The Best Online BSN Programs for Working LPNs

Advancing from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) can open doors to higher-paying roles, leadership opportunities, and more specialized areas of nursing practice.

An online LPN-to-RN bridge program with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) pathway is designed for working nurses who need flexibility while pursuing career growth. These programs blend online coursework with clinical experiences, helping you earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing without putting your career on hold.

With a relatively low tuition rate, Frostburg State’s LPN-to-BSN program ranks as the most affordable option on our list.

The program includes online, part-time delivery and generous credit transfer. LPNs with an active, unencumbered license are granted 15 credits. Students then complete 50 credits of specialized nursing coursework entirely online, combined with 480 hours of hands-on clinical and lab experience through local preceptors.

Admission requires prerequisites, which may be transferred from another institution. The online format and flexible scheduling make it ideal for working LPNs, allowing them to keep their job, manage home responsibilities, and achieve progress toward their RN licensure. The program balances cost, flexibility, and rigorous preparation.

Go to FSU’s BSN Program

Herzing University’s online LPN-to-BSN bridge program is among the most accessible admission paths for working LPNs because it has rolling admissions, accepts a variety of prior licensures, uses the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam with a modest minimum score, and requires just a 2.5 minimum GPA.

The BSN bridge program is structured with fully online lecture coursework and hands-on, in-person clinicals. Transferring credits from prior relevant work, licensure, or previous college courses can shorten the graduation timeline and reduce costs.

Admission requires proof of licensure or prior healthcare credential, GPA threshold, TEAS score, and meeting state eligibility. Flexibility and online scheduling makes it well suited for LPNs who want to maintain their jobs or family obligations while advancing their education.

Go to Herzing’s BSN Program

Indiana State’s LPN-to-BSN track offers one of the most flexible delivery formats available today: It is fully online with no required campus visits, and clinical rotations can be arranged locally in the student’s community. Transfer of all applicable credit is allowed, and some courses can be satisfied with equivalency exams. This format suits working LPNs who need schedule flexibility.

The curriculum includes nursing theory, pharmacology, health assessment, leadership, research, and patient care, plus clinicals in various healthcare settings. Admission requires a completed practical nursing program and a current LPN license. Graduates become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue licensure wherever permitted.

Go to ISU’s BSN Program

Among all the schools on our list, the University of Arkansas (U of A) has the highest overall graduation rate (70%), reflecting its commitment to student success and student satisfaction.

U of A’s LPN-to-BSN curriculum includes online coursework delivered over 16-week terms and clinically-based practicums placed in the student’s geographic area. This structure makes U of A’s program well-suited for working LPNs seeking an RN license.

Admission requires a current LPN license, 2,000 hours of work experience as an LPN within the last 24 months, a minimum TEAS score of 65%, and prerequisite courses. Transfer credits are accepted especially for foundational/general education and science prerequisites.

Go to U of A’s BSN Program

The University of South Alabama’s LPN-to-BSN pathway offers the fastest degree completion timeline, requiring a minimum of four semesters of nursing coursework — including summer term. The program features a hybrid-online format for the professional component, combining 14 online nursing courses with local clinical rotations.

Admission requires an active, unencumbered license, completion of 62 credit hours of general education prerequisite coursework, plus a 2.5 GPA. Transfer credit is accepted for prerequisites, but the professional component must be completed at South Alabama. For working LPNs, the flexibility in pacing and local clinical placement make this an attractive route to RN licensure.

Go to USA’s BSN Program

LPNs typically earn lower annual salaries than RNs, reflecting differences in education, scope of practice, and responsibilities. RNs generally see higher pay due to their advanced training, broader clinical roles, and greater opportunities for career advancement. BLS data collected from 2015 to 2024 reveal a significant difference in salaries between LPNs and RNs.

The difference in salaries ranged between 44% in 2015 to 40% in 2024. Licensed practical nurses and vocational nurses work under the supervision of RNs, which is reflected in these wage differences. Most hospitals also prefer RNs as this level of care is necessary for magnetic designation, improves insurance reimbursement, and improves patient outcomes.