11 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Maryland – (Online & Campus-Based)

Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

What will you learn if you enroll in one of the LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland? Patient assessment, critical thinking, and how to apply evidence-based practice to your new role as a registered nurse. In short, you’ll learn all the skills you’ll rely upon in your expanded scope of practice as an RN. As an ADN-prepared nurse in Maryland, you’ll make $87,990 annually on average, more than 46 percent higher than your annual salary as an LPN ($60,180.) Employment opportunities for registered nurses in the Old Line State are anticipated to soar by more than 17 percent over the next decade. Much more information can be found in the guide below to the 11 best LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland.

WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 11 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland.

1. Hagerstown Community College - Hagerstown

Program Details: Hagerstown Community College is home to one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. This LPN-to-RN transition program admits students once each year in the summer. The program features lectures, campus-based labs, and face-to-face clinical experiences.

The 70-credit curriculum for the program includes several areas of study with emphasis on using the nursing process to meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities. The LPN-to-RN Transition pathway awards 17 prior learning credits for having your LPN license. You must complete 33 general education course credits. After completing general education coursework, you will take the LPN to RN Transition course, which is an eight-credit course then transition to complete the remaining 12 credits of nursing coursework.

Why Choose This Program

• Hagerstown Community College offers internships that provide LPN to RN students with career-related experiences and workplace competencies in addition to the clinical practicum experiences included in the program.
• At Hagerstown, you will learn from highly experienced faculty with a broad range of clinical experience and expertise.

2. Carroll Community College - Westminster

Program Details: At Carroll Community College, you will find another of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. The program admits students once per year in the fall semester and takes approximately two years to complete.

The LPN-to-RN program features a learning format that includes classroom learning, lab simulations, and direct patient care clinicals. The college offers state-of-the-art simulation labs with high-fidelity patient care simulators, where you will hone advanced nursing skills to prepare for RN clinicals and professional practice. Clinical rotations are completed at regional hospitals in Carroll, Baltimore, and Frederick counties, as well as in Baltimore City.

To earn the Associate Degree in Nursing at CCC, you must complete 70 credits. As an LPN, once you complete the required pre-clinical courses, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Introduction to Sociology, and Microbiology, you will be awarded nine additional credits for prior learning and experience to be applied toward the first year of the program.

Why Choose This Program

• In the LPN-to-RN program in Maryland offered at Carroll Community College, you will learn from expert instructors with years of real-world experience who are dedicated to ensuring you are prepared to transition from an LPN to an RN.
• Carroll Community College offers several on-campus networking events to help you connect with healthcare professionals in the community.

3. Frederick Community College - Frederick

Program Details: Frederick Community College is home to another of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. You have the option of enrolling part-time or full-time to earn the degree. You will participate in face-to-face learning within small classes, practice skills simulation in the school’s high-fidelity lab, and participate in diverse clinical experiences. With the broad range of experiences offered by the program, you can feel confident you will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and transition to your new role as a registered nurse.

The LPN-to-RN Transition program requires you to complete between 72 and 76 credits, which include pre-admission general education and nursing prerequisites. The curriculum features classes, including Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology for Allied Health, Elements of Microbiology, and Maternal, Child, and Family Nursing.

Clinicals are incorporated into each semester of the nursing program. You will complete clinicals in various settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health, and psychiatric-mental health facilities. All clinicals are completed under faculty or preceptor supervision at sites preapproved by the school.

Why Choose This Program

• Small class and clinical group sizes ensure individualized attention to promote your success in the program.
• At Frederick Community College, you will have a dedicated student advisor who works with you from the time you apply to the program until you graduate. Your advisor will advocate for you, guide you, and assist you as needed.

4. Allegany College of Maryland - Cumberland

Program Details: If you are searching for an LPN-to-RN program in Maryland that offers flexibility, Allegany College of Maryland has an excellent program worth considering. The online program features asynchronous classes, making it possible for you to complete didactic coursework on a schedule that suits your needs. Although daily participation and study are encouraged, you are only required to log in to each course a minimum of three days per week.

Admission to the program is competitive. All students must complete a minimum of 70 credits to earn the Associate Degree in Nursing and be eligible for graduation. The curriculum includes classes such as Human Growth and Development, Microbiology, Death and Dying, Nursing Statistics, and Evidence-Based Practices in Nursing. In addition to the benefit of online classes, you will work collaboratively with program faculty to arrange clinical sites and preceptors to facilitate meeting the clinical requirements of the program in settings close to where you live.

Why Choose This Program

• Although the LPN-to-RN program at Allegany College of Maryland is an online program, you will have access to easy interaction with your instructors throughout the program. The college uses tools such as Skype, Adobe Connect, discussion forums, and e-mail to facilitate communication and offer support.
• The school reports high retention and graduation rates for students in the program, which is indicative of student satisfaction and success.

5. Community College of Baltimore County - Baltimore

Program Details: The LPN-to-RN Transition program at the Community College of Baltimore County is another excellent option for individuals seeking an LPN-to-RN program in Maryland. This program, which is designed for currently licensed LPNs with a minimum of 500 hours of work experience, accepts students for admission to the fall semester each year.

As an LPN, once you meet admission and general education requirements, you may apply for advanced standing admission into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing LPN-to-RN program. The curriculum requires the completion of 70 credits. After completing the course LPN-to-RN Transition, you will be awarded 18 credits for first-year nursing courses, reducing the total number of credits you must complete to earn the Degree.

The program features classes, including Professional Practice Nursing Concepts, Maternal-Newborn Nursing Concepts, and Pediatric Nursing Concepts. All clinical courses have a corresponding clinical practicum. The college’s clinical faculty will work with you to find appropriate clinical placements and preceptors, ensuring your clinical experiences are diverse and designed to prepare you to succeed as a registered nurse.

Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program offered at Community College of Baltimore County has an excellent history of graduating students who pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. The NCLEX pass rate among graduates consistently exceeds state and national averages.
• From state-of-the-art labs to diverse clinical settings, you will have a broad array of hands-on training and experiences to prepare you to transition from an LPN to an RN with confidence!

6. Howard Community College - Columbia

Program Details: If an accelerated LPN-to-RN program in Maryland is what you are looking for, Howard Community College could be the place for you. The program is a full-time, 14-month program with daytime classes, that begins in the summer semester of each academic year. Learning occurs through a variety of formats, including classroom experiences, simulated laboratory practices, and clinical practicums.

The curriculum includes general education credits, nurse course credits, and seven additional credits, which are earned through the Fundamental Nursing Concepts course, a course designed for LPN-to-RN transition. The program features diverse clinical experiences to help broaden your view and hone your skills as you transition to the role of a registered nurse.

Why Choose This Program

• Howard Community College reports consistently high pass rates, above the national average, among graduates taking the NCLEX-RN for their first attempt.
• At Howard Community College, you will have access to cutting-edge learning facilities and tools. The school has a state-of-the-art simulation lab featuring computerized mannequins to help you learn and practice vital RN skills.

7. Anne Arundel Community College - Arnold

Program Details: Another great option for Licensed Practical Nurses interested in LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland is the program offered at Anne Arundel Community College. After completing prerequisites and meeting admission requirements, LPNs may begin in the second semester of the traditional associate degree program. With rolling admission, you can apply for admission to the program at your convenience. New classes begin in the fall and spring semesters each year.

Although the program page does not specify the exact delivery format, according to course descriptions, general education and prerequisite classes may be offered online or on campus, and nursing courses are primarily on campus. You will also participate in laboratory simulations and off-campus clinicals. At AACC, you must complete 65 credits in the LPN-to-RN program. The rich curriculum features classes including Nursing Management of Clients with Complex Health Problems and Transition into Nursing, Nursing of Adult Clients in Health and Illness, Nursing Perspectives, and Nursing Care of Children and Families. Additionally, the program includes nearly 500 hours of clinical training.

Why Choose This Program

• The nursing program at Anne Arundel Community College is ranked as one of the best Associate Degree RN programs in the nation for 2024!
• The college has an excellent reputation for preparing highly respected registered nurses. Because of this, job placement rates among graduates of the program are great, with many reporting having offers of employment within three months of graduation.

8. Montgomery College - Takoma Park

Program Details: Montgomery College is home to another of our featured LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. With the exception of limited online course options, the program is designed primarily for campus-based learning.

After completing the required prerequisite coursework, you may apply for the Transition to Nursing Course. This blended course is an intensive 10-week summer course designed to guide LPNs and other healthcare workers into the associate degree in nursing program. The Transition course consists of lectures, discussions, and laboratory and clinical hours each week. Licensed Practical Nurses articulating into the program may be awarded up to one year of nursing course credits upon completion of the Transition to Nursing Course.

Once the Transition to Nursing Course is complete, you will transition into the traditional ADN program and join an existing cohort for two final semesters of study, including classes and clinicals. At Montgomery College, clinical assignments are based on clinical contracts, available sites, and available preceptors. Some of the school’s clinical sites include Holy Cross Silver Spring Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, and Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Why Choose This Program

• All students enrolled in the LPN-to-RN program at Montgomery College are automatically offered membership in the Nursing Club, an official student organization designed to provide opportunities for leadership development, legislative activity, and public speaking, opening doors for partnerships and communication with local community health agencies and healthcare facilities.
• Montgomery College offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.

9. Harford Community College - Bel Air

Program Details: Harford Community College is home to an excellent LPN-to-RN program in Maryland. With an active Licensed Practical Nurse license, and after meeting admission requirements, you may apply for advanced in the program, which offers two start dates yearly, once in the spring and once in the fall semester. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters once prerequisites are complete.

With face-to-face didactic courses, campus-based laboratory intensives, in the Clinical Simulation Lab, and person direct patient care clinicals, you will have a broad range of educational experiences to help you prepare to transition to the role of a registered nurse. The program requires you to complete the LPN-to-RN Transition course, after which you may be admitted into the second semester of the RN program. Additionally, you may have opportunities to challenge some second-semester coursework, which could reduce the time it takes for you to earn your degree.

Why Choose This Program

• At Harford Community College, you will have access to an Academic Progression and Clinical Coordinator who will provide assistance to you throughout the program.
• Graduates of the Harford Community College LPN-to-RN program report high satisfaction ratings when completing surveys about the nursing program, staff availability, clinical opportunities, and student support services.

10. College of Southern Maryland - La Plata

Program Details: The Nursing Transition Pathway at the College of Southern Maryland is another one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. The program is designed with the working nurse in mind, featuring a part-time sequence. The program is formatted to include web-enhanced and independent study, lectures, skills practice and simulation, demonstrations, and clinical practicum experiences. Licensed Practical Nurses with an active, unrestricted Maryland or Compact LPN license are awarded up to one year of nursing course credits toward the program.

In the Pre-Pathway Semester, you will complete Professional Nursing Practice: Transition to Registered Nursing and Clinical Application of Professional Nursing Practice: Transition to Registered Nursing. Once all prerequisites and pre-pathway semester courses are complete, you will earn an additional 27 credits over the course of four consecutive terms. Each semester's curriculum plan includes a clinical course and corresponding clinical practicum.

Why Choose This Program

• The College of Southern Maryland utilizes high-fidelity simulations, case studies, interprofessional collaboration, and web-based simulation platforms to prepare you for hands-on practice and professional transition.
• You will learn from dedicated faculty with decades of experience across diverse disciplines.

11. Prince George's Community College - Largo

Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Marland at Prince George's Community College is designed to propel licensed practical nurses into a new role as registered nurses with an Associate of Science degree in Nursing. You must first complete the six-credit LPN-to-RN Transitions Course, which allows you to enter the second year of the RN program in either the fall or spring semester following prerequisites.

The nursing department features a state-of-the-art Center for Health Studies building, two nursing skills labs, specialty nursing skills labs, and interdisciplinary labs, which facilitate excellent in-person, hands-on learning opportunities. The rigorous 70-credit curriculum consists of general education and nursing prerequisites as well as nursing and clinical courses. You will study in classes such as Management of Care and Professional Issues, Physiological Integrity, Psychosocial Integrity, and Nursing Care of Children and Families.

Why Choose This Program

• At Prince George’s Community College, you will have a designated Career Coach who will mentor you throughout the program. Your coach will help you by conducting interest assessments, promoting professional network growth, and helping you explore career opportunities.
• With a low attrition rate, high NCLEX pass rate, and high employment rates, students at PGCC seem satisfied with the program and well-prepared for their future roles as registered nurses.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

Darby Faubion's Recommendations For Students Interested In LPN-To-RN Programs In The State Of Maryland

If you are an LPN interested in an LPN-to-RN program in Maryland, the programs featured in this article offer some outstanding options! My advice before committing to a program is to first take time to research your options. Most programs require candidates to complete specific general education and nursing prerequisites before applying. So, if you have not started that process yet, you could get a head start by enrolling in some classes now.

Once you narrow your search down to a few schools, I recommend visiting them in person, if possible. Take a look at their labs and ask to meet faculty or advisors. Although you must meet admission requirements, you should also treat this as if you are interviewing the school to see if it is a good fit for you. You want to ensure the school’s program goals and expected student outcomes align with what you have in mind to help you reach your goals for your future.

Finally, I encourage you to keep in mind that, although the programs can be challenging, with hard work and dedication, you can accomplish the goal of becoming a registered nurse through one of the LPN-to-RN programs in Maryland. Nursing is an amazing profession with endless opportunities, and we need more people with a desire to make a difference!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED

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