Best New Mexico LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2026
New Mexico’s LPN to RN bridge programs emphasize advanced knowledge and patient care. Students complete classroom education, laboratory practice, and clinical training. Graduates are eligible to pursue RN licensure upon program completion.
2026 Best LPN to RN Programs in New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM - Public 2-Year - cnm.edu
Associate - Nursing (AAS), LPN to RN Mobility Option
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central New Mexico Community College's LPN to RN Mobility Option is a campus-based program tailored for Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to become Registered Nurses. It requires a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in prerequisites like microbiology and anatomy. The program emphasizes NCLEX-RN preparation and offers Credit for Prior Learning, potentially granting four nursing credits. Admission involves a pre-registration screening, a current New Mexico LPN license, and no entrance exam. With 16 seats per term and a lottery system for oversubscription, it includes clinical components and a dual degree option with UNM.
- Campus-based program.
- Minimum GPA 2.0 required.
- Calculated GPA 2.75 for prerequisites.
- Includes microbiology and anatomy courses.
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
- Requires current NM LPN license.
- Credit for Prior Learning available.
- Entrance available every term.
- 16 seats available.
- Courses must be 'C' or better.
New Mexico LPN to RN Program Overview
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
New Mexico LPNs who plan to advance to RN through an LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN bridge typically need to meet program and clinical placement requirements set by colleges and their clinical partners as well as state approval standards. Expect the following:
- Active, unencumbered LPN license. New Mexico participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an unencumbered multistate LPN license also meets the licensure requirement for admission and clinical placement, subject to program policies.
- Completion of prerequisite college courses with minimum grade requirements, commonly including Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, English composition, college algebra or statistics, psychology, human growth and development, and nutrition.
- Recent direct patient care experience may be required or strongly preferred for advanced placement. Working LPNs often qualify for transition credit based on current practice, competency validation, or standardized challenge exams.
- Current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
- Immunizations and health clearances per clinical site policy, such as TB screening, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, influenza, and COVID-19 if required by the facility.
- Criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening for clinical eligibility. These are standard across New Mexico clinical partners.
- Minimum cumulative GPA, competitive ranking or point systems for admission, and completion of a nursing transition or bridge course before entering the RN sequence.
Graduates apply for RN licensure by exam in New Mexico and sit for the NCLEX-RN. State program approval and eligibility details are administered by the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
Program Curriculum and Accreditation
LPN to RN curricula build on practical nursing knowledge and emphasize RN-level assessment, critical thinking, and leadership. You will learn to synthesize complex patient data, manage care for groups of patients, and coordinate interprofessional plans of care across settings.
- Bridge and transition content that maps LPN competencies to RN scope, including expanded assessment, care planning, and documentation.
- Adult medical-surgical nursing across the lifespan with escalating complexity, pathophysiology, and pharmacology integration.
- Maternal newborn and pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and community or population health.
- Evidence-based practice, quality improvement, ethics, legal aspects of nursing in New Mexico, and patient safety.
- Leadership, delegation, and management for team-based care.
- High-fidelity simulation and supervised clinical rotations in New Mexico facilities, including acute, long-term, and community settings.
Accreditation and approval matter in New Mexico. Programs must be approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing for graduates to be eligible for RN licensure testing. Many colleges also seek national nursing accreditation such as ACEN or CCNE to support credit transfer, employer recognition, and seamless entry into RN to BSN or graduate study. Institutional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education supports federal financial aid eligibility.
LPN to RN Schools and Classes
In New Mexico, LPN to RN education is primarily offered by public community colleges and regional universities. Options include bridge pathways leading to the Associate Degree in Nursing as well as select pathways that culminate in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Programs follow approved curricula with common learning outcomes across the state.
Expected coursework includes:
- LPN to RN transition theory and skills validation
- Advanced adult health nursing with complex care concepts
- Pharmacology, dosage calculation, and medication safety at the RN level
- Maternal newborn, pediatric, and family nursing
- Mental health and behavioral health nursing
- Community and public health nursing focused on New Mexico populations and rural health
- Leadership, teamwork, and quality improvement
- NCLEX-RN preparation integrated throughout
Career Outlook
RNs in New Mexico work in hospitals, critical access facilities, ambulatory clinics, long-term care, home health and hospice, public health, schools, correctional healthcare, tribal and rural health centers, and telehealth. Shift-based roles can offer compressed workweeks, while clinic and public health positions often provide more daytime schedules.
Demand for RNs remains strong across New Mexico, with particular need in rural and frontier communities. Compared with LPN roles, RNs have a broader scope of practice that includes comprehensive assessment, care plan development, patient education, leadership, and management of higher-acuity patients. This expanded scope supports opportunities in acute care, specialty units, charge nurse roles, and progression to advanced education such as BSN or MSN. Compensation for RNs is typically higher than for LPNs, reflecting the expanded responsibilities and settings in which RNs practice.
LPN to RN Program Length
- Full-time bridge: Commonly 2 to 4 consecutive semesters after prerequisites for LPN to ADN, depending on advanced placement and summer enrollment.
- Part-time bridge: Often 3 to 6 semesters after prerequisites, designed for working LPNs who take lighter course loads.
- Evening or weekend formats: Available at some New Mexico institutions, generally extending timelines by one or more semesters compared with full-time day tracks.
Time to completion varies by how many prerequisites you still need, whether you receive transition credit, clinical site availability, and whether you pursue an ADN or BSN endpoint.
2026 Fastest LPN to RN Programs in New Mexico
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College |
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Tuition and Costs
Tuition in New Mexico varies by institution type, residency, and degree level:
- LPN to ADN at public colleges: Common in-state tuition ranges from the mid four figures to the low five figures for the nursing portion of the program, before fees and supplies.
- LPN to BSN at public universities: Total in-state tuition for upper-division nursing coursework typically falls in the low to mid five-figure range, varying with transfer credits and program length.
Additional costs to budget:
- Program fees, textbooks and e-resources, skills lab supplies, uniforms, stethoscope, and clinical compliance costs
- Background check, fingerprinting, immunizations, drug screening, and health insurance if required by clinical sites
- Application and testing fees related to graduation and RN licensure
- Living expenses. Housing costs vary widely across New Mexico communities, with larger metros and tourist areas generally higher than rural regions; factor in rent, utilities, transportation, and childcare if applicable.
2026 Affordable LPN to RN Programs in New Mexico
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College |
|
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Can I Take LPN to RN Classes Online?
New Mexico programs may offer online or hybrid delivery for lecture and some coursework. However, prelicensure RN education requires hands-on learning. Skills labs and supervised direct-care clinical hours are completed in person at approved New Mexico clinical sites under faculty oversight. Out-of-state distance programs that place students for clinicals in New Mexico must be authorized and comply with state approval requirements. For licensure eligibility and current program approval status, consult the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
LPN to RN Licensure Requirements in New Mexico
NCLEX-RN Exam Information
After completing an LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN program, you must obtain authorization from the New Mexico Board of Nursing to sit for the NCLEX-RN and then pass the exam to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in New Mexico.
- Apply for licensure by examination with the New Mexico Board of Nursing, submit required fees, and complete the state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- Have your nursing program send an official transcript, showing the RN degree awarded, directly to the Board.
- Register for the exam on the official NCLEX website. After the Board determines eligibility, you will receive an Authorization to Test and can schedule your exam.
- Upon passing, the Board issues your RN license. If you do not pass, you may retest in accordance with NCLEX retake policies.
New Mexico manages all NCLEX eligibility, background checks, and results through the Board’s application process. Monitor your Board application account and email for status updates and your Authorization to Test.
RN Reciprocity and Nurse Licensure Compact
New Mexico grants RN licensure by endorsement to nurses who hold an active RN license in another U.S. jurisdiction. Endorsement generally requires verification of your current or original license, a criminal background check, and Board fees. A temporary permit may be available while the Board completes its review if you meet permit criteria.
New Mexico is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If your primary state of residence is another Compact state and you hold an active multistate RN license, you may practice in New Mexico under that license without obtaining a separate New Mexico license. If New Mexico is your primary state of residence and you meet Compact requirements, the Board may issue you a multistate license. If you do not meet Compact criteria, you will be issued a New Mexico single state license. For the current list of Compact states and eligibility details, see the NLC website.
Licensure Requirements
The New Mexico Board of Nursing regulates RN licensure for the state. To become licensed as an RN by examination after an LPN to RN bridge program, applicants typically must:
- Graduate from an approved RN program, such as an ADN or BSN, that meets Board standards.
- Submit an application for licensure by examination and pay required fees.
- Complete a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Board’s process.
- Arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from the nursing program to the Board.
- Obtain eligibility, take, and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Graduates educated outside the United States may have additional requirements, such as a Board-approved credential evaluation and evidence of English proficiency, before being deemed eligible for the NCLEX-RN.
License Renewal
RN licenses in New Mexico are renewed every two years. Plan your renewal so your license remains active without interruption.
- Continuing education: Complete 30 contact hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. Keep documentation for Board audit.
- Timing: Complete all required CE before you submit your renewal. Renewal is due by the end of your birth month in your renewal year.
- Status: If your license lapses, you must follow the Board’s reactivation or reinstatement process and may not practice until the license is active.
Always review current instructions from the New Mexico Board of Nursing before applying, testing, endorsing, or renewing, as requirements and processes can change.
Average LPN State Salary in New Mexico
$56,690
2024 LPN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average RN State Salary in New Mexico
$94,360
2024 RN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
LPN to ADN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Typically 1 to 2 years for full-time students. The total program length for an ADN is often around five semesters, with LPNs potentially receiving advanced standing.
Credential Awarded:
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing or Associate of Science (AS) in Nursing.
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes. Upon successful completion of an approved program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Program Focus:
These programs build upon the existing knowledge and skills of an LPN, providing the additional education necessary for the expanded scope of practice of a registered nurse, with a strong emphasis on clinical skills and patient care.
Average In-State Tuition in New Mexico:
The cost can vary, but as an example, the estimated tuition for a New Mexico resident at Central New Mexico Community College's nursing program is approximately $2,924, with additional fees for books and supplies.
Best For:
LPNs seeking the quickest and most cost-effective route to becoming a registered nurse and entering the RN workforce.
School Types:
Community colleges are the most common institutions offering LPN to ADN bridge programs. Examples in New Mexico include Central New Mexico Community College and Northern New Mexico College.
LPN to BSN Bridge Program
Program Length:
After obtaining an ADN, an RN to BSN program can often be completed in 1 to 2 years, with some accelerated online programs taking as little as 16 months.
Credential Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes, eligibility is established after completing the initial ADN program.
Program Focus:
The curriculum for a BSN builds on the clinical foundation of an ADN with additional coursework in nursing theory, research, leadership, and community health. This prepares graduates for a broader range of nursing roles, including leadership and management positions.
Average In-State Tuition in New Mexico:
Tuition for RN to BSN programs varies by university. For example, tuition at the University of New Mexico for an RN to BSN program is approximately $10,258 for residents, while Northern New Mexico College's program is around $7,356.
Best For:
LPNs who have long-term career goals that may include advanced practice, leadership, research, or teaching roles, and who are seeking a comprehensive nursing education.
School Types:
Universities, often with online program options, are the primary institutions offering RN to BSN completion programs. Examples in New Mexico include Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico.
Choose LPN→ADN If:
- Faster Entry into the RN Role: The shorter program duration allows for a quicker transition to working as a registered nurse and earning a higher salary.
- Lower Initial Cost: Community college tuition is generally more affordable than university tuition, making the ADN a more budget-friendly option.
- Strong Foundation for a BSN: An ADN provides the necessary credentials to work as an RN while offering a solid educational base to pursue a BSN at a later time.
- Flexibility: Many community colleges offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate working LPNs.
Choose LPN→BSN If:
- Broader Career Opportunities: A BSN is often required for leadership, administrative, and specialized nursing roles, and is preferred by many healthcare employers.
- Higher Earning Potential: RNs with a BSN generally have a higher earning potential over the course of their careers.
- Foundation for Advanced Degrees: A BSN is the necessary stepping stone for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctoral degree in nursing (DNP or PhD).
- Enhanced Skill Set: The BSN curriculum provides a deeper understanding of evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and leadership within the healthcare system.
List of LPN to RN Programs in New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
Central New Mexico Community College
- Associate - Nursing (AAS), LPN to RN Mobility Option
Campus Based - Website
- Campus-based program.
- Minimum GPA 2.0 required.
- Calculated GPA 2.75 for prerequisites.
- Includes microbiology and anatomy courses.
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
- Requires current NM LPN license.
- Credit for Prior Learning available.
- Entrance available every term.