The LPN to B.S. program is designed to allow graduates of schools of practical nursing to expand their career opportunities. Graduates of the program prepare to become Professional Registered Nurses by earning a B.S. in nursing and qualifying to take, and passing, the NCLEX-RN exam. These credentials provide the education needed to advance nursing expertise and employment opportunities.
LPN’s are treated as transfer students and their transcripts will be individually reviewed and compared to progress requirements. The student’s personal program plan and the length of time needed to complete the LPN to B.S. program will depend on the number of college credits in liberal arts and sciences that are transferred to Nazareth College. The entire program requires 120 college credits.
Admission Criteria
The student must be a graduate of a practical nurse program and either hold an LPN license and current registration to practice, or be awaiting NCLEX-PN test results within the next six months. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for any college credits that the student hopes to transfer into Nazareth. After the student has been accepted into the B.S. program, a list of course requirements and a schedule for progression through the curriculum will be created for him or her.
Student Learning Outcomes
In accordance with the mission of the Department of Nursing and the undergraduate program goals and the nine essentials from the Executive Summary of AACN (2008), the baccalaureate curriculum for both the pre-licensure students and registered nurse students provides educational opportunities which will enable the graduate to:
1. Discuss how knowledge from the arts, sciences, and humanities applies to the care of individuals and families throughout the health-illness continuum.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care.
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills with diverse populations across the life span.
4. Provide culturally competent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of health care systems.
5. Provide culturally competent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of health care systems.
6. Utilize technology and informatics appropriately in professional nursing settings.
7. Collaborate and communicate effectively with all members of the health care team to promote quality and safe patient care in a variety of health care settings.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, integrity, and self assessment as part of developing the professional nursing role.