Medical Assistant to LPN: Bridge Program & Courses 2025

If you currently work as a medical assistant (MA) and would like to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you may be wondering about the training involved. You would like to complete an accredited online LPN program, but you'd like to be able to finish quickly.

Fortunately, some institutions offer fast-track LPN programs that build on the knowledge you received while completing your MA training. Let's learn more about these unique medical assistant to LPN bridge programs and how they could benefit you.

How Medical Assistant to LPN Programs Work

Medical assistants and LPNs have similar training requirements and job functions; however, LPNs generally provide more advanced patient care. MA to LPN bridge programs provide training in these advanced skills without forcing MAs to start over on their educational path.

Bridge programs, in general, allow students to apply credits from previous training to more advanced degrees, enabling them to earn these advanced credentials more quickly. MA to LPN bridge programs let medical assistants bring credits from their previous associate degree or certificate program into their LPN program, helping them avoid taking repeat classes.

LPN bridge programs may still require specific courses as prerequisites to the program. If you did not take these courses as part of your medical assistant training program, you will need to complete them before entering the LPN program. Check with any school you are considering to make sure you understand the prerequisite requirements.

Requirements for Medical Assistant to Licensed Practical Nursing Programs

As with all education programs, MA to LPN bridge programs have specific admission requirements. You will need to meet these requirements to be considered for acceptance into your program of choice. Admission requirements may vary from program to program but often include the following:

• completion of a medical assistant program
• proof of medical assistant work experience
• official transcripts
• background check
• CPR certification
• proof of immunizations

It's important to double-check the requirements for your specific program before enrollment to ensure you meet all admissions standards. If you do not, you will either need to look for another program with different requirements or take steps to improve your qualifications.

Courses in the Medical Assistant to LPN Bridge Program

As noted, medical assistants and LPNs have similar roles and training, but LPNs gain more advanced skills in patient care. As such, the required coursework in MA to LPN bridge programs often focuses on patient care. Common healthcare and nursing courses may include:

• MA bridge to PN fundamentals
• clinical practice introduction
• nursing health alterations
• developmental psychology
• nursing health promotion

The practical nursing program may contain additional courses to help students meet LPN math requirements and other prerequisites, like English and interpersonal communication.

Exact courses will vary from program to program. That said, those enrolled in practical nursing bridge programs will typically be required to take fewer courses than those in traditional programs, helping them prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam in a shorter timeframe.

Read More: What Classes Are Required for an LPN Program?

Medical Assistant vs. Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses and medical assistants are both job titles found in healthcare settings. They are both entry-level health professions requiring relatively low amounts of training and clinical experience, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Certified medical assistants often work in doctor's offices, clinics, and ambulatory care settings. They perform basic clerical and administrative tasks like recording patient information, answering questions, and scheduling appointments.

Meanwhile, licensed practical nurses often work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals. They are tasked with providing basic patient care, like measuring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting registered nurses with advanced care and procedures.

Those working as medical assistants may find it beneficial to move into practical nursing for many reasons. Since LPNs provide more advanced patient care, they typically earn higher salaries than medical assistants.

Additionally, becoming an LPN is a way for aspiring nurses to get their foot in the door. LPNs can later opt to enroll in LPN to ADN bridge programs, enabling them to become registered nurses. They can then pursue RN to BSN or RN to MSN programs to further advance their nursing careers if desired.

Benefits of LPN Bridge Programs

LPN bridge programs have many benefits for those who already have training and work experience as medical assistants. For starters, they are the shortest LPN program available for medical assistants.

Bridge programs enable students to transfer credits from their medical assistant training programs. In turn, this helps them save both time and money as they advance their careers through LPN training.

Some LPN bridge programs can be completed online, giving students added flexibility and making it possible for them to continue working while in school. Though these programs require in-person lab and clinical experiences, these requirements are often flexible. All online coursework and exams can typically be completed when and where it's convenient for you.

Finally, MA to LPN bridge programs provide advanced technical skills that enable candidates to work more closely with patients. For medical assistants interested in career advancement into patient care roles, bridge programs can be a great first step in making that transition.

Explore Online Healthcare and Nursing Programs Today

If you'd like to find out more about specific medical assistant to LPN bridge programs, check out the schools featured here on Learn.org. Many of them offer these types of programs, and reaching out to any of the schools can help you discover which one is the right fit for you.