LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Massachusetts
In the time you have spent as an LPN student and a working licensed practical nurse, you’ve likely come to realize the importance of experience when it comes to health care. The hours you spend in the classroom provide a great foundation for your career, but it’s not until you get out into the field that you really find out what it’s like to be a nurse. That’s why, as an LPN with experience, you could be a great asset to a local RN degree program.
If you look at news reports and industry statistics, there’s no doubt that Massachusetts nursing is changing. Local advocacy groups are pushing for stricter nurse to patient ratios, a law that would require employers to hire more registered nurses.
Learn about the opportunities available at LPN to RN Massachusetts schools by requesting information from the nursing schools listed below.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is an excellent state for LPNs who want to become registered nurses. There is a strong support and advocacy community for nurses in this state that you can benefit from. In addition, you may find that reaching the next level of licensure prepares you for more jobs and openings in your community. Whether you want to advance with your current employer or explore job openings with new health care employers, becoming an RN may help you reach that goal.
Given that registered nurses have a bigger scope of practice and more responsibilities than LPNs, salaries at the RN level tend to be significantly higher. In Massachusetts, LPNs bring in an average of $53,600 per year and RNs earn an average of $81,400 per year (O*Net, 2014).
Curriculum of LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN Programs in MA
With your LPN diploma and your active license, you are already well on your way to becoming a registered nurse and serving the patients of Massachusetts in new and exciting ways. You should anticipate completing between 30 and 90 credits, depending on which school and which program you decide on.
The time you spend in LPN to RN programs Massachusetts should be divided between general education courses and RN coursework. Your registered nursing classes are the most important, as they give you the theory and practice you need to prepare for the NCLEX-RN after graduation. This exam is required for licensure, so you definitely want to excel.
The classes you take are designed to broaden your understanding of the human body, teach you how to use nursing knowledge in a variety of settings, and build on your LPN experience to prepare you for the responsibilities you’ll take on as a registered nurse.
The classes you take in LPN to RN programs in Massachusetts may include Developmental Psychology, LPN to ADN Concepts, Pathophysiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Care for Children, and Nursing Care for Adults. Clinical experiences vary widely between schools, but generally speaking, you’ll spend several hundred hours in different clinical environments.
Make use of your LPN connections to find financial aid options for your continuing education. If you are a member of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, you may find financial help through the Massachusetts Nurses Foundation.
You could be just one year away from having the title of RN. Find out how you can get started by requesting information from LPN to RN programs in MA.
