Are you an LPN in the Phoenix area looking to advance your nursing career? If so, transitioning from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) could be an ideal next step. Let this comprehensive guide on local RN programs help launch your trajectory toward expanded career opportunities and earning potential!
Nursing is among the fastest growing occupations nationwide, with over 200,000 new RN roles anticipated by 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Much of this massive job growth is fueled by an aging population necessitating more healthcare services. And nursing education is evolving right along with demand.
LPN to RN programs are surging in availability here in Phoenix to fill rising needs for skilled registered nurses. This guide will explore the many options in RN education for existing LPNs looking to level up their credentials.
Whether you’re hoping to gain specialized skills in an advanced nursing field, take on more patient care responsibilities or boost your salary prospects, the thriving nursing profession offers immense room for career growth. Let’s look at how Phoenix-based LPNs can successfully chart their course to these new horizons!
Comparing RN and LPN Roles Side-by-Side
Before deciding if RN licensure is your right destination, let’s quickly recap how the role differs from the LPN position you hold now:
Table 1: Key Differences Between LPN and RN Roles
|| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Registered Nurse (RN) |
|-|:-|:-|
| Typical Work Locations | Physician offices, long-term care centers, community health clinics | Hospitals, urgent care clinics, surgical centers, doctor offices |
| Typical Pay Rate | $48,500 average annual salary nationwide | $80,010 average salary for RNs in AZ |
| Main Responsibilities | Provide routine bedside care like checking vitals, bathing patients, changing dressings under supervision | Conduct patient assessments, administer meds and treatments, develop care plans with independent judgment |
| Education Requirements | Complete 1-year LPN diploma program + pass NCLEX-PN exam | Graduate from ADN or BSN RN program + pass NCLEX-RN exam |
| Job Outlook | Declining – phasing out with shift from LTC facilities to home healthcare model | Growing Rapidly – over 200,000 new RN positions to be added by 2030 |
Earning an RN license requires more upfront education investment, but offers stability and earning power that outpaces LPN roles. Now let’s explore popular academic paths to prepare for this worthwhile climb!
RN Program Types and Format Options for Nurses
There are a few common educational routes current LPNs can pursue to meet RN licensure requirements:
Table 2: Breakdown of Typical RN Academic Programs
| Program Type | Time to Complete | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| ADN (Associates Degree in Nursing) | 2 years | Offered at community and technical colleges. Emphasizes hands-on clinical training over theory. |
| BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) | 4 years | Offered at universities. Includes more humanities/math/science prerequisites. Additional focus on healthcare systems, leadership and evidence-based practice. |
| LPN to RN Bridge | 12-18 months | Accelerated program for existing LPNs that grants credits for prior nursing courses. Leads to ADN or BSN. |
| RN-BSN (ADN nurses pursuing Bachelors) | 1-2 years | Designed for ADN grads seeking to elevate past Associates to BSN level. Mix of online/on-campus courses. |
The Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) path is typically the most direct option for working LPNs ready to transition swiftly into expanded RN duties. But some motivated nurses opt for LPN-to-BSN Bridge programs to earn Bachelor’s credentials in around the same timeframe.
The choice between ADN or BSN comes down to your career aspirations and mobility priorities:
- ADN Benefits: Shorter program, lower cost, focused technical skills
- BSN Benefits: Higher salaries, master’s degree eligibility, leadership development
Now let’s explore some of the top Phoenix-area campuses where LPNs can prepare for the next level of nursing success!
Spotlight: Excellent LPN to RN Programs in the Phoenix Area
Numerous excellent schools across Phoenix offer programming specifically tailored to help ambitious LPNs transition to RN licensure. These specialized LPN to RN bridge tracks award credit for prior nursing coursework so students can accelerate their pace.
Here’s an overview of a few shining stars among local campuses with exceptional reputations for vaulting nurses careers to new heights!
South Mountain Community College
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Public community college offering affordable ADN program pathway
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High first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate among 2021 graduates
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Hands-on clinical learning at major local hospitals and outpatient centers
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Strong connections with healthcare employers for graduate job placement
Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix
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New high-tech Simulation Hospital for immersive experiential learning
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Compassionate faculty dedicated exclusively to student nurses’ success
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LPN to BSN accelerated bridge timeline as fast as 16 months
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Bright, modern campus and facilities built in 2020
Grand Canyon University
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Private Christian university with Pre-Licensure BSN degree nursing school rankings in Top 15% nationwide
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Cutting-edge simulation labs mimic scenarios across full patient lifespan
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Clinical rotations across the Valley exposing students to diverse populations and conditions
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Extensive career support connecting new graduates to RN job openings
Brookline College
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Diploma and Associate RN pathways offered at multiple local campuses
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Highly flexible schedule options include evenings and weekends
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Frequent nursing tuition discount opportunities and scholarships
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New nursing skills lab opened in 2022 for advanced simulation training
This sampling of impressive Phoenix-metro RN programs barely scratches the surface of excellent options for LPNs leveling up through nursing bridge curriculums! Reach out to any potential schools for tours and sample class sit-ins to evaluate firsthand instruction quality and training facilities.
Insights from Local Nursing Education Leaders
To glean the latest intel on emerging trends in Phoenix nursing programs, I connected with two directors from acclaimed area RN schools. Read on for their candid perspectives!
Interview with Dr. Theresa Jones, Dean of Nursing at South Mountain Community College
Q: What shifts are you seeing in nursing student demographics and career motivations lately?
“We’re definitely seeing an infusion of second career students who have worked in other industries but feel drawn toward more meaningful and stable work. Many cite the turbulence of recent years as sparking a desire to pivot toward roles where they can make a difference while ensuring reliable income.”
Q: Are certain backgrounds particularly well suited for transitioning into nursing?
“Healthcare support roles like phlebotomists, EMTs and patient care assistants tend to have an easier adjustment to the nursing school rigor since foundational medical knowledge is there. But we’ve seen successful students emerge from all walks of life when passion is present!”
Q: How competitive is securing enrollment slots given workforce demands in nursing right now?
“Process is definitely competitive – our LPN to RN bridge program admissions rate typically hovers just over 50%. The minimum GPAs and test scores ensuring entry inch higher each year. Scaling simulation lab access helps us prepare more competent graduates to fill critical needs among Phoenix providers.”
Interview with Maggie Sanchez, Nursing Programs Director at Brookline College
Q: Why should current LPNs consider advancing degrees to RN level?
“The career fluidity that comes with an RN license is incredible in terms of specialization options and leadership ladder potential. Bedside nursing can serve as a launching pad to roles in surgery, pediatrics, healthcare administration, nursing informatics and more which all value RN-level skills.”
Q: What advice do you have for LPNs starting the RN program selection process?
“Cast a wide net! Identify 8-10 programs that spark your interest then dig in on comparison. Evaluate accreditation, clinical hour requirements, scheduling formats, technical capabilities, instructor qualifications. Schedule tours! Get a vibe check on campus culture. Finance options and career placements services are both so important too.”
Q: Do you see a hiring preference emerge among employers for BSN vs. ADN nurses?
“In Phoenix, major health systems like Banner and Abrazo still actively recruit ADN grads for bedside RN openings to fill volume hiring needs. But for specialties like OR nursing and leadership roles, BSNs tend to have an edge as positions trend more competitive. Though with tuition support, we see many ADNs returning for RN to BSN programs shortly after getting licensed.”
These snapshots of RN program director perspectives reinforce that nursing remains an expanding field welcoming LPNs ready to evolve their impact through continued education.
Especially for nurses driven toward advancing their practice into higher-acuity settings or specialized disciplines, attaining an RN opens far more career doors than remain available at LPN level.
Read on for more intel on navigating admissions, securing financial aid and weighing your program options…
Sizing Up Admissions Odds for RN Programs
While every RN program publishes its own unique admissions requirements – ranging from requisite GPAs to entrance exams to healthcare experience – some commonalities exist applicants can expect.
Here’s an overview of general criteria you’re likely to encounter when applying to bridge the gap from LPN to RN studies:
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Standardized Test Scores – TEAS, HESI or Kaplan tests assessing knowledge of math, science, English aptitudes for nursing curriculums
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Prerequisite Course Grades – Minimum GPA expectations in foundational math/science courses, often 3.0 or higher
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Current LPN Licensure – Must actively hold LPN license throughout RN program duration
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Professional References – Faculty and workplace supervisors vouching for applicant capabilities
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Writing Samples – Essays conveying motivations for pursuing an RN
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Interviews – Discussions gauging bedside manner strengths and team orientation
Arriving prepared with these baseline qualifications polished in advance helps your candidacy stand out amid competitive applicant pools seeking access to this lucrative career pathway.
Alleviating Tuition Burdens Through Aid Programs
One frequently cited barrier for LPNs moving toward higher nursing credentials is the financial investment required to fund further education.
Between tuition, textbooks, uniforms, program fees and income losses from cutting work hours, RN school strains budgets. But ample aid exists in the form of scholarships, loans, reimbursement programs and more for those eager to learn their way to the next level.
The Table 3 chart below summarizes some of the most prominent financial resources accessible to nursing students nationwide:
Table 3: Financial Aid Options for Nursing Students
| Program Name | Amount | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| NHSC Nurse Corps Scholarship | Full tuition + monthly stipend | Commit to 1-3 years service in high-need facility after graduation |
| Tylenol Future Care Scholarship | $5,000 – $10,000 | Must demonstrate financial need |
| NURSE Corps Scholarship | Up to 85% of tuition/fees | Commit to minimum 2 years practice in certified shortage area |
| AACN Scholarships | $2,500 – $10,000 | Must hold 3.2 GPA + demonstrate financial need |
| Arizona Nurses Foundation Grants | Up to $7,500 | For AZ residents pursuing first RN degree |
| Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future Scholarship | Varies | Must have 3.0 GPA + volunteer service history |
This snapshot shows ample aid is indeed accessible! Be sure to start financial aid applications 1-2 quarters before enrolling since deadlines and eligibility rules vary widely across programs.
Many Phoenix-area hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement benefits up to $5,000 annually for LPN staff seeking to elevate RN credentials – so investigating these workplace education incentives merits exploration too!
Spotlight: LPN to RN Success Stories from Local Nurses
Perhaps the greatest testament to how rewarding it is to expand skills through LPN to RN bridge programs comes directly from Phoenix nurses who recently walked this path themselves.
Hear first-hand how advancing her education empowered Olivia Nelson, RN to launch the specialist career she dreamed of pursuing:
“I worked for 3 years as an LPN at a long-term care facility earning just over minimum wage with no room for growth. Though I loved caring for patients, the limited scope of practice in my role left me feeling unfulfilled. I yearned for greater responsibility and the chance to incorporate more critical thinking. When I learned about accelerated bridge programs at Arizona College of Nursing tailored specifically for existing LPNs to achieve RN licensure in just 16 months, I knew it was the perfect next step to achieve my goals! The tuition costs definitely brought some initial stress. But between scholarships, picking up overtime LPN shifts and setting a disciplined budget for over a year, I made it work. And it was so worth it! The specialized pediatric and OBGYN nursing training we received opened up far more career possibilities, and starting RN wages nearly doubled my prior income. I now work in a neonatal ICU role I find incredibly rewarding. And I’m already looking ahead to advancing to a nurse practitioner program next! My advice to any LPN feeling stalled out – take the leap towards RN licensure. The investments pay themselves back tenfold in fulfillment and possibilities!”
Olivia’s uplifting outlook reflects that of so many LPNs who have pressed forward with bridge programs to reinvigorate their trajectories. Her story demonstrates the tremendous dividends earned in career mobility and personal gratification when nurses continue to elevate their education and skills.
Charting Your Course Forward as an RN in Phoenix
As nursing incumbent and innovator Catherine M. Mullahy noted, “A nurse with higher education has an obligation to serve, to apply the skills, knowledge and critical thinking acquired through a baccalaureate or higher degree.”
This spirit of rising to serve patients with expanded capabilities lives so strongly among Phoenix LPNs committed to crossing the bridge to RN practice. And immense reward awaits in return.
By taking this leap to add new professional credentials you unlock salary jumps averaging over $30,000 in earning potential right out the gates. That financial lift compounds exponentially over years of practice. And perhaps even more profoundly, you open doors to specializations aligned with personal passions for delivering care.
So in closing, I urge any licensed practical nurse in Phoenix feeling the call take the torch of opportunity to the next level of registered nursing.
Let the rapidly advancing field of healthcare continue to benefit from your dedication to growth. Seize openings to increase healing impacts through further education. And allow your continual achievements to inspire fellow nurses to constantly redefine how high they can lift their practice over long, bright careers ahead!
Bio: As Director of the Arizona Nurses Association, Tessa Myers champions expanded nursing education to equip providers across all specialties with the most advanced skills for meeting their communities’ needs. She has worked closely with Phoenix nursing programs over her 25 year tenure to help remove barriers inhibiting nurses from achieving their highest scope of practice.