Bridging Options for LPNs & RNs

Lakeview College of Nursing recognizes that Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses may have met the goals and objectives of some of the BSN courses through previous education and training. 

LPNs must provide a copy of Illinois licensure and pass a skills test to be exempt from clinical for the N210 course.

Registered Nurses must provide a copy of Illinois licensure as well as complete N200 with a grade of C or better to earn credit for the courses indicated below. Additionally, LPNs and RNs must complete ALL general education and prerequisite requirements in order to earn the degree. Licensed RNs may receive 32 credits for the following courses if they are admitted to the nursing program, and have completed N200 Theories and Issues of Professional Nursing:

• N202 Patho-Pharmacology Part I
• N203 Language of Health Care
• N210 Foundations of Nursing Practice
• N301 Nursing of the Adult Client
• N305 Nursing of the Childbearing Family
• N307 Patho-Pharmacology Part II
• N308 Nursing of the Childrearing Family
• N310 Nursing of the Mental Health Client

RNs may receive an additional 3 credit hours for N309 Nursing of the Gerontological Client if they have completed a 3 credit hour (2 credit hour lecture plus 1 credit hour for clinical) gerontology nursing course as part of their previous study. If an RN has completed a 2 hour gerontological course they will need to submit a syllabus to the Coordinator of Admissions and Records for evaluation.

The Faculty Organization will make the final determination of whether courses meet our criteria. In cases where there is a question, the Dean of the College of Nursing will be consulted.

Please also see RN Articulation Agreements and BSN Completion Program Suggested Curriculum .

RN Portfolio Requirements

A licensed RN who graduated from an accredited Nursing Program, has a minimum of 5 years of nursing experience, and is fully admitted to the nursing program at LCN may receive credit by portfolio for one of the senior level clinical courses. These courses are: N405 Leadership and Management, N404 Community Health Nursing, and N403 Nursing of the Client with Complex Health Situations. The course chosen should be the one most appropriate based on previous nursing experience.  Approval from the course coordinator must be obtained prior to initiating a portfolio. After meeting the above criteria, the student will be required to do the following:

1. Make an appointment with the course coordinator for the identified course. The student will receive the course material and objectives to be used in creating a portfolio.

2. Submit a portfolio containing the following:

    a. A specific description of how each of the course objectives was met in the work setting. The description should    address both clinical skill and application of theory. Evidence, where appropriate, must also be included.
    b. The year and setting in which the activities occurred.

3. Submit a letter of reference from a current employer validating the student’s professional performance. (A standardized form may be included in the portfolio packet received from the course coordinator. This reference form must be the one used.)

4. The instructor may require additional work or testing to accept the student’s portfolio.

The completed portfolio may be submitted at any time during the academic school year. Allow a minimum of 3 months for the evaluation of the portfolio. If the portfolio is accepted for credit, a fee will be required prior to the awarding of credit for the course. If the portfolio is not accepted as presenting evidence necessary for course credit, the student will be required to complete the course. The decision of the course faculty will be final.