2-3 Days a Week • 1 Year Program

So you’re thinking of becoming an RN?

You’ve thought, “I love being an LPN, and having even more autonomy as a nurse would be ideal.”

Or maybe, “I’d love to make a higher income. It would be so great to be able to go back for an RN degree to further my education.”

If this sounds familiar, you may be in the right place!

Our Accelerated LPN to RN program was built to take you from an LPN to an RN in the shortest, most efficient way possible. If you’re already an LPN and have the required prerequisites, you can start the Accelerated LPN to RN program which takes one year from start to finish.

We’ll help you transition into the RN role by taking on more responsibility and looking at nursing through a new set of eyes. You’ll learn skills that wouldn’t have been taught in your LPN program, then you’ll practice critical thinking as an RN.

The Accelerated LPN to RN program is unique because you can become an LPN, begin working, then come back and “bridge” once you’re ready to advance your career. Students love this option because they can continue working as an LPN while being in school for their RN degree.

What You’ll Learn

1st Semester:

This summer semester we’ll revisit some of your LPN education and introduce the transitioning process from an LPN to an RN, as well as introduce you to some new information:

Transition into the RN role and take more responsibility while looking at nursing through a new set of eyes.
Nursing informatics and reviewing HIPAA.
Learn about Evidence Based Practice and why we do things the way we do.
You’ll spend time in the simulation room and learn the role of the RN, as well as spend time on the floor with hands-on experience.
NCLEX prep: Throughout this semester you’ll focus on study habits, test-taking strategies, how to break down and solve a question, and begin practicing NCLEX-style tests.

2nd Semester:

The second and third semester function like part A and part B of the same categories. You’ll cover half of the body systems in depth now, and the rest in depth next semester:

Diving deeper into each body system and the diseases, disorders, and treatment plans.
Assessing situations individually and using critical thinking and clinical judgement.
Disorders related to mental health, treatment plans, assessments, and evaluations.
Disorders related to pediatrics, growth and development, care planning, assessments and evaluations.
You’ll demonstrate your skill knowledge and clinical judgement at hospitals and simulation situations with more complex patient care and patient teaching.
NCLEX prep : You will be preparing even more through computer programs, video case studies, testing, and focused reviews.

3rd Semester:

During your final semester, you’ll be getting into the final body systems, leadership in nursing, preparing for success on the NCLEX, and preparing for entering the workforce:

You’ll cover the remaining body systems and the diseases, disorders, and treatment plans.
Working on leadership, management, and entering the workforce
You’ll learn management qualities including conflict resolution, room assignments, delegation, prioritization, and implementing new evidence based practice
You’ll job-shadow a nurse for 40 hours and work with them, so you can experience their specialty in-depth.
You’ll see a variety of specialty areas for a wider perspective of the RN role
NCLEX prep : You’ll continue preparing even more through computer programs, video case studies, Real Life scenarios, testing and focused reviews. You’ll get to review all aspects of nursing covered during your program and will take a predictor exam to better estimate how you may perform on the actual NCLEX. Focused reviews will help to improve on weak areas to prepare for licensure.

Helpful Links

Downloads

Prerequisites

BIO 111 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
ENG 150 English Composition 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
BIO 302 Principles of Human Nutrition 3

Requirements for Program

General entrance exam
ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor exam
Background Checks
Official High school/GED/College transcript
Prerequisites completed before the application deadline
Undisciplined Missouri LPN License
IV Certification

Gen-Eds and how they work at TCTC

Unlike other colleges, the bulk of your education here is focused on nursing. We do not waste your time with excess general education courses.

By default, our gen-ed classes are built in and taken during your program. This is so you can complete the whole program in a shorter timeframe and get back into the workforce quickly.

Unlike other schools, YOU CAN CHOOSE to take the gen-ed classes before your program begins if you would rather get some classes out of the way early. Some students prefer to lighten the course load for later semesters when the schoolwork gets more intense.

How We Set Our Students Up For Success

NCLEX prep

We know it’s important for you to be confident in passing your licensure exam (the whole reason you’re taking the program to begin with)! Since it’s so integral, we built the NCLEX preparation into the program so you’re practicing for it throughout your entire time at TCTC. This is one of the reasons our students typically have VERY high pass rates: 2018 LPN to RN class – 100% and 2017 LPN class – 96%.

After the conclusion of the program we have an NCLEX prep specialist come to our campus and spend 3 days going over material and practice questions.This is a resource that is unique to TCTC because of our complete partnership with ATI. This NCLEX review session really boosts our students’ confidence before taking the exam.

Clinicals

Classroom learning is pointless if you’re not confident practicing your skills in real-life. We wouldn’t want to throw you to the wolves as a new nurse without any hands-on practice, so we make sure that after learning skills in the classroom, you have plenty of time and various scenarios to practice those skills…whether on a computerized mannequin that simulates real-life symptoms or on real patients at healthcare facilities under instructor guidance. You’ll practice your skills in a variety of scenarios at many different locations including Peds/OB Clinics, Labor and Delivery, Walk-In Clinics, ER, OR, ICU, Wound Care, Cancer Center, Dialysis and more.

Simulation and Skills Labs

Our simulation and skills lab allows students to practice their nursing skills in a lower-risk environment. Instructors can make the mannequins show symptoms specific to certain health problems, while the students practice nursing skills on a simulation mannequin. This helps take pressure off of students and allows them to make plenty of mistakes before practicing on a real patient.

Job Placement

TCTC does not have a specific job placement guarantee, but we do everything in our power to help you find and get a job during your last semester of school. As shown by our 100% placement rate for 2018 LPN to RN grads and our 96% placement rate for 2017 LPN grads, this is a job we take seriously. It is typical for almost all of our students to have secured jobs even before they graduate! We help prepare our students for the workforce by :

Giving class time and instructor help with writing resumes, practicing interview skills, and other skills related to job searching.
Having local recruiters and healthcare professionals visit your classroom and talk to all students about their facility and any jobs available.
Constantly alerting students to upcoming career fairs and networking opportunities.
Passing along job opening information from local healthcare facilities that approach us requesting qualified candidates.

Why TCTC?

We’re a small school with small class sizes, close to home, and where everyone really does know your name. At some larger schools, you’re stuck in giant classrooms with an impersonal atmosphere and no help in sight, but at TCTC you’re a name, not just a number.

Help is always available and our staff and faculty bend over backward to help out with whatever you’ve got going on as we help you navigate the waters of a nursing program.

Student Story

“I think TCTC was great. I went there for my LPN and I chose to go back for my RN because I was used to the teachers and how the school worked. Clarice was very helpful in trying to find aid for me and a lot of schools don’t really care. The teachers are the same way, they want you to truly know what you are doing, and they don’t just push you through and hope you pass. They set you up for success and encourage you along the way.”

-Courtney Stewart, LPN Class of 2015 & RN Class of 2017

Program Details

Academic Associate of Science Degree in Nursing

The Accelerated LPN to RN Program is designed for students who are already currently Missouri Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), are IV Certified, and have chosen to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse. Completion of the nursing program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination. Successful completion of the Accelerated LPN to RN program does not guarantee licensure (see section 335.066 RSMO).

Program Length: 3 semesters + prerequisites / 47 weeks

Program Objectives

Historical and present views of professional practice.
Physical assessment and client interview.
Health promotion and current health trends.
Critical thinking as part of the nursing process.
Evidence-based practice and the role of the professional nurse.
Nursing research and care issues.
Integration of theoretical content of general education classes with nursing theory and practice.

Employment Opportunities

Hospital
Home Health
Nursing Home
Clinic RN
School Nurse
Most Medical Facilities