Completing a CNA to LPN bridge program is an opportunity for nurse aides to work collaboratively with registered nurses in the care of patients. CNAs have an important role on the health care team. However, their role is limited to basic nursing and assisting patients with the activities of daily living. Licensed practical nurses work with registered nurses to develop patient care plans, communicate with the physician, and maintain patients’ records. They may also work independently to provide care to patients who are sick or injured and educate the patients and their families to promote health and prevent disease. Some specific duties that LPNs perform include observing and recording vital signs, start IV drips, administer injections, and assist nurses and physicians with treatments.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of LPNs is projected to grow by 6% from 2021-2031, faster than the average for all other occupations. The projected growth is due to the aging population that requires medical attention as they live longer and experience more chronic health problems. Graduates of a CNA to LPN program will be eligible to work in clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, home health care, nursing facilities, and physicians’ offices.
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
The Practical Nursing Program at Bluegrass Community and Technical College is open only to nurse aides who have completed an approved CNA program. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on skill labs and supervised clinical instruction in local health care or other community facilities. Course topics include introduction to nursing and health care system, development of the care giver role, pharmacology, child bearing family, mental health nursing, introduction to health deviations, medical surgical nursing, nursing trends and issues, and clinical practicum. A total of 47 to 71 credit hours is required for the Practical Nursing Diploma. Corequisite courses must be completed before the second semester of the program. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLX to become a licensed practical nurse. They will be prepared to assume the role of competent practical nurse in diverse settings, using the nursing process in providing nursing care, communicate effectively with all members of the health care team, and demonstrate accountability in practice.
Admission criteria:
- Create a Selective Admissions System account
- Complete an application for admission to BCTC
- Attend a mandatory preadmission conference with the Program Coordinator
- Provide official scores of the ATI: TEAS Entrance Exam
- Attend a required practical nursing program orientation meeting and provide proof of attendance
- Must have CPR for the Health Care Provider
- Submit proof of successful completion of a Medicaid Nurse Aide or equivalent course within the past three years or proof of active status on the Medicaid Nurse Aide Registry
- Complete the required background check and vaccines
- Must have professional liability insurance
The total program cost of $14,400 includes uniforms and accessories, tuition, immunizations, background check, drug screen, ATI resources, books, Board of Nursing application fee, and NCLEX fee.
- Website: https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/index.aspx
- Address: 470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY
- Phone: (866) 774-4872
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95%
Maysville Community & Technical College – Cynthiana
The CNA to LPN program at Maysville Community & Technical College prepares nurse aides for patient care as a licensed practical nurse. The curriculum includes theory and hands-on instruction that builds on the education and experience of a nurse aide. It requires completion of 53-61 credit hours that may be transferred to a registered nursing program. Course topics include human growth and development, medical terminology, fundamentals of nursing mental health, introduction to health deviations, nursing trends and issues, and medical-surgical alterations. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to practice as an LPN. The duration of the program is 18 months.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to MCTC
- Submit a separate application for admission to the practical nursing program
- Submit official high school transcripts
- Must have current Medicaid Nurse Aide certification and completed a Medicaid Nurse Aide or equivalent course within the past three years
- Submit satisfactory ACT or TEAS scores – the registration fee is $70
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or above
- Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers
- Must attend a pre-admission conference
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance
- Provide proof of immunization – rubella, varicella, mumps, hepatitis B, COVID 19
Tuition costs $182 per credit hour. Other costs include textbooks, nurse kit, ATI access, uniforms, lab coats, shoes, cap, background check, liability insurance, stethoscope, immunizations, watch, blood pressure cuff, licensure exam fee, cap and gown, and nursing pin.
- Website: https://maysville.kctcs.edu/index.aspx
- Address: 1094 Us 27 S Suite A, Cynthiana, KY 41031
- Phone: (859) 234-6689
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Beckfield College – Florence
The Practical Nursing Diploma program offered at Beckfield College is open to certified nursing aides seeking to advanced their role in patient care. They will acquire advanced knowledge and skills to function as practical nurses in acute and long-term care settings. The curriculum will integrate knowledge, principles of communication, and behavioral and biological sciences. Instructors will incorporate hands-on learning throughout the program to prepare students for real-world experiences. The clinicals, built into the LPN program, are designed to smooth the transition from the classroom to the workplace. Course topics include medical surgical nursing, transition into professional nursing, anatomy and physiology for practical nurses, medical terminology for practical nurses, introduction to health care, health care and assessment, maternal child nursing, pharmacology for the practical nurse, principles of psychology, pediatric nursing, maternal reproduction, and trends and issues with integrated practicum. Students must complete 64.5 quarter credit hours for graduation. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to become licensed practical nurses. The duration of the program is 15 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must meet with an admissions representative before enrolling in the College
- Must be a graduate of an accredited high school program or have a GED certificate
- Must have satisfactory ACT (16), SAT (930) or TEAS scores (56)
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.4 for any transfer credits
- Must have a CNA certificate or show proof of completion of a nurse assistant program approved by the appropriate state agency
- Must attend a nursing information session
- Submit a typed essay in response to the question: “Why do you want to be a nurse?”
- Must submit to a 30-year criminal background check
Tuition for the program is $15,750. Other costs include registration fee, student resource and technology fee, graduation fee, books, supplies, uniforms, nursing activity fee, background check, and ATI assessment fee.
- Website: https://www.beckfield.edu/
- Address: 16 Spiral Dr, Florence, KY 41042
- Phone: (859) 371-9393
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 77%
Hazard Community and Technical College
The CNA to LPN program at Hazard Community & Technical College prepares nurse aides for patient care as a licensed practical nurse. Classroom instruction will include theory and basic nursing skills for students to obtain valuable experience in the care of patients of all ages. Students must complete 42 to 52 credit hours to earn the practical nursing diploma. Credits are transferable to a registered nursing program. Course topics include human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, writing, nursing fundamentals, nursing pharmacology, mental health, medical surgical nursing, child bearing family, practicum, and nursing leadership and management. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to practice as an LPN. They may apply for a bridge program to attain an associate degree in registered nursing from HCTC or other colleges. The duration of the program is 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to HCTC
- Submit a separate application for admission to the practical nursing program
- Submit official high school transcripts
- Must have current Medicaid Nurse Aide certification and completed a Medicaid Nurse Aide or equivalent course within the past three years
- Submit satisfactory ACT or TEAS scores – the registration fee is $70
- Submit official transcripts of postsecondary work completed at other institutions
- Submit results of the National League of Nursing – Pre-Admission Exam (PAX)
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or above
- Must have current CPR for Health Care Providers
- Must attend a pre-admission conference
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance
- Provide proof of immunization – rubella, varicella, mumps, hepatitis B, COVID 19
The approximate cost for the program is $9,308 to $9,845. Other costs include textbooks, nurse kit, ATI access, uniforms, lab coats, shoes, cap, background check, liability insurance, stethoscope, immunizations, watch, blood pressure cuff, licensure exam fee, cap and gown, and nursing pin.
- Website: https://hazard.kctcs.edu/
- Address: One Community College Drive Hazard, KY 41701
- Phone: (606) 436-HCTC
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 67%
MedQuest College
Certified nurse aides may enroll in the Practical Nursing program at MedQuest College to prepare for a career as a practical nurse. The curriculum comprises of 588 hours of lecture, 192 hours in the school’s lab and 432 hours at an assigned clinical site. Student will learn how to provide patient care at the entry-level. Course topics include human structure and function, introduction to nursing and healthcare, foundations of nursing, pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, maternal child nursing, gerontology nursing, and transition to professional practice. The diploma program requires completion of 78 quarter credit hours. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. They will meet with the Director of Career Services for assistance with resume writing, preparation of cover letters, interviewing techniques and networking skills. The career services department provides job placement assistance for its graduates.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must attend a personal interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Must be in good health and free of communicable diseases
- Must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance
- Submit a completed application and enrollment fee of $60
- Students must complete an interview with the Program Administrator for Nursing
- Must complete a criminal background check and drug screen
- Complete the Emergency Medical Release Form
- Must have current BLS for Healthcare Provider through the American Red Cross
- Must have proof health insurance
The program cost of $24,138 includes tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, lab jackets, student liability insurance, and fees.
- Website: https://medquestcollege.edu/
- Address: 10400 Linn Station Road, Suite 120, Louisville, Kentucky 40223
- Phone: 502-530-1604
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 67%