Top Florida LPN to BSN Programs

Many people enter the nursing workforce by becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). However, those who are committed to their professional development will generally, at some point, try to get a full Registered Nurse (RN) license. As such, there are many LPN to RN programs at various schools and universities across Florida.

Meanwhile, more and more healthcare employers in the state are now looking for a much higher educated workforce and prefer to employ those who have a bachelor’s degree (BSN). The LPN to RN programs, however, are associate’s degrees (ADN), rather than BSNs. Since the demand for nurses with a BSN is on the rise, schools are responding by offering more LPN to BSN programs as well. Unfortunately, at present, only a few schools offer this program. Luckily, students have the opportunity to study at the West Coast University, which is headquartered in California, who have a branch in Miami. The only other option is to study online through the College Network. However, it is expected that more programs will be made available sooner.

One of the issues that is highlighted by the lack of availability of direct LPN to BSN programs is the shortage of nurse educators. The current workforce is aging at an alarming rate and those who do hold the degree requirements to become a nurse educator (master’s or doctorate) tend to choose careers that offer better salaries. The expectation is that anybody who is a member of the nursing workforce is committed to their professional education and knowledge advancement. Hence, it is hoped that there will be an increase in nurse educators as more BSN-educated nurses study towards their master’s degree (MSN). However, until that point, the pickings are, unfortunately, very slim.

If you are ready to improve your knowledge and skills and achieve your BSN degree, you need to find a good school that offers such a program. As stated, there are not many schools for you to choose from in Florida. Yet, it is recommended to contact at least three to five different schools to help you find the one that best suits your personal needs and requirements. Some things to look for include how long a program is, how much it costs, where and how classes are being given. Below are LPN to BSN programs in Florida to help you get started. If none of these truly meets your needs, you may want to consider choosing an LPN to RN program, before going on to an RN to BSN program. Indeed, there are now also some schools that offer RN to MSN programs, which means you could advance your career even further and make an even bigger career jump if you complete the degree.