| You've finally made the decision: You've been an | | | | of the week), you can use your knowledge, |
| LPN for a while and have put your dreams of | | | | experiences and study resources to "test out of" |
| becoming an RN off for long enough: you've | | | | or earn credit for, a given subject. This is a |
| decided to become an RN through an RN bridge | | | | one-time examination that you will receive credit |
| program. You've weighed the pros and cons of | | | | for after having successfully passed it. It will take |
| attending a traditional nursing school to the bridge | | | | the place of a traditional college semester class. In |
| programs offered in a nontraditional setting (i.e. | | | | addition to saving valuable time, |
| online schools) and, unlike a traditional program, | | | | credit-by-examination saves you money! |
| the nontraditional LPN to RN bridge programs are | | | | Credit-by-examination classes can cost as little as |
| a perfect fit for your busy life and other | | | | $65 per credit, whereas community colleges |
| responsibilities: your job, your family, not to | | | | charge $300.00 and upward for a three-credit |
| mention the simple lack of time and high cost of | | | | course! |
| traditional nursing programs. With an online RN | | | | Where can I earn credit?o You can use one of |
| bridge program you can get credit for a lot of | | | | the well-established credit-by-examination |
| what you already know and make up the rest | | | | programs such as CLEP (College Level |
| through credit by examination, a much more | | | | Examination Program), DANTES (Defense Activity |
| convenient method. Here's an overview of how | | | | for Nontraditional Education Support), or ECE |
| Credit by examination works in an LPN to RN | | | | (Excelsior College Examinations). Excelsior College |
| bridge program: | | | | offers nursing credits you will need for an AASN |
| Assessing your needso As an LPN, (or other allied | | | | RN degree. You can obtain your ASN degree |
| health professional), you already have clinical | | | | entirely through credit-by-examination in an online |
| experience, practical skills and academic credit that | | | | LPN to RN bridge program.o Credits earned this |
| you can use toward an RN degree. The school | | | | way are accepted at accredited schools across |
| you plan to get your degree from will examine all | | | | the country. Many schools give the same amount |
| of this information and assess where the "gaps" | | | | of credit as their own similar courses. |
| (lack of credits) are; you, in turn, will create a | | | | Where do I get my Study Material for my RN |
| "bridge" to fill those in by taking | | | | bridge program? |
| credit-by-examinations. For example, if your LPN | | | | After you know what credits you need to |
| to RN bridge program requires you to have 3 | | | | complete your degree, you can contact CLEP, |
| credits in English Literature and you have never | | | | DANTES, or Excelsior College to obtain |
| taken that course, this is a "gap" that you will | | | | information about tests offered, study materials |
| need to fill in and earn credits for. This can be | | | | you may need and test dates. Your options are |
| accomplished through credit-by-examination. | | | | nearly limitless when it comes to locating |
| What is Credit by Examination?o Credit by | | | | resources to prepare you for your exams. You |
| examination is one of the most efficient and | | | | can obtain study material from college textbooks, |
| convenient methods you can use to earn college | | | | reference books, study guides purchased online or |
| credit. Instead of enrolling in a traditional course | | | | through bookstores, library rentals and friends. |
| offered in a classroom setting (often every day | | | | |