Nursing Program: Career Mobility Option A and Option B

LPN Career Mobility Ladders

  • OPTION A is designed for the student who holds a current license as a licensed practical nurse and can complete the A.A.S. degree in three semesters of nursing courses.
  • OPTION B is designed for the licensed practical nurse who is able to complete the A.A.S. degree in two semesters of full-time nursing study. To be eligible for either option, the student must pass the nursing challenge examination.

The LPN challenge examination consists of two examinations.

  • The first examination involves basic nursing knowledge and skills as taught in an introduction or foundation nursing courses. The content involves patients with common health problems, including death and dying, preoperative care, postoperative acre, pain, fluid and electrolyte balance, incontinence, infectious disease, loss of consciousness, chronic illness, and stress. The examination also covers basic health concepts involving physiologic and psychosocial needs, written and verbal communication skills, moral/ethical/legal issues, and medication administration.
  • The second examination involves maternal-child nursing concepts and skills.

The challenge examinations are administered in March and November. Deadlines for submission of application and payment of fees is the first Friday in February and October. To register for one or both parts of the challenge examination, the student will:

  • Pay the examination fees at the Columbia Campus business office (this is the only location that can accept fee payment).
  • Bring or mail the receipt, the LPN Mobility application, LPN license, and a copy of your driver's license to the Health Sciences/Nursing office on the Columbia campus. If mailed, submit a copy of the LPN license.

Please note: This is a national exam developed by the National League of Nursing (NLN). Results of this can be used at nursing schools nationwide (contact specific schools for admission policies).  Success on one or both parts of the Challenge Exam does not guarantee entrance into the nursing program.  LPNs are admitted on a space available basis.  The ADN Role Transition course is also required for LPNs (option B) who pass both portions of the Challenge Exam and desire admission to the program beginning in NUR 3.  This course may not be offered every academic year, depending on how many LPNs have passed the Challenge Exam(s) and completed all prerequisite general education courses.

The challenge examination may be repeated once. Examination results are valid for a three years period.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements mentioned earlier, licensed practical nurses seeking admission through the Career Mobility Tract must meet the following admission requirements.

  1. Meet all College general requirements for admission as a degree seeking student as stated in the college catalog.
  2. Successfully pass the challenge examination for nursing (Foundations of Nursing) within three (3) years of the semester seeking entry.
  3. Worked as an LPN in a nursing setting for a minimum of at least six (6) months.
  4. Complete prerequisite course requirements prior to the semester requesting entry.
  5. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for academic subjects.

Admission Process

  1. Submit the following to the Admissions and Recruitment Office:

      a. official college transcripts

      b. high school transcript or GED

      c. ACT or SAT exam results (Applicants should have a composite score of 19 or higher. A composite score below 19 will be accepted if all required remedial and developmental courses are completed.)

  2. Submit a completed Nursing Program LPN Mobility application to the Health Sciences/Nursing office (William R. Walter Bldg., 112). Forms are available in the Health Sciences/Nursing office in the nursing building or on this web page.
  3. Submit documentation of work as an LPN in a nursing setting.
  4. Complete an interview with the nursing program director or designee.
  5. Complete prerequisite courses with grades of “C” of better.
  6. Once admitted, students are required to submit same documentation for the health and BCLS requirements, malpractice insurance, and health insurance as other nursing students by the first day of nursing classes. If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of classes, students will not be permitted to start the nursing program.
  7. Students must meet the continuation requirements as sated on the Program/Continuation Requirements web page.

Required Courses

OPTION A -- Specific information on the course of study needed for this program is available in the college catalog online::

OPTION B -- Specific information on the course of study needed for this program is available in the college catalog online::

NOTES: All Science and psychology classes must be completed by the term listed in order for the student to continue in the program. Students may elect to meet the humanities requirement by taking a 3-hour humanities/fine arts elective instead of Humanities Seminar, but must meet the 66-hour graduation requirement (elective options are listed in the college catalog).