Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Track

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The 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.

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

The LPN to RN Track of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree Program is a 65 credit hour, selective admission program that consists of one summer and one academic year. Students who successfully complete the program may apply to the Missouri State Board of Nursing to determine eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The qualified LPN may begin classes in January if BMS 267 Human Anatomy, BMS 268 Human Physiology, MTH 130 (or higher) placement, PSY 121 Introductory Psychology and ENG 110 Writing I have been completed. LPNs may begin the nursing program without PSY 121 if permission is obtained from the Nursing Department prior to the start of nursing courses. Qualified LPNs may receive 15 hours of Advanced Placement Credit for NUR 100 Fundamentals of Nursing and NUR 101 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing I. Transfer credit for other coursework will be evaluated by the admissions office. The Nursing Department strongly urges students to complete any or all of the general education requirements of the ASN degree prior to the start of nursing courses. Curriculum pathways for both options are below:

The LPN-RN Track program curriculum is as follows (with general education requirements needed):

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - LPN-to-RN Track

Semester 1 Credit Hours
NUR 190 Transitions for the LPN-to-RN 3
NUR 201 Mental Health Nursing 3
NUR 212 Nursing Care Across the Life Span 9
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology (if needed) 3
Semester 2 Credit Hours
BIO 210 Elements of Microbiology 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877 OR
  • HST 122 US History Since 1877 OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
3*
Semester 3 Credit Hours
NUR 202 Pharmacology 3
NUR 204 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing II 9
NUR 220 Current Trends and Issues in Nursing (capstone course) 3

Or the LPN-RN Track program curriculum is as follows (with general education requirements already completed):

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - LPN-to-RN Track

Semester 1 Credit Hours
NUR 190 Transitions for the LPN-to-RN 3
NUR 201 Nursing Care Across the Life Span 3
NUR 212 Nursing Care Across the Life Span 9
Semester 2 Credit Hours
NUR 202 Pharmacology 3
NUR 204 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing II 9
NUR 220 Current Trends and Issues in Nursing (capstone course) 3
Credit Breakdown (65 hours for the ASN): Credit Hours
Prerequisite Courses 11
General Education Courses 9
Advanced Placement Nursing Credit 15
Nursing Courses 30
Degree Total: 65