Best LPN-to-BSN Programs in Arizona

At present, there are some 45,080 registered nurses (RNs) employed in Arizona, and some 8,960 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The median annual salary for an RN is $71,200, and it is $50,100 for an LPN. Most of the nursing workforce are employed in acute care settings, with the highest paying employers being found in the Flagstaff and Phoenix areas. Here, employers will also almost always require their staff members to have a BSN degree as a minimum. This is because they will be expected to work independently, help to assess the health of patients, and make autonomous decisions. As a result, if you currently hold an LPN degree, you may be interested in looking for an LPN to BSN degree program.

The BSN degree – Bachelor of Science in Nursing – is by far the most comprehensive of all the degrees.Some 40% of the entire registered nursing workforce have this degree. Additionally, there are currently extensive pushes to ensure that a bachelor’s degree becomes a mandatory requirement in order to become an RN. This rule has not yet been implemented, however, as you can also be an RN with an associate’s degree. It is for this reason that most bridge programs in the country, including in Arizona, are LPN to RN programs, where the student achieves an associate’s degree. From thereon, they can choose to take part in another bridge program, which is the RN to BSN degree pathway. If students are committed to completing both programs, they should be able to do to this within three years. However, all too often, students stop after they have received their RN license, choosing to reenter the workforce from there. Since there is a likelihood that all RNs will have to hold a BSN as a minimum very soon, this may not be the best choice. It is also for this reason that more and more schools are now offering direct LPN to BSN programs. Unfortunately, there are only three schools in the state of Arizona that currently meet this specific demand.

Do always make sure that you look into different schools and colleges that offer LPN to BSN programs in order to find the one that best suits your personal needs. Your needs include your interests in terms of certain specializations, but you also need to consider issues such as affordability and whether or not you are able to get to the school, particularly if it is not a program delivered online. School reputation, time spent before completing the degree and the type of school are all things that you should look into.