Worth it? Bridging from a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) to Registered Nurse (RN)

Growing up, I always wanted to work in healthcare. I enjoyed studying science and learning about the anatomy and physiology of different body systems, especially the brain, and heart.

When my high school counselor asked me about my post-graduate plans, I confidently said nursing.

But after learning about the prerequisites, tuition fees, and admission process, I also discovered that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has a waitlist of up to several years.

I was overwhelmed with sad emotions because I was ready to start nursing school immediately. I did not want to wait two years and then study for four years to graduate. I already knew my career path, and I did not want to wait that long to make my goal happen.

Choosing the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) program

That is when I decided that the best decision would be to try to enroll in a two-year LPN program and see if I would enjoy it.

After I graduated and passed my LPN/LVN licensing exam, I earned good money as a Licensed Practical Nurse in my early twenties. The thought of pursuing my original goal to become a Registered Nurse (RN) never crossed my mind again for seven years.

When it did, deciding to go to school again was not an easy decision to make. For some, it may be, but for others like me, it involves more than deciding which school to attend.

I am not going to sugarcoat what I am about to say. Going back to school and bridging from LPN to RN is not easy.

It is full of challenges and late-night studying. You will have to be focused, organized, and committed. And you need to manage your time effectively, especially if you plan to continue working. Like any other time you do something outside your comfort zone, it will not be a walk in the park.

But I am not trying to discourage you. There are many advantages to going from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a Registered Nurse. I have, and it is rewarding.

Five reasons why it might be worth bridging from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a Registered Nurse

Professional and Personal Growth

Pursuing a BSN degree can lead to many opportunities for growth and transformation. Taking on this challenge allows you to build resilience and learn skills that can serve your personal and professional life.

LPNs are trained to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of RNs and physicians. They can administer medication, monitor patient vitals, and provide wound care. RNs have a wider scope of practice and can perform more advanced nursing interventions such as administering IV medications, performing physical assessments, developing care plans, and leading patient care teams.

RNs also have a higher level of responsibility in patient care than LPNs. RNs are responsible for developing and implementing care plans, monitoring patient outcomes, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers. They may also supervise LPNs, nursing assistants, and care aids.

Higher Income

A higher income as an RN enticed me to pursue further education. More income means more freedom–to travel, own a place, buy more things, and do extracurricular activities like yoga and jiu-jitsu.

Whether the chance to increase your take-home salary is the main reason you want to pursue further education, it doesn't hurt to have a couple extra hundred dollars in your pocket during this period of economic turmoil.

In British Columbia, Canada, the starting pay for an LPN is $28.43 and $36.23 for an RN, according to BCNU (2023)

In the United States, labor statistics reported in 2021 that the starting salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse is $23.11 and $37.31 for Registered Nurses. Please note that this can vary depending on which state you work in.

More Career Opportunities Beside Bedside Nursing

I happily worked as an LPN. I made good money and enjoyed my job. But after two years, I wanted to do more.

The scope of an LPN/LVN constantly evolves. But, LPNs are still limited when it comes to job opportunities. After graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it opened so many doors for me.

I had the opportunity to work in cardiac and medicine and eventually got promoted to nursing leadership roles. For example, I became a site leader in public health, being in charge of mass immunization campaigns and COVID testing during the height of the pandemic.

My experience working as an LPN and later as an RN also opened opportunities for me to work as a Forensic Nurse Examiner and now as a Nursing Instructor.

Bridging from LPN to RN can offer more autonomy and open doors to many opportunities in forensics, public health, research, policy, global health, faculty teaching, fertility clinics, medical aesthetics, travel nursing, coaching, mentorship, leadership, and management positions.

You can also start your own nursing business.

Flexible Hours

More career opportunities working in various settings such as hospitals, specialty clinics, and facilities means that your working hours are more flexible.

You can work on weekdays from 0800-1600 hours with weekends off. You can even take contract positions with travel nursing and have time off for months between jobs.

These can be excellent work options for moms and travelers or those seeking further education, like a Master's degree program.

Home study while working

Depending on where you live, there are a couple of options for LPN to RN bridge programs.

There are programs that are either in-class or online. Athabasca University, a distance education university in Canada, is a great example. A few of my friends have completed the program and had excellent experiences. The bridge-in nursing program at Athabasca is well-established, recognized worldwide, and accredited in the USA.

If you want to go back to school on your own time and the flexibility of distance education, you may want to consider a school like Athabasca University.

As a Nursing Coach and Mentor, students and nurses often come to me to help them make a decision of whether they should pursue further education.

There are many pros and cons to school, and many of them depend on your circumstances. Here is my advice: for whatever decision you make, trust that it is what is best for you at the time.

Be sure to read and research before making a decision. Seek out others that have done a similar program and already gone through the experience. Most importantly, prepare yourself financially, mentally, and emotionally if you pursue an LPN-RN bridging program.

Write down your short-term and long-term goals to help you make a decision. And if you decide not to, do know that the option is always available to you in the future. If you decide to, do not wait too long. Understand that feelings of fear and uncertainty are normal - it means you are going out of your comfort zone and will grow.

At the end of the day, only you know what is best for you. If you're looking for support, I would be happy to help.