Online LPN to RN Programs: A New Route to Nursing

October 7th, 2009

With the advent of online education has come new programs that ease the process of many degree programs, cutting down years of class time and compressing them into one or two years to earn a degree.  Nursing degrees are no different, as bridge programs are now in effect that ease the transition from LPN, EMT, or paramedic towards earning your registration.  Earning a registered nursing degree can take up to six years for part-time students, but bridge programs have lessened the amount of time that you have to devote toward getting this degree.  These programs allow you to put credit from your LPN degree toward your future RN degree, thereby shortening the program length. 

For years, RNs have been forced to take the same routine classes and devote the same amount of time to nursing school.  However, online education has brought a new change to every type of degree program, allowing nursing students to take nursing classes from home up to their field work requirements.  This is no different for online LPN to RN programs, which cuts down the time by half that students would otherwise be required to take upon receiving their nursing degree.  The modern era has brought many different types of nurses to the health industry, and LPNs are one type that allows you as a student to get your foot into the water.  While you will not have as many responsibilities as a registered nurse and will not get paid as high a salary, you will be able to experience firsthand what the medical field is about.  As a result, this is becoming a more popular choice for students who are unsure of a future in nursing.

The days of Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton are over, as nurses must be knowledgeable on the most up-to-date technology, vaccines, and medical advances.  While patient care remains a high priority, technological advances are an important part of the education process.  Therefore, becoming an LPN before becoming an RN allows you as a student to understand the intricacies of modern medicine and patient care without taking on the responsibility from the onset.  Additionally, some online schools let you dismiss the fieldwork requirement after working as an LPN for several years.  The field work experience is an important part of the nursing degree, but LPNs are able to witness firsthand what being a nurse is all about.  While online LPN to RN degree programs are not the best match for every student, they have been able to increase the number of RNs in our health system, a statistic which will only help increase the competence of the medical industry. 

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