Assets You Bring

• Nursing education and clinical practice on which to build
• Motivation for personal and professional growth
• Personal and professional experience to apply in interactions with patients and families

Benefits To You

• Personal and professional advancement leading to more responsibility and accountability
• Enhanced employment opportunities
• Increased opportunities for collaboration with nurses and other health care professionals
• Expanded clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills
• Strengthened communication skills in interactions with patients, families, and colleagues

Support Systems

• Nursing colleagues, fellow students, faculty, advisors and family
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate working RNs
• Potential financial assistance from employer. Talk with your human resource department
• Potential scholarships and/or financial aid at the college

Selecting Your Educational Mobility Program

• Make a career plan with goals and timelines
• Identify the schools of nursing that offer RN mobility programs which fit your needs
• Make an appointment with an academic advisor. Bring a copy of transcript to discuss what course work will apply
• Determine cost – include tuition, books and fees, travel expenses, child care, reduced work, etc
• Explore financial aid and/or scholarship options (including tuition reimbursement from your employer)
• Integrate class schedule with work/personal life
• Submit application. If prior degree is from same university, determine if you need to re-apply

Questions To Ask Your Academic Advisor

• Which credits will transfer from my previous educational preparation?
• What prerequisites are required?
• How many clinical hours are required and where will I complete them?
• How flexible are class options? Are on-site, on-line, evening, weekend, and/or summer classes available?
• What is tuition rate; other program costs?
• Are there advanced placement options? If so, in what areas?
• Can I attend part-time?
• What financial assistance is available?

Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or Graduate Equivalency Exam (GED)
• Transcript(s) from all colleges or universities previously attended
• Copy of LPN license
• Specific requirements, such as grade point average, may be requested

Length of Program

• Determined by each school; based on total number of credit hours required and number of courses transferred
• Dependent upon whether you are a part-time or full-time student
• Associate degree (ASN) and bachelor degree (BSN) options are available

ASN Degree Option (and beyond)

• Clinical focus – ASN programs prepare graduates to serve in entry-level nursing positions and are qualified to provide direct care to individuals and families in a variety of care settings. ASN graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX examination.
• Academic focus – The ASN curriculum includes college courses in communication, writing skills, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and behavioral sciences.
• Further options – ASN graduates have the option to further their professional education by entering an RN to BSN, or in some cases, an RN to MSN program.

BSN Degree Option

• Clinical focus – BSN programs prepare graduates to provide direct nursing care to patients, families and groups and have educational preparation in leadership, community health and research. BSN graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX examination.
• Classroom focus –Colleges require a strong liberal arts and science core in the humanities and social, physical and behavioral sciences which prepares the graduate for success in leadership, management and community health.
• Further options – BSN graduates have the opportunity to enter advanced degree programs such as master’s and/or doctoral degrees

Programs in Indiana Offering LPN-ASN or ADN* Option

Programs in Indiana Offering LPN-BSN Option

Additional Programs Offering Associate Degree Programs