LPN to ADN Bridge Programs
The Licensed Practical Nurses are professional who work in the field of health care. The LPNs are licensed to practice legally as health care service providers. The LPNs get lesser opportunities due to lack of the higher level of education. The LPNs can opt for the LPN to ADN Bridge program to make career advancement. The ADN's get lot more opportunities in healthcare in comparison to LPN's. An LPN to ADN Bridge program aids the students to complete the associate degree in nursing at a provides a feasible period of time. Once the students are done with the ADN, they become eligible to take the licensure examination for registered nurses, the NCLEX-RN.
The LPN to ADN Bridge program gives a foundation to the career of practicing LPN's in the field of health care. The program is also popular among the Registered Nurses (RNs) as the ADN provides them an opportunity to explore entry level nursing jobs. It technically takes two to three years to complete the program. The program is not only limited to nursing but also caters liberal arts. If the candidates are not interested to opt for the college based coursework, they may earn a certificate as licensed practical nurse (LPN). The demand for licensed practical nurses is likely to increase in the coming next few years. One of the biggest benefits to going for the LPN to ADN Bridge program is that it helps the nurses in long run. It opens the door for several opportunities in the healthcare field.
Duration and Admission Requirement of LPN to ADN Bridge Program
The students may choose any type of LPN to ADN Bridge program either part-time or full-time. The full-time bridge program may take 3 semesters or a year to last. The part-time program can be completed in 5 semesters or by two years. The duration of the program may vary from one institution to another. The bridge program duration can be shortened by the credits of the general education.
The LPNs who wish to advance in their career can opt the LPN to ADN program. The coursework is designed to lessen the total time taken for a regular LPN program. Also, you may not require quitting your job as the bridge program can be done part-time or you can also go for online LPN to ADN Bridge programs.
The basic eligibility requirements for the LPN to ADN Bridge programs are as follows:
- Should be graduate of an NLNAC/state-approved LPN program
- Active LPN license
- A minimum GPA of 2.5
- LPN Transcripts and records, to be sent to the LPN to ADN Bridge program school
- Complete general education requirements.
LPN to ADN Bridge Program Classes & Courses
The LPNs usually opt for additional courses at colleges while working as a practical nurse for making career advancement as a certified Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). The LPNs get a chance to receive RN status with ADN certification. The nurses who pursue their career as an LPN get tuition reimbursement from the employer for further studies. The LPNs registering for the ADN get their course length reduced to half. However, the ADN programs differ from one institution of another. The candidates learn following concepts during their program:
- Knowing perspective of individual, nursing profession, and health care system
- Learn regarding nutrition, interdisciplinary teams, assessment, medication administration, quality improvement, informatics, individual-centered care, and evidence-based practice
- Concepts of acid-base, cellular regulation, oxygenation, and metabolism
- health-wellness -illness paradigm, stress/coping, sanitary measures, and impacts of infection
- Caring interventions, systematic health goals, examining patient-caregiver communication
- Informatics, systematic safety information, informatics, and quality improvement cycles
- Examine cognition, look into roles in healthcare and wellness
- Understanding interdisciplinary team dynamic, assessment and ethics
- Realizing importance of exercise
- Taking feedback from nurses related to care
- Examine Workflow of nurses working in various medical settings
- Analyze aspects of clinical experience
What Does the LPN to ADN Bridge Program Teach?
The associate degree in nursing is offered by the majority of the community colleges located in the states. Some of them are four-year institutions. The purpose of the ADN program is to provide both theoretical classroom sessions along with the practical training. The coursework comprises of subjects such as anatomy, Biology, Physiology, and Nutrition.
During the practical sessions, the students spend their time enhancing the clinical nursing skills that are mandatory for the profile of ADN. The LPN program typically takes one or two years to complete and are offered by community colleges or technical schools. The LPN course complies of subjects like anatomy and Physiology, Basic nursing, emergency care, Obstetric nursing, nutrition, and Medical-surgical nursing.
Online LPN to ADN Bridge Programs Availability?
With the advancement of the technology, the way of imparting knowledge has also improved. The ADN programs are available online and students can take benefit of the programs through the internet. In this methodology, students can save a lot of time and they can attend online classroom session as per their preferred time. The online LPN to ADN Bridge programs are included with amazing options so that the LPNs who are too busy to take the offline classroom session can manage their time accordingly.
There are some selected schools in the U, S. that offer online LPN to ADN Bridge Program. The program can be found in vocational schools, community colleges, universities, and accredited nursing schools. The students are advised to check whether the LPN to ADN Bridge program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). In the online LPN to ADN Bridge program, the coursework is compiled of emails, live chats, and video simulations. The students can access the online database of the program 24/7. However, the facility of practicals can't happen as it requires working in a medical setting.
Advantages of Online LPN to ADN Bridge Program
The purpose of keeping the LPN to ADN Bridge distance learning program is to save the time of the prospective students and make learning more flexible. The distance learning is undoubtedly more efficient and fastest known method to earn a bridge program nursing degree. The bridge program is the best solution to someone who is working as an LPN and wants to become a registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelor's degree or earn a Master of Science in Nursing. The degree also opens various new uplevel opportunities as a registered nurse.
Pursuing the LPN to ADN Bridge program online, the students get direct access to professors and manage their time and schedule accordingly. They get access to various e-learning tools as well. They are not required to commute and can take the online classes after their work. Some programs offer synchronous and asynchronous methodology of classroom teaching. In the asynchronous system, the students can take classes on their own wherever needed while in the synchronous system, the students can take classes together with more students who are enrolled in the same program. Students can retake any classes and this way they can become RN in a hassle-free process.
Job Prospects For LPN to ADN Bridge Program Graduates
As per a notion, the LPN's who wish to use ADN bridge program take the ADN degree as a second option to open more opportunities in the healthcare field. The majority of working professionals don't want to opt full-time college program so they enroll themselves in the bridge program to save time and money. After getting the degree, the bridge program students get a good paying job in higher profiles. As per the US Department of Labor, the job opportunities for the nurses in the US is expected to grow by up to 20 percent in a decade. The median annual wage of registered nurses is approaching to $70000 and the ADN enjoy considerable incentives as well. The main reason for the growth of the opportunities is the lifestyle people and increasing risk of obesity and diabetes.
Other LPN Bridge Programs