Bluefield State College - School of Nursing and Allied Health

Accelerated LPN to RN Program

(Revised 5/08)

The accelerated LPN to RN program permits the qualifying LPN student to complete the RN nursing courses in one calendar year. These students begin nursing instruction with a 10-week summer transition course and progress into the third semester of the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is offered in Bluefield, on the main campus of the College, and in Beckley at the Beckley Center, located in Harper Industrial Park. The nursing courses at the Beckley Center are taught by Bluefield State College nursing faculty. Students may elect to take the non-nursing program courses may be taken at Bluefield State College or other area colleges. Courses taken at other colleges must have prior approval and must be equivalent to the program courses as judged by Bluefield State College. The summer transition course is currently offered at the Bluefield campus only.

Eligibility requirements for admission to the accelerated LPN to RN program include:

1. Meet general admission requirements.
2. Have completed with a “C” or better one unit of high school chemistry OR be enrolled at Bluefield State College or another accredited institution of higher learning prior to application, having completed with a “C” or better one introductory chemistry course.
3. An active LPN license.
4. Completion of first year required non-nursing courses (Math 101 or higher, PSYC 103, 210, BIOL 201, 202, 203, 204, and ENGL 101) prior to entrance into the summer transition course.
5. Letter of recommendation from a Registered Nurse familiar with the applicant’s current practice.
6. Complete HESI Admission Test with 75% or better overall average AND a 70% or better in each of the following sections: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar and Biology.
7. Students exceeding these academic standards and course requirements will be given first priority.
8. Preference will be given to applicants having at least one year full-time equivalent of acute care facility experience.
9. Preference will be given to West Virginia residents.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Upon successful completion of the associate degree program in nursing, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam – RN (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this examination allows the graduate to apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

Program of Study (2007-2009)

The courses required for the Associate Degree in Nursing via the Accelerated LPN to RN program are listed below.

Other Options for LPN’s LPN’s may choose to enter the generic two year Associate of Science nursing program. These students are eligible to CLEP NURS 107, 109L, 110, 115, 207, and 215.