LPN to RN Online Programs Overview

LPN to RN online programs are great time savers, especially for those with years of experience as an LPN. Most courses given in LPN-to-RN programs may contain repetition of what you have been doing in real life. You can save a lot time doing the courses at your own pace online and avoid unnecessary classroom sitting. In online LPN to RN programs, all theoretical courses are given online. Clinical rotations are completed in a health facility approved by the state’s board of nursing. The regulation for clinical rotation varies from state to state.

The requirements for LPN to RN online programs are almost similar to the traditional programs, which are given in a campus setting. In order to get accepted in the online bridge program, you have to complete the following prerequisite courses first: Human Anatomy and Physiology, English Composition, Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Public Speaking, Microcomputer Literacy, General Microbiology and Pathophysiology. As always, the specifics of these pre-request courses may vary from one college to another. Most colleges require a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and above and 2.7 for general education courses.

Once you submit your application and have paid the application fee, all colleges will require you to take a basic academic skills test. You must pass this test in order to avoid taking additional basic courses. Usually, they will provide you with a study handbook to prepare for the test. Once you complete the test, you have to sit for an interview with one of the faculty members.

After you have completed all the above formalities and fulfilled the requirements, you will start your theoretical portion of your LPN to RN bridge program online with the help of special interactive software. For clinicals, which will be performed 4 to 5 days every month, you will be required to go to the facility.

The total cost for courses and expenses is around $4500.00.

In addition to the above, you also need a good computer to successfully run the interactive learning software. Your computer needs to have the following minimum hardware and software requirements:

• Processor: Pentium IV
• Memory: 512MB
• Operating system: windows XP SP2
• Modem (56kbs) or better internet connection device
• CR-ROM (in order to load course from CDs or install special software from CDs)
• Sound Card (you should also get small speakers or a set of headphones)
• XGA video adapter

In addition to the hardware requirements, you may also need to meet the following software requirements:

• Internet browser (it can be Internet Explorer, which comes with windows XP)
• QuickTime 6.5 or higher (you need this to play videos)
• Flash 7.0 or higher (you need this for some interactive learning software to work properly)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or higher
• RealPlayer 10.0 or higher
• Java (it’s good to have the latest version. This one also required to run interactive software)