an LPN may typically last about a year, but in some programs, may take up to two. If you’re seeking the education and experience to sit for the RN NCLEX, you’ll need an associate of science degree in nursing.
In your LPN program, you likely learned about the basics of patient care and working in a medical environment. In LPN to RN bridge programs or ASN degree programs that prepare students for work as RNs, you should expect to delve deeper into anatomy and physiology, crisis care, general psychology, nurse leadership and management, medical terminology, microbiology, and more. Depending on the amount of training and education you have completed as an LPN, the bridge program may take one to two years, depending on your institution.
Why Go the Extra Mile for LPN to RN?
There is no specific need to change careers if working as an LPN is fulfilling. However, nurses often feel the urge to advance their careers, become more involved in patient care, and earn more over the course of their working years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse can earn nearly $25,000 more per year than a licensed practical nurse. Both positions report the same growth projection, yet BLS reports about 2 million more professional positions for RNs over LPNs.
To learn more about transitioning from LPN to RN to advance career opportunities, click here.
