Designed to create a direct pathway for licensed practical nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the West Virginia University School of Nursing’s LPN to BSN program will begin accepting applications Dec. 1.
Offered on the Keyser Campus at WVU Potomac State College, the program will accept applicants on a rolling admission, meaning if they meet the criteria, they will be admitted at that time. Because of the “first come, first served” admission, the program is expected to fill quickly. Once the class fills, remaining applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
“This program will build on experiences of LPNs and help them climb the ladder of nursing to open more doors and expand their opportunities,” said April Shapiro, Keyser Campus chair.
The program aims to bridge the gap between LPNs and registered nurses. In many instances, students would have to complete an LPN to RN program, then an RN to BSN program. However, the LPN to BSN program provides a more streamlined path to achieve a bachelor’s degree.
Students can receive up to 22 hours of “escrow credits” for their current licensure and professional experience, which translates to more than a semester’s worth of work. One course in the program, NSG 213, has been designed specifically to help LPNs as they transition from practical nursing to professional nursing, and afterward, these students will be on the same track as the traditional BSN students.
“This transitional course will help them with assessment skills and clinical judgement,” Shapiro said. “We want to help them make that transition as smooth as possible.”
The program also boasts accommodating hours, offering the didactic portion of the program online and the clinical, simulation and skills portions on the Keyser Campus on Fridays and Saturdays. Students will also have access to a professional advisor through the Office of Student Services, as well as an academic counselor and peer tutoring.
As part of the Potomac State Campus, students can experience smaller class sizes and more personalized education, with only 16 students in each cohort and clinical groups no larger than eight. The program will be fall-start only, with eight semesters of full-time enrollment.
“This program provides a seamless curriculum for our practical nurses to enter professional nursing,” said Tara Hulsey, dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “This option will help us grow the nursing leaders needed to meet healthcare demands in state and beyond.”
The program has met all approval requirements, including the WVU Board of Governors, the Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Board of Nursing.
To learn more, contact Shapiro at ashapiro@hsc.wvu.edu or recruitment specialist Phillip Engelkemier at phillip.engelkemier@hsc.wvu.edu.
