Associate Degree in Nursing – ADN (LPN-RN Bridge)
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
LPN-RN Bridge
Highland Community College Technical Center in Atchison, Kansas offers a two-semester in-person Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) bridge program that that allows licensed practical nurses to "bridge" to the next level of nursing (LPN to RN Bridge).
The program enables qualified LPN’s to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the entry level registered nurse. Through a series of courses that build upon the knowledge and experience of the LPN, the program encourages critical thinking skills, ethical principles, and legal practices of professional nursing established in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. Successful completion of this program enables the graduate to take the national licensure examination (NCLEX-RN ®) to become a registered nurse.
Certifications: Students who successfully complete the Associate Degree Nurse program are eligible to register for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) certification exam.
Helpful Resources
- AAS | Degree Map | Degree Worksheet
- LPN to RN Completion Program Information Packet
- 2022 Wage Survey
- Approved for Kansas Promise Scholarship
Available at These Locations
KSBN Approval and Program Accreditation
HCC Nursing Programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN). The curriculum for both the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) bridge program (LPN to RN Bridge) and the Practical Nursing Program support the statewide alignment as outlined by the Kansas Post-Secondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) under the auspices of KBOR as approved by KSBN.
The associate degree nursing program at Highland Community College Technical Center located in Atchison, KS is accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN),
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000.
Alignment with NCES
The Associate Degree Nurse program aligns with the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). CIP Code 51.3801: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. A program that generally prepares individuals in the knowledge, techniques, and procedures for promoting health, providing care for sick, disabled, infirmed, or other individuals or groups. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting a physician during treatments and examinations, referring patients to physicians and other health care specialists, and planning education for health maintenance.
Approved for Kansas Promise Scholarship
The Kansas Promise Scholarship Act provides service scholarships for students to attend an “eligible postsecondary educational institution” in specified programs. This exciting opportunity allows Highland Community College to offer a last dollar scholarship opportunity! This law was signed by Governor Laura Kelly to assist those attending Kansas community colleges and technical colleges.
The LPN to RN Bridge program admits students at the Technical Center in Atchison, Kansas twice a year—during the Fall semester (August) and the Spring semester (January).
To receive a detailed information packet outlining all application requirements, please contact the Nursing Department at nursing@highlandcc.edu.
There are 45 seats available annually for the PN program.
Associate Degree in Nursing (LPN-RN) Application Form
Application Materials Deadline
Fall Start
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Completion: May (following year)
Spring Start
Application Deadline: October 1
Program Completion: December (following year)
Application Materials Due before Enrollment:
- Nursing Program Application,
- Test results,
- Transcripts, and
- Other required documents (see information packet for more details).
Admission to the program is determined using a point-based system designed to identify the most qualified applicants. The selection criteria are weighted as follows:
Applicants with the highest overall scores will be offered admission and sent official letters of acceptance.
Accepted applicants must confirm their intent to enroll by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. Failure to respond by the specified date will result in forfeiture of their spot in the program.
Instructions for obtaining a criminal background check and drug screening will be included in the official acceptance letter.
To apply for the Associate Degree Nurse - ADN (LPN to RN Bridge) program, students must have a current LPN license. In addition, the following prerequisites are required:
**These courses have a 7-year expiration date. If it's been over 7 years since you've taken this course, please contact the Nursing Department.
3 Credit Hours
This course focuses on human development using normative scales for physical, intellectual, emotional, language, social, and personality development. The process of human growth and development across biological beginnings, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and end of life will be presented. Environmental and biological influences that affect development are also reviewed.
4 Credit Hours
This course is an anatomical study of the systems forming the human body. Emphasis is placed on the organs forming each system, the embryonic development of the system, and the functions of the tissues and organs of each system. The course includes a brief physiological review with each system and will consist of three hours lecture and one and one half hours of laboratory work per week.
4 Credit Hours
This course provides a physio-chemical study of the systems forming the human body. The course will focus on the relationships between the systems and the maintenance of a homeostatic condition within the body. Diseases, defects, and abnormalities are covered with each system. The course will consist of three hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of laboratory per week.
3 Credit Hours
This general survey course provides a broad background in the principles and applications of scientific psychology. The course will focus on the principles and proponents of psychological theories and methods of scientific inquiry, as well as the biological basis of behavior, including physiology of the brain and nervous system and the accompanying sensory systems and perceptual processes. The course also covers learning theories and cognitive processes, theories and applications of motivation and emotion, the major phases of human life span development, and the major theories of personality, including disorders, treatments, therapies and how human interaction is influenced by the individual, group, and environment.
5 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: BS 101, BS 105, or TST 117
This course will provide a study of the morphology, physiology, and classification of microorganisms associated with disease. The course will also focus on methods of disease prevention through sanitation, disinfection and sterilization, sources and means of infection, and body defenses.
3 Credit Hours
This course provides instruction and practice in the principles of written composition. The major emphasis is on improving the ability to organize and express thoughts clearly and effectively. Students will be expected to write coherent essays that declare and support a thesis, as well as use and document research material. A reading text is used for criticism and discussion. This course is required for all degree programs.
3 Credit Hours
ENG 102: Composition II This is the second of a two-course sequence in college English composition. The course will continue to emphasize improving the ability to organize and express thoughts in clear, effective writing. The course will use literature study as a basis for improving and extending research, critical analysis, and writing skills. The forms, elements, and techniques of literature will be examined in terms of how literature affects readers. Locations and Class Schedule for ENG 102
SP 106: Public Speaking The purpose of this course is to increase student understanding of the principles and applications of public speaking through analysis and practice in communication theory, topic selection, audience analysis, research, use of support materials, content organization, presentation, and evaluation. Locations and Class Schedule for SP 106
SP 101: Oral Communications The purpose of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for meaning-oriented oral communications. The course also covers becoming a more effective critical listener. Emphasis will be placed on interpersonal and public communication. Locations and Class Schedule for SP 101
Must be completed in last 5 years. See advisor for details on current computer literacy elective options.
See advisor for details on current humanities and fine arts elective options.
Associate Degree in Nursing (LPN-RN Bridge) Courses
1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This hybrid course prepares the licensed practical nurse to articulate to the role of a registered nurse by expanding the LPN knowledge base and exploring the scope of practice of the RN. The course begins with a review of academic progression in nursing. It continues with an introduction to the curriculum and a discussion about preparing for success in school and excellence in practice. The end-of-program student learning outcomes and major program concepts are outlined. Program concepts include: nursing process, client-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, informatics, evidence-based practice, safety, quality improvement, leadership and professionalism. Higher levels of cognition including critical thinking, clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are explored. In addition, legal and ethical issues confronting the registered nurse are discussed.
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course will focus on therapeutic pharmacological methods and evidence-based practice used in patient care both in the acute and maintenance plan of the patient. Correct administration, dosage calculation, dosage verification and documentation will be emphasized. Differences between the LPN and the RN practice regarding administration, calculation, and routes (i.e. IV push) will also be discussed based on the applicable nurse practice act. Safe and ethical care, nursing process and QSEN will be topics of the class as well.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule for NUR 221
4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course provides the framework for preparing students to perform comprehensive health assessments. Emphasis is placed on taking a thorough nursing history, performing physiological, psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual assessments. Laboratory experiences provide an opportunity to practice assessment and perform a head to toe assessment at a prescribed competency level. This course will also develop student’s skills in relation to advanced nursing skills needed to provide client-centered care to individuals with complex and multisystem disorders.
4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course focuses on the care of adult clients with complex medical/surgical health alterations. Concepts of pharmacology and parenteral therapy, health promotion and education, evidence-based practice, and inter-professional collaboration are integrated throughout the course. Emphasis is placed on enhancing time management, organizational, and priority-setting skills when providing care to clients with complex needs. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe, quality care to clients.
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course focuses on the clinical experiences that provide students with an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts related to the care of adult clients with complex medical/surgical health alterations. Concepts of pharmacology and parenteral therapy, health promotion and education, evidence-based practice, and inter-professional collaboration are integrated throughout the course. Emphasis is placed on enhancing time management, organizational, and priority-setting skills when providing care to clients with complex needs. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe, quality care to clients.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule for NUR 231
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course focuses on the care of clients across the lifespan experiencing cognitive, mental and behavioral disorders. Emphasis is placed on management of clients facing emotional and psychological stressors as well as promoting and maintaining the mental health of individuals and families. Concepts of crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, anger management, and coping skills are integrated throughout the course. The community as a site for care and support services is addressed. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care in selected care settings.
1 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
Clinical experiences provide the student with an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care in selected care settings.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule for NUR 236
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course facilitates the transition of the student to the role of a leadership nurse. Emphasis is placed on contemporary issues and management concepts, as well as quality improvement, conflict management, error mitigation, resource management, and leadership with a focus on prioritization and delegation. Legal and ethical issues are discussed with a focus on personal accountability and responsibility. Standards of practice and the significance of functioning according to state regulations and statutes are analyzed. Students are given the opportunity to conduct a needs assessment of a community, identify an issue, and develop a change project that they present back to the community and their peers.
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to the care of mothers, newborns, and children. Emphasis is placed on family dynamics, high-risk pregnancies, neonatal disorders, pediatric disorders and the promotion of healthy behaviors in clients.
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course provides the student the opportunity to function as a contributing member of the inter-professional team and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses. Students will provide care to clients with multisystem disorders in complex care settings. The focus is on promoting positive client outcomes through the provision of safe, evidence-based, client-centered care. Students will be expected to make clinical judgments using critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Emphasis is placed on demonstration of professional behaviors and communication, collaboration and conflict mediation, ethical comportment, and the application of leadership skills.
1 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to LPN to RN Completion Program
This course provides a review of the NCLEX-RN blueprint, NEXGEN test items, and test taking strategies over the courses offered in the LPN-RN program.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule for NUR 260