Growing Your Nursing Career: A Practical Guide from LPN to RN, BSN, and NP

The useful part

09:20 As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you have several ways to build on the nursing education and experience you already have. You may decide to become an RN, earn a BSN, move into a specialty or leadership role, or eventually pursue advanced practice as a nurse practitioner. Nursing credentials can stack over time, but each step can also stand on its own.

How it works

• You can choose the path that fits your goals and decide how far you want to take it.
• As an LPN, you already understand nursing basics, you've cared for patients in real settings, and you know how a care team works day to day.
• Don't underestimate how much that practical experience matters.<...
• A common progression looks like this: LPN в†' RN (through an ADN or BSN) в†' BSN в†' MSN в†' certification and NP licensure.
• From there, a BSN can open additional opportunities and provide the foundation for graduate nursing education.

What to take from it

Nurses who want to move into advanced practice can continue into an NP program, then complete the certification and licensure requirements for that role.

Details worth keeping

Becoming an RN is often the first major step.