Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania: Top Schools
If you’re an LPN thinking about where you can go in your career, explore LPN to BSN bridge programs that can boost your skills and position you for job opportunities with higher pay. Take a look at schools that offer nursing degrees in Pennsylvania, and learn about admissions requirements, costs, and coursework.
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Inside Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
As a busy LPN or LVN, you may wonder how you’ll find the time to earn a bachelor’s degree, especially if you’re working full time. LPN to BSN programs are designed for nurses just like you, with the flexibility you need to earn your degree. Some hybrid programs offer asynchronous online courses so you can study on your schedule.
You will also be required to complete in-person work, with required campus visits to participate in laboratory experiences or clinical work at a healthcare facility.
Marywood University
Students in the LPN to BSN program offered by Marywood University learn from experienced nursing faculty, knowledgeable about the challenges nurses face. Simulation labs with state-of-the-art equipment are equipped with new technologies that provide the most realistic experience by mimicking what you can expect when providing real-world care. The lab includes patient mannequins and simulators that help students practice what they’ve learned in a safe setting, sharpening clinical decision-making and critical thinking skills.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: On campus
Cost: $815 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- At least a 3.0 overall grade point average in college coursework
- At least a C average in nursing classes
Curriculum: The coursework prepares LPNs to increase responsibilities with classes covering nursing care across the lifespan. Students learn how to work with children, adults, families, and communities to provide quality, evidence-based care.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania has an LPN to RN program that prepares students to work in various settings, including medical surgical, critical care, pediatric, mental health, and oncology nursing environments. The school, which boasts a 91 percent NCLEX-RN examination pass rate, gives students the knowledge and skills they need to build on their LPN experience. As a result, they’re equipped to make a smooth transition into registered nursing. In addition to classes that prepare you for increased responsibilities, the program provides the opportunity to compete clinicals at healthcare organizations, such as West Penn Hospital, Independence Health Westmoreland, St. Andrews Village, and Windber Hospital.
Duration: 48 months
Mode: On campus
Cost: $7,716 per year in-state; $11,200 per year out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- An LPN license
- At least a C grade in prerequisite classes
Curriculum: Students take classes about health assessments, as well as caring for children and adults; a maternal health course is required.
Wilson College
Wilson College’s LPN to BSN program focuses on strategies for practicing evidence-based nursing that are rooted in holistic principles and the healthcare ethics that guide the field. As a result, students learn how to address an individual’s needs and communicate effectively with patients and their families about their health issues. Students develop their skills through a combination of online and hands-on coursework. LPNs can take advantage of the school’s asynchronous classes that allow them to work at their own pace. After completing virtual classes, students are required to participate in 240 hours of clinical experiences over three semesters.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $475 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A current LPN license
- A minimum 65 score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Curriculum: Classes cover nursing leadership, research, and informatics, as well as different areas of care, including providing services to the chronically ill, child-rearing families, and medical-surgical patients. Students also learn about the trends in nursing that professionals need to know and how these developments should be addressed in the workplace.
FAQs for Pennsylvania LPN to BSN Online Students
Now that you’ve learned more about LPN to BSN programs, you may have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions that prospective bachelor’s degree students have about this education path.
Are hybrid and online LPN to BSN programs more affordable than campus-based programs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, hybrid and online programs can save you money. Some schools offer lower tuition rates for online students or courses. Paying for online LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania is sometimes more manageable, not because the classes are cheaper but because you can work while in school. Additionally, if remote courses allow for a faster graduation time, a nursing student can earn a higher income as an RN more quickly. There are also cost savings since you won’t need to live on or near campus or need to commute daily for on-campus classes.
What should I look for in an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?
When choosing among LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, first look for one that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pay close attention to a school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate; top schools typically have pass rates consistently above state and national averages. Also, consider the job placement rate for program graduates. Given the strong demand for RNs, this should be fairly high. If it’s unusually low, it could be a potential red flag.
Is financial aid available for my LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?
As a nursing student of a traditional or online LPN to BSN Pennsylvania program, you should be eligible for most forms of financial aid, such as student loans, grants, and scholarships. Make sure your program is accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, necessary to receive federal financial aid.
Some of the best types of financial aid include grants and scholarships, many funded by corporations and nonprofit organizations and available specifically to nursing students. Another great place to look is your school since some scholarships are only available to enrolled students. Marywood University offers a variety of scholarships.
Will earning my LPN to BSN degree online or through a hybrid program impact my ability to get licensed?
No. RN licensure in Pennsylvania requires you to graduate from a program that has been approved by the state’s nursing board. If a school has this approval, it can offer hybrid or online nursing courses, just as it can provide classes on campus. Remember that even if most of the classes are available online, there will be some in-person education requirements, such as labs and clinicals.
If you’ve met the education requirements, you can take the NCLEX exam, and if you pass, you can receive your RN license. Also, when you apply, you will need to pay a $70 permit fee, a $95 initial licensing fee, and successfully complete a background check.
Will employers care if I took some of my LPN to BSN classes online?
No. Employers recognize the value that online schools offer. Just make sure to complete your RN training from a program that’s been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the ACEN, the CCNE, or the NLN CNEA.
Employers understand that online nursing programs emphasize experiential learning, providing the practical skills you need during in-person clinical and lab courses that can’t be provided online.
Salary & Career Comparison: LPN vs. BSN
Pennsylvania offers a steady job market for nurses, especially those who earn their registered nursing credentials. The growth rate for registered nurses in Pennsylvania is estimated at 4.7 percent through 2032, which means there will be an additional 8,890 jobs added to the workforce annually. LPNs, on the other hand, will also see growth around the state, but less. In the coming years, these nurses will see a 6.2 percent boost in jobs — or 2,900 positions created each year.
In addition to more job opportunities, registered nurses in Pennsylvania can expect a higher wage than they earned as LPNs. While LPNs earn $58,800 per year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries jump to $87,530 annually for a registered nurse. Earnings are influenced by where you live in the state. In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area, LPNs make $63,870 per year and RNs earn $94,850. LPNs and RNs in Erie make $54,200 and $79,070, respectively.
If you’re considering working in another state, keep an eye on the average earnings of nurses around the country. The national average salary for registered nurses is $86,070 per year, and LPNs make $59,730. No matter where you work, the increased responsibilities and skills that come with earning an RN license can lead to more money, as well as more job opportunities.
