LPN to RN Online Programs in KS: Top Schools & Essential Details

If you’re a Kansas-based LPN interested in becoming an RN but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. LPN to RN bridge programs are uniquely designed to give LPNs the education, skills, and experience they need to further their careers and education. In this comprehensive guide to online LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas, we’ll cover specific programs, learning outcomes, delivery methods, salary potential, and more.

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Inside Look at Online LPN to RN Degrees in Kansas

LPN to RN bridge programs provide a simple path for practical nurses to further their careers. Essentially, they give you a way to use the courses you’ve already taken and apply them to an RN program. That’s why these programs are typically shorter than other pathways to becoming an RN.

When it comes to flexible options for RN training, there are online and hybrid programs available. Some programs allow you to take most of your courses online with minimal visits to campus while others require you to complete clinicals in your community but don’t require any campus visits.

Choosing the right program for you in Kansas involves looking at the prerequisites, cost, and class options for each school. Below we’ve provided a snapshot of some of the best LPN to RN bridge programs available in Kansas to give you a general idea of what makes a program great.

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson Community College offers an LPN to RN online bridge program accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Kansas Board of Nursing, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Unlike many other programs, the majority of this program’s coursework is offered online. The online format at Hutchinson Community College makes it one of the best options for current LPNs in Kansas. At the end of this program, students will earn an associates of applied science degree (AAS) and be prepared to work in hospitals, clinics, military bases, correctional facilities, and educational facilities.

Duration: Three semesters

Mode: Online

Cost: $5,547 for in-state students; $6,457 for out-of-state students

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current LPN license
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Intravenous (IV) therapy certified in Kansas
  • Pass the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum score of 58.7%
  • More than 1,000 hours of documented LPN work if graduation was more than three years ago

Curriculum:

  • Health Maintenance Promotion & Restoration
  • Care of the Family
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Complex Care of the Adult
  • Leadership and Management Concepts in Nursing
  • Role Transition: Student to the Professional Nurse

Neosho County Community College

For students looking for an affordable education, Neosho County Community College (NCCC) offers a hybrid LPN to RN bridge program. The cost of this program is the same for both in-state and out–of-state students. The hybrid bridge program offered at Neosho County Community College is accredited by the ACEN and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

This program is specifically for students who have completed their LPN training at another facility or completed their training at NCCC more than a year ago. Although certain classes, labs, and clinical learning experiences take place on campus, the bridge course is offered online.

Duration: Two years

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: $95 per credit forIn-state and out-of-state students

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current LPN license
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Pass medication calculation proficiency examination with a 95% or higher
  • Current IV certification
  • Completed Level I general education courses with a “C” or better
  • Completed Pathophysiology within seven years of applying with a grade of 80% or higher
  • Completion of nursing entrance exam and HESI Bridge Entrance Assessment

Curriculum:

  • Pathophysiology
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Practicum
  • Microbiology
  • Professional Nursing Concepts L2

Addressing FAQs About Online LPN to RN Programs

You may still have questions before you decide where — or whether — to apply to an LPN-RN bridge program in Kansas. In this section we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about topics such as duration, cost, and admission requirements for some of the programs in Kansas.

How long are LPN to RN bridge programs?

Most LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas can be completed in four semesters or approximately two years. The length of the program depends on whether you’ve completed pre-requisite courses prior to applying and whether you’re attending classes part or full-time.

Some bridge programs allow you to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) while others lead to a more extensive bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), which will also impact the length of the program.

What is the cost for LPN to RN bridge programs in Kansas?

Tuition can vary significantly between schools so it’s important to check each program before applying. We’ve given a few examples of tuition costs in the school spotlight section above but generally, tuition can range anywhere from $2,000-$20,000. Keep in mind that those numbers only cover tuition.

You may also need to factor in the cost of housing, transportation, textbooks, supplies, and other necessary equipment. If you’re concerned about paying for school, the good news is there are many online nursing programs with financial aid opportunities to help offset these costs.

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

The most important thing to look for in a nursing program is accreditation. Programs can be accredited at the national, school, and program level. If a program meets certain standards to receive accreditation, then it’s proof that a program is high-quality.

Another thing to look for is the faculty’s education and work experience. Your professors will play a key role in preparing you for your future as an RN because they will not only provide the necessary information you need but also help you establish professional relationships with hospitals and other health care facilities. Finally, looking at the published NCLEX exam pass rates can give you an idea of how well the program prepares students for their careers.

Do all LPN to RN programs have the same prerequisites?

Most bridge programs will have the same basic requirements for admission, but the prerequisite courses may differ. Most programs include prerequisite courses in medical terminology, general psychology, and English composition. Often, prerequisites for LPN to RN programs include passing certain courses that you might have already taken during your LPN training.

Although most schools require you to complete these prerequisites before applying, some allow you to work on prerequisite courses while you’re in the program. If you haven’t completed the prerequisite courses for most programs, it’s worth looking into LPN to RN online programs without prerequisites.

What are the learning outcomes in an LPN to RN program?

Students in Kansas LPN to RN bridge programs can expect to build on their previous medical training and experience. In a bridge program, students learn through a combination of classroom instruction, practicum experiences, simulations, and clinical work. You can expect to hone your communication skills and deepen your understanding of human anatomy and physiology.

The curriculum for each program differs slightly, but some of the most common courses include Microbiology, Pharmacology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Concepts of Nursing Practice for Adults and Children. There are a lot of differences in LPN vs RN responsibilities and training, so most bridge programs are designed to prepare you for the additional requirements.

Salary & Career Outlook: The Difference Between LPNs and RNs in Kansas

Now that you know the steps to go from LPN to RN, it’s important to look at the career possibilities after graduation. RNs in Kansas earn more than LPNs at all levels, showing a clear financial advantage to becoming an RN. At the 10th percentile, RNs earn $58,760, out-earning the median salary of $55,540 for LPNs. With experience or specialization, that number increases significantly; RNs at the 90th percentile earn $94,900.

Kansas has a 5% projected growth rate for RNs, which is close to the national average of 5.6%. For LPNs, the growth rate is 6%, which is slightly higher than the national average. Even though the growth rate for LPNs is higher, there are only 590 annual openings. Comparatively, there are 1,940 open jobs each year for RNs. Explore the data in the table below to learn more about what you can expect.

Occupation Area 10th Percentile Median 90th Percentile
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Kansas $42,200 $55,540 $66,860
Registered Nurses Kansas $58,760 $75,780 $94,900

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 Kansas 32,310 33,910 1,600 5.00% 1,940
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Kansas 7,000 7,420 420 6.00% 590

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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Amy Williams AUTHOR

"As an innovative freelance writer with over five years of experience, Amy Williams has created hundreds of articles on topics such as mental health, general wellness, and education. She has a passion for creating educational content that is relatable and authentic. Amy earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Florida in 2018. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a secondary educator for three years. She specializes in blending her background in education with her creative writing skills to create informative and engaging content for the readers at EduMed."

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