Best Vermont LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2026
Vermont offers LPN to RN programs that provide academic and clinical preparation for advanced practice. Students study nursing theory and participate in clinical placements. Graduates are eligible to apply for RN licensure upon completion.
Vermont LPN to RN Program Overview
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
In Vermont, LPN to RN bridge pathways are designed for licensed practical nurses who want advanced standing in an associate degree in nursing or bachelor of science in nursing program. Typical eligibility expectations include:
- An active, unencumbered LPN license that is valid in Vermont. Vermont participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, but you must still meet all state education and licensure requirements to become an RN in Vermont.
- Completion of prerequisite college courses with minimum grade thresholds, commonly including anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, microbiology, human growth and development or lifespan psychology, English composition, general psychology, and a college level math course.
- A competitive cumulative GPA, recent completion of science prerequisites, and official transcripts from all prior colleges.
- Placement or admissions testing as required by the school, such as standardized academic readiness exams.
- Health and clinical compliance, including current immunizations, TB screening, proof of health insurance, American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers certification, and drug screening.
- Criminal background check and associated clinical site requirements.
- For working LPNs, some programs may require or prefer recent direct patient care experience, and may award advanced placement credit after validation or challenge exams.
Graduates must complete a Vermont approved prelicensure RN program and pass the NCLEX-RN to qualify for licensure through the Vermont Board of Nursing.
Program Curriculum and Accreditation
LPN to RN bridge curricula build on your practical nursing knowledge and expand clinical judgment for broader RN responsibilities. You will learn:
- Health assessment across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and applied pharmacology
- Adult medical surgical nursing, maternal newborn nursing, and pediatric nursing
- Mental health nursing, community and population health, and care coordination
- Nursing leadership, interprofessional collaboration, quality and safety, and informatics
- Evidence based practice and nursing research literacy, particularly in BSN tracks
Clinical learning occurs in Vermont hospitals, long term care, home health, and community settings, with simulation supporting skill development. Programs must be approved by the state board for graduates to be eligible for RN licensure. Many Vermont programs also hold national nursing accreditation from ACEN or CCNE, which supports transferability of credits, access to federal financial aid, employer recognition, and eligibility for graduate nursing education.
LPN to RN Schools and Classes
In Vermont, LPN to RN bridge options are primarily offered by Vermont State University, which encompasses public colleges and universities across various campuses that deliver nursing education. Bridge options may allow advanced standing into an associate degree program or an accelerated pathway within a bachelor’s program. Seats can be limited and admission competitive, so plan ahead.
Coursework typically includes:
- Transition to professional nursing for LPNs, scope of practice, and role development
- Comprehensive health assessment with lab and simulation
- Complex adult health, critical care concepts, and perioperative considerations
- Maternity, pediatrics, and family centered care
- Behavioral health nursing and trauma informed care
- Community health, epidemiology fundamentals, and public health nursing in rural settings
- Leadership and management, legal and ethical issues, and policy in Vermont practice
- For BSN pathways, additional coursework in statistics, research methods, and population health
Career Outlook
Registered nurses in Vermont work in hospitals, federally qualified health centers, primary care and specialty clinics, long term and post acute care, home health and hospice, schools, public health, and behavioral health. Rural access needs and an aging population support continued demand for RNs, with opportunities across shifts and care settings.
Compared with LPN roles, RNs in Vermont have a wider scope of practice that includes comprehensive assessment, care planning, patient education, delegation, and leadership responsibilities. This broader scope often aligns with higher earning potential, more specialty choices, and a greater range of career pathways, including advanced practice, education, quality, and management. Work life balance varies by setting, with options in outpatient and community care for more regular schedules and hospital roles offering different shift patterns.
LPN to RN Program Length
- Full time bridge programs: Often 12 to 18 months for LPN to ADN, depending on awarded advanced standing and remaining credits. An LPN to BSN pathway can take about 24 to 36 months when pursued full time after prerequisites.
- Part time options: Commonly extend program length by 1 to 2 semesters, resulting in approximately 18 to 30 months for an ADN bridge depending on course load and clinical scheduling.
- Evening and weekend formats: Availability varies by campus and clinical partners. These bridge formats can help working LPNs, but clinicals still require in person hours that may include weekdays, evenings, or weekends. Total time to completion is similar to part time tracks.
All bridge programs must include required clinical hours, which can affect scheduling flexibility for working nurses.
Tuition and Costs
Tuition for LPN to RN bridge programs in Vermont varies by institution type, residency status, and the number of transfer and advanced standing credits awarded. In state tuition at public institutions is generally lower than out of state rates. Expect additional costs for nursing fees, labs and simulation, background checks, immunizations, uniforms, clinical requirements, textbooks and digital resources, and NCLEX and licensure related fees.
Housing and living expenses in Vermont vary by region, with higher costs near larger population centers and ski or tourist areas, and comparatively lower rents in rural counties. Commuting from within the state or using limited campus housing where available can affect your total budget. Factor in transportation to clinical sites, parking, and child care if applicable.
Can I Take LPN to RN Classes Online?
Vermont bridge programs may offer hybrid formats where theory courses are delivered online and labs or simulations occur on campus. All prelicensure RN pathways require direct, faculty supervised clinical learning in person at approved Vermont clinical sites, or at sites approved through formal agreements. Fully online prelicensure completion without in person clinicals is not permitted.
Some out of state institutions offer distance education that enrolls Vermont residents for didactic courses, but clinical placements within Vermont must comply with state approval requirements and clinical site agreements. Always verify that the program is approved for Vermont residents and that completion will make you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for Vermont licensure with the Vermont Board of Nursing.
LVN to RN Licensure Requirements in Vermont
NCLEX-RN Exam Information
After completing an LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN program, you must earn RN licensure by examination. In Vermont, that process typically includes:
- Submitting an online application for RN licensure by examination to the Vermont Board of Nursingand paying required fees.
- Arranging for your nursing program to send an official final transcript directly to the Board showing your degree and graduation date.
- Completing a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background check as directed by the Board.
- Registering for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE at the NCLEX website, then awaiting your Authorization to Test (ATT) before scheduling your exam.
If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may retake the NCLEX-RN after the standard 45-day waiting period. Vermont follows NCLEX testing and retesting rules; review Board guidance for any state-specific eligibility details before rescheduling.
RN Reciprocity and Nurse Licensure Compact
Vermont offers licensure by endorsement for RNs who hold an active license in another U.S. jurisdiction, have passed the NCLEX-RN, and meet Vermont’s education, background check, and professional fitness requirements. Endorsement applicants submit an online application, request primary-source verification of their current license, and complete a criminal background check.
Vermont participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate RN license, you may practice in Vermont using that license. If you declare Vermont as your primary state of residence and meet compact criteria, Vermont can issue a multistate RN license that allows practice in other compact states. For current compact participation and rules, see the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Licensure Requirements
The Vermont Board of Nursing, housed within the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation, regulates RN licensure and practice. To become a Vermont RN by examination you generally must:
- Graduate from an approved RN program (ADN or BSN).
- Submit an application for RN licensure by examination and pay fees.
- Have your program send an official transcript directly to the Board.
- Complete a fingerprint-based state and federal background check.
- Register for and pass the NCLEX-RN.
For licensure by endorsement, you must hold an active RN license in another U.S. jurisdiction, provide primary-source license verification, complete a background check, and meet the Board’s professional fitness and education standards.
License Renewal
Vermont RN licenses are renewed biennially. You renew online through your Office of Professional Regulation account before the expiration date displayed on your license. Renewal opens in advance of expiration to allow time to complete requirements and respond to any audit.
Vermont uses a continuing competence model centered on recent practice. Most RNs meet renewal by documenting recent nursing practice hours; if you lack recent practice, a Board-approved reentry or refresher pathway may be required. Keep documentation of your practice and any competence activities for Board audit.
- License term: two years.
- Renewal window: opens prior to your expiration date; submit before expiration to avoid a lapse in the ability to practice.
- Continuing competence: maintain recent nursing practice hours as outlined by the Board, or complete an approved reentry/refresher activity if not recently practicing.
Always review current instructions, forms, fees, and timelines on the Vermont Board of Nursing site before you apply, test, endorse, or renew, as requirements can be updated.
Average LPN State Salary in Vermont
$68,580
2024 LPN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
LPN to ADN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Typically one year of full-time study.
Credential Awarded:
Associate of Science (A.S.) in Nursing.
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
This pathway builds upon the existing knowledge of an LPN, focusing on providing the necessary skills and education to meet the requirements for RN licensure. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Average In-State Tuition in Vermont:
The annual in-state tuition for the Associate of Science in Nursing program at Vermont State University is approximately $15,816.
Best For:
LPNs who wish to become an RN quickly, enter the RN workforce sooner, and potentially continue their education to a BSN later while working as an RN.
School Types:
The primary in-state option for an LPN to ADN bridge program is offered by Vermont State University (formerly Vermont Technical College and other state colleges).
LPN to BSN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Approximately two to three additional years of study after becoming an LPN.
Credential Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
A BSN program provides a more comprehensive education, including coursework in nursing leadership, research, and community health.
Average In-State Tuition in Vermont:
Not applicable as there are no in-state LPN to BSN bridge programs.
Best For:
LPNs who aim for leadership or management roles, wish to pursue graduate studies, or want broader career opportunities in areas like public health or nursing education.
School Types:
While not available as a direct LPN to BSN bridge, traditional BSN and RN to BSN programs are offered at universities in Vermont.
Choose LPN→ADN If:
- Faster Entry into the RN Workforce: The program can be completed in as little as one year, allowing for a quicker transition to an RN role and salary.
- Cost-Effective First Step: The overall tuition for an associate's degree is generally lower than a four-year bachelor's degree, making it a more financially accessible initial step to becoming an RN.
- Foundation for Further Education: An ADN serves as a solid foundation for later pursuing a BSN through an RN to BSN bridge program, often while working as an RN.
- Flexible Learning Options: Programs may offer hybrid learning formats to accommodate working LPNs.
Choose LPN→BSN If:
- Broader Career Opportunities: A BSN is often required for advancement into leadership, administrative, and management positions.
- Higher Earning Potential: While ADN and BSN-prepared RNs may have similar entry-level salaries, the BSN can lead to higher long-term earning potential and access to more specialized, higher-paying roles.
- Foundation for Advanced Degrees: A BSN is the necessary stepping stone for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD).
- Increased Demand from Employers: Many healthcare institutions, particularly hospitals seeking Magnet status, have a preference for hiring nurses with a BSN.
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