LPN to BSN Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota LPN to BSN Programs

Pursuing a career in the nursing industry is supposed to be a rewarding and very lucrative career. Nurses in the state of Minnesota who hold an LPN certificate can make approximately $12 to $20 an hour. Nurses who hold an advanced nursing degree, such as a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree, can make a higher hourly wage. The hourly wage for a nurse with a BSN degree is approximately $20 to $45 an hour. Anyone who holds a current and valid LPN certificate may be eligible to enroll in an accelerated bridge program that allows nurses to earn their advanced nursing degree.

The accelerated program is known as an LPN to BSN program. This college program is offered by traditional and online universities and allows nurses to use their previous experience and knowledge in the nursing industry towards their advanced degree. Nurses are able to use their experience and skills in nursing and opt to test out of basic nursing courses. Testing out of a course requires an individual to take a written test that shows the university that they have the knowledge needed to advance to the advance course. Passing the test allows students to be exempt from the basic nursing courses.

The LPN to BSN program has some of the same course requirements as a traditional BSN program. Prospective students to the LPN to BSN program will be expected to take part in traditional college courses. Courses in English, math, social sciences and communications are often required from all LPN to BSN program students. In addition, all students will be expected to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in order to advance to the BSN portion of the degree program. Students who earn a higher GPA are often considered first for the program over lower GPA students.

Prospective nursing students who are interested in applying for an LPN to BSN program can expect the admissions process to be very similar to any four year college. Students will need to submit proof of a high school diploma or GED certificate. They will also be required to submit any ACT, SAT or TEAS scores they achieved. Letters of recommendation may also be required for the admissions process. The admissions process for the LPN to BSN program will also include showing proof of a valid, current LPN certificate for the state of Minnesota and proof that the student held a job for at least six months in the healthcare or nursing industry.