LPN to RN Programs Philadelphia, PA

It’s not uncommon for aspiring nurses to choose licensed practical nursing as an entry point into the field of nursing. The training is fast and affordable and will get you on the team in just twelve months. As you practice in various settings, you’ll discover that LPNs function in a role that is very different to that of a registered nurse. A practical nurse works under the direction of a registered nurse or physician to take vitals, administer medications, and attend to patients’ physical and social needs. Registered nurses assess patients and create care plans, take medical histories, collect samples, and much more. They have a greater role in the management of patient care and need to use critical thinking and clinical judgment in their duties. If you’re looking to climb the career ladder, LPN-to-RN transition programs provide a fast track to completing the requirements for a registered nurse degree. Based on an evaluation of your prior educational coursework, you will receive advanced placement and complete the RN degree in less than two years.

Community College of Philadelphia

Licensed practical nurses may enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Community College of Philadelphia through the Advanced Placement Option. LPNs are admitted once per year in the fall semester after completing a non-credit transition course. The transition course is mandatory as it bridges the information between the role of the LPN and the RN. Students will receive credit for prior learning for Nursing 101. Theory and practical instruction prepare students for an entry-level staff nurse position in acute, long-term care, and community-based facilities. Theoretical courses will be conducted on campus and will go hand-in-hand with clinical lab experiences supervised by nursing faculty at various health care facilities in the community. The clinical, hands-on experiences help students as they apply the theoretical concepts in real-world situations. These sessions are based on availability and may be scheduled during the evening or weekend. Graduates will receive an Associate in Applied Science degree and will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 64
Duration: 3 semesters

Course titles:

Courses – Nursing II, The Research Paper, Intermediate Algebra, Microbiology, Computer Science, Nursing III, Intro to Sociology Nursing IV, Humanities Course, Statistics for Science

Admission criteria:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – CHEM 110, FNMT 118, BIOL 109, NUTR 111, ENGL 101
• Must submit a current, active LPN license in good standing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Must submit a transcript from LPN school
• Must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Must have completed at least one year of clinical courses with satisfactory performance
• Submit a letter of recommendation from the school
• Attend an information session
• Submit an application by the specified deadline
• Submit completed physical examination report including lab tests and immunizations
• Complete a criminal background check (Pennsylvania State Police and FBI) – a positive result will bar the student from admission to the nursing program
• Obtain Child Abuse Clearance
• Provide evidence of negative drug screen
• Have CPR certification – health care provider
• Have current health insurance and liability insurance
• Must have transport to the clinical site, uniforms, and supplies

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $2,684 per semester for Pennsylvania residents with a 13-credit load. Students must cover the costs for books, supplies, transport to the clinical site, uniforms, equipment, insurance, fees, and NCLEX-RN exam. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.

• Website: https://www.ccp.edu/
• Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
• Phone: 215-751-8000
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.40%

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

Licensed practical nurses can enroll in Associate Degree in Nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences through the advanced placement track. Candidates must have current, active licensure as an LPN and successfully complete an advanced placement assessment module to qualify for admission. This pathway lets LPNs complete the requirements for the ADN in just one year. The assessment module has a completion time of 6 weeks – beginning in May and ending in late June. It includes classroom and clinical work. Students who complete the module successfully will be exempted from NUR101, NUR102, NUR111, and NUR112 and will be able to bypass the first year of the program. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are offered to accommodate the needs of students who must manage work and study.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 67
Duration: 5 semesters (22 months)

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, English Composition, Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences

Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Concepts of Health and Illness I, Concepts of Health and Illness II, Health Assessment, Concepts of Pathophysiology, Microbiology, Concepts of Health and Illness III, Concepts of Health and Illness IV, Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Science, Concepts of Health and Illness V, Concepts of Health and Illness VI, Concepts of Health and Illness VII, Concepts of Health and Illness VIII, Concepts of Health and Illness IX, Transition to Practice, Introduction to Sociology

Admission criteria:

• Must have graduated from an approved high school or have a GED
• Obtain satisfactory scores on the SAT or ACT exam – a combined reading and math score of 1000 or greater is acceptable
• Submit official transcripts of LPN courses for evaluation
• Must have a GPA of 2.75 or above
• Must have a current, active licensure as an LPN in Pennsylvania
• Provide letters of recommendations from teachers and employers
• Must complete a satisfactory criminal background check
• Obtain a clear drug screen
• Must be able to meet the health requirements to participate in the clinical experience
• Must have current health and liability insurance

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $4,017 for students who complete the program in the normal time. The cost of supplies, textbooks, insurance, background clearance, drug screening, and equipment are not included.

• Website: https://www.pacollege.edu/
• Address: 850 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 US
• Phone: (800) 622-5443
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98.04%

Harrisburg Area Community College

The Nurse-LPN Transitional Track (LPN to RN) program at Harrisburg Area Community College gives candidates an advanced standing in the associate degree nursing program. Students will enter the traditional HACC clinical nursing sequence at NURS 142 and 143 and have the option to test out of NURS 150, 242, 243, 244. This pathway is open to persons who have graduated as a practical nurse or have a practical nursing licensure from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for licensure as a registered nurse. Acceptance is based on the availability of space.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 67
Duration: 3 semesters

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – English Composition I, English Composition II, Effective Speaking, Humanities and Arts Elective, Mathematics Elective, Science w/a Laboratory, Social & Behavioral Science Elective

Courses – Intro to Nursing Practice Concepts I, Intro to Nursing Practice Concepts II, Health Assessment Concepts for Nursing Practice, Fundamental Concepts for Nursing Practice, Holistic Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II, Adult Health Concepts for Nursing Practice I, Adult Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II, Family Health Concepts for Nursing Practice I, Family Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II, Advanced Behavioral Health Concepts for Nursing Practice, Complex Health Concepts for Nursing Practice, Leadership & Management Concepts for Nursing Practice

Admission criteria:

• Submit a completed application online
• Submit proof of high school completion or equivalency – a high school diploma, transcripts, or GED certificate
• Take and pass the TEAS exam with a score of 70 or higher
• Must have completed the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher
• Must submit an official transcript from the LPN program
• Must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Must have current immunizations or titers – annual TB testing, MMR, Tdap, Hepatitis B, and annual flu vaccine – Covid vaccination may be required
• Undergo annual Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, FBI Check, and State Police Criminal Record Check
• Must undergo a drug and alcohol screen annually at a specified lab
• Must have current Certification in Adult, Infant, and Child Healthcare Provider CPR – American Heart Association recommended
• Must have a current, active licensure as an LPN in Pennsylvania
• Provide letters of recommendations from teachers and employers

Program Cost:

Tuition and fees cost $3,378 per semester for sponsored Pennsylvania in-state residents students completing 15 credits. Additional costs for books, supplies, drug screen, background check, and uniforms must be covered by the student.

• Website: https://www.hacc.edu/
• Address: 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602
• Phone: 717-358-2880
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.63%

Harcum College

Licensed practical nurses seeking admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program at Harcum College may apply for advanced placement and complete the requirements for the degree in less than two years. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, and lab skills sessions on campus. Supervised clinical rotations run simultaneously with the accompanying nursing course and are conducted at various local health care facilities such as Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Main Line Health, and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. Clinical rotations may be scheduled in the evening or on weekends. Graduates will be prepared for success on the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 3 semesters

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, English Composition I, English Composition II, College Mathematics, Introductory Psychology, Human Development, Introduction to Sociology, Humanities Elective

Courses – Fundamentals Concepts of Nursing Practice, Nursing of Adults I, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing of Adults II, Maternal Child Nursing, Nursing of Adults III, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to Harcum College and submit the non-refundable application fee. There is no fee for online applications
• Submit documentation of completing high school or GED equivalency
• Submit transcripts of the LPN program indicating a minimum grade C on all courses
• Must demonstrate English proficiency – non-native English speakers must scores – TOEFL (87), IELTS (6.5), or DET (56) scores
• Submit a copy of a professional resume
• Must be in good physical health
• Complete the health and immunization requirements – including MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B, annual flu vaccine
• Provide proof of current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers with AED certification
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher
• Must have active health insurance
• Obtain Child Abuse History Clearance and Federal Certified Criminal Background Check
• Submit a satisfactory TB QuantiFERON test
• Obtain satisfactory results on 10-panel drug screen

Program Cost:

Full-time students pay $13,300 per semester for 12 to 18 credits. The cost does not include the books and fees. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.

• Website: https://www.harcum.edu/s/1044/bp20/home.aspx
• Address: 750 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3476
• Phone: 610-525-4100
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%