LPN to BSN – Path of Advancement
LPN
to BSN: LPNs are some of the most valuable employees in any hospital, hospice, nursing home, private
clinic, or home health care setting, but their importance is often undervalued both in terms of credibility and
financial compensation. For LPNs seeking a way to advance in the workplace and earn more money and respect, one
of the greatest boosts to a nursing career is the completion of an LPN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in
Nursing) degree. This achievement can open doors to RN certification, greater recognition, and new nursing opportunities.
LPN vs. BSN – What’s the
Difference?
BSN and LPN
nurses may find work in the same hospitals and medical settings, but they have very different roles when it
comes to patient care and treatment.
Licensed
practical nurses (LPNs) work closely with patients, performing basic care, ensuring maximum patient comfort,
monitoring vital signs, and evaluating the results of treatments. They must work under the supervision of a
physician, nurse practitioner, and/or RN.
BSN nurses,
on the other hand, have a more active role in patient care and treatment decisions. Although they may perform
many of the same duties as an LPN, they have more independence and typically focus more on patient education and
wellness options. Completion of a BSN degree requires significant training and education, with the payoff of
more varied, challenging tasks and a more generous salary.
In addition
to earning more money than LPNs, BSN nurses also have the opportunity to advance to positions of authority
through avenues that are not open to LPNs, regardless of their levels of knowledge or experience. Last but not
least, a BSN opens the door to gaining registered nurse certification by taking the RN exam for
licensing.
LPN to BSN Bridge
Programs
For LPNs
interested in getting the necessary training to become a BSN, it may not be timely or cost-efficient to enroll
in a traditional 4-year bachelor of nursing program. Although some LPNs prefer to go this route in order to
receive the educational benefits of a full bachelor's degree program, those who wish to maintain a salary and
continue working during their higher studies are usually better suited to a shorter "bridge" program to make the
leap from LPN to BSN.
LPNs already
have a strong foundation of knowledge and experience, making it possible for them to achieve BSN certification
at a much quicker pace than someone who has never studied in the field. There are many Internet-based LPN to BSN
bridge programs with independent learning modules, which allow students to:
- Study
from any location with an Internet connection
- Set
their own pace of learning
- Eliminate dependence on professors’ teaching styles and other students’ learning
paces
LPN
to BSN bridge programs are ideal for licensed nurse practitioners who are already working in the field
and want to continue earning a salary while pursuing their BSN certification.
An additional reource if you are
considering the LPN to BSN path: Advancing Your Career
Other career path considerations:
LPN to RN
LPN to BSN
LPN to MSN
MA Medical
Assistant
MA to RN
NP Nurse Practitioner
Legal Nurse Consultant
Return to the Home page for more information on LPN to BSN & LPN
duties.
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