Program Details

• Major Name: Nursing (LPN to BSN)
• Degree Program: Arts and Sciences
• Degree Designation: BSN
• College / School: School of Nursing

The WVU School of Nursing: Keyser Campus Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) Program provides a seamless pathway for a current LPN to earn a baccalaureate degree to enter the registered nursing (RN) profession. Courses are offered afternoons/evenings and weekends to accommodate the working LPN’s schedule. As a university, WVU is committed to ensuring that the LPN to BSN bridge is as smooth as possible, with support and resources built in. One course in the program, NSG 213, is specifically designed to help the LPN transition from practical to professional nursing, focusing on assessment, advanced skills, and clinical judgment. Upon successful completion of the LPN to BSN program, students earn 22 hours of escrow credits for their LPN licensure and professional experience, which translates to more than a semester’s worth of work. Upon conferral of the BSN degree, the graduate will take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)-RN for licensure.

The LPN to BSN program space is located on the WVU Keyser (Potomac State College) Campus in the nursing wing of the J. Edward Kelley Complex. The LPN to BSN program is state approved by the West Virginia RN Board (5001 MacCorkle Avenue SW, South Charleston, WV 25309, 304-744-0900). The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Virginia University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791).

Students accepted for admission into the LPN to BSN program follow the LPN to BSN Program Progression Plan to complete their BSN degree in less than three years. Students follow the same Undergraduate Handbook, curriculum, policies, and procedures as BSN students within the WVU School of Nursing. Students in the LPN to BSN program learn nursing principles in an online classroom; build their confidence with skills and clinical judgment in state-of-the-science simulation labs; and provide hands-on care in many clinical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, and community agencies. The curriculum includes courses in humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, and nursing science; these courses are taken in conjunction with clinical nursing courses. Students apply their learning to client, family, and community situations that warrant nursing intervention. In keeping with the University's commitment to improving health care for all West Virginians, nursing students complete a rural clinical practice experience during their senior year. Throughout the LPN to BSN program, students also complete 50 hours of community service.

The School of Nursing’s vision, mission, and values are modeled by faculty, reflected in the teaching-learning process, and expected by students. Throughout all academic and clinical experiences, students and faculty focus on five core competencies that provide the framework for the LPN to BSN curriculum: Critical thinking, nursing intervention, professional role, caring, and communication. Available services, including professional advising, peer tutoring, success coaching, NCLEX-RN review resources, and career counseling, provide students support they need as they transition into professional nursing education, acclimate to nursing school, progress through the nursing curriculum, take their nursing boards exam, and transition to nursing practice.

Acceptance into the LPN to BSN program is limited, with admission offered on a rolling basis to qualified applicants. Those applying earliest will be given preference until spaces are filled for each fall cohort. Students admitted to the LPN to BSN program must successfully pass a background check, urine drug screen, and physical exam/ immunizations review by their healthcare provider; complete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)/confidentiality and American Heart Association Basic Life Support trainings; and maintain current health insurance. In addition, students admitted to the nursing program must maintain a 3.0 program GPA throughout the program. See the WVU School of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook for further details regarding admission, progression, and graduation policies.

Please note: Any student who has been dismissed from the WVU School of Nursing or any other nursing program will not be readmitted or considered for admission to the program.

Admission to the BSN Program

Applications for fall admission are being accepted through May 15, following a rolling admissions process: Upon application, the applicant’s file is reviewed to determine if they meet the admission criteria and have submitted all required documents; those applicants meeting all admission/documents criteria are then notified of their admission status. Applicants meeting the criteria but not offered a seat will be added to a waiting list and notified by email if a seat becomes available. To be eligible for admission to the LPN to BSN program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed a board-approved, accredited practical nursing program
• Hold an active, unencumbered LPN license
• Have taken the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam and earned a score of at least 60% in each area (reading, math, science, and English and language usage)
• Have one year of experience as a practicing LPN before beginning the first nursing course (NSG 213; see the LPN to BSN Program Progression Plan)
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all college-level work attempted if applicable
• Complete all the following steps for application.

Steps for application to the LPN to BSN program:

1. Confirm that you meet the program requirements as listed above.
2. Note that the application window closes on May 15, however, admissions are offered on a rolling basis, so it is recommended that you apply early.
3. Apply to the WVU School of Nursing LPN to BSN Program. Please follow these steps carefully: You will Sign Up for an account or Sign In (if already a student in the WVU system); Start a New Application; select Potomac State College at Keyser Campus; Type of Student: Health Sciences Transfer, Internal Applicant (if already a student in the WVU system), or Second Degree, whichever is applicable to you; International Student (Yes or No); Program You are Applying for: Nursing LPN to BSN; and Term: Fall 2024. Answer the application questions and upload the two required documents as indicated: (a) proof of an active, unencumbered LPN license (Nursys License Verification Report), and (b) proof of one year of experience as a practicing LPN (this should be from the employer(s), on official letterhead, dated, and signed and should include their contact information [email and phone]).
4. Submit to WVU Potomac State College an official transcript showing completion of a board-approved, accredited practical nursing program.
5. Only if applicable: Submit to WVU Potomac State College transcripts of all college/university level work, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all college-level work attempted.
6. Submit to WVU Potomac State College an official ATI transcript for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam indicating a score of at least 60% in each area (reading, math, science, and English and language usage).

Applicants admitted to the LPN to BSN program are notified by e-mail at the time of admission. All students accepted for admission to the LPN to BSN program must attend a nursing program orientation session. Students will receive information about the orientation and other requirements in a welcome letter sent via the student’s MIX e-mail, usually in early June.

Laptop Program

All students in the WVU School of Nursing: Potomac State BSN program must have a laptop that meets the program’s laptop requirements and bring it to class/small group/lab/clinical every day. The laptop is used for testing and completion of coursework in nursing courses throughout the BSN curriculum. To better serve our students, the WVU ITS department provides computer support should the need arise; the ITS Help Desk can be reached at:

Phone: 304-293-4444
Toll Free: 877-327-9260
Email: ITSHelp@mail.wvu.edu
Website: https://it.wvu.edu/