Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse or LVN to RN nursing programs are designed to offer fast track completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or the often used equivalent Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). Women and men already licensed as a Vocational Nurse can generally enroll into a LVN to RN nursing program and upon completion, if desired, enroll into the next level RN to BSN nursing program to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), and continue further to the next level RN to MSN nursing program to receive a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN).
LVN-to-RN associate degree programs are intended for licensed vocational nurses seeking to earn a degree, develop more comprehensive nursing skills and gain clinical experience. Students prepare for work in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals and physicians’ offices. This includes learning medical terminology and skills as well as patient communication techniques. LVN-to-RN associate degree programs are offered in both classroom-based and online formats, and often include experiential elements. LVN-to-RN bachelor ’s degree programs result in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These programs focus on helping individuals transition into a professional nursing career. They also prepare students for continued scholastic pursuits, such as a graduate degree in a healthcare field. Unlike a traditional bachelor’s degree program, LVN-to-RN programs enroll students with prior relevant education and can therefore often be completed in two years.