The WVU School of Nursing’s LPN to BSN program, located on the Keyser Campus, was recently ranked among the best programs in West Virginia by PracticalNursing.org for licensed practical nurses to become registered nurses.
WVU’s program, which first opened its doors in September 2024, placed No. 2 overall on the list. However, the program ranked as the No. 1 program in the state resulting in a bachelor’s degree.
“We are known for our excellence in education at the WVU School of Nursing, and our LPN to BSN program is no exception,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “Providing this pathway is especially important for nurses who want to grow professionally and provide higher levels of patient care.”
The LPN to BSN Program at the WVU School of Nursing’s Keyser Campus offers courses on afternoons, evenings and weekends at WVU Potomac State College to accommodate the working LPN’s schedule. Didactic nursing courses are online, with hands-on clinical experiences in state-of-the-science skills/simulation labs and healthcare facilities in the region. Also, class sizes are small so students can receive one-on-one support.
“Our program is just getting started, so we are thrilled to be recognized as the best in the state for licensed practical nurses to earn their BSN,” said Dr. April Shapiro, Keyser Campus Chair.
Shapiro said many faculty hired to teach in the program were once LPNs themselves, so the need for support is well understood. One course in the program is specifically designed to help the LPN transition from practical to professional nursing, focusing on assessment, advanced skills, and clinical judgment. Additionally, students are granted credit for their LPN experience, roughly a semester’s worth of work.
Anyone interested in learning more can contact Dr. Shapiro at ashapiro@hsc.wvu.edu or visit the LPN to BSN program page.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu