CAREERS NOW 03-09-08

Online Study Can Upgrade Your Credential

DEAR JOYCE: I've been a LVN (licensed practical nurse) for 20 years in California. Can you recommend an online program that prepares me to become an RN (registered nurse)? If so, would I have the opportunity to gain any of my credits by testing? - K.C.T.

Nursing programs are highly regulated because this career involves public health and safety. I can't think of anyone who knows more about online postsecondary study in nursing and other fields than Vicky Phillips.

Phillips is the chief education analyst for GetEducated.com (geteducated.com), a great Web site that evaluates accredited online degree programs and educates consumers about them. Phillips answers your question today.

LPN TO ASSOCIATE DEGREE. Your first step: Take the additional education and training necessary to sit for the RN exam in your state. Begin by trading up your LPN credential to an associate degree in nursing. Expect to take somewhere around 10 courses - perhaps fewer - to be awarded an associate degree. (Remember, the academic degree by itself does not make you an RN; you must pass your state's licensing exam to be awarded the RN credential.)

No matter what state you live in, Excelsior College of the State of New York (excelsior.edu) is an excellent place to enroll for the additional education you need for an associate degree in nursing. Excelsior has long been offering distance learning degrees to nurses nationwide. The college's faculty is expert at assessing nursing licenses and career training and applying maximum credit for what you've already achieved toward a college degree.

All Excelsior College nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, an accreditation you want no matter where you study.

One caveat: Because Excelsior's program is designed to meet the requirements for registered nurse programs in New York State, be sure to verify with your state's board of nursing that the Excelsior degree makes you eligible for the licensing exam where you live. Chances are good that it does, but check anyway.

For example, you should check with the California Board of Nursing (rn.ca.gov) to assure your learning meets California regulations. In fact, California may even accept LPN credentials as preparation for the RN exam but most states do not. Whether or not you absolutely must earn an associate degree is a question you'll have to work out with your state's nursing board.

MOVING UP TO BACHELOR'S DEGREE. How ambitious are you? After you've earned your associate degree and become licensed as a RN, at some point you may want to go for even better jobs that require a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing). Most RN-to-BSN programs require an associate degree for admission.

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