LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Missouri
What initially drew you to the field of nursing for your career? If you’re like most nursing professionals, you were likely intrigued by the idea of dedicating your career to helping people and strengthening Missouri’s people and communities. Now that health care is becoming more and more accessible to Missouri residents, you have another chance to make a career choice that serves your state.
Many of Missouri’s communities have a growing need for registered nurses. Registered nurses can provide a range of services that make them a great hiring choice for clinics and hospitals. This push is so significant, in fact, that a local school recently received a $2 million grant to work with low income communities.
If you want to use your LPN status to push your career forward, learn more about the LPN to RN programs Missouri offers below.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Missouri?
Growth in the medical industry is happening so rapidly that many employers and clinics simply cannot keep up. This is true in rural, suburban, and urban areas of the state. Major employers are expanding their practices and building new clinics all over Missouri. Since so many clinics and hospitals are already understaffed, the nursing shortage has continued to grow in Missouri. Earning your registered nursing license makes you part of the solution to this problem.
After transitioning from LPN to RN, Missouri nurses may see a significant boost in income. O*Net reports that the average salary for a licensed practical nurse is $37,000 per year in Missouri. At $56,700 per year, the average salary for a registered nurse is almost $20,000 more per year (O*Net, 2014).
Curriculum of LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN Programs in Missouri
You may want to evaluate a number of LPN to RN programs in MO before choosing the right one for you. If you are currently working as a licensed practical nurse, your workplace may have relationships with local schools that allow you to take advantage of tuition reimbursement or financing options. In addition, some schools offer accelerated options that allow you to earn your ADN or BSN in less time by attending school during the summer.
You should also ensure that the school you choose has learning goals that are in line with your nursing philosophy. Learning outcomes may focus on crucial areas of nursing practice, such as patient safety, communication with peers, communication with patients, collaboration and teamwork, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care. These areas of focus are explored in great detail in your curriculum.
During your time as a registered nursing student, you may take many different nursing classes, including LPN to RN Transition, Evidence-Based Practice, Adult Nursing, Pharmacology for Nursing Professionals, Pediatric Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, and Fundamentals of the Registered Nursing Role. It is crucial to build your body of clinical experience. Your curriculum may require 300 or more hours of nursing work.
Quite a few local nursing associations and organizations offer scholarships to nurses who are returning to school. The Missouri League for Nursing funds several different grants.
If you are passionate about nursing and you want to use your skills to their full potential, this is the time to become a registered nurse. Contact LPN to RN programs in Missouri for more information.
