10 Best 6-Month LPN to RN Programs Online in 2025
Multiple colleges and universities across the U.S. offer accelerated LPN to RN bridge programs that allow students to become registered nurses faster.
Many licensed practical nurses (LPNs) � or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) if you're from California or Texas � choose to further their education by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. These programs, if they're approved by the state board of nursing, allow students to become registered nurses (RNs).
Some programs allow students to enter the workforce much faster. Multiple colleges and universities across the U.S. offer accelerated LPN to RN bridge programs that allow students to become registered nurses faster.
LPN to RN programs allow students with practical nursing licenses to complete their RN degree program faster. Though 6-month LPN to RN programs online or on campus are rare, there are plenty of schools with programs that let you finish at an accelerated pace. Keep reading to learn more about accelerated LPN to RN bridge programs.
Is It Possible To Complete an LPN to RN Program in 6 Months?
In most cases, unless you have significant college experience already, it's not possible to complete an LPN to RN bridge program in six months. Traditionally, bridge programs take anywhere from two to four years to complete, depending on whether you're pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
This is due to the credits required to earn these degrees. ADN programs typically require at least 60 college credits, while BSN programs usually require at least 120. While there aren't really any set 6-month LPN to RN programs, there are plenty of schools that offer an accelerated option so students can finish in less than the traditional two years.
Accelerated LPN to RN Programs
As mentioned, several schools in the U.S. allow students to transition from an LPN to an RN more quickly than usual. Below, we've highlighted some accelerated in-person and online LPN to RN bridge programs.
Note that in most cases, the time frame given is based on how many credits you need to take after you've completed an LPN program, earned your license, and taken the necessary prerequisites.
1. University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a public research institution in Norman, OK. It offers an LPN to BSN program that can be completed within nine months for students who have taken all prerequisite courses.
This program offers asynchronous classes, clinical rotations in Oklahoma, and internet-based coursework to accommodate working nurses. Students complete the majority of coursework online and are also required to fulfill 160 hours per semester of in-person clinical coursework.
The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the LPN to BSN program is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Tuition for Oklahoma residents is $212.25 per credit hour, while tuition for non-residents is $592.95.
2. Catawba Valley Community College
At Catawba Valley Community College, students can complete an LPN to ADN program in nine months of full-time study. This program includes in-person and online learning.
Catawba Valley Community College is a public school located in Hickory, NC. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its nursing programs hold additional accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Students must come to campus for classes and labs two days a week and attend 12-hour clinicals on Saturdays. The tuition rate at CVCC is $76 per credit hour for in-state students and $268 for out-of-state students.
3. Sampson Community College
The LPN to ADN bridge program at Sampson Community College is a nine-month hybrid program with a high NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 100% job placement rate. The public college is located in Clinton, NC.
Primary instruction for the program is delivered online, but students are required to return to campus for orientation and exams. Tuition for North Carolina residents is $76 per credit hour, and for out-of-state students, it's $268.
The nursing programs at Sampson Community College are accredited by the ACEN. The college itself is accredited by the SACSCOC.
4. Missouri State University-West Plains
The LPN to RN bridge program at Missouri State University - West Plains can be completed in just one year of full-time study. It's available in a primarily online format, with students only needing to appear on campus twice during the program and to set up clinical experiences at approved sites.
This public college is accredited by the HLC. Nursing programs here are accredited by the ACEN.
Missouri residents pay $205 per credit hour for nursing programs at the college. Out-of-state residents pay twice as much at $410.
5. Pennsylvania College of Technology
The Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public school in Williamsport, PA. It offers an ACEN-accredited LPN to Associate of Applied Science in nursing (AAS) that can be completed in one year.
The accelerated hybrid format offers online nursing courses and one on-site visit per week. Courses include foundational topics in nursing and patient care, as well as courses on medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, pharmacology, and obstetrics.
Penn College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Tuition is $515 per credit hour for Pennsylvania residents and $773 for non-residents.
6. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Students at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College can complete an LPN to RN program in as little as one year. This is a hybrid program, with students taking online courses and meeting on campus once or twice a week.
MGCCC is a public college located in Perkinston, MS. It's accredited by the SACSCOC, and its nursing programs hold accreditation through the ACEN.
The program starts with a transitional course for healthcare professionals and then continues with more advanced concepts in nursing practice. The tuition rate is $180 per credit hour for in-state students and $230 for out-of-state students.
7. Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College offers a hybrid LPN to RN completion program that can be finished in one year. CFCC is a public college in Wilmington, NC.
This degree leads to an AAS in nursing and includes courses on core nursing concepts, as well as microbiology and research. In-state tuition is $76 per credit hour, while out-of-state tuition is $268.
The nursing programs at CFCC are accredited by the ACEN. The institution itself is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC.
8. Joliet Junior College
A hybrid, one-year LPN to AAS in nursing program is available at Joliet Junior College. This program combines traditional and online classroom experiences, high-fidelity simulations, and clinical experiences in health facilities throughout the community.
JJC, located in Joliet, IL, is a public college. It's regionally accredited by the HLC and its nursing programs are accredited by the ACEN.
In-district students pay a tuition rate of $116 per credit hour, while students from the rest of Illinois pay a rate of $390. Students from out-of-state have a tuition rate of $425.
9. Monroe University
Monroe University is a private, for-profit institution in New York City. It offers a one-year LPN to RN program. The curriculum includes courses on anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, and healthcare � some courses are available online.
The university is accredited by the MSCHE, and its nursing programs hold accreditation through the ACEN. Tuition is $701 per credit hour.
10. Herzing University
Through Herzing University, students can complete an LPN to RN bridge program in as few as 16 months. The school offers both an LPN-to-ASN and an LPN-to-BSN program.
While the private nonprofit university is based in Milwaukee, it offers LPN-to-RN programs at multiple sites around the country � plus an online option. Tuition is $730 per credit hour.
All campuses of Herzing University are accredited by the ACEN. LPN to ASN programs are accredited by the ACEN, while LPN to BSN programs are accredited by the CCNE.
FAQs About the Fastest LPN to RN Programs
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions to help you better understand LPN to RN programs.
How Long Does It Take to Go From LPN to RN Online?
While there are no 6-month LPN to RN programs online, you can still further your nursing career through a nine or 12-month online program. These programs prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam so you can obtain your licensure and become a registered nurse.
Note that online programs still typically require some hands-on experience in a clinical setting.
How Fast Can You Go From LPN to RN?
Again, while schools don't list these programs specifically as ''6-month LPN to RN programs'', you can still complete a bridge program and earn an RN license in a year or less. The length of time your program takes depends on your nursing school, whether you study full-time or part-time, whether you're pursuing an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing, and whether you've already completed all the prerequisite courses.
A few other factors go into play as well, such as whether you struggle to pass the nursing school's entrance exam, or if there's a delay with your background check. However, with full-time study, you can potentially earn your RN license in under a year.
Are Accelerated LPN to RN Programs Worth It?
For many students, an accelerated LPN to RN program is worth it because it lets them upgrade their LPN license to an RN license faster � it allows students to move through the educational program a little quicker. These programs still give students an evidence-based general education in nursing. They also help nursing students hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Are There Any LPN to RN Online Programs Without Clinicals?
In general, RN programs require clinical training in nursing care. However, if you're already working as an LPN, your nursing school may allow you to fulfill clinical hours at your place of employment.
Find Accelerated LPN to RN Programs Near You
Find the perfect LPN to RN program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual nursing schools to learn more about eligibility and admission requirements, enrollment, and financial aid. Find LPN to RN programs at schools in your state: