Best Nevada LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2026
Nevada provides programs designed for LPNs moving into RN practice. Students complete advanced courses in nursing theory, patient management, and clinical care. Programs also include licensure preparation to ensure graduates are eligible for RN certification.
2026 Best LPN to RN Programs in Nevada
Great Basin College
Elko, NV - Public 4-Year - gbcnv.edu
Associate - Paramedic/LPN Bridge to Registered Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Great Basin College's Paramedic/LPN Bridge to Registered Nursing program is a hybrid offering that blends online learning with hands-on clinical practice, tailored for licensed paramedics and LPNs seeking RN licensure. Admission mandates current national and state certifications or licensure, plus an associate or bachelor's degree. The 60-credit curriculum includes courses in microbiology and comprehensive nursing care for diverse populations, emphasizing career advancement without requiring entrance exams like the ACT or SAT. Financial aid and scholarships enhance accessibility, preparing graduates to meet healthcare demands and positively impact community health.
- Hybrid program format.
- 60 credits required.
- National certification needed.
- State licensure required.
- Associate or bachelor's degree prerequisite.
- Covers microbiology and nursing care.
- Prepares for diverse patient demographics.
- Financial aid available.
- Scholarships offered.
- Focuses on professional development.
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV - Public 4-Year - csn.edu
Associate - LPN to RN Bridge
Campus Based - Visit Website
The LPN to RN Bridge program at the College of Southern Nevada provides a direct route for Licensed Practical Nurses to advance to Registered Nurse roles, leveraging their Nevada LPN licensure and experience for credit. This campus-based program emphasizes rigorous clinical training to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam, enabling them to deliver high-quality patient care in various healthcare environments. As an accredited program, it offers multiple career opportunities without requiring an entrance exam, focusing on building on prior nursing knowledge for a seamless educational transition.
- LPN to RN bridge pathway
- Credits awarded for prior nursing experience
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Multiple healthcare career opportunities
- Accredited nursing program
Nevada LPN to RN Program Overview
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Prospective LPNs planning to bridge to RN in Nevada should be prepared for selective admission criteria set by Nevada Board-approved programs. Typical requirements include:
- Unencumbered current LPN license and good standing with the Nevada State Board of Nursing, or eligibility for licensure by endorsement if licensed in another state.
- Completion of prerequisite coursework with minimum grade and GPA standards, commonly including human anatomy and physiology I and II with lab, microbiology with lab, English composition, college algebra or statistics, introductory psychology, and lifespan development. Some programs may require chemistry and nutrition.
- Standardized placement or readiness testing such as TEAS or HESI A2, and competency evaluations for advanced placement credit.
- Current CPR certification for healthcare providers, immunizations and titers, physical exam clearance, negative drug screen, and criminal background check with fingerprinting as required for clinical placement.
- Evidence of recent clinical practice or skills currency. Actively working LPNs may receive consideration for advanced placement, credit for prior learning, or streamlined skills validation, depending on program policy.
- Completion of a transition or mobility course designed for LPNs prior to entering core RN coursework.
Graduates of a Nevada Board-approved RN program are eligible to apply for RN licensure by examination and must pass the NCLEX-RN. Licensure, scope of practice, and education program approval are overseen by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Program Curriculum and Accreditation
LPN to RN bridge curricula in Nevada build on practical nursing foundations and emphasize the expanded RN scope. You can expect learning in:
- Advanced medical-surgical nursing, pathophysiology, and pharmacology with IV therapy and complex care management.
- Maternity and newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental health nursing with therapeutic communication.
- Community and population health, health promotion, and disease prevention across Nevada’s urban and rural settings.
- Leadership, teamwork, delegation, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice with informatics.
- Clinical judgment development through simulation, skills lab, and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long term care, ambulatory care, and community agencies.
Accreditation and approval matter in Nevada. To be eligible for RN licensure in the state, you must graduate from a program approved by a board of nursing. Many Nevada programs also hold national accreditation from ACEN or CCNE, which can support credit transfer, graduate school admission, and employer recognition. State approval confirms compliance with Nevada laws and standards, while national accreditation evaluates curriculum quality and outcomes against national benchmarks.
LPN to RN Schools and Classes
In Nevada, LPN to RN education is offered through public community colleges and state colleges that award the Associate Degree in Nursing, as well as universities that may provide BSN pathways for mobility students. Private colleges may also offer bridge programs that include clinical placements within Nevada. Admission is competitive and spaces are limited by available clinical placements.
Coursework for LPN to RN students typically includes a transition course that grants advanced standing, followed by:
- Nursing care of adults across the lifespan with complex conditions, cardiac, respiratory, neuro, renal, and endocrine systems.
- Maternal newborn and pediatric nursing focused on family centered care and growth and development.
- Mental health nursing with crisis intervention, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic modalities.
- Pharmacology with dosage calculation and safe medication administration, including IV push and titrated drips as permitted by scope and policy.
- Community health and public health nursing addressing rural and frontier care delivery in Nevada.
- Leadership, ethics, legal aspects of nursing in Nevada, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN.
Career Outlook
RNs in Nevada work in acute care hospitals, outpatient surgery and clinics, long term and transitional care, home health and hospice, public health, schools, behavioral health, corrections, and tribal and rural health facilities. Scheduling often includes 8 or 12 hour shifts with nights, weekends, and holidays in hospital settings, while community and ambulatory roles may offer more regular hours.
Demand for RNs in Nevada remains strong due to population growth, a large tourism corridor with high acuity services, and provider shortages in rural counties. RNs have a broader scope than LPNs, including comprehensive assessment, care planning, patient education, independent nursing judgment, IV medication and blood administration per policy, and delegation and supervision of assistive personnel. This expanded scope supports wider job opportunities, progression into specialty roles, and eligibility for advanced education. Compensation for RNs in Nevada is generally higher than for LPNs, reflecting expanded responsibilities and scope.
LPN to RN Program Length
- Full time bridge programs: Commonly 12 to 18 months of nursing coursework after prerequisites are completed for the Associate Degree in Nursing. Programs are often sequenced across three to four consecutive semesters.
- Part time options: May extend to 18 to 30 months after prerequisites, with reduced course loads each term to accommodate work and family responsibilities.
- Evening and weekend tracks: Select programs offer didactic courses in late afternoons or evenings, with labs or clinicals on evenings or weekends. These formats can lengthen total time to degree depending on clinical availability.
- LPN to BSN pathways: Typically longer, often two to three years after prerequisites, but provide broader general education, community health, research, and leadership preparation.
2026 Fastest LPN to RN Programs in Nevada
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Great Basin College |
|
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| College of Southern Nevada |
|
|
Tuition and Costs
Tuition varies by institution and residency. As general guidance for Nevada residents:
- LPN to ADN at public colleges: Often in the range of several thousand dollars per academic year in tuition and mandatory fees, with total program tuition commonly around 7,000 to 15,000 dollars depending on remaining credits and course fees.
- LPN to BSN at public universities: Frequently totals 20,000 to 35,000 dollars in tuition over the remaining upper division nursing and general education credits.
- Private institutions: Typically higher, and total costs can exceed public options by a wide margin.
Additional expenses include textbooks and electronic resources, uniforms and clinical supplies, skills lab kits, health screenings and immunizations, background checks and fingerprinting, transportation to clinical sites, liability insurance if required, and state application and NCLEX-RN exam fees.
Housing costs depend on location. Students in Las Vegas, Reno, and surrounding areas commonly budget for rent, utilities, and transportation. Shared housing can reduce monthly costs compared with single occupancy leases.
2026 Affordable LPN to RN Programs in Nevada
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Great Basin College |
|
|
| College of Southern Nevada |
|
|
Can I Take LPN to RN Classes Online?
Nevada programs frequently offer hybrid formats. Didactic coursework may be delivered online or in a blended format, while nursing skills labs and clinical rotations are in person at approved facilities with qualified faculty or preceptors. High fidelity simulation can replace a portion of clinical hours consistent with state and program policy, but clinical learning with patients is required.
Fully online LPN to RN programs that place students in Nevada clinical sites must have authorization and meet Nevada’s nursing education standards. Out of state distance education programs that arrange clinical experiences in Nevada need approval to operate clinical placements in the state. Regardless of format, graduation from a Board-approved program and passing the NCLEX-RN are required for RN licensure in Nevada.
LPN to RN Licensure Requirements in Nevada
NCLEX-RN Exam Information
Graduates of Nevada LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN bridge programs must obtain RN licensure by examination. After graduating from a board-approved RN program, you will apply to the Nevada State Board of Nursing, complete fingerprint-based background checks, and have your official transcript sent directly from your school. Once the Board determines you are eligible, you will receive an Authorization to Test and must register for and pass the NCLEX-RN. The national NCLEX program outlines current exam content, testing policies, and retake rules. Nevada uses your official NCLEX result to finalize RN licensure.
RN Reciprocity and Nurse Licensure Compact
Nevada grants licensure by endorsement to RNs who hold an active, unencumbered license in another U.S. state or territory and who meet Nevada’s requirements, including verification of original licensure and education, criminal background checks, and proof of having passed the NCLEX-RN. Nevada does not maintain separate reciprocity agreements with specific states; recognition of another state’s license occurs through the endorsement process.
Nevada became a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, with implementation starting January 1, 2024. This means Nevada-issued RN licenses can be single-state or multistate licenses. Nurses holding a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Nevada, and Nevada RNs who are residents of Nevada and meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements may obtain a multistate license, allowing them to practice in other compact states without additional licensure.
Licensure Requirements
The Nevada State Board of Nursing regulates RN licensure. Key requirements for initial RN licensure by examination include:
- Graduation from an approved RN program such as an ADN or BSN, with an official transcript sent directly to the Board
- Completed application and required fees
- Fingerprint-based criminal background checks for state and FBI
- Authorization to Test and a passing NCLEX-RN result
- For internationally educated applicants, evidence of educational equivalency as directed by the Board
For licensure by endorsement, applicants typically must provide verification of current or most recent RN licensure, proof of NCLEX-RN passage, background checks, and education verification. The Board may request additional documentation based on individual circumstances.
License Renewal
Nevada RN licenses are renewed every two years. To maintain licensure, RNs must meet continuing education and renewal filing requirements within the current renewal period:
- Complete at least 30 contact hours of nursing-related continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle
- Complete a one-time, 4-hour bioterrorism course approved for Nevada nurses
- Attest to CE completion at renewal and retain certificates for audit
- Submit the renewal application and fee on or before the license expiration date; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
Nevada relies on continuing education to demonstrate continuing competency; routine renewal does not require a minimum number of clinical practice hours. If a license lapses or is inactive, additional
LPN to ADN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Typically 12 to 18 months.
Credential Awarded:
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
This pathway provides the most direct route to becoming an RN, emphasizing core clinical skills and preparing graduates for practice in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum is centered on adult and family health, as well as mental health nursing.
Average In-State Tuition in Nevada:
Approximately $4,000 - $8,000 for the entire program. For example, the in-state tuition and fees at the College of Southern Nevada are around $3,968 per year, and at Great Basin College, they are approximately $3,773 per year. Program-specific costs for books and supplies are additional.
Best For:
LPNs who want a fast and affordable path to becoming an RN, with the option to pursue a BSN at a later time.
School Types:
Community colleges are the primary providers of LPN to ADN bridge programs in Nevada.
LPN to BSN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Generally 2 to 3 years.
Credential Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
This program offers a more comprehensive education in nursing, covering areas such as leadership, research, and community health. It is designed to prepare graduates for a wider range of nursing roles and for further graduate studies.
Average In-State Tuition in Nevada:
Varies significantly. On-campus options like Chamberlain University, a private institution, have higher tuition, with a three-year BSN program costing a significant amount. Online LPN-to-BSN programs are a popular and often more affordable choice for Nevada residents, with some online RN-to-BSN programs at public universities in the state costing under $10,000.
Best For:
LPNs aiming for a broad nursing education that opens doors to leadership positions, specialized fields, and advanced degrees.
School Types:
Universities and private colleges offer LPN to BSN pathways, with many Nevada students utilizing online programs.
Choose LPN→ADN If:
- Quicker Entry into the RN Role: These programs are designed to get LPNs into the registered nursing workforce in a shorter amount of time.
- More Affordable: Tuition and fees at community colleges are substantially lower than at four-year universities, making this a more budget-friendly option.
- Strong Foundation for Practice: The curriculum is intensely focused on developing the essential clinical skills needed for immediate entry into the RN profession.
- A Stepping Stone to a BSN: Graduates can work as RNs and may have the opportunity to have their employers help fund a future RN to BSN program.
Choose LPN→BSN If:
- Expanded Career Opportunities: A BSN is often a requirement for advancement into leadership, management, and specialized areas of nursing.
- Higher Long-Term Earning Potential: Nurses with a BSN generally have a higher life-time earning potential.
- Broader Skill Set: The BSN curriculum provides a deeper understanding of evidence-based practice, public health, and the healthcare system.
- Direct Path to Graduate Studies: A BSN is the necessary foundation for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or other advanced nursing degrees.
List of LPN to RN Programs in Nevada
Elko, NV
Great Basin College
- Associate - Paramedic/LPN Bridge to Registered Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- 60 credits required.
- National certification needed.
- State licensure required.
- Associate or bachelor's degree prerequisite.
- Covers microbiology and nursing care.
- Prepares for diverse patient demographics.
- Financial aid available.
Las Vegas, NV
College of Southern Nevada
- Associate - LPN to RN Bridge
Campus Based - Website
- LPN to RN bridge pathway
- Credits awarded for prior nursing experience
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Multiple healthcare career opportunities
- Accredited nursing program
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