Do You Have to Be an LPN Before RN?

If you’re considering a career in nursing, one of the first questions you might have is whether you need to be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) before becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). The short answer is no—you don’t have to be an LPN first. However, depending on your personal goals, finances, and timeline, starting as an LPN may still be a valuable step in your nursing career. Let’s break it down.

The Direct Path to RN

Many people go straight into nursing school to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. These programs can prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam and begin your career as a Registered Nurse without any prior LPN experience.

• ADN programs usually take about 2 years of full time study to complete.
  
  
• BSN programs typically take 4 years of full time study, but they open up more career opportunities in leadership, management, and specialized areas.

For students who know from the beginning that they want to become RNs, this direct route may make the most sense. However, if you need to begin your career as soon as possible, there are flexible options for those who need to complete an LPN program and then go back to nursing school for an RN while working. 

The LPN to RN Bridge Program Path

While you don’t have to be an LPN first, many nurses choose this route. Why? Because becoming an LPN allows you to:

• Start working in healthcare sooner. LPN programs usually take about 12–18 months, so you can earn a salary while gaining nursing experience.
  
  
• Build hands-on skills and confidence. Working as an LPN gives you direct patient care experience that can make the transition to RN smoother.
  
  
• Use a bridge program to advance. An LPN to RN Bridge program often allows you to apply your previous coursework and nursing experience to an ADN or BSN degree, shortening the time it takes to earn your RN license.

LPN to RN bridge programs are designed specifically for working nurses, and many (like those with Achieve Test Prep) offer flexible schedules, online coursework, and credit by exam options to help you finish faster.

What is credit by exam for nursing and how does it work? 

Credit by exam is a method that allows students to earn college credit by demonstrating they have mastered knowledge of a subject by taking a standardized exam equivalent to an end of course final exam instead of completing traditional semester-long coursework in a college classroom. Exams such as CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) and DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) are commonly used for this purpose and are accepted for credits by over 2,900 colleges and universities nationwide. 

By passing these tests, you can earn credits for subjects like college mathematics, microbiology, introductory psychology and dozens of general education and prerequisite courses, which count toward your degree requirements just as if you had completed the class in a traditional setting.

In LPN to RN programs and other nursing bridge programs, credit by exam can be especially valuable for students who need to work full time while going back to school. Many aspiring nurses use it to complete prerequisites more quickly and affordably, helping them fast-track into nursing courses. The credit by exam for nursing approach not only saves time and money but also provides flexibility for non-traditional learners balancing work, family, and education. For motivated students, credit by exam is a strategic way to accelerate progress toward a nursing degree and ultimately a rewarding healthcare career.

Are RN bridge programs more competitive than traditional RN programs? 

RN bridge programs are not necessarily more competitive than traditional RN programs, but they sometimes have different requirements that can make them feel more selective. Traditional RN programs typically admit students who are starting their nursing education from the beginning, whereas RN bridge programs are designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), paramedics, or other healthcare professionals who already have some healthcare experience and want to advance to an RN role. Because of this, bridge programs usually require applicants to hold an active healthcare license, complete certain prerequisites, and sometimes have work experience in the field.

While the pool of applicants for bridge programs may be smaller than for traditional RN programs, the requirements can be more specialized, which can limit who is eligible to apply. On the other hand, traditional RN programs often attract a much larger number of applicants, especially at community colleges and universities, which can make admissions highly competitive due to limited spots. In short, bridge programs are not harder to get into, but they do cater to a specific group of students who already have a foundation in healthcare. If you qualify, a bridge program may actually provide a clearer, more streamlined path to becoming an RN compared to starting from scratch in a traditional program.

Which RN Path Is Right for You?

• Go straight to RN if: you’re ready to commit to nursing school full-time, want to minimize steps, and you have the resources to pursue an ADN or BSN directly.
  
  
• Start as an LPN if: you want to enter the workforce quickly, need flexibility, or prefer to gain experience before advancing your nursing career.
  

Both paths lead to the same destination—becoming a Registered Nurse. It’s really about choosing the route that best fits your personal and professional goals.

You Choose the Path to RN

You do not have to be an LPN before becoming an RN. But for many, starting as an LPN and then enrolling in an LPN to RN Bridge program or LPN to BSN Bridge program offers flexibility, experience, and a practical way to advance in the nursing profession. Whether you take the direct RN route or the bridge path, both options can lead to a rewarding nursing career.