« Undergraduate Nursing Programs

LPN to BSN

Your path from LPN to RN begins here—with expert guidance, meaningful clinical experience, and personalized faculty support every step of the way.

Young confident nurse wearing blue scrubs Young confident nurse wearing blue scrubs

Advance Your Nursing Career with Confidence

The LPN to BSN Program at St. John's College is designed specifically for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to advance their careers as a baccalaureate-level prepared registered nurse (RN). This pathway recognizes your prior nursing education and clinical experience while preparing you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

You’ll join a supportive academic environment that blends rigorous nursing education with Franciscan values and personalized support from faculty mentors.

What Sets Us Apart

  • Over 500 hours of hands-on clinical practice.
  • Guaranteed access to clinical placements through our partnership with Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). Our students gain priority access across hospitals, clinics, and specialty areas.
  • Advanced simulation labs with cutting-edge technology.
  • 98% of graduates employed immediately, many with HSHS.
  • NCLEX pass rates consistently above the national average.
  • Personalized advising in a values-driven learning environment.

Program Details

Students in the LPN to BSN program take the same upper-division nursing courses as those in the traditional BSN program, except for one class in the first semester. This integration ensures that all students graduate with equivalent clinical preparation and academic rigor.

The LPN to BSN program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person instruction with online coursework to offer both structure and flexibility.

It begins with a 4-credit bridge course (NSG 331 – LPN Pathway Transition), allowing LPNs to transition directly into upper-division nursing coursework. Students build on prior knowledge while developing the critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills required of professional nurses.

Our small classes, personal attention, and affiliation with HSHS—one of the largest healthcare providers in Illinois and Wisconsin—contribute to a rich educational experience that prepares students to assume the role of a professional nurse confidently.

Highlights

  • Holistic patient care approach that emphasizes compassion, respect, and cultural sensitivity
  • Interdisciplinary learning with peers from various healthcare disciplines
  • Research and evidence-based practice are integrated throughout the curriculum
  • Typically completed in 22 months (4 semesters)
  • May vary based on transfer credits and general education completion
To be considered for programs at St. John's College, applicants must meet certain admission requirements.

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  • Estimated Tuition: $47,000 for the nursing program
  • Additional costs may include books, clinical fees, uniforms, and technology
  • Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available
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To be considered for the BSN program, applicants must meet the Gen Ed Requirements.

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Semester 1
  • NSG 331 LPN Pathway Transition  
  • NSG 333 Adult Health Assessment 
  • NSG 358 Pathophysiology I 
Semester 2
  • NSG 344 Nursing Inquiry 
  • NSG 356 Adult Health I 
  • NSG 368 Pathophysiology II 
  • NSG 443 Community Health Nursing 
Semester 3
  • NSG 403 Mental Health 
  • NSG 418 Pharmacology 
  • NSG 426 Adult Health II 
  • NSG 434 Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice 
Semester 4
  • NSG 423 Maternal Child 
  • NSG 444 Transition to Practice 
  • NSG 446 Professional Practice Immersion
St. John’s LPN to BSN program is also a gateway to advanced education. Graduates are well-prepared for graduate-level nursing programs offered at the college, including: 
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – with tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator 
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – focused on clinical leadership and systems-based practice 
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam and apply for licensure as a registered nurse in Illinois or other U.S. states, subject to individual state board of nursing requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Academic accommodations are coordinated through the Dean of Students and must be renewed on a semester-by-semester basis.

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Yes. Students complete over 500 hours of hands-on clinical experience in hospital and community settings through our partnerships with HSHS and other regional healthcare providers.
Yes. Credits from your LPN program and prior college coursework may apply toward the 56 general education credits needed to meet the BSN degree requirements. Our team will assist you in evaluating transcripts.
Many students begin the program while working part-time or with flexible schedules, especially in the first semester. As the program progresses and clinical hours increase, students are encouraged to limit work hours to maintain academic performance.

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Yes. Scholarships, payment plans, and federal financial aid are available.

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You may begin in the fall or spring semester.
 
Yes. Upon completion of the LPN to BSN program, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam and apply for licensure as a registered nurse in Illinois or other U.S. states.
 
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