Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - to - Registered Nurse (RN) Admission

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Bridge Program is a 65-credit hour, selective admission program that 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) and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The MSU-WP Nursing Program offers an LPN-to-RN Bridge cohort each application cycle, spring and summer/fall with both seated and online options to cater to the diverse needs of our students. Each cohort consists of 30 available seats. Our program aims to provide a flexible learning environment to accommodate all potential students.

Starting Semester	Applications open	Deadline to Apply
Summer/Fall*	November 1st	March 1st
Spring	May 1st	October 1st

*LPN students without Microbiology and/or Civics credits will take those classes in the summer before starting NUR 190 in the fall. 

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 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

• Anatomy and Physiology coursework must total 8 credit hours with labs from a regionally accredited college to qualify for the Missouri State University-West Plains LPN Bridge program
• MTH 130 or higher eligibility must be established by the start of the nursing program.
  • Eligibility is established through a math placement test score or completion of MTH 103 Intermediate Algebra, MTH 115 Basic Geometry Concepts, 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 before the application deadline.
• ENG110 - English Writing I must be completed before the start date of the 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.
• Applicants must have proof of IV training through LPN curriculum or submit proof of a separate IV training certification.
• Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and at least 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.

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.

Seated and Online Program Details

The seated program is available for students who prefer a traditional classroom setting. The seated sections will only be offered if there are 10 or more students enrolled. During an application cycle where less than 10 students express interest in the seated program, those students will be given the option to move to the online program. Students will receive notifications via their university email if the seated section does not meet the required student count. They will then be given the option to transition to the online program.

The online program has been highly popular among our students due to its flexibility and convenience. Students in the online program can access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments remotely, allowing for a more self-paced learning experience. The online program offers a comprehensive curriculum that is designed to prepare students for a successful transition from LPN to RN roles.

We understand the importance of providing options that suit the needs of our students, and we are committed to supporting your academic journey every step of the way. If you have any questions or require further assistance regarding the LPN to RN program options, please do not hesitate to reach out to our nursing department by phone at (417) 255-7245 or email WPNursing@MissouriState.edu.

Students accepted into the online LPN-to-RN Bridge cohort will be required to come to the MSU-West Plains campus two (2) times during the program – once at the beginning of the program and potentially once in the summer, if BIO 210 - Elements of Microbiology is needed. All clinicals will be self-scheduled by the student with a preceptor at an approved facility nearest the student.

To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, you must provide all required documentation, including transcripts and test scores, by the application deadline, and you must meet the admissions eligibility requirements. We encourage interested students to start the application process early so you will receive the proper advisement. 

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 healthcare facilities located in Missouri, northern Arkansas, and Kansas.

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) 255-7245.

Clinical Sites

While the LPN-RN Bridge Program offers classes online, it is important to note that clinicals must occur at healthcare facilities where the MSU-WP Nursing program has state board approval and established clinical contracts. Currently, the MSU-WP Nursing department has clinical sites covering the state of Missouri and northern Arkansas. We are approved to establish sites in Kansas, and we can establish sites in other parts of Arkansas as needed. Any student interested in the LPN-RN Bridge program must be willing and able to travel to Missouri or Arkansas to complete their clinical hours if they are from another state besides the three listed. The clinical rotations for the LPN to RN program is preceptor based and self-scheduled by the student. There are 132 preceptor clinical hours that must be completed each semester, and those hours are arranged with the student's assigned preceptor at the clinical facility. Students cannot complete more than 36 hours per week but are otherwise free to schedule their clinical hours as needed with their preceptor. 

Due to clinical restrictions, the MSU Nursing program can only accpet students who are residents of Missouri or Arkansas at this time. This policy wil go into effect starting with the May 1st, 2025 through October 1st, 2025 application cycle for the January 2026 cohort.