Warning: Undefined array key "random_ads_start_direction" in /home/u271425115/domains/healthcarecareersguide.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/ad-injection/ad-injection.php on line 1087
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/u271425115/domains/healthcarecareersguide.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123
If you are a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who now wants to further your education and career by becoming a registered nurse (RN), you have a few options open to you. One of them being and LPN to ADN course.
What Is An ADN And Why Do It?
ADN stands for Associate Degree in Nursing, and it is very similar to an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS), and an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). The duration of the degree is usually a two years and is offered by community colleges or similar nursing schools.
The program will focus on the fundamentals of nursing with a strong emphasis being placed on liberal arts and technical skill rather than nursing theory. In other words, you will be prepared for nursing staff positions in hospitals.
Upon completing and passing the degree, you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Your ADN course will prepare you for this exam with information on, and assistance of, test strategies and the formatting of the actual test questions. Once you pass this exam, you will have a license to practice as an RN. This is similar for someone who has completed a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN); both ADNs and BSNs are entry levels of licensing for RNs.
Differences between an ADN and BSN:
- As previously mentioned, ADN degrees are typically offered at community colleges and usually takes two years of full-time study, whereas a BSN degree is usually offered by a university and takes four years to complete.
- ADN courses or programs focus more on clinical experience; in addition to this, BSN programs also focus more on disease states, human development and psychology, as well as critical thinking.
- Depending on which state you will be working in, BSN and ADN trained nurses may be paid the same hourly rate, otherwise you will find that in some states BSNs are paid only slightly higher than their ADN counterparts.
With the above mentioned point in mind, you will find that although they may be paid the same, BSN nurses will have more options available to them in the form of managerial and other authoritative positions. This is where you will find that BSNs could be more inclined for promotions, and therefore, higher pay.
If you find that you do not have enough room for growth in your current ADN position, you could complete an RN to BSN degree in order to obtain your bachelor’s degree. In order to apply for this program you will need to gain some work experience fist. Some universities will require you to have worked as a nurse for a specific amount of hours, or it could be a specific amount of years; this will depend entirely on the university you choose and the state in which it is. This will be done through nursing transition classes and there are many universities that offer this program; as always, make sure that your university of choice is accredited.
Average Salary Expectancy
The average salary of an RN, as recorded in June 2012, is $81,000 per year. This is a substantial increase from the average salary of an LPN which is $47,000 per year. So completing your LPN to ADN degree will not only be academically rewarding, but your standard of living could increase dramatically as well. However the money should not be your main motivation, as nursing is profession that should only be chosen if you are passionate about it and ready to work hard and long hours.
Skills That You Will Be Taught In An LPN To ADN Program
Upon completing and passing this program, you will be able to:
- Function as an entry-level professional nurse and employ the nursing process in order to provide comprehensive, safe, quality, and effective care.
- Establish as well as maintain appropriately compassionate relationships with patients and their families, thereby improving your communication and interpersonal skills.
- Effectively communicate, collaborate, and consult with your other medical staff members and specialists in order to provide the appropriate care.
- Delegate and supervise your fellow nursing colleagues through coordination and communication.
- Make sound clinical decisions based on the evidence before you.
- Successfully practice nursing according to the professional standards and requirements, within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.
- Make use of the medical technology and other information systems in an effective manner in order to administer competent care for your patients.
- Accept responsibility and accountability on a personal level as a licensed and practicing nurse.
These are skills which are not only beneficial to you and your patients in your nursing career, as you can transfer and apply this knowledge that you will acquire to your daily life outside of nursing as well. For example, learning empathy with your patients will also help you to identify with others around you in your daily life, and the skill of being able to solve problems effectively through interpreting the evidence before you will come in handy in nearly any day-to-day situation. The ability to assume a leadership role and delegate effectively in any environment can also be applied to your life outside of nursing.
How Much Can You Expect To Pay?
It is difficult to pinpoint an exact figure with regards to the total costs involved as this could include tuition, administrative fees, cost of books, and room and board if you are going to be living on campus. The costs will also vary widely depending on your state and the college you choose. However, the fact that that program is typically offered at junior, community, and technical colleges, the prices will be relatively low; from $3,000 to $20,000.
The shorter duration of this program will also play to your advantage as it means that your tuition fees and book costs will be relatively low.
If this is something that you do not think you will be able to afford, do not let this stand in your way of pursuing your ideal career; a quick search on the internet for scholarships, grants and financial aid will result in numerous opportunities.
Colleges That Offer This Program
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is a community college which offers an LPN to ADN bridge program which is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Contact details:
Main Campus
15800 South State Street
South Holland, Illinois 60473
Information & Admissions Office
(708) 596-2000 ext. 5718
In Indiana (219) 931-0096 or 0098
TDD (708) 210-5732
University & College Center
16333 South Kilbourn Avenue
Oak Forest, Illinois 60452
(708) 225-6000
Website: www.southsuburbancollege.edu
In order to apply for this program you must:
- Have graduated from a Practical Nursing Program
- Hold a current and active LPN license
- Submit a South Suburban College application form to Registration (this can be printed from the website), utilizing the NUR.BRDG1PREQ academic code
- Send official high school or GED and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions
- Complete required college preparatory classes as indicated by the college placement test
- Meet with a nursing counselor who can assist you in academic planning
- Have completed two semesters of high school Chemistry with a grade of “C” or better. Alternatively, you can take CHM 111.
- Either be currently enrolled in, and/or complete the following admission requirements with a symbol of “C” or better:
– ENG 101-Composition and Rhetoric
– PSY 101-Introduction to Psychology
– PSY 211-Human Growth & Development
– NUR 101-Medication Dosage Calculation (Student may ECEP this course)
– BIO 185-Human Anatomy & Physiology I
– BIO 186-Human Anatomy & Physiology II
– BIO 224-Microbiology
– SOC 101-Intro to Sociology
Requirements may not be the same for all colleges, but this should give you a good idea of what will be needed.
Durham Technical Community College
Durham Tech, or DTCC’s ADN program is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by NLNAC.
Contact details:
Durham Technical Community College
1637 Lawson Street
Durham, NC 27703
919-536-7200
Website: http://www.durhamtech.edu
You will need to calculate your tuition rate based on your credit hours. If you are in-state you will pay $69 per credit hour, and if you are out-of-state it is $261 per credit hour. There are also student admin fees to factor in; this works out to $46 for each fall and spring semester and $36 for a summer term. A $15 graduation fee must also be included and you can expect to pay between $350 and $700 on books per semester.
Look Online
The two above mentioned colleges just give you an example of what to expect in terms of your application and fees. You can go online to find which other colleges offer an LPN to AND program, you will also be able to see if there are any waiting lists. Also, bear in mind that there are colleges that offer this program online in a distance learning setting. Just make sure that you make the right choice for you.