LPN to RN Bridge | HCC

    LPN to RN Bridge

    A student who has passed the NCLEX-PN and holds an active, unrestricted license for practical/vocational nursing may be awarded credit for the first semester nursing course (NSG101) in HCC's associate degree nursing program.  The LPN/LVN may be admitted into the second semester of the program if all other nursing admission criteria is met and the applicant is accepted into the nursing program. Admitted students will be enrolled in the NSG195 Transition to ADN (Bridge Course). 

    Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses who graduated more than three (3) years prior to admission to a KCTCS associate degree nursing program shall provide verification of employment.  Current employment is defined as one (1) full-time employment as a LPN/LVN within the last three years.  The employment in nursing shall be defined as patient/client contact and shall be verified by the employing agency/agencies using a standardized verification of employment form provided by the HCC Nursing Department.

    Admission Cycles:

    • Fall admission cycle (nursing courses begin in August):  Deadline to apply May 15th
    • Spring admission cycle (nursing courses begin in January):  Deadline to apply October 30th

    Prerequisites:

    Prerequisites that must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to enrollment in the LPN-RN Bridge are:

    • BIO137 Anatomy & Physiology I
    • BIO139 Anatomy & Physiology II
    • PSY110 General Psychology
    • Quantitative Reasoning course to align with Associate in Science and Associate in Arts (eligible courses include MAT150, STA220, and other courses outlined in the KCTCS catalog for Quantitative Reasoning)
    • CPR100 CPR for Healthcare Professionals or current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification

    In addition, you must have previously completed or be enrolled in the co-requisite course listed below. You must earn a grade of C or better.

    • ENG101 Writing I

    First Nursing Courses for LPN-RN Bridge Students

    Students admitted to the LPN-RN Bridge Program will take the nursing courses listed below during the Bridge semester.  All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better to continue in the Nursing Program.

    • Medical/Surgical Nursing I course
      • NSG195 Transition to ADN (lecture and lab, no clinical component) - 4 credits OR
      • NSG219 Medical/Surgical Nursing I (lecture, lab, and clinical component) - 7 credits
    • NSG212 Behavioral Health - 3 credits

    LPNs/LVNs who are admitted through this advanced placement status will take a total of 7 credit hours of nursing in 2nd Semester Nursing courses 195 and 212 instead of the traditional 10 credit hours.

    The NSG195 Bridge Course consists of Lecture 3.5 credit hours (52.5 contact hours) and Lab/Clinical 0.5 credit hours (22.5 contact hours) for a total of 4.0 credit hours. 

    To be eligible for the bridge course, an applicant must meet the below requirements:

    • College Application:  Submit an application to Hopkinsville Community College if not already a KCTCS student.  All college admission requirements must be met.
    • Transcripts:  Submit official college transcripts to the Admissions Office for evaluation.  The Registrar’s office has the final determination in what credits will transfer from other institutions.
      • Current students of HCC or other KCTCS colleges who already have transcripts and transfer credit on file do not have to resubmit official transcripts unless additional credit from other institutions have been obtained.
    • ACT or SAT Scores:  The ACT/SAT requirement will be waived upon verification of an active LPN/LVN license in good standing with a state Board of Nursing.
    • Nursing Pre-Admission Conference (PAC):  Attend one session to obtain the nursing program application.
      • Details on conference format and dates will be available on the Nursing website or by contacting the department.
    • NACE Pre-Admission Exam:  Complete the National League for Nursing (NLN) NACE I Foundations of Nursing exam.
      • The NACE exam is designed to evaluate a LPN/LVN's previous education and experience.
      • Recommended minimum score on the NACE is 76%
      • Retest Policy:  A student will be eligible to retake the NACE once every six (6) weeks.
      • NACE scores expire after three (3) years.
      • Register:  www.nlntest.org - Additional information is available by clicking here.
      • NACE exam must be taken on or before the application deadline for the appropriate admission cycle.
    • Nursing Application:  Must be submitted to the Nursing Department staff by 4:30 pm on or before the application deadline for the appropriate admission cycle.
    • Verification of Employment Form:  Form will be provided by the Nursing Department staff after receipt of application.  Submit form completed by employer to the Nursing Department staff by the deadline given with the form.
    • Academic Standing:  Must be in good academic standing with the College with at least a 2.0 GPA with a grade of C or higher in all math, science, and pre-requisite courses within the nursing curriculum.
    • If you have previously taken RN nursing courses in another RN nursing program, you will be provided a recommendation form that must be completed by a faculty member at your previous nursing program.  The faculty recommendation form may affect the admission decision.