LPN to BSN Program

Degree Offered

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Nature of the Program

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 into the program.  One course in the program, NSG 213, is specifically designed to help the LPN transition from practical to professional nursing, and is focused on assessment, advanced skills, and clinical judgment.  Students in the LPN to BSN program complete their nursing didactic coursework online.  The nursing clinical component is completed face to face in state of the science skills/simulation labs and healthcare facilities, to enable students to apply their learning to actual client, family, and community situations that warrant nursing intervention.  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.  The curriculum has been carefully designed to equip graduates to begin professional nursing practice with patients of all ages in any healthcare setting where there is a position for the professional nurse at the start of their RN career.  The program also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in nursing.

The mission of the WVU School of Nursing is to lead in improving health in West Virginia and the broader society through excellence in student-centered educational programs, research, and scholarship; the compassionate practice of nursing; and service to the public and profession.  This mission is responsive to changing healthcare needs and emerging national and state advances in technology and healthcare delivery and is enhanced by a supportive and open environment.  The faculty's educational effort is directed at providing a high quality, student-centered program of instruction which prepares superb professional nurses to meet basic healthcare needs.  Unique characteristics of the state mandate that the healthcare needed of rural populations and vulnerable groups be a major focus of education, research, and service, including faculty practice.

Further information about the School of Nursing LPN to BSN program on the WVU Keyser (Potomac State) campus is available at https://academics.potomacstatecollege.edu/majors/four-year-programs/nursing-lpn-to-bsn or by contacting the WVU School of Nursing: Potomac State Department, J. Edward Kelley Complex, 400 Kelley Drive, Keyser, WV 26726, 304-788-7176.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Virginia University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

Nursing students are required by clinical agencies to undergo federal and state criminal background checks and a drug screen prior to clinical experiences, as well as annual drug screens.  Felony convictions, some serious misdemeanors, and positive drug screens may preclude participation in clinical rotations.  This could, in turn, prevent the completion of clinical course requirements and completion of the nursing program.  It could also result in admission ineligibility or program dismissal.

Transportation, Immunizations, Confidentiality/ HIPAA Training, and BLS Certification

Students are expected to provide their own transportation, approved uniforms, equipment, and instruments for clinical courses. Some clinical experiences require travel throughout a multi-county, multi-state area. Proof of a physical exam, tuberculosis testing, specific immunizations, and titers are required for all LPN to BSN nursing students. Annual training in confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are also required. Nursing students are required to maintain current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Rural Care and Community Engagement

In keeping with the university's commitment to improving health care for all West Virginians, nursing students complete a rural practice experience during their senior year.  Throughout the LPN to BSN Program, students also complete 50 hours of approved community service and document the hours on WVU iServe as a requirement for graduation.

Laptop Program

WVU Keyser LPN to BSN students are required to participate in the campus' nursing laptop program.  A laptop specifications sheet is provided to each student upon admission to the nursing program.  Each student will use their laptop for class, lab, and clinical every day.

Tuition and Scholarships

WVU Keyser nursing tuition information can be found at: https://tuition.wvu.edu/undergraduate/wvu-keyser-campus-online.  The School of Nursing offers several scholarships. These scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for financial aid.  Most School of Nursing scholarships are available only to students already admitted to the School of Nursing and are awarded each April for the following academic year.  However, there are a limited number of scholarships for which students may apply before admission.  Further information about scholarships is provided on the WVU Keyser https://admissions.potomacstatecollege.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships and School of Nursing https://nursing.wvu.edu/students/resources/scholarship-opportunities/ websites.

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Administration

Chair

• April Shapiro - PhD (West Virginia University)

Program Assistant

• Heather Hays - BA (Hood College)

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Faculty

Tenured Associate Professor

• April Shapiro - PhD (West Virginia University)

Clinical Education Instructor

• Krystal Abucevicz-Swick - MSN (West Virginia University)

Admissions

Note: Admission criteria are subject to change; visit https://academics.potomacstatecollege.edu/majors/four-year-programs/nursing-lpn-to-bsn for the most current criteria.

Applications for fall admission are accepted December 1 through March 15 each year, 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; first summer semester)
• 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 opens on December 1 and closes on March 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 2025. 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 May.

Students who have been dismissed from any nursing program (WVU or otherwise) are ineligible for admission to any of the WVU BSN programs; however, students who have received degrees or additional credentialing post-academic dismissal from a nursing program are eligible for admission to the WVU ABSN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs, provided they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric		3-6
ENGL 101 & ENGL 102	Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103	Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology		4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning		3-4
F4 - Society & Connections		3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past		3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity		3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity		3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)		9
Total Hours		31-37

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
University Requirements		9
Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite Requirements		34
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Major Requirements		79
Total Hours		122

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Outstanding GEF Requirements (5, 6 and 7)		9
Total Hours		9

Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses applied towards the degree.
A minimum grade of C is required in all Nursing Major Requirements.
NSG 213	Transition to Professional Nursing	6
NSG 311	Alterations in Adult Health 1	6
NSG 312	Alterations in Adult Health 2	6
NSG 320	Child and Adolescent Health	4
NSG 330	Alterations in Mental Health	4
NSG 350	Evidence Based Practice and Research	3
NSG 360	Ethics and Health Policy	3
NSG 410	Maternal Infant Nursing & Women's Health Care	4
NSG 411	Nursing in Complex Community Systems	7
NSG 412	Leadership in Complex Systems	7
NSG 460	Care of the Critically Ill Patient	4
NSG 486	NCLEX Review	1
NSG Elective		2
Escrow Credit *		22
Total Hours		79

*

Due to LPN licensure and work experience, award escrow credit for the following courses upon graduation:

• BIOL 102 & BIOL 102L
• HN&F 171
• PSYC 241
• WVUE 191
• NSG 100
• NSG 212
• NSG 250

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
BIOL 230	4	BIOL 231	4	MICB 200	3
CHEM 111 & 111L	4	CHEM 112 & 112L	4	NSG 213	6
PSYC 101	3	ENGL 101	3
MATH 124	3	STAT 211	3
	14		14		9
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
ENGL 102	3	NSG 312	6	GEF Elective (5, 6 or 7)	3
NSG 410	4	NSG 320	4	GEF Elective (5, 6 or 7)	3
NSG 311	6	NSG 360	3	GEF Elective (5, 6 or 7)	3
NSG 350	3
	16		13		9
Third Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NSG 330	4	NSG 412	7
NSG 411	7	NSG 460	4
NSG Elective	2	NSG 486	1
	13		12
Fourth Year
Fall	Hours
Escrow Credit	22
	22
Total credit hours: 122

Major Learning Outcomes

LPN to BSN Program

A graduate of the BSN Program:

CRITICAL THINKING: Employs scholarly inquiry and evidence-based reasoning and creativity in the process of assessment, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and inference as a basis for professional nursing practice.

NURSING INTERVENTIONS: Ensures quality care by applying theory, evidence-based clinical judgment and decision-making, and patient care technology in the delivery of safe and skilled nursing therapeutics with individuals, families, communities, and populations across the health-illness continuum.

PROFESSIONAL ROLE: Demonstrates knowledge, attitudes, professional values, personal qualities, and behaviors consistent with the nursing roles of health care designer and coordinator, organization and system leader, and advocate for consumers and the nursing profession.

CARING: Provides empathetic, culturally sensitive, and compassionate care for individuals, families, communities, and populations that upholds moral, legal, and ethical humanistic principles.

COMMUNICATION: Integrates therapeutic, interpersonal, intra-professional, inter-professional and informatics communication processes in professional nursing practice.

Progression Requirements