LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Alaska
You’ve gone through the hard work of becoming a licensed practical nurse and providing high-quality care to the people of Alaska. Your education in this area may also help you jump into the next stage of your nursing career. As a registered nurse in this state, you may be able to provide a greater variety of services and require less supervision.
Completing your Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and becoming a registered nurse may have a positive effect on your career. The Juneau Empire notes that Alaska’s hospitals have been working hard to retain registered nurses, due to the growing shortage. Find out more about LPN to RN programs in Alaska as Alaska’s health care needs continue to grow.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Alaska?
With greater education often comes greater income potential. Combine that with your valuable experience as a licensed practical nurse, and you may have huge head start when it comes to establishing yourself as a registered nurse.
Consider the difference in salaries for LPNs and RNs. O*Net reports that the average salary for a licensed practical nurse in Alaska is $54,200 per year. On the flip side, registered nurses in Alaska earn an average salary of $85,500 per year (O*Net, 2014).
A higher level of education may also allow you to contribute more to serious health issues in Alaska. For example, the experience you get in an RN program may help you address the fact that Alaska is number one in brain injuries.
Curriculum of LPN to BSN Programs in Alaska
Completing a registered nursing degree should be much easier for you as an LPN than for a new student. Since you already have the core nursing skills memorized, and perhaps even perfected due to your years of experience, you can quickly move on to general education courses and advanced nursing classes.
If you plan on earning your associate degree, you may need to earn between 30 and 40 credits. This generally takes about two years. If you want to find out more about Bachelor’s-level Alaska LPN to RN programs, you will likely need to complete about 90 credits.
The nursing courses you take at this level should expand your clinical experience and expand your scope of practice to a greater variety of nursing specialties and areas of study. In your curriculum, you may find courses like Psychiatric Nursing, Maternal/Newborn Nursing, Human Development Across the Lifespan, and Dimensions of Professional Nursing.
As a working LPN, you may keep working part-time or full-time through your education. This may help you keep your skills up-to-date for the NCLEX-RN. Upon completing your degree, you can register for this exam. Passing this exam allows you to become a registered nurse in the state of Alaska.
Make sure to use your professional connections to explore financial aid opportunities. One popular local resource is the Alaska Nurses Association, which funds scholarships for LPN to RN Alaska students.
Take your nursing career to the next level. Look at the list of schools below to learn about the LPN to RN programs Alaska has to offer.
