Being an LPN is a very rewarding job, but there are several online LPN programs out there that will allow you to engage in continuing education and even upgrade your qualification to that of an RN.
There are a number of online programs available from various schools that will allow you to do this. Hutchinson Community College, for example, has a great LPN to RN Bridge Program in place. There are a number of advantages to being an RN over an LPN.
For example you will earn more money and have more job opportunities. You will also be in a position to eventually work your way up to a senior position in the hospital or institute that you are working in. This article is here to help you assess the suitability of Hutchinson Community College for your purposes and help you to decide on an online program.
College Information
The college began in 1928 and officially changed its name to Hutchinson Community College in July of 1965. This is one of the better colleges available out there to students who want to learn nursing online. Since then the college has grown substantially.
If you would like to more about the campus you have the option of scheduling a tour by visiting their website. You can engage in a virtual tour, which may be more appropriate considering that you want to be an online student.
Phone Numbers
- Information Center & General Info: (620) 665-3500
- Emergency & After Hours (After 4:30pm evenings): (620) 665-3379
- Non-Emergency (Plant Facilities): (620) 665-3590
Email Addresses
- Admissions: admissions@hutchcc.edu
- Business Office: studentbill@hutchcc.edu
- Campus Store: campusstore@hutchcc.edu
- Distance Education (Online Classes): ITDE@hutchcc.edu
- Financial Aid: finaid@hutchcc.edu
- Human Resources: hrinfo@hutchcc.edu
- Media Contact: marketing@hutchcc.edu
- Residence Housing: reshall@hutchcc.edu
- Technical Support: techsupport@hutchcc.edu
Program Information
These are the programs that you will have to complete in order to finish you LPN to RN Online Bridge Program with Hutchinson Community College:
- AL226: LPN IV Therapy
- BI103: Human Anatomy and Physiology
- BI112: General Microbiology
- EN101: English Composition IA
- HR212: Pathophysiology
- IS103: Microcomputer Literacy
- NR117: Transition: Basic Concepts, Principles, and Skills
- NR207: Transition: Advanced Principles of Adult Nursing
- NR215: Children and Family Nursing
- NR216: Maternal-Infant Nursing
- NR217: Transition: Issues and Trends in Nursing
- NR220: Crisis Care
- NR221: Leadership and Management Concepts in Nursing
- PS100: General Psychology
- PS102: Human Growth and Development
- SH101: Public Speaking OR SH210: Interpersonal Communication
Tuition
An important aspect of applying for online LPN programs involves ensuring that you know what the fee structure is right. It is essential that you know what you are going to be paying. Note: When it comes to choosing a school to attend try not to base your decision too heavily on the cost. Remember that some of the best schools you there are in fact schools that are affordable and that come at very reasonable prices. In addition a really expensive school will not necessarily be the best school that you could choose. It may in fact have a lower standard of education, but charges more because of its reputation or perhaps even because of the area in which it is located. Tuition is important, but it is not the most important factor for selection.
Students who live in the state of Kansas will be responsible for the following fee structure:
- A Regular Student will pay $82.00 per credit hour
- A High School Student will pay $65.00 per credit hour
- A college student older than 60 will pay $65.00 per credit hour
- A Credit by Examination Student will pay $25.00 per exam
- An Auditing Student will pay $104.00 per credit hour
- A Visiting Student will pay $104.00 per credit hour
Students who do not live in the state of Kansas will be responsible for the following fee structure:
- A Regular Student will pay $113.00 per credit hour
- A High School Student will pay $96.00 per credit hour
- A college student older than 60 will pay $65.00 per credit hour
- A Credit by Examination Student will pay $25.00 per exam
- An Auditing Student will pay $104.00 per credit hour
- A Visiting Student will pay $104.00 per credit hour
International students will be responsible for the following fee structure:
- A Regular Student will pay $131.00 per credit hour
- A college student older than 60 will pay $65.00 per credit hour
- A Credit by Examination Student $25.00 per exam
- An Auditing Student will pay $104.00 per credit hour
The following are the specific fees that apply to the online programs offered by the school:
- Nursing ADN Transition Lab: $25.00 per class (NR103)
- Nursing Fundamentals of Nursing: $75.00 per class (NR110)
- Nursing Home Activity Director: $10.00 per class (AL163)
- Nursing LPN Day – Fall: $279.00 per class (PN115)
- Nursing LPN Day – Spring: $436.00 per class (PN114)
- Nursing LPN Day – Spring: $40.00 per class (PN117)
- Nursing LPN Day – Spring: $12.00 per class (PN118)
- Nursing LPN Weekend – Fall: $436.00 per class (PN114)
- Nursing LPN Weekend – Fall: $40.00 per class (PN117)
- Nursing LPN Weekend – Summer: $279.00 per class (PN115)
- Nursing LPN Weekend – Summer: $12.00 per class PN118
- Nursing Medical Surgical Lab: $75.00 per class (NR115L)
- Nursing Practicum: $70.00 per class (NR104)
- Nursing Skills Lab III: $50.00 per class (NR121, NR211L)
- Nursing Transition Basic Concepts: $50.00 per class (NR117)
- Nursing Transition Nursing Seminar: $50.00 per class (NR217)
Loans and Scholarships
In order to apply for scholarships from this college you need to first complete an Application for Admission at HCC and then, once you have access to the student portal, you will need to complete a scholarship application.
Government sources for financial aid are:
- FAFSA
- Personal Identification Number (PIN) Registration
- National Student Loan Database System
- U.S. Department of Education
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
The least that you can do is find out what your options are and the worst that they can do is to turn you down.
For more information about financial aid from Hutchinson Community College:
JEAN KIBBE
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PHONE: (620)665-3573
EMAIL: Kibbej@hutchcc.edu
RESPONSIBILITY: A through K
LOCATION: Hutchinson & Newton
ANNETTE HOLLAND
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADVISOR
PHONE: (620)665-3472
EMAIL: Hollanda@hutchcc.edu
RESPONSIBILITY: L through Z
LOCATION: Hutchinson & Newton
LIZ KRAUSHAAR
SCHOLARSHIP PROCESSING SPECIALIST
PHONE: (620)665-3447
EMAIL: kraushaare@hutchcc.edu
RESPONSIBILITY: Scholarships
Accreditation
When applying at a school, especially one that offers online programs, you need to ensure that the school is in fact properly accredited. If it is not you will essentially be wasting your time and your money there.
This college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) which is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
Online Teaching Methods
Because online learning can be very challenging and because you can feel isolated and lonely while studying in this way it is very important that you select online programs that offer an interactive online learning platform. At HCC this is Dragon Zone, the student portal. This will provide you with email, online courses, books, schedules, transcripts, account balances and other services, information about important campus announcements, news, and events. It is a very interactive platform that gives your online learning experience a personal touch that you may not find as easily at other online schools.
In addition a lot of students find the process of applying for online courses very confusing and sometimes even too much effort to go through. This college, however, provides comprehensive information on what to do in order to start your online learning experience. This information is easily accessible on their website .
To find out more about the online teaching methods that the school employs and whether or not they are effective you should speak to past students or look for past student testimonials and reviews. This will give you the clearest idea of what you are in for, provided you read as many different viewpoints as possible.
Hutchinson Community College has a lot going for it, and there are not many schools out there that offer such a comprehensive online LPN program. Getting your RN qualification is one of the best things that you could do as it will ensure job security for yourself and a good future for your family. Just remember that even if a school is good it may not suit you personally for practical reasons. Make sure that you research all of the online LPN programs available to you carefully before making your final decision as this decision could have a long-term impact on your future.