LPN to RN Bridge Program in Illinois
- The LPN to RN training program is essentially a college-level program designed to allow very experienced and knowledgeable licensed practical nurses to take on greater nursing responsibilities and tasks. The nurse must apply for admission to a program that has features for LPNs, such as allowing these nurses to take transition examinations or proficiency tests to verify that they are eligible for advanced admission and allowing them to skip courses they are proficient in. At the end of the program, the nurse will usually earn an associate degree; however, additional study will allow the nurse to earn a bachelor's degree instead.
- In general, all accredited programs are LPN to ADN (or BSN) programs, which qualify the graduate to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). During training, the nurses take college courses such as biology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, English and mathematics. In addition, nursing courses such as psychiatric nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology or family health nursing, are compulsory. When an LPN bridge course is a prerequisite to join an RN program, the nurse will learn additional cognitive skills, clinical knowledge, and critical thinking.
Nursing procedures taught include taking physical assessments, understanding fluid and electrolyte balance, and managing psychiatric and chronically ill patients. State-approved colleges that accept LPN students for RN programs include the College of DuPage, Richland Community College, Truman College and Kennedy-King College - The College of DuPage admits both LPNs and certified nursing assistants to the second year of its LPN to ADN bridge course if they have the prerequisites for the associate degree training. The student must first complete a specialized transitional program before they can apply for admission. This transition program teaches advanced nursing such as perinatal, medical/surgical, health promotion, disease prevention and skills such as intravenous therapy.
- The three to five semester "LPN bridge to ADN (RN eligible) program at Richland Community College allows LPNs to complete an associate of applied science degree (AAS) in nursing and enables them to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing test. This program accepts LPNs who have a current license holder or who have graduated from a state-accredited nursing program (and thus can be licensed later). These students are admitted directly into the program's third semester so long as they satisfy all admissions requirements and also attain a grade C or higher in the bridge course (NURS 203). They will then be awarded advanced placement credit for courses in psychiatric nursing and medical-surgical nursing. Nurses may take the course full- or part-time, and upon graduation can apply to take the NCLEX-RN.
- The AAS degree in nursing is offered as a two-year full-time program taught by faculty nurses holding a master's degree. LPNs wishing to be admitted directly must first pass a transition/bridge program, which is an introductory course in nursing procedures and documentation. Students acquire skills such as nursing diagnosis, inventions classification, and critical pathways knowledge. In addition, the student must complete general education courses and hold a current Illinois LPN license before they can start the program. Following this, the nurse may apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN.