LPN to BSN Pathway
![Nursing student taking blood pressure of patient.](/colleges/con/bsn/images/lpntobsn.png)
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing LPN to BSN Pathway is specifically designed to meet the needs of Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses with a current LPN license seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
The LPN to BSN Professional Component consists of courses that address knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are needed to be successful in today’s dynamic healthcare settings. Students will enjoy challenging themselves to explore relevant topics related to modern day professional nursing issues. This program is taught entirely in a hybrid online format and is a flexible option for working students who are managing work and family responsibilities, as well as educational assignments. Program graduates will have the skills to provide enhanced patient care, promote health and aid in reducing barriers to health care, and apply research to clinical practice within rural and underserved communities. Graduates will increase their knowledge and experience in the care of vulnerable populations while emphasizing the impact of social determinants of health, health equity, health literacy, communication and leadership skills, community health nursing competencies, and integrated behavioral health services on health outcomes. The program is designed to better prepare LPNs to collaborate with the interprofessional team in providing quality care in multiple work settings.
The USA College of Nursing is currently accepting applicants who reside in Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky. Students who reside in states other than those listed may be considered for admission but must commit to completing clinical rotations in Alabama or Mississippi. Limited opportunities are offered in Virginia and Kentucky. Clinical rotations are completed with an approved BSN-prepared registered nurse preceptor under the direction and supervision of a USA College of Nursing clinical faculty.
Online LPN to BSN Professional Component
- The Professional Component consists of fourteen (14) nursing courses for a total of 47 credit hours.
- Nursing courses must be completed at the University of South Alabama.
- Upper division nursing courses taken at another institution will not transfer or apply toward the 47 credit hours required to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at USA.
- Students proceed through the fourteen online nursing courses at their desired pace.
- The Professional Component may be completed in a minimum of four (4) semesters.
- The Professional Component must be completed within five (5) years of beginning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum.
- Fourteen (14) credits of nursing courses from LPN program will be awarded to the degree upon graduation.
- Sixty-two credits of general education courses are required for the completion of the BSN degree.
Online Professional Component Course Work – 47 Total Credit Hours
- NU 325 Health Assessment – 3 credits
- NU 327 Pathophysiological Bases of Nursing – 3 credits
- HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology – 3 credits
- NU 304 Research for Health Professions – 3 credits
- NU 300 Foundations of Professional Nursing – 5 credits
- NU 301 Foundations of Professional Nursing Clinical – 3 credits
- NU 305 Essentials of Obstetrics, Pediatrics, & Psychiatric Nursing – 4 credits
- AHN 447 Adult Gerontological Nursing – 4 credits
- AHN 448 Adult Gerontological Nursing Clinical – 4 credits
- NU 332 Clinical Nutrition – 2 credits
- NU 412 Nursing Decision Making and Delegation – 3 credits
- NU 414 Issues and Trends in Health Care – 3 credits
- NU 405 Transition to Registered Nursing Practice – 2 credits
- NU 460 Practicum – 6 credits
- Spring Admission – Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline - August 1st
Final Deadline – November 1st - Summer Admission – Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline – March 1st
Final Deadline – April 15th - Fall Admission – Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline – March 15th
Final Deadline – July 1st
Prospective students are encouraged to contact conlpn2bsn@whosyourgirlfriend.com for any questions regarding readiness to apply to the LPN to BSN program.
The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College select applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Enrollment in the Professional Component is limited and competitive. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or qualified disability. Students must be in good standing with all academic institutions/nursing programs that they have attended in order to be admitted to the LPN-BSN program.
Students in the Professional Component are required to complete clinical requirements. LPN to BSN students may be required to complete clinical rotations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as well as weekdays.
- Admission to the University of South Alabama requires the submission of a completed application to the University of South Alabama along with official transcripts from all colleges and schools you have attended.
- Admission to the College of Nursing LPN to BSN program requires the submission of a completed application to the College of Nursing with a $25 application fee.
- Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States of America.
- Completion of an accredited Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse Certificate.
- Current Active, unencumbered License to practice as Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse.
- Complete pre-requisite courses at a regionally accredited school. These 62 credit hours of general education courses are in addition to the nursing courses completed to become a LPN or LVN.
- Minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing within the University or previous college.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing via email at (conlpn2bsn@whosyourgirlfriend.com) for review of prerequisite courses.
- Admission will be contingent on submission of health data forms, evidence of health insurance, and CPR certification.
- Admission will be contingent on a negative drug screen and results of an acceptable background check.
- Students who have attended a Nursing program at another school are required to provide
the following to the College of Nursing email at conlpn2bsn@whosyourgirlfriend.com
- Letter of Good Standing (verifying student was in good moral, ethical, and legal standing with no previous disciplinary action)from the Nursing Program, signed by the Nursing Administrator of the program
- Transcript of all nursing courses taken with the grades earned
- Transfer credit will be considered upon review of course syllabi
The LPN to BSN Prerequisites consists of nineteen (19) courses, totaling 62 credits hours. These general education courses MUST be completed at a regionally-accredited institution BEFORE applying to the LPN to BSN program.
Written Communication
Course | Credit |
---|---|
EH 101 English Composition I | 3 |
EH 102 English Composition II | 3 |
Humanities and Fine Arts
Course | Credit |
---|---|
Fine Arts (Music, Drama, or Art) | 3 |
*Literature Elective (American, British, or World) | 3 |
Humanities elective (Literature for sequence, philosophy, foreign Language, music, art, drama, or religion) | 3 |
CA 110 Public Speaking | 3 |
History/Social and Behavioral Science
Course | Credit |
---|---|
PSY 120 Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
*History elective (US or Western Civilization) | 3 |
History/Social/Behavioral Science elective | 3 |
History/Social/Behavioral Science elective (history for sequence, Psychology, sociology, political science, geography, communications, or anthropology) | 3 |
Natural Sciences
Course | Credit |
---|---|
BLY 101 & BLY 101L Life Sciences & Lab (or higher) | 4 |
MA 110 or MA 112 Pre-calculus | 3 |
CH 101 & CH101L Chemistry & Lab (or higher) | 4 |
Major Requirements
Course | Credit |
---|---|
BLY 213 & BLY 214 Microbiology & Lab OR BMD 210 & BMD 210L Microbiology in Healthcare & Lab |
4 |
BMD 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I includes Lab | 4 |
BMD 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II includes Lab | 4 |
ST 210 / ST 305 / BUS 245 / PSY 220 Statistics (Select one) | 3 |
CIS 140 Introduction to Technology for Healthcare Providers | 3 |
ECO 215 Microeconomics OR ECO 216 Macroeconomics | 3 |
Total Credits 62
*Must have one history elective and one literature elective. In addition, you must choose a second history or second literature to complete a two-part sequence (e.g. US History I, US History II or American Literature I, American Literature II)
This evaluation by the College of Nursing is valid for only one year. It is contingent upon the Transfer Credit Articulation completed by the Office of Admissions at the time of acceptance to USA.
Students can use the USA Transfer Evaluation System to assess which credits earned at their current or former school may transfer to the University of South Alabama. This is an unofficial course evaluation.
Transfer Students can locate information on admission requirements, Pathway USA Program, Transfer Center, General Education/Core Curriculum, and STARS Guide on the USA Transfer Student page.
Fall Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 325 Health Assessment | 3 |
NU 327 Pathophysiological Basis Nursing | 3 |
HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
NU 304 Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
Credits | 12 |
Spring Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 300 Foundations Professional Nursing | 5 |
NU 301 Foundations of Professional Nursing Clinical | 3 |
NU 305 - Essentials of Obstetrics, Pediatrics, & Psychiatric Nursing | 4 |
Credits | 12 |
Summer Semester | Credit |
---|---|
AHN 447 Adult-Geron Nursing | 4 |
AHN 448 Adult-Geron Nursing Clinical | 4 |
NU 332 Clinical Nutrition | 2 |
Credits | 10 |
Fall Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 412 Decision Making for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
NU 414 Issues and Trends | 3 |
NU 405 - Transition to Registered Nursing Practice | 2 |
NU 460 Practicum | 6 |
Credits | 14 |
Spring Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 325 Health Assessment | 3 |
NU 327 Pathophysiological Basis Nursing | 3 |
NU 304 Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
NU 414 Issues and Trends | 3 |
Credits | 12 |
Summer Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 300 Foundations Professional Nursing | 5 |
NU 301 Foundations of Professional Nursing Clinical | 3 |
HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
Credits | 11 |
Fall Semester | Credit |
---|---|
AHN 447 Adult-Geron Nursing | 4 |
AHN 448 Adult-Geron Nursing Clinical | 4 |
NU 305 - Essentials of Obstetrics, Pediatrics, & Psychiatric Nursing | 4 |
Credits | 12 |
Spring Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 412 Decision Making for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
NU 332 Clinical Nutrition | 2 |
NU 405 - Transition to Registered Nursing Practice | 2 |
NU 460 Practicum | 6 |
Credits | 13 |
Summer Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 325 Health Assessment | 3 |
NU 327 Pathophysiological Basis Nursing | 3 |
NU 304 Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
NU 414 Issues and Trends | 3 |
Credits | 12 |
Fall Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 300 Foundations Professional Nursing | 5 |
NU 301 Foundations of Professional Nursing Clinical | 3 |
HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
NU 332 Clinical Nutrition | 2 |
Credits | 13 |
Spring Semester | Credit |
---|---|
AHN 447 Adult-Geron Nursing | 4 |
AHN 448 Adult-Geron Nursing Clinical | 4 |
NU 305 - Essentials of Obstetrics, Pediatrics, & Psychiatric Nursing | 4 |
Credits | 12 |
Summer Semester | Credit |
---|---|
NU 412 Decision Making for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
NU 405 - Transition to Registered Nursing Practice | 2 |
NU 460 Practicum | 6 |
Credits | 11 |
Please note the following tests, titers, and immunizations are required for admission into the Nursing Program. It is very important to start working on these requirements early to allow time to complete all of them by the deadline that will be included in admission packets.
- Two Hepatitis B adult immunizations to start clinical rotations; Third dose and follow-up titer required to continue.
- Proof of two MMR immunizations or titer
- Positive Varicella titer; If negative, a booster immunization is required.
- Flu Vaccine
- TB Test (Initial 2-step PPD test or blood test {Quantiferon Gold test or T-spot] 1-step PPD test or blood test annually thereafter)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDaP) Vaccine
*Hepatitis B immunizations may take up to 6 months to obtain the full adult series of immunizations as well as another month after the last immunization to have the titer completed. As defined by the CDC, adult immunization schedules refer to adults aged 19 years or older.
Students accepted into this BSN program in the College of Nursing are required to complete all health requirements. All requirements should be completed no later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the professional component. Instructions will be provided about the use of CastleBranch, an online health document management system, upon acceptance to the professional component.
Contact Information
Dr. Leigh Minchew – Program Coordinator
Email: lminchew@whosyourgirlfriend.com