LPN to RN Bridge Programs in North Carolina
As a state, North Carolina has some of the most challenging health care problems in the United States. A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, and even worse, many of the state’s communities are located in remote areas that have little access to health care services. To address these problems and adjust to the Affordable Care Act, employers in North Carolina are striving to hire more registered nurses and provide patients with the evidence-based care they deserve. If you are ready for the next opportunity in your nursing career, contact LPN to RN programs in NC today.
Nursing education is a huge focus in the industry as a whole. Nurses with higher levels of education can take on more tasks, see more patients, and play a bigger role in health care. The growing number of nursing schools is proof of this phenomenon.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in North Carolina?
Making the commitment to a full-fledged nursing degree may seem like a huge step, but it comes with many advantages. The Gaston Gazette reports that nursing is one of the fastest-growing fields in North Carolina. People are switching industries entirely to get trained in this career path. As a licensed practical nurse, you have the experience and confidence needed to transition swiftly and easily into a registered nursing career. This may allow you to have a lot of control over the future of your career in years to come.
An added benefit of taking your education to the next level is the chance to increase your income. Currently, the average salary for a North Carolina LPN is $41,900 per year (O*Net, 2016). On the other hand, registered nurses earn an average of $58,900 per year (O*Net, 2016).
Curriculum of LPN to RN Programs in NC
When you return to school as a registered nursing student, you have to be ready to tackle a set of learning outcomes that prepare you for your new role in the nursing industry. Each school sets its own outcomes, but they tend to be very similar from program to program. By the time you graduate with an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree, you should be confident working in a number of nursing specialties, know how to take on a leadership position, communicate well with health care professionals at different levels, and apply critical thinking skills to the problems that come up in this industry.
Throughout your education, you should take a variety of clinical and theory courses that help you meet these goals. In addition, these classes get you ready to take the NCLEX-RN, the licensing exam for registered nurses in the United States. You may take classes like Medical-Surgical Nursing, Leadership and Management Concepts in Nursing, Human Development, Transition to Registered Nursing, Medical Terminology, and Nursing Care for Adults.
If you plan on maintaining the same employment throughout your degree, you may want to look into financial aid options provided by your employer. These may include grants and tuition assistance programs. Statewide organizations like the North Carolina Foundation for Nursing also fund a number of financial aid opportunities for returning students.
The patients of North Carolina rely on nursing professionals for much of their care. Increase your scope of practice with LPN to RN programs in North Carolina.
