Nursing is the art of caring for others. The projected increase in jobs over the next decade shows that there’s no slowing down in the profession, which makes a great time to consider your future in nursing. There’s an abundance of jobs in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. However, more and more employers are requiring a registered nursing degree from nursing staff. As a licensed practical nurse, you’re half the way on the path to registered nursing. By enrolling in an LPN to RN bridge program, you can transfer up to 33 credits from an accredited practical nursing program and earn additional credits for your license and experience in practical nursing. In one year, you will be on your way to a new pathway; functioning as a registered nurse and improving your professional and financial stability as you provide compassionate and competent care to patients.
Arapahoe Community College
The PN to RN option offered at ACC allows licensed practical nurses who are licensed in Colorado to obtain Nursing AAS credit for the first two semesters of the nursing program and complete the AAS Nursing in three semesters without the duplication of coursework. The practical nurse will gain additional skills and knowledge to function in the role of the registered nurse. Applicants must complete all general education courses before applying to the program. Students will receive credit for CO State LPN license, NUR 1012, NUR 1006, and NUR 1050 after completing NUR 1089, NUR 2006, NUR 2011, and NUR 2012. The program admits up to 12 students in the Fall semester. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Units: 75.5 including transfer credits
Duration: 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, General College Microbiology, English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Human Pathophysiology, Dietary Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Math for Clinical Calculations
Core Courses – Transition from LPN to ADN, Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts, Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Maternal – Child Nursing, Advanced Concepts of M-S Nursing, Psychiatric – Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts M-S Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
Admission criteria:
- Must obtain admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Attend a Nursing AAS information session
- Must have a current LPN license in the State of Colorado
- Complete have completed 1000 hours of work experience as an LPN if it has been longer than three years since graduation from the PN program
- Submit an application to the PN to RN – accepted once a year
- An applicant who has failed two nursing courses within the last two years is ineligible to apply to the program
- Must have completed the prerequisite nursing courses with a grade C or better
- Must take a maternal/child/pediatrics exam to demonstrate PN knowledge to guide transition course content
- Provide proof of immunizations – Hepatitis B, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, TB test, Covid-19 and annual influenza
- Must provide proof of current health insurance
- Submit a copy of current CPR certification – BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Consent to drug screening
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $156.40 per credit or $2,346.00 per semester for 15 credit hours for Colorado residents with COF. Expenses for the entrance exam, background check, clinical supplies, screening, immunization, and CPR are not included.
Website: https://www.arapahoe.edu/
Address: 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303-797-4222
Email: admissions@arapahoe.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.76%
Denver College of Nursing
Practical nurses may apply for advanced standing or transfer credit in the Associate of Science in Nursing program at Denver College of Nursing to gain the skills, knowledge and abilities to practice in the role of a registered nurse. The program includes theoretical and practical experiences in the school’s modern lab and at clinical sites in the Denver area. There will be an emphasis on effective communication, decision-making, accountability in practice, coordination in care, and use in evidence-based research. PN applicants must have a valid, unencumbered nursing license a minimum grade of C or better on the general education requirements. Graduates will be prepared for success on the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 110
Duration: 4 quarters for students transferring all 24 GE credits
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology with Labs, Intro to Algebra, English Composition, Human Growth and Development
Core courses – Pathophysiology, Basic Nutrition, Basic Health Assessment (with Lab), Differentiated Practice, Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills (with Lab and Clinical), Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations (with Lab), Concepts of Gerontological Nursing, Basic Medical Surgical Concepts (with Clinical), Basic IV Therapy (with Lab), Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts (with Lab and Clinical), Nursing Concepts for the Multigenerational Childbearing Family, Childbearing Family and Children Clinical, Nursing Concepts of Children, Nursing Concepts in Mental Health (with Clinical), RN Leadership and Capstone Clinical
Admission criteria:
- Must be admitted to Denver College of Nursing
- PN applicants must have a valid, unencumbered license to practice
- Complete an admissions interview
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on the prerequisite courses. Must obtain a grade C or better
- Complete the prerequisite courses before the program start date – 17 credits
- Submit a typewritten personal statement addressing professional goals, healthcare experience, and volunteer experience
- Pass a criminal background check – must be completed 5 weeks before the program start date
- Obtain a clear drug screen before the start of class – may be repeated at the request of the clinical facility
- Complete the immunization requirements and the Fit for Practice form – Hepatitis B, TB test, Varicella, MMR, Varicella, and annual influenza
- Attend an admissions interview
- Must have CPR certification – Healthcare Provider CPR
Program Cost
Tuition costs $343.21 per quarter credit. Additional costs for books, uniforms, fees, kits, and assessment testing cost must be covered by the student.
Website: https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/
Address: 1401 19th Street, Denver, CO 80202
Toll-Free: 1 800 600 6604
Fax: 720 974 0290
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.71%
Front Range Community College
The LPN to ADN program at Front Range Community College is an advanced placement option for persons who are licensed practical nurses in Colorado. Licensed practical nurses who hold an unencumbered license in Colorado and have worked at least 6 months full-time are eligible for entry after successful completion of NUR 189. Theory and practical sessions will cover the provision of safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in various healthcare settings and for diverse populations across the lifespan, implementation of quality measures to improve patient care, nurturing of collaborative relationships with the patient, families, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team, use of critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make patient-centered decisions, and use of information management principles, techniques, and systems, and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, and support decision-making. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Admission to the program is competitive with additional application and requirements.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 74.5
Duration: 3 semesters
Course titles:
LPN transfer credit – English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, Dietary Nursing, Microbiology with Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Math for Clinical Calculations, Pathophysiology
Core courses – Transition from LPN to ADN, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Pharmacology II, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to FRCC
- Submit a completed application before the application deadline
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – ENG 121, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology – transcripts required
- Must have at least six months work experience as a licensed practical nurse – submit a current verification form with employer verifying number of work hours as an LPN (at least 1,000 hours minimum within the last five years)
- Complete an optional essay – used as a tie-breaker
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA or 3.0 on the prerequisite courses
- Complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation Form and have credits transferred before submitting an application to the nursing program – if courses were completed outside FRCC
- Take the HESI A-2 Entrance Exam and obtain a minimum cumulative score of 80. The subject areas are Reading Comprehension, Math, Biology, and Chemistry.
Program Cost
The rate of tuition is $260.40 per credit without COF for resident nursing students. Students must budget for textbooks, uniforms, admission exam, CPR certification, insurance, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.frontrange.edu/
- Address: 3645 W. 112th Ave. Westminster, CO 80031
- Phone: (303) 404-5000
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%
Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.