The Transition from A LPN to an RN

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The Transition from A LPN to an RN - By: Kris Koonar, Posted on: 2007-12-29

Nursing is a respected profession. Nurses have the opportunity to enjoy their work while caring for people as well as being patient, compassionate, honest and reliable and reassuring. In addition, there is a universal respect that nurses enjoy from everyone for their good deeds. Nursing has also becoming one of the best paying occupations in America.

LPNs have no trouble earning $35000 to $40000 a year. For registered nurses the wages are higher. In 2004, the income for registered nurses was $52000. There are however not enough nurses to fill up available nursing jobs. Some of the qualities required are the ability to act quickly and effectively in emergencies, ability to work independently in a team and deal with a variety of emotional expressions. In order to prepare for a nursing career one needs to be strong in math, science and English, develop good communication skills, speak and write well and be able to accept and give constructive feedback.

Most LPNs work for long hours to support their families and thus, they find it very difficult to return to college and obtain their RN degree without disturbing their current areas of concern. It becomes difficult for such LPNs to qualify because of their current incomes. To overcome this issue financial aide is sought.

Kapi'olani Community College, Farmingdale University, Golden West College in California are some of the colleges offering such programs for LPN RN Transition. In the last five years the New York State LPN-RN Articulation Model was developed. It focuses on various competency areas like professional behavior, collaboration and managing care units. Farmingdale State University was among the first to start such a program as well as the only one to start an online course. The program helps to update and enhance the student knowledge and begin the process of role transition and student placement in an RN program.

Some of the LPNs who want to return to the school to get an RN degree are finding it difficult to get through as the schools lack infrastructure. Online accredited schools are now available for these LPNs who find it hard to deal with the long hours for the course and those who cannot get through to the colleges because the college does not have instructors or classrooms. These online programs allow the students to have their own schedules, study at their convenience and arrange work and study according to their limitations. These online courses cost up to 50% less and students generally finish them faster than they would have at the campus.

Online courses also provide the students with greater access to their instructors via email, phone, and teleconferencing or by being online. The student has to be self disciplined and manage his schedules. The students can do their clinical locally in as less as 12 months. The Deaconess College of Nursing and the College Network are offering some accredited programs.

Students are describing the programs as truly transformational. The success of the program speaks a lot about the efforts that have facilitated transition from the Licensed Practical Nurses to Registered Nurses.

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