title: Actualization of a Seamless Nursing Program: Licensed Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate Registered Nurse.
abstract: Upward educational mobility of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is important for their professional development. For the nursing profession, this upward mobility increases workforce diversity. To address the paucity of programs accepting the LPN's education, a team of 6 BSN and LPN nurse educators, backed by 2 universities, developed a seamless LPN-BSN program. This article documents the process, including a needs assessment, curriculum development, admission criteria, implementation, lessons learned, and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Nursing Program Education Consultant, Acton, and Retired Chairperson, Department of Nursing, Fitchburg State University (Dr Wallen); Professor and Former Chairperson, Department of Nursing, Fitchburg State University (Ms McKay); Director of Practical Nursing, Assabet Valley Regional Technical School, Marlborough (Ms Santos); Director of Practical Nursing, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg (Ms LaFrance); and Retired Director of Practical Nursing, Assabet Valley Regional Technical School, Marlborough (Ms Veith), Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wallen
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: LaFrance
authors.forename: Rose M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Veith
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D065102:Licensed Practical Nurses / Q000193:education*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D016730:Program Development; D012570:School Admission Criteria