LPN to RN

Registered Nursing Shortages & Online Degrees

The United States is currently facing a shortage of Registered Nurses, which is predicted to peak in the year 2020. A February 2002 report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts Registered Nurses first on the list of top ten occupations with the largest projected job growth. This marks the first time in history that RN's have been in the #1 spot.

With a large portion of the RN population aging, a significant number of positions are opening up due to their retirements. Coupled with the increasing demand and need for RNs with the aging baby boomer generation, the situation is getting desperate. By 2012, the BLS estimates 1.1 million RN postions to be available.

To help deal with the shortage, recruitment for nursing programs has been stepped up. Additionally, many schools are now offering online nursing degree programs to help LPNs become Registered Nurses. While someone without nursing experience cannot complete an entire degree online (they still need to do some labs and praticals), LPNs are at an advantage and can most of the time complete their RN or BSN degree online in as little as two to three years.

Why should an LPN become an RN?

First of all, there is a much greater earning potential for RNs than for LPNs. LPNs traditionally start out at lower pay scales than RNs. The median salary for LPNs in 2002 was $31,440, with the top 10% making $44,040 or more, and the bottom 10% making less than $22,860. The median nursing salary for an RN is $48,090 (as of 2002, US DLS), with the top 10% making more than $69,670 a year. RNs can take a wide variety of positions, so their salaries can vary greatly.

The more skills and qualifications you have, the further you can advance your career. Some positions that you may be interested in are open only to RNs, and as an RN you will have more career options. Because RNs have a national licensure component, it is easier to get licensed in multiple states, and they are also heavily recruited for traveling nursing positions.

Many health care employers actively help their employees advance their nursing careers by providing generous tuition assistance plans, reimbursement plans, educational grants, and work repayment plans to help their nursing staff further their nursing education. It is a good idea to check with your employer, or prospective employer, to find out what kind of educational benefits they offer. If educational benefits are available to you, it would be silly not to take advantage of them.

Is an online degree program right for me?

In the past, many LPNs who expressed a desire to return to school to become an RN or BSN could not due to limited course openings, insufficient time, family obligations, and the need for an ongoing salary. Things have since changed, and as an LPN, you now have the option to complete a RN or BSN degree entirely online.

Online degree courses cover the same topics and coursework as traditional classes, but are offered at times convenient to you. This makes it easy to continue working as an LPN while working on your degree, and without a loss of income. You can work at your own pace from the comfort of your own home, whenever it is convenient for you.

A LPN to RN or LPN to BSN online degree is great way to take control of your future and give your career a boost.

Online Degrees for RNs! The College Network and Indiana State University have joined forces to help in nursing shortage of the US. By offering ways for students to become a registered nurse through online degree programs, they are providing students with a convenient method of attending an accredited college. Receive free information about the online LPN to RN or RN to BSN programs available from the College Network.