If you are already a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and are looking to upgrade you skills by getting a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, then the LPN-to-BSN programs are tailored for you. The LPN-to-BSN programs allow you to take exemptions for the material that you already studied in becoming an LPN.
If you want to further your nursing career this is the best step you can take because it also opens up the possibility to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) as well. If you want to take on more responsibilities as a healthcare practitioner or if you are interested in teaching nursing, a BSN is the way to go.
The curriculum of BSN is different than the course you did to become an LPN. Usually the LPN course consists of mostly practical skills and not that much theory. A BSN also has a lot of practical skill building but it contains the theory behind all the skills as well. In a BSN you will learn about: healthcare technologies, disease prevention, health promotion, and risk management. In addition to the practical skills you will also learn about the underlying science of healthcare: biology, biochemistry, and pathology. You will also learn a little about healthcare management.
The decision on which BSN degree program to apply for should not be taken lightly. For one, you want to make sure the school that you are looking at is approved by your state. All the schools listed on this site are, so you don’t have to worry about that. Second, you will want to request information from different schools in your state to see which one will fit your schedule and match you personality. This is important because you want to also grow as an individual in addition to learning all the material.
This is just the first step, after you get your BSN many new doors of opportunity will open up. You can become an RN, you can go for you MSN, you can go into management with a MBA-Healthcare, etc. Good luck.
