Online LVN to RN Programs
The statistics are alarming. In an economy where job growth has stagnated for most professions, jobs for Registered Nurses still remain unfilled. With an average salary that tops $65,000, LPNs are looking for a way to fit coursework into busy schedules to help land that coveted license. Using these online LVN to RN programs, you can take courses between shifts, at night after the kids have gone to bed, or anywhere you have Internet access.
Texas and California vs. Everywhere Else
If you’re an LVN, you were licensed in California or Texas, where nursing schools are plentiful. Your LVN will translate to an LPN in any other state, so you don’t have to take courses in your own state. You’ll just need to ensure you comply with the RN licensure rules for the state in which you plan to work.
If you’re currently working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), you have a couple of choices. One is to obtain your Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) which, while not necessary to obtain your RN license, can help give you an edge over the competition for jobs, as well as give you a step toward completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), if you choose.
Another choice is to prepare and take the NCLEX, which, upon completion, will certify you as an RN. The NCLEX is not an easy test, but the good news is that several online programs exist that will help you prepare. An NCLEX preparation class will cover all the basics, including pharmacology, disaster preparedness, and infection control—although topics regularly change. Good online LVN to RN programs allow you to prepare while still continuing your busy daily schedule.
NCLEX Preparedness
The Learning Extension includes pre-tests and study material, as well as study groups to give you the support you’ll need. In addition to NCLEX preparation courses, the Learning Extension also has continuing education classes for after you’ve obtained your RN license.
Kaplan Test Prep has a money-back guarantee on its NCLEX preparation program. To qualify for the guarantee, you must attend all NCLEX prep courses, as well as take seven Question Trainer tests prior to tackling the NCLEX. If you do not pass, Kaplan will refund your three-month enrollment fee. See the site for more details.
Hurst Review Services offers a NCLEX exam review that also comes with a money-back guarantee. With Hurst, you can choose from either an in-person review program or the online review package. With its online review, your courses come from experienced RNs via streaming video. You’ll also have access to faculty for any questions you might have. Your subscription gives you ninety days of unlimited access to Hurst’s test prep section to allow you to print off study materials and watch videos. Before you commit, Hurst allows you to watch a sample lecture so you can determine if this is the test prep method that will work for you.
Evolve Learning System has a series of courses designed to give you an all-in-one review package for the NCLEX. Choose from four-week, eight-week, or sixteen-week courses and you’ll receive information about a study guide you’ll need to buy and a link to access for the online study guide. Questions are provided at the end of each module that will help you review what you’ve learned in preparation for taking the test.
Nursing Education Consultants, Inc. has an online NCLEX review that gives you an online version of its book, A Study Guide for the NCLEX-PN® Exam. For even more convenience, the site allows you to download your coursework to an mp3 player to allow you to study on the go. The site has a sample of the course available for download so you can try before you buy.
Something for Nothing
Don’t discount the various free NCLEX review sites out there. With a little searching, you’ll likely find plenty of resources, as well as a community of others who have taken the test or are preparing to take it, just as you are. While studying on your own may not be as intensive as taking an online preparation course, if you’re on a tight budget, a little searching might lead you to online LVN to RN programs that will work for you.