Not an LPN?
See the regular nursing programThe Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered
Nurse (RN) Bridge program consists of one academic year. Admission to the program
is by application and committee selection based on a competitive ranking system (see
Ranking Score Computation). Students who successfully complete the program will obtain
an Associate of Science in Nursing degree (ASN) degree and will be eligible to apply
to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
There will be two LPN-to-RN Bridge cohorts offered in the spring. An Online section and the other will be a seated section. Each cohort will consist of 15 available seats and offers of acceptance will be based on a competitive ranking score. If admission eligibility is maintained, students may reapply if not selected the first time.
Students accepted into the online LPN Bridge cohort will be required to come to the MSU-West Plains campus three times during the program – once at the beginning of the program and potentially once in the summer and the last would be for NCLEX review at the end of the program. All clinicals will be self-scheduled by the student with a preceptor at an approved facility in Missouri nearest the student.
To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, your applicant file must contain all required documentation, including transcripts and test scores, by the application deadline and you must meet the admissions eligibility requirements. Start your application process early so you will receive the proper advisement. The online application form in My Grizzly Den opens on May 1st and you must be fully admitted to MSU-West Plains to apply.
The program course requirements are shown below. The 65-credit hour program consists of courses in liberal arts, science and nursing. LPNs will receive 15 additional credit hours for NUR 100 and NUR 101. The nursing courses include lecture and on-campus simulation laboratory experiences, along with relevant clinical practicums provided at health care facilities located in Missouri and northern Arkansas.
For more information about the nursing program or to set up an appointment to meet with the nursing admissions coordinator, please contact the nursing admissions office: WPNursing@MissouriState.edu, (417) 255-7739.
Associate of Science in Nursing Program Course Requirements for the LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
Qualified LPNs may receive:
- Fifteen hours of nursing credit for NUR 100 – Fundamentals of Nursing and NUR 101 – Nursing Systems for the Adult Client I. Upon meeting all the prerequisites for those courses and successfully completing NUR 190 – Nursing Systems for the Adult Client: LPN-to-RN, the credit will be awarded. Anatomy and Physiology coursework must total 8 credit hours with labs from a regionally accredited college in order to qualify for the Missouri State University-West Plains LPN Bridge program.
- Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA of 12 college hours.
All coursework relevant to the nursing degree must be completed with a 'C' grade or higher to maintain eligibility for the nursing program.
Nursing Program Eligibility Support Course Requirements
MTH 130 or higher eligibility must be established by the January start of the nursing program. Eligibility is established through a math placement test score by the October 15th application deadline or completion of MTH 103 Intermediate Algebra or an equivalent course, with a 'C' grade or better or completed lower-level math courses that bring a MTH 130 or higher eligibility. Proof of enrollment in a course that will bring MTH 130 or higher eligibility by the program start must be established at the October 1st application deadline.
ENG110 - English Writing I must be established by the September 1st application deadline through the English Self-Directed Placement Survey and a reading placement exam score of 18 or higher on the ACT, 81 or higher on the COMPASS or 85 or higher on the ACCUPLACER or 256 or higher on the Next Generation exam or completion of English 1. You must have Eng 110 completed by the start of the nursing program.
PSY 121 - Introductory Psychology – 3 credit hours. Must be completed with a 'C' grade or higher by the spring start of the LPN Bridge program, but may be taken as a co-requisite to NUR 201 Mental Health with permission.