Best Campus and Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Georgia

We’ve put together this guide to introduce you to the many LPN to RN programs available in Georgia today. Discover how to choose the right program for you, what you’ll learn in your LPN to RN program, what the job outlook looks like for new registered nurses in the state, and much more. Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn about quality Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs.

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The Best LPN to RN Programs in Georgia

As we said, there are tons of great LPN to RN bridge programs in GA to choose from. To help get you started in finding the right one, we’re spotlighting three of the very best. These fully accredited programs feature the affordability, flexibility, and student support you’ll need to succeed academically. They’re also all approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Keep reading to learn who stands out.

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Key Things You’ll Learn in a Georgia LPN to RN Bridge Program

The curricula of LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia are designed to accomplish three primary goals:

• Provide students with the academic coursework needed to meet the requirements for the NCLEX-RN exam and RN licensure.
• Provide the additional general education coursework required to earn an associate degree.
• Prepare students for competent practice as a registered nurse.

The nursing coursework in Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs, therefore, focuses on the knowledge and practical skills required of registered nurses above and beyond those of a practical nurse. The specifics are commonly spelled out in the form of end-of-program student learning outcomes (EOPSLOs) detailed by LPN to RN programs. Examples of EOPSLOs for Georgia bridge programs include these from Southeastern Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College.

For a closer look at what you’ll learn in your Georgia LPN to RN bridge program, here are descriptions of five courses similar to those offered at most schools:

Common Courses

Exploring Online LPN to RN Programs in Georgia

Nursing is a hands-on profession, so it should be no surprise that all LPN to RN bridge programs in GA include in-person components. Programs feature lab activities on campus and clinical rotations at healthcare facilities in the school’s local area. However, while you won’t find any LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia billing themselves as online, you’ll discover in your search that most programs offer many required general education and possibly even some nursing courses either fully or partially online. Examples include the five programs listed below.

To find out more about online learning in LPN to RN programs, visit EduMed’s guide to online LPN to RN programs.

Examples of Quality Online and Hybrid LPN to RN Programs in GA

• Albany State University: Primarily on-campus with the potential for some courses to follow a hybrid or fully online format.
• Dalton State College: First semester requires one day per week of on-campus attendance. Second and third semesters feature a combination of online academic coursework and in-person clinical/practicum rotations.
• Georgia Highlands College: Several nursing bridge and general education courses are offered in either a fully online or blended (partially online) format.
• West Georgia Technical College: Some prerequisite courses available fully or partially online. Some nursing bridge courses may include online components.
• Wiregrass Georgia Technical College: One nursing bridge course available fully online. Some general education and non-nursing occupational courses are offered in either a fully online or blended format.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPN to RN Programs in Georgia

How long does an LPN to RN bridge program take to complete?

The program lengths for LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia are remarkably similar, but you’ll discover some differences in the details. So, make sure you have a clear understanding of those details before you enroll. Most Georgia bridge programs feature a cohort format requiring students to complete their nursing bridge coursework according to a specific schedule. Most are three semesters long with fall and/or spring starts and may or may not include summer sessions. There are some exceptions, however, like the four-semester program at North Georgia Tech .

Students will also have to consider the time needed to complete all general education and any other courses required for admission into Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs. That time varies from student to student but typically requires the equivalent of two semesters of full-time study. A few bridge programs, like those at Columbus Technical College and Oconee Fall Line Technical College, offer curricula (five semesters and six semesters, respectively) that include all of the general education/prerequisite and nursing bridge coursework to earn the ADN degree.

What are the admissions requirements for LPN to RN bridge programs in GA?

As with program lengths, the admissions requirements for LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia are similar, but the specifics vary somewhat from program to program. Therefore, be sure you clearly understand the specific requirements of any program you’re interested in before you enroll. With that in mind, here’s a look at the requirements you’ll need to meet for admission into your Georgia LPN to RN bridge program:

• LPN licensure: A current, unencumbered LPN license (in most cases, a Georgia LPN license) is the foundational requirement for all bridge programs. You’ll need to maintain your LPN license throughout the entire course of your LPN to RN program.
• Prerequisite coursework: All LPN to RN programs require a substantial number of prerequisite courses in subjects such as biology, English, mathematics, and psychology.
• Preadmission testing: Most LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia require an entrance test. The two most common are the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (A2) and the TEAS exam.
• Requirements for participation in clinicals: Bridge students must meet a number of requirements including a physical examination, TB skin test, American Heart Association CPR certification, mandatory vaccinations, and up-to-date immunizations. Passing both a criminal background check and drug screening is also required.

How affordable are LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia?

You might be pleasantly surprised at the affordability of most LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia (at least compared with other degree programs). That’s mostly due to the fact that virtually all Georgia LPN to RN programs are offered by two-year state and technical colleges that feature particularly affordable tuition. To give you a better idea on what you might expect to pay for your bridge program, we’ve listed below the current tuition rates for three LPN to RN bridge programs in GA. Just remember that these are tuition rates only and don’t include additional program and school fees. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of items such as books, supplies, uniforms, and travel costs to and from campus for classes and healthcare facilities for clinical rotations.

What should I look for in an LPN to RN program in Georgia?

Affordability, study flexibility, and access to support services are all important benefits of Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs. First and foremost, though, you’ll want to find the program that best prepares you to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain your RN license. With that in mind, there are three fundamental factors to look for during your LPN to RN program search:

• Program approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
• Programmatic accreditation. The primary programmatic accreditor of associate degree in nursing programs (which includes LPN to RN programs) is the ACEN.
• High NCLEX-RN pass rates.

Check current program state approval status and recent NCLEX-RN pass rates on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s Approved Programs and NCLEX Information website. For current ACEN accreditation status, use ACEN’s Accredited Nursing Programs search engine.

LPN vs. RN in Georgia: Earnings and Job Demand Comparison

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.