LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Maine
As a professional in the field of nursing, you have tons of different opportunities at your fingertips. Working as a licensed practical nurse gives you insight into different nursing specialties, career paths, and education options. If you have ever considered taking the next step and becoming a registered nurse, this could be the ideal time to check out your options.
Across Maine, the demand for nurses is growing very quickly. Since you already have experience and connections in the field, you may be able to adjust to your career faster than someone who is entirely new to nursing. Discover what you can learn in LPN to RN programs in Maine by contacting the schools below.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Maine?
It should come as no surprise that the field of health care is changing across Maine, with more and more employers trying to increase their nursing staff and make the most of each staff member’s scope of practice. In fact, many organizations and employers are offering more nursing scholarships to RN candidates. Taking this opportunity to further your education may help you secure your position in this field.
On top of that, you may enjoy a more extensive range of salaries as a nurse. LPNs in Maine claim an average salary of $42,300 per year (O*Net, 2014). Registered nurses earn a median income of $62,000 per year (O*Net, 2014).
Curriculum of LPN to BSN and LPN to ADN Programs in Maine
As you start looking into different ways to go from LPN to RN, Maine schools may give you different programs to choose from. The quickest option for most students is an Associate’s degree, which usually requires one additional year of study. If you would rather become a registered nurse with a Bachelor’s degree, anticipate three years of full-time education. With your LPN experience and your prior nursing training, you should find it fairly easy to transition into a registered nursing program.
Some of the courses you take are dependent on which degree you pick. For example, a Bachelor’s degree program includes more nursing specialty courses, in addition to classes in research and leadership. However, many of the general education and other nursing courses are the same. Classes that you may enroll in include Microbiology for Nursing, Fundamentals of Registered Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Adult Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing. With these courses, you can explore the theory of nursing for different populations and gain clinical experience with each population.
By the time you graduate, you need to prove that you can meet the learning outcomes of your program. You may be tested on your ability to think and act quickly in different situations, interact with patients and families, apply your understanding of nursing theory, and utilize standards of evidence-based care.
Once you have decided that you definitely want to return to school, you should start looking into financial aid options. The American Nurses Association of Maine awards scholarships of $250 to $500 each.
Are you ready to use your nursing experience to further improve care in Maine? If you are, get started by contacting LPN to RN programs in Maine.
