LPN to RN Advanced Placement Pathway

Beginning Summer 2027
Turn Your LPN Experience into an RN Career

St. Joseph’s College of Nursing is proud to offer an LPN to RN Advanced Placement Pathway beginning in Summer 2027. Designed for Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to advance their careers, this pathway recognizes prior nursing education and clinical experience while providing a seamless transition to professional nursing practice.

Qualified LPNs may earn advanced placement into the nursing curriculum through successful completion of the program’s transition requirements.

Program Options Designed for Working Professionals

At St. Joseph’s College of Nursing, we understand the demands of balancing work, family, and education. LPN Advanced Placement students may choose the program track that best meets their needs:

Day Program
  • Traditional daytime classes, labs, and clinical experiences
  • Ideal for students seeking a full-time educational experience
  • Accelerated progression through the nursing curriculum
Evening & Weekend (EWE) Program
  • Evening classes and weekend clinical experiences
  • Designed for working healthcare professionals
  • Allows students to continue employment while advancing their education
  • Same curriculum, learning outcomes, and degree as the Day Program

Both pathways lead to the same Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Nursing and eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN® licensure examination.

Why Choose St. Joseph’s College of Nursing?
  • Flexible Day and Evening/Weekend program options
  • Expert faculty committed to student success
  • State-of-the-art simulation and skills laboratories
  • Clinical experiences throughout Central New York
  • Strong NCLEX preparation and support
  • Personalized academic advising and tutoring resources
  • Career-focused nursing education rooted in excellence and compassion
Advanced Placement Pathway

The LPN Advanced Placement Pathway is designed to build upon the knowledge, skills, and experiences acquired as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Following admission, students will complete an LPN Transition Course and competency validations that prepare them for entry into the nursing curriculum at an advanced level.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
  • Hold a current, unrestricted New York State LPN license
  • Graduate from an accredited Practical Nursing program
  • Meet all admission requirements for St. Joseph’s College of Nursing
  • Complete required prerequisite coursework
  • Meet all health, immunization, and compliance requirements
  • Successfully complete the LPN Transition Course and competency assessments
LPN Transition Course

Prior to entering the nursing curriculum, students will participate in a transition experience that focuses on:

  • Role transition from LPN to RN
  • Clinical judgment and decision making
  • Nursing assessment
  • Care planning and prioritization
  • Medication administration and dosage calculation
  • Professional communication
  • Nursing skills validation
  • Simulation and clinical readiness
Career Opportunities

Upon graduation, students earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN® examination.

Registered Nurses enjoy career opportunities in:

  • Acute Care
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Critical Care
  • Community Health
  • Long-Term Care
  • Home Care
  • Leadership and Educational Roles
Applications Opening Soon

Admission Criterion:

All applicants must have minimally earned the following to be considered for admission:

    • Current LPN licensure,  earned within the last 7 years.
    • High school diploma or equivalent – If a high school is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or has no physical address, the student would be required to submit a GED/TASC before the application would be evaluated.
    • Completion of and a passing grade (or higher) in Algebra, Biology/Living Environment and Chemistry at the high school or college level – New York State Regents required where available (4 years of Math and Science coursework is strongly encouraged).
    • Successful completion (C or higher) of Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr), Introductory Psychology (3 cr), Introductory English (3 cr)
    • Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (B,85) or higher.

Note: Applicants must provide proof of a High School diploma or equivalent.  Refer to section 3.47(a) of the Rules of the New York State Board of Regents for additional options/ways to fulfill the High School proof of graduation or equivalent requirement. (Click here to view the NYS Codes & Requirements for Earned Degrees). An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report may be requested for applicants who have secondary and/or college transcripts from outside the U.S. and who have not completed college level English in the U.S. Analysis of TOEFL results will be based on TOEFL established benchmarks.

Application Process
    • Complete and submit an online application including a personal statement/essay.
    • Submit official high school transcript demonstrating proof of graduation and/or high school equivalent (must be sent directly from the original institution to St. Joseph’s Admissions Department)
    • Submit official college transcripts for ALL colleges attended (must be sent directly from the original institution to St. Joseph’s Admissions Department)
    • Submit 2 professional letters of recommendation. Current high school students must submit one professional letter of recommendation and one letter of recommendation from their guidance counselor. Recommendations from family members or friends are not accepted.
  • An application is not considered complete until all the above items are completed/received. All applications become the property of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and will not be returned. If an applicant does not complete an application or if the applicant is not in communication with the Office of Admissions within one year of applying, the file will be deemed inactive and consideration for admission will be canceled.
Admission Deadlines for Fall 2027, for the Weekday option:
    • Early Action: December 1st
    • Regular Decision: February 1st
First LPN Advanced Placement Cohort: Summer 2027

Whether you prefer a traditional daytime schedule or the flexibility of evening and weekend learning, St. Joseph’s College of Nursing can help you achieve your goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Ready to advance your nursing career? Contact our Admissions Team today to learn more about the Summer 2027 launch of the LPN to RN Advanced Placement Pathway.