Registered nursing programs that offer advanced placement or bridge options for licensed practical nurses to complete the requirements for a career as a registered nurse supports the health care system through the fast preparation of registered nurse professionals. Instead of the typical two years of preparation, practical nurses may receive credit for their prior education and experience and complete the registered nursing degree in just 12 to 18 months. Advanced standing requires LPNs to have a valid and unencumbered practical nursing license, which must be maintained throughout the program. They will also need to submit transcripts from an accredited practical nursing program. Since admission to registered nursing programs is generally competitive, admission for LPN candidates may be contingent on space availability.
ECPI University
Licensed practical nurses may enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at ECPI University and complete the requirements to become a registered nurse in as little as 18 months. LPN candidates must have completed an accredited practical nursing program and hold a current license to practice as an LPN in Virginia. The registered nursing curriculum builds on the foundational education and experience of the practical nurse so students will be prepared to function in the role of the registered nurse. Learning will take place in the classroom and in a simulation lab followed by real-world patient care experiences at several community health facilities. Graduates will be prepared to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. They will have a foundation for life-long personal and professional learning through the study of liberal arts and sciences, humanities, and nursing theory in the program. LPN candidates are admitted to the program based on space availability. Successful candidates must complete the LPN to RN Orientation course. Classes meet 4 to 5 days per week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or from 5:30 pm to 10:30 for the evening schedule.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 71
Duration: 18 1.5 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Anatomy & Physiology I w/Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology I with Terminology Lab, Anatomy & Physiology II with Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology II with Terminology Lab, College Composition, College Algebra, Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities, Introduction to Psychology, Freshman Orientation, Study Skills Support
Core Courses – Dosage Calculations for Professional Nursing, Pharmacology, Concepts of Nursing I, Concepts of Nursing II, Concepts of Nursing III, Pathophysiology, Mental Health Nursing. Maternal/Newborn Nursing, Parent Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Acute Care Nursing, Dimensions of Professional Nursing, Nursing Capstone
Admission criteria:
- Complete the entrance assessment exam – TEAS with minimum required scores. Reading: 85, Math: 51, English: 60, Science: 55
- Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 for high school or the last college attended (minimum 9 credits). Applicants with a GPA of less than 2.5 may qualify by completing a minimum of 6 additional credits of biological courses with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or greater in those courses
- Must provide official high school or GED transcripts as well as official college transcripts for completed college level course work
- Provide documentation of relevant work history in the medical field – LPN candidates must provide copy of current license
- Submit an Entrance Essay (1-2 pages max length) on one of the specified topics 1. Academic Integrity 2. The Art of Caring 3. Managing College/Life Balance
- Graduates of the ECPI University’s Practical Nursing program who hold a current and unencumbered Practical Nursing license may apply to the program without completing the above steps
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screen
- Must meet the minimal level of essential functional abilities
Program Cost:
Tuition and fees cost $9,900 per semester for full-time students. The cost of uniforms, supplies, drug screen, and background check must be covered by the student. ECPI provides students with access to the textbook at no additional cost.
Website: https://www.ecpi.edu/
Address: 5501 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462
Phone: 757-645-9258
Toll Free: 844-611-0713
Fax: 757-497-8493
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.16%
Bryant & Stratton College
The Nursing Associate Degree at Bryant & Stratton College is open to licensed practical nurses who will acquire a high-quality and contemporary nursing education o provide safe and effective entry-level care as registered nurses. The curriculum emphasizes classroom, lab, and clinical experiences to prepare students for the world of work and for life-long learning. Students will learn through computer-aided instruction, telecommunications technology, clinical simulation, and other technical learning strategies. Faculty will adhere to the program’s goal to promote clinical decision-making processes into the provision of nursing care. Students will complete the NCLEX-RN review course in preparation for the exam. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 72
Duration: 18 months
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Introduction to Information Literacy, Public Speaking and Rhetorical Persuasion, Research and Writing I, Research and Writing II, College Mathematics Quantitative Reasoning, Practices in Analytic Reasoning and Critical Thinking, Principles of Psychology
Core Courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Microbiology Applications, Pathophysiology, Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals, Lifespan Development and Nursing Practice, Family Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Pharmacology for Nurses, Geriatric and Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Nursing Issues, Leadership and Research, Nursing Internship
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed Application or eApplication for admission to the college
- Submit official US high school transcript indicating successful completion or official GED
- Complete a successful interview with the Nursing Program Director or designee
- Obtain college level placement scores on the English and Mathematics placement evaluations
- Applicants who have graduated from the Practical Nursing program at Bryant & Stratton College who hold a valid LPN license are exempt from the TEAS requirement
- Provide documentation of a recent physical exam and other lab test results including a drug screen
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screen as required by the clinical facility
Program Cost:
The base tuition rate is $9,450 per semester for the program. Students must also be prepared to cover the cost of books, supplies, uniforms, background check, and health requirements.
Website: https://www.bryantstratton.edu/
Address: 301 Centre Pointe Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-499-7900
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
Fortis College
Licensed practical nurses may apply for special entry into the Associate Degree Nursing program at FORTIS College. They are admitted with the provision of a current license to practice on a space availability basis only. The curriculum builds on their existing knowledge and skills and prepares them with the skills to practice as a registered nurse. Some of the coursework will be delivered online (about 50 percent) and the rest in the traditional on-campus format. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. The program is offered on a full-time schedule only. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm and from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday. Clinical rotations may be scheduled on any day, evening, or weekend and typically requires 12-hour shifts.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 106
Duration: 96 instructional weeks
Contact hours: 1500
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Biology, Microbiology, Introduction to Informatics, Effective Communication, English Composition, College Mathematics, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Foundations of Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Leadership and Management, Community Nursing Concepts, Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Practice Capstone, General Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, Sociology
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated high school graduate or have a GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission
- Must submit a completed applicant information form
- Must attend an interview with an admissions representative
- Licensed practical nurses applying to the program must have a current PN license to obtain exemption from the entrance exam requirement
- Must agree to and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Take and pass the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (A2) and sore 75 percent or higher on both the English Language Composite score of the A2 Exam and the Math Composite Score of the A2 Exam
- Must have two valid forms to state-issued identification
- Must submit a copy of a current American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider card
- Must sign the Allied Health and Nursing Programs Waiver
- Must submit to and pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Must meet the immunization requirements – hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Influenza, TST
Program Cost:
The program cost of $51,077 includes tuition, admission fee, reference books, student kit, computer, uniforms, textbooks, e-books, background check, drug test, and licensure exam.
Website: https://www.fortis.edu/
Address: 6300 Center Drive, Suite 100 Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 499-5447
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.31%
Tidewater Community College
Licensed practical nurses who wish to pursue further studies to become a registered nurse may do so through the LPN to RN bridge or Advanced Placement options at Tidewater Community College. Applicants to either of these tracks must have graduated from an accredited nursing program recognized by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Advanced placement will be awarded after successful completion of a standardized nursing test, collge-developed pharmacology calculation and dosage test, and a college-developed physical assessment competency evaluation and test. Upon successful completion of the requirements, students will be exempt from the first semester nursing curricular courses and awarded credit for these courses. A non-refundable fee is required to take the standardized test. For admission to the articulation track, students will begin coursework in the summer semester and take Healthcare Concepts for Transition and Health Promotion and Assessment courses. After completing these courses, students will move into the second year of program and receive credit for the first year. Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 64
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, College Composition I, Development Psychology, Orientation to Health Care
Core Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Nursing Concepts, Competencies for Nursing Practice, Professional Nursing Concepts, Health Promotion and Assessment, Introductory Microbiology, Health Care Participant, Health/Illness Concepts, Health Care Concepts I, Health Care Concepts II, Introduction to Psychology I, Advanced Professional Nursing Concepts, Complex Health Care Concepts, Nursing Capstone, Social Ethics
Admission criteria:
- Meet the requirements for admission to Tidewater Community College
- Must meet the prerequisites for the Beazley School of Nursing
- Science courses must be no greater than 6 years old at the time of entry to the nursing program
- Must attend a mandatory Nursing Information Session
- Complete college placement test for mathematics
- Complete BIO 141, Eng 111, MTH 154, PSY 230, and SDV 101 with a grade C or better
- Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA for courses in the nursing program’s curriculum of study
- Must have a current Virginia LPN license in good standing
- Take and pass the Nursing Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2) in the TCC testing center
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for courses in the nursing program’s curriculum of study
- Complete a Criminal History and Sex Offender Crimes Against Minors Background Check before beginning the program
- Meet the technical standards for nursing
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $185.35 per credit hour for Virginia residents. Additional costs include textbooks, uniforms, supplies, CPR certification, background check, physical exam, and fees. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.tcc.edu/
Address: 121 College Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: 757-822-1111
Toll-Free: 800-371-0898
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.12%