How to Transition From LPN to RN

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are essential in the healthcare field. They handle basic medical tasks, such as monitoring vital signs. If you’re currently an LPN, however, you may be interested in taking the next step in your career to gain greater autonomy and a broader scope of responsibilities. You can build upon your healthcare experience by becoming a registered nurse (RN). When considering how to transition from LPN to RN, it’s first necessary to look at your current credentials.

If, for example, you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing credits, you may be eligible for the University of St. Thomas’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Our ABSN program in Houston can allow you to earn your nursing degree in as few as 12 months after completing any needed prerequisites. It’s a shorter pathway from LPN to RN.

Before taking the first step, you’ll want to do some research. Consider the differences between an LPN and RN, such as their responsibilities, and consider why switching to an RN career might make sense for you. Then, learn about the process of becoming a nurse.

What Is an LPN?

A licensed practical nurse works under the supervision of RNs and other healthcare providers. They provide basic nursing care, including:

• Assisting patients with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing and dressing
• Changing bandages
• Documenting patients’ concerns and maintaining health records
• Monitoring and recording patients’ vital signs

LPNs can work in varied healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities, and home health agencies.

To become an LPN, individuals must adhere to state requirements. These typically include completing a state-approved, non-degree education program and passing the NCLEX-PN to obtain an LPN license.

What Is an RN?

A registered nurse is a healthcare provider who can provide patients with a broad range of care. They serve as patient educators, advocates, and care coordinators. RNs also often offer emotional support to patients and their families.

Some of the typical daily tasks of an RN include:

• Administering medications and treatments
• Delivering patient education
• Developing or contributing to care plans
• Operating medical equipment
• Performing diagnostic tests
• Performing patient assessments
• Providing wound care
• Recording medical histories, symptoms, and observations
• Setting up IV lines

Tasks can vary by nursing specialty. RNs work in a wide range of specialties, from oncology nursing to public health and beyond.

To become an RN, one must earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN. Then, they can obtain a state-issued nursing license.

What Are the Differences Between LPN and RN?

Although both LPNs and RNs care for patients in healthcare settings, there are significant differences. RNs have a broader scope of responsibility and more autonomy than LPNs. For example, RNs can administer medications and make patient care decisions.

This is why RNs must meet higher educational and licensure standards. Whereas LPNs graduate from a non-degree education program and must pass the NCLEX-PN, RNs need a nursing degree and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN.

In addition, compared to LPNs, RNs can work in a broader range of settings and choose from various nursing specialties.

Why Go From LPN to RN?

You might decide to transition from LPN to RN for many reasons. If you’re feeling stuck in your career as an LPN, becoming an RN represents a natural career progression.

In addition, as an RN, you’ll have more opportunities for career advancement. For instance, after meeting additional career requirements, you might become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), nurse manager, nurse administrator, or nurse educator.

Another reason to make the switch is the earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPNs made a median annual salary of $62,340 as of May 2024. Comparatively, the median yearly salary for RNs as of May 2024 was $93,600.

Steps to Transition From LPN to RN

If you’ve decided that becoming an RN is right for you, look at how to transition from LPN to RN.

Research Your Options

To transition from LPN to RN, you’ll first need to consider your current credentials. If you don’t have any prior college credits, you’ll need to apply to a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

If you have a completed bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible for UST’s ABSN program. This accelerated nursing program allows you to go from LPN to RN more quickly, graduating in as few as 12 months after completing any needed prerequisites.

Apply to an ABSN Program

The first step in the admissions process is contacting an admissions advisor. At UST, you’ll be assigned a dedicated advisor to help you create a personalized application plan.

You may need to complete some prerequisite courses depending on your prior education. These courses will ensure you have the academic foundation to succeed in nursing school. You’ll also need to complete the HESI or TEAS admissions exam. Then, you can submit your application package, including official transcripts.

Earn Your BSN

UST offers three start dates each year, so you can get started soon after you’ve completed the prerequisites. Expect a full schedule of classes, labs, and clinicals, and be sure to set aside plenty of time for studying and NCLEX prep.

For greater convenience, UST offers online classes, which include interactive simulations, discussion forums, and proctored in-person exams. You’ll also complete in-person nursing labs at our ABSN learning sites in Shenandoah, Sugar Land, or our downtown Houston, Texas, campus. Nursing skills labs teach hands-on nursing skills, while nursing simulation labs allow you to develop appropriate nursing responses as you practice applying the nursing process.

The third component of our ABSN program is the clinical rotations. At nearby healthcare facilities, you’ll complete clinicals in nursing specialties such as adult health, mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics, and community health. You’ll gain hands-on experience working with patients as a future RN rather than an LPN.

Pass the NCLEX and Obtain a Nursing License

After earning your nursing degree, you can receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from the state nursing board. This allows you to sit for the NCLEX. Compared to the NCLEX-PN, you’ll find that the NCLEX-RN is broader in scope and focuses on more complex nursing concepts. Expect to apply critical thinking skills to the case studies, for which you’ll need to select the most appropriate nursing response.

After passing the licensure exam, you can receive your state-issued nursing license and apply for RN jobs.

Pursue a Career in Your Nursing Specialty

You may have developed an idea of which nursing specialties might suit you best during nursing clinicals and possibly during your prior experience as an LPN. Start looking for jobs in your chosen nursing specialty at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings in the Houston area.

If you can’t find a job in your chosen nursing specialty immediately, consider looking for opportunities in similar specialties. For example, emergency room and urgent care nursing are comparable, as are ICU and critical care nursing. After you gain clinical experience, consider pursuing a nursing certification relevant to your specialty.

Ready to Achieve the Next Level in Your Career?

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, UST can help you make a smooth transition. After completing the prerequisites and starting our ABSN program, you could earn your nursing degree in as few as 12 months and sit for the NCLEX shortly after graduation. Our ABSN program offers exceptional student support, with small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches who will work with you one-on-one.

Contact an admissions advisor today to find out if UST’s ABSN program could be right for you.