LPN to RN Online Programs in GA: Reviewing Top Degrees
If you’re an LPN in Georgia, becoming a registered nurse is one of the best ways to advance your career. And possibly the best way to get the education you need to become an RN is through an online LPN to RN program. Our guide will introduce you to Georgia’s many LPN to RN programs and help you find the right one. We’ll also tell you about what you’ll learn, the job outlook for RNs in the state, and much more.
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Spotlighting Georgia’s Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs
If you’re a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Georgia ready to advance your career, online LPN to RN bridge programs are a great way to become a registered nurse (RN) and get a bump in pay and responsibilities. Of course, nursing is a hands-on profession, so it should be no surprise that Georgia’s online LPN to RN bridge programs have in-person components. These usually include campus-based nursing classes, labs, and clinical rotations attended at healthcare facilities in the school’s local area.
It’s also important to note that very few LPN to RN programs in Georgia bill themselves entirely online. Nevertheless, you’ll discover in your search that many programs offer their required general education and possibly even some nursing courses either fully or partially online, including some delivered in an asynchronous format.
To provide you with a better understanding of how these programs incorporate distance learning into their curriculums, here are profiles of three current LPN to RN programs in Georgia that feature online components.
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PROGRAM: LPN to RN/BSN
We help thousands of LPNs/LVNs work towards achieving their Associate Degree in Nursing or RN. The Test-Out Bridge Program makes achieving your RN faster and affordable, and previous college credits will count toward your advanced degree.
Georgia State University
The LPN to BSN Bridge program at Georgia State University offers current practical nurses in the state a direct path to starting their RN careers with additional advanced training beyond an associate nursing degree program. 120 credits are needed to earn the BSN degree, including 18 articulation credits awarded for the didactic and clinical knowledge gained in the student’s LPN/LVN program.
Coursework is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online and face-to-face courses. In-person courses are attended on GSU’s Atlanta campus. Clinical rotations are completed with program-affiliated acute care and community-based agencies. The program begins once annually with the summer semester.
Duration: Six semesters (not including core curriculum prerequisites)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $306-$980/credit (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Graduation from Georgia Nursing Board-approved LPN or LVN program
- Current Georgia LPN license
- Evidence of nursing practice; current resume must be submitted
- One letter of professional reference from a current or past employer
- Minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA for general education and science courses
- Completion of all Georgia State University Core requirements areas A-E
- A minimum grade of C is required for all prerequisites.
- Minimum adjusted overall score of 63 and Reading and Math scores of 65 on the TEAS exam.
- Meet all health requirements upon acceptance
Curriculum:
- Bridges to Professional Nursing
- Pharmacology LPN-BSN
- Pathophysiology LPN-BSN
- Leadership/Policy LPN-BSN
- Psychiatric Nursing LPN-BSN
- Caring for Families and Communities LPN-BSN
- Health Assessment LPN-BSN
- Caring for Adult Populations LPN-BSN
- Caring for Childbearing Families
- Caring for Children and Adolescents
- Research Methods LPN-BSN
- Complex Health Care Problems LPN-BSN
- Senior Practicum LPN-BSN
- NCLEX Preparation
Perimeter College at Georgia State University
Perimeter College offers its Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program with an LPN to RN Bridge Track exclusively on its Clarkston campus. Students admitted into the LPN-RN Bridge Track complete 28 credits of nursing coursework attended on the Clarkston campus, beginning with a Bridge to Professional Nursing transition course in the summer term and continuing through the fall and spring semesters.
Students also complete 35 credits of general education prerequisites, all available 100% online in an asynchronous format. In addition to academic coursework, students participate in clinical rotations at program-affiliated healthcare facilities in Clarkston and the greater Atlanta area.
Duration: Two years (including prerequisite coursework)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost:$101-$391/credit (class and residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Unencumbered LPN license
- Eligibility for college-level English and math
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for required biology general education courses
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 for all other general education courses
- Passing TEAS exam score of 63 in the Adjusted Individual Total Score and 68 in Reading Mathematics
Curriculum:
- General Education Prerequisites
- Bridge to Professional Nursing
- Childbearing Concepts of Nursing
- Childrearing Concepts of Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Concepts
- Advanced Concepts of Nursing
Southern Regional Technical College
LPNs living in Georgia’s south-central and southwest regions can prepare for RN licensure through Southern Regional Technical College’s ASN LPN-RN Bridge program. The program has 72 total credits, including all prerequisite general education and bridge nursing coursework. Nursing courses are attended on weekdays on campus.
All required non-nursing and most general education courses can be completed online. Most classes are offered with online synchronous, asynchronous, and blended delivery options. Clinical rotations are attended in person at local medical facilities. The program is available on both SRTC’s Moultrie (fall program start) and Thomasville (spring program start) campuses.
Duration: Five semesters (including prerequisites)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $13,050.78 (total program cost, including tuition, fees, and books)
Admissions Requirements:
- Unencumbered LPN license
- Minimum of six months of in-field LPN work experience
- TEAS exam with a 64% average score over the four sections
- Completion of all prerequisite courses before starting nursing coursework
- Admission is competitive with student rankings based on academic performance.
Curriculum:
- General Education Prerequisites
- Introduction to Nursing Principles of Pharmacy
- Transition to Associate of Science in Nursing
- Life Transitions IV: Maternal/Child Nursing Care
- Life Transitions V: Medical Surgical II
- Life Transitions VI: Clinical Decision Making
Answering Student FAQs About LPN to RN Programs
The profiles above provide an excellent look at how specific online LPN to RN programs in Georgia work. However, you likely still have several questions about LPN to RN programs in general. To help, here are the answers to five of the most often asked questions by prospective LPN to RN students.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN program?
Affordability, study flexibility, and access to support services are all essential elements to look for. First and foremost, you’ll want to find the program that best prepares you to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain your RN license. Foundationally, that means a program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Another indication of a program’s effectiveness is its NCLEX-RN pass rate. You can check current state approval status and recent NCLEX-RN pass rates here. Accreditation status information is available using these ACEN and CCNE search engines.
What are the admissions requirements for Georgia’s LPN to RN bridge programs?
The admissions requirements for Georgia’s LPN to RN bridge programs vary somewhat from program to program. But you will likely find that any program you consider will include requirements similar to these:
- Current, unencumbered LPN license: In most cases, a Georgia LPN license.
- Prerequisite coursework: Typically in subjects like anatomy, biology, English, mathematics, physiology, and psychology.
- Preadmission testing: The two most common tests are the TEAS and the HESI Admission Assessment Exam.
- Requirements for participation in clinicals: Including a physical examination, CPR certification, and several vaccinations. Passing both a criminal background check and drug screening is also required.
What will I learn in my online Georgia LPN to RN bridge program?
The nursing coursework in Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs focuses on providing students with the knowledge and practical skills needed for competent practice as a registered nurse beyond those of practical nurses. The specifics are commonly spelled out in the form of end-of-program student learning outcomes (EOPSLOs), which you’ll typically find on LPN to RN program websites. A good example of EOPSLOs for an LPN to ADN program is Southern Regional Technical College.
How affordable are LPN to RN bridge programs?
Affordability is a key feature of LPN to RN bridge programs. This is particularly true of ADN programs offered by public two-year state and technical colleges. The cost figures quoted throughout this guide give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay for your LPN to RN education. Remember that most of these figures are for tuition only and do not include other program and school fees. You’ll additionally need to factor in the costs of such things as books, supplies, uniforms, etc.
It’s also beneficial to seek out financial aid opportunities, as they may significantly reduce your total program bill. Popular financial aid types include scholarships and grants, tuition reimbursement programs, and tuition installment plans, among others.
How long does an LPN to RN bridge program take to complete?
Program lengths for LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia vary somewhat due primarily to the credential awarded (ADN, BSN) and whether the program is full-time or part-time. Also, some programs allow more flexibility in completion times for prerequisite requirements. Nevertheless, you’ll find program lengths (including prerequisites) between 18 months and two years for LPN to ADN programs and two and four years for LPN to BSN programs.
Career & Salary Outlook for Georgia RNs
Now that you're familiar with the path from LPN to RN, it’s worth exploring what lies ahead in your career after you complete your training. At the 10th percentile, RNs in Georgia earn $63,450, which is higher than the median salary of $54,770 for LPNs. This makes even entry-level RN salaries competitive with mid-career LPNs. RNs also out-earn LPNs at the 90th percentile, topping out at $124,330. By comparison, LPNs at the same level only earn $69,220.
The job market for RNs in Georgia is projected to grow by 15.3%, much higher than the national average of 5.6%. Overall, Georgia is expected to add 12,510 new RN jobs in the future, while only 2,780 new LPN jobs are projected. This shows the clear high demand for RNs in Georgia. Take a look at the data below to get an idea of your potential future as an RN.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Georgia | $41,350 | $54,770 | $69,220 |
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | $63,450 | $83,620 | $124,330 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | 81,800 | 94,310 | 12,510 | 15.30% | 5,990 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Georgia | 23,160 | 25,940 | 2,780 | 12.00% | 2,130 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
