If you’re a nurse who wants to take your career to the next level but don’t want to go back to school full time, a nursing bridge program may be right for you. A nursing bridge helps you advance your education at an accelerated pace, allowing you to move forward in your career without sacrificing your work/life balance. Where can nursing take you, and is an LPN to RN bridge worth it? Learn more about how nursing bridge programs work and whether or not a bridge is right for you.
If you currently work as a CNA or LPN, you’ve made an important entry step into your healthcare career. Now that you’ve gained field experience, you may be interested in developing advanced skills and furthering your earning potential by becoming a registered nurse. To do this, you’ll need additional education.
A nursing bridge is defined as a pathway that guides nurses from one stage in their career to the next, filling in the necessary education and experience to move to a higher level. This schooling track is designed specifically for nurses, catering to their strengths, challenges, and unique needs.
A nursing bridge program may include:
Every nursing bridge program is different so it’s important to find one that fits your goals and needs. For example, some programs are online while others require in-person components.
There are also college prep services available to working adults that support those going back to school while working. These services may include college planning, tutoring, and ways to test out of college courses.
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Nursing bridge programs support you as you move to the next level professionally and academically. No matter where you are in your nursing career, a nursing bridge program builds on your existing knowledge to help you advance to an RN or BSN.
Nursing bridge program benefits include:
Overall, nursing bridge programs take into consideration that students are generally working adults with healthcare experience. Because nursing bridge programs take into account the skills you’ve already started building, you can often jump with added confidence. This approach supports the circumstances nurses are dealing with and makes learning more attainable.
When considering a nursing bridge program, you’ll need to decide which nursing degree path is right for you.
There are two different nursing degree options:
Both paths prepare you for your nursing licensure exam—the NCLEX—and will earn you the designation of RN. Both degrees provide all the training and knowledge necessary to be a successful registered nurse.
So, which nursing degree is best? That will depend on your career goals and how much time you can devote to education.
A nursing bridge is worth it for nurses who want to move to the next level in their career. More education creates more opportunities and higher earning potential which can make a significant impact in personal and professional satisfaction.
Investing in your future can seem daunting when you are budgeting up front, but seeing numbers in action can put it all in perspective.
According to Indeed, 2023 average nursing salaries include:
Nurses at a variety of stages can bridge nursing and move to the next level.
Yes. CNA to RN bridge programs help certified nursing assistants bridge the gap to a higher healthcare career. Nursing bridge programs
Learn more about CNA to RN bridge options.
Yes. LPN to RN bridge programs are a great way to move forward with nursing education while taking busy schedules and home lives into consideration.
Learn more about LPN to RN bridge options.
An RN degree opens doors that other nursing credentials don’t. Becoming an RN offers a higher salary and more responsibilities, but there are additional nursing career opportunities available outside the traditional nursing position.
Leadership and mentoring roles with titles such as:
A career in nursing can take you outside the hospital or doctor’s office-setting. A variety of healthcare settings are open to you as an RN, including:
It depends on the program. Most people who are already an RN can go directly into an accelerated BSN program. To enter all other nursing bridge programs, you need some healthcare experience to work towards an RN license or higher degree levels.
A great way to start a nursing bridge program is with an RN Bridge Plan. This customized, detailed document lists out everything you need for your nursing degree, including nursing school recommendations, required courses, and even opportunities to save time through a test-out system called credit by exam.
Achieve Test Prep offers a variety of nursing bridge programs, including...
Whatever nursing bridge program you are interested in, Achieve Test Prep is committed to showing you the fastest route to earning your degree. At Achieve Test Prep, we help you test out of prerequisites and other nursing courses so you can overcome education gaps. Not only does this process get you licensed quicker, you may also save money on the cost of your degree.
Achieve Test Prep offers online nursing bridge programs to help CNAs and RNs earn their RN. We help nurses test out of prerequisite courses, saving time and minimizing stress. No matter where you are on your education journey, we can help guide you through.