Today's Top LPN to BSN Bridge Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania needs more registered nurses. According to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, hospitals have a 27 percent vacancy rate for registered nurses who provide direct patient care. The same survey said one of the reasons for this shortage is not enough RN nursing program graduates. That’s great news if you’re a practical nurse who’s been thinking about making the jump to RN. Not only will it allow you to take on more responsibilities, you’ll have the opportunity for much higher pay and more job options.

One of the best ways to make the move is through an LPN to BSN bridge program in Pennsylvania, which prepares you for RN licensure and lets you earn your bachelor’s degree at the same time. These programs recognize your prior nursing education and training, saving you time and money compared to traditional degree paths.

Ready to learn more about what a Pennsylvania LPN to BSN program can do for your nursing career? Use this guide to find top-rated programs, get answers to common questions, and see exactly how much more you could make as a registered nurse with a BSN.

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Popular LPN-BSN Programs in Pennsylvania

As a prospective LPN to BSN nursing student in Pennsylvania, you have plenty of programs to choose from. We’ve featured some of the most popular programs in Pennsylvania below to give you an idea of what makes an LPN to BSN program appealing, and help you continue your search.

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FAQs About LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania

What will I learn in an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?

By completing an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania, you’ll build on the basic nursing and healthcare skills you already have. As an LPN, you check blood pressure and other basic vitals and document the data. As an RN, you’ll complete those tasks and learn how this information relates to your patient’s overall medical needs.

You’ll also take classes on nursing topics that help you learn to handle greater responsibility concerning patient care and increased leadership within your department or workplace. For instance, Wilson College’s BSN curriculum includes classes like Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Informatics, and Childbearing/Child Rearing Families. You’ll also learn how to complete more involved medical tests or assist doctors in these tests and deliver healthcare advice during the discharge process.

How long does it take to complete an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?

Most LPN to BSN programs require about 120 credits to graduate, which the typical full-time student completes in four years. However, LPN to BSN students can skip several pre-requisite and introductory nursing courses thanks to their prior LPN training. The number of courses and how they can skip them varies, though. For example, Waynesburg University students can earn credit by examination for seven courses. Depending on whether you have additional college transfer credits and how you choose to load up on classes each semester, this could shave a year off the time it normally takes to graduate.

How much do LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania cost?

The cost of Pennsylvania LPN to BSN programs is an important factor in deciding which school to attend. To give you an idea of how much your LPN to BSN bridge degree could cost, the tuition rates of three LPN to BSN programs are listed below. Keep in mind that financial aid awards, additional fees, and other costs have a major impact on how much your education costs.

What are the admission requirements for LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania?

Every Pennsylvania school and LPN to BSN program has its own admissions standards and requirements, but there are similarities in what they expect students to provide when applying. Standard application requirements include:

• Official high school and post-secondary transcripts
• Application for admission
• Application fee
• Proof of current LPN license
• Standardized test results. Some schools, like Wilson College, require TEAS test results.

Before beginning clinicals, students also need to pass the necessary criminal background checks, provide proof of health insurance, and submit medical records showing they are current with their vaccinations.

What should I look for in an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?

When choosing among LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, look for one that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN, NLN CNEA, or CCNE. Assuming those conditions have been met, also look at other program characteristics like NCLEX-RN passage rates since programs that do a better job training their students usually also have passage rates consistently above the state and national averages. Then, 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, as this accreditation is necessary to receive federal financial aid.

Some of the best types of financial aid include grants and scholarships. Many of these are available specifically to nursing students and are funded by corporations and nonprofit organizations. The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania are an example. Another great place to look is your school since they’ll often have scholarships only available to its students. Learn more about potential scholarships by checking out this nursing scholarship guide.

Inside Look at Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania

Fully accredited and approved online LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania are typically offered in blended or hybrid formats. Classroom instruction can usually be completed through distance learning, but part of the curriculum will include in-person clinicals. This practical training typically takes place at hospitals or other healthcare providers located close to the school’s campus. Other in-person curriculum requirements may include labs that students must complete on campus.

Because students also earn bachelor’s degrees, they need to complete some electives and general education classes. This means that even if all nursing courses are offered in person, there’s still a reasonable chance that some of the general education or non-nursing courses are available online. Check out this page on online LPN to BSN programs to find out more about how online learning works in nursing bridge programs.

Common Questions About Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania

How Do I Go from Being an LPN to a BSN Nurse in Pennsylvania?

There are several ways to become an RN in Pennsylvania. Most LPNs will use the initial licensure pathway. This requires them to do the following:

• Complete a nursing program that’s been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (PBON).
• Pass the NCLEX-RN.
• Complete three hours of child abuse reporting and recognition continuing education through a PBON-approved class.
• Complete an RN licensure application.
• Pay the licensure fee. For most graduates of LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, this is $95.
• Complete a state or FBI background check.

RNs in Pennsylvania must renew their licenses every two years. Renewal includes paying a $122 fee and completing 30 hours of continuing education, two of which must relate to child abuse recognition and reporting.

LPN to BSN Salary and Employment Trends in Pennsylvania

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% through 2032, which is only slightly lower than the national growth rate of 5.3%. RNs in Pennsylvania can expect to find more work in metro areas, particularly where large research hospitals are located, such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Registered nurses can expect a higher wage than they earned as LPNs. In Pennsylvania, LPNs can expect a median annual wage of $59,650, while RNs earn substantially more at $82,780. That income gap increases as a person progresses in their career, with LPNs in the 90th percentile making $72,270 and RNs earning a much higher $109,740. Keep in mind that these incomes are likely to be higher in metro areas, and some nurses who specialize in a particular area, such as oncology or pediatrics, can earn substantially more early in their careers. Learn more through the charts below.