The profession of nursing encourages progression through continuing education. For licensed practical nurses, taking the next step means enrolling in a licensed practical nurse to registered nursing program to complete the requirements for an Associate Degree in Nursing. Registered nurses form the largest group of healthcare workers in the sector. They are dependable, trusted, and essential to the care and comfort of patients. They work in hospitals, long-term care, home care, and community clinics. A step towards the position of the registered nurse, involves an expansion of responsibilities to include the administration of medication, education of patients on disease prevention, and creation of patient care plans. Your actual duties will depend on the practice setting and employer.
The LPN to RN program is designed specifically for licensed practical nurses who will join the cohort of a registered nursing program at the second year and complete the requirements for a registered nursing degree in just 12 months. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX to carry the Registered Nurse credential.
Pikes Peak Community College
The LPN to RN Bridge program at Pikes Peak Community College is open to licensed practical nurses who want to prepare for a career as a registered nurse. Applicants to this route must have a current and active Colorado or Compact LPN license in good standing to be admitted as advanced standing students. LPN candidates join the program at the second year and complete the theory and practical components of the core nursing courses. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Admission is available in the fall or spring. The nursing program maintains a competitive admission process.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 70.5 (including transfer credits)
Duration: 2 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Human Pathophysiology, Math for Clinical Calculations, Transition from LPN to AND (Taken only after acceptance)
Core Courses – Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Arts and Humanities AAS or Social and Behavioral Sciences AAS
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the date and time of application
- Submit a completed Pikes Peak Community College Admission Form
- Request copies of official transcripts from all colleges attended to be sent to the records office at Pikes Peak
- View the Nursing Information Session video online and complete the Session Verification form to attach to the application packet
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum combined GPA of 2.5 – English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology
- Must have a current Colorado or Compact State LPN license
- Must have fully completed the first-year additional requisite courses before entry to the LPN Bridge Program – Pathophysiology, Math for Clinical Calculations (Test out of MAT 103
- Take the TEAS with an Adjusted Individual Score, Reading Score and Mathematics Score must be at or above the current national mean
- Apply for admission to the LPN to RN Bridge program
- Must have current BLS/CPR from the American Heart Association- Certification must be Health Care Provider Professional with hands-on training
- Provide proof of immunizations – TB skin, MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Flu, and COVID-19
Program Cost:
The nursing program costs $5,882.85 for resident students completing 24.5 credits. The cost of prerequisite courses is not included. Student must budget for CPR certification, watch with a second hand, stethoscope, criminal background check, drug screen, name pin, uniforms, gait belt, immunizations, ATI testing materials, and supplies. These cost approximately $2,057.
Website: https://www.ppcc.edu/
Address: 1850 Cypress Semi Drive, Colorado Springs 80921
Phone: (719) 502-3450
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.65%
Front Range Community College
The LPN to ADN program (advanced placement option) at Front Range Community College is open to students who are licensed practical nursing in Colorado and have worked at least six months full-time. They must be willing to transfer into the full-time AAS program after completing the NUR 1890 transition course. Students will transfer 50 credits into the program after evaluation of transcripts – 21 credits of block transfer credit from the previous LPN completion and 29 credits from general education courses. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as an RN.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 71.5 – including transfer credits
Duration: 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, English Composition, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Math for Clinical Calculations, Human Pathophysiology
Core Courses – Transition from LPN to ADN, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the date and time of application
- Apply for admission to Front Range Community College
- Take the placement tests through FRCC Testing Center or submit ACT/SAT scores
- Complete the prerequisite coursework with a letter grade of C or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0 – English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology
- Take and pass the HESI A2 entrance exam with a minimum cumulative score of 80% – subject areas are English Language and Math. The exam may only be taken twice is one year
- Must have a current Colorado LPN license
- Must have worked as a licensed practical nurse for a minimum of 6 months
- Submit a tie-breaker essay (optional)
- Complete the online LPN to RN Bridge Nursing Program Application within the application period
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $260.40 per credit for resident students. Students must cover the cost for TB test, immunizations, health insurance, background check, uniforms, textbooks, wristwatch, malpractice insurance, picture ID, stethoscope, AHA BLS course, and state board licensure exam fee.
Website: https://www.frontrange.edu/
Address: 3645 West 112th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80031
Phone: (303) 404-5000
Fax: (303) 466-1623
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%
Arapahoe Community College
Licensed practical nursing may apply for advanced placement in the registered nursing program at Arapahoe Community College and obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program covers theory and hands-on instruction in the core nursing courses which LPN students will begin in the second year of the program. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses upon completion of the program. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing (CSBON).
Program Outline
Semester credits: 71.5
Duration: 5 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, English Composition, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, General College Microbiology, Human Nutrition
Core Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Math for Clinical Calculations, Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Human Pathophysiology, Medical and Surgical Nursing Concepts, Maternal Child Nursing, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Arts and Humanities AAS or Social and Behavioral Sciences AAS
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the date and time of application
- Apply for admission to Arapahoe Community College and declare Pre-Nursing as major
- Must have a current LPN license with experience as a practical nurse
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C
- Apply for transfer of courses from higher institutions before applying to the nursing program
- Complete the Information Session Verification Document
- Take the HESI entrance exam and score a minimum of 70% in English Composition and Math. Subjects required include Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Math.
- Complete the ADN application online during the application window
- Submit a completed Employment Verification Form if health care employment is included in the application
- Complete the required immunizations, BLS certification, background check, and drug screen upon acceptance to the program
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $2,475.90 per semester for Colorado residents. Additional costs include books, fees and lab fees, liability insurance, testing fees, uniforms, immunizations, certifications, criminal background check, and random drug screens. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.arapahoe.edu/
Address: 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303.797.4222
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
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.