LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Pennsylvania
Nurses are some of the most important health care professionals in Pennsylvania. From comforting a nervous child or providing emergency care to caring for patients in the final stages of life, nurses directly impact the lives of millions of Pennsylvania citizens. If you love working as an LPN and you would like to take on more responsibilities as a nursing professional, becoming a registered nurse could be well worth your time.
The standards of nursing care are becoming more stringent all the time, which is why so many employers are requiring higher levels of education from their nursing staff. The results seem to be worth it—the latest nursing home survey showed that Pennsylvania improved on 10 of 11 care standards. Employers across Pennsylvania may soon be looking for similar results. If you are ready to expand your scope of practice, find out what you can learn in LPN to RN programs in Pennsylvania.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Pennsylvania?
As the Affordable Care Act Makes medical care more accessible for millions of Pennsylvania residents, you may see the number of care providers and care settings increase for many years to come. Many of these professionals and settings rely on registered nurses. A recently opened nursing home in Pennsylvania allows nurses to provide personalized, timely care to patients. With a registered nursing license, you could expand your employment options.
As an added benefit, you may find that earning your degree boosts your salary. Currently, LPNs in Pennsylvania earn an average salary of $43,100 per year (O*Net, 2014). To compare, registered nurses bring in an average of $65,100 per year (O*Net, 2014).
Curriculum of LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN Programs in PA
Before you can begin working as a registered nurse, you have to meet the educational requirements of the state of Pennsylvania. This means earning an Associate’s degree, which typically requires a one-year bridge program, or a Bachelor’s degree, which involves going through a three-year bridge program. Both are options to consider, although a Bachelor’s degree may prepare you for careers in additional medical specialties.
In addition to general education classes, bridge programs involve taking a wide variety of nursing courses. Some of the classes you may take to advance your education include Community and Population Health Nursing, Foundations of Nursing Practice, Health Promotion for the RN, Leadership Immersion, and Pathophysiology for Nurses. In many of these courses, you need to complete a clinical component. Clinical experience may take place at clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Utilize all of your nursing experience and contacts to learn about financial aid opportunities. The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania awards dozens of scholarships every year. Your place of employment may also have programs for nurses who are returning to school; keep in mind that accepting these awards often means that you need to commit to a specific term of employment after graduation.
The state of Pennsylvania could really benefit from your decision to become a registered nurse. Take the first step now by contacting LPN to RN programs in Pennsylvania.
