How to Advance Your Nursing Career: Effective Strategies for LPNs

All right, let us go ahead and get started. We are both going to introduce ourselves. My name is Maura Hyland. I am a doctorally prepared nurse and a certified nurse educator, but I did not get that way overnight. I started as a PCT, which stands for patient care tech and can also be called a CNA, or certified nursing assistant. I worked in med-surg, learned how to draw blood and collect specimens, and then transitioned into a nurse role in the hospital. I became a charge nurse, went to the ICU, earned a masters degree in nursing education, started teaching, and here I am. I am going to hand it over to Amber now. Hello and welcome, everybody. My name is Amber Dortch. I live in Michigan. If there are any fellow Michiganders here, welcome. I have been in nursing for over 20 years. I started as an LPN in 2006 and then continued on to become an RN through a career ladder nursing program at my local community college. After that, I earned my bachelors degree, then a masters degree in nursing education. Because apparently that was not enough, I earned a postgraduate certificate at Duke University as a nurse practitioner, and I am currently treating women in midlife. We are going to move on to our agenda today. We will discuss the global impact of LPNs, identify personal strengths, interests, and professional values to guide career planning, identify opportunities to take on informal leadership roles such as mentoring and precepting, explore ways to negotiate and advocate for yourself, and use SMART goals to set clear career goals. Let us talk about the impact of LPNs. In the United States, there are over 900,000 LPNs. LPNs play a huge role in patient care and in producing positive patient outcomes. Here are some statistics: 85 percent patient satisfaction was reported in studies where LPN-led chronic disease follow-up occurred in clinics. That is comparable to or exceeds an RN-led model. Ten to 15 percent lower readmission rates were reported when LPNs were integrated into discharge planning and transitional care teams. Beyond the numbers, LPNs are often the continuity of care, especially in settings with high provider turnover. They are the glue that holds everything together. Patients frequently identify their LPN as the most consistent and trusted member of their care team. LPNs improve access to care, support aging populations, strengthen public health systems, reduce healthcare costs, and provide culturally competent care. Now let us talk about you and that LPN badge. Did you know there are over 900,000 LPNs in the U.S. alone? That is like filling 12 NFL stadiums with nurses who know how to get things done. The question is: how do you stand out in the crowd and take your career from ?I am just doing my job? to ?I am making big moves?? A great way to start thinking about career advancement is to identify your personal strengths, interests, and the values you bring to the profession. Start by thinking about what tasks come easily to you and what you enjoy most about nursing. Ask colleagues what you do well, because it can be hard to identify strengths in ourselves. Review past evaluations from managers or anyone you report to. You can also use assessment tools. The CliftonStrengths assessment identifies your top talents and how to incorporate them into daily work. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can help reveal personality-based strengths. Stay current with continuing education. This can change everything. Whether you earn a certification or take a leadership course, you are more likely to step into your ideal role within five years if you are committed to learning. That is a powerful return on investment. Think about the nurses who become the calm, problem-solving people everyone relies on. People remember those who get things done with a smile. That reputation can support promotions and professional growth. Going above the minimum is always a great option. Your nursing license opens doors. LPNs work not only in hospitals, but also in schools, correctional facilities, clinics, insurance, and policy roles. If healthcare needs your touch, you are equipped for it. Also consider extra courses of interest. Community colleges may offer courses that help you in different settings, and your employer may also offer courses and mentorships to help you become more proficient in your role. Seek mentorship and networking. Find a nurse mentor. A seasoned RN or NP can provide guidance and help you navigate your career path. They can also help you identify areas of strength and areas for growth. Join professional associations, where you can meet peers and potentially find a mentor. Examples include the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses and local or state nursing organizations. Attend conferences and workshops. These provide networking opportunities and expose you to new roles and specializations. Volunteer your time and expertise at health fairs, homeless shelters, or similar settings. You could also suggest that your unit or facility get involved. Volunteering is a great way to build peer-to-peer camaraderie. Negotiating and advocating for yourself begins with knowing your worth and being prepared to show it. One powerful tool is a professional portfolio. This is a living document that showcases your accomplishments, certifications, continuing education, leadership roles, and any patient or peer commendations. It is not just for job applications; it is evidence of your impact. When you walk into a conversation about advancement or compensation, tangible proof of your contributions shifts the discussion from opinion to fact. It is also essential to seek performance reviews and feedback regularly, not just during annual evaluations. Asking for feedback shows initiative and a commitment to growth. These conversations help you understand how others perceive your strengths and where you can improve, while also positioning you as someone invested in excellence and team success. When it is time to request a raise or promotion, use your documented achievements to build a compelling case. Frame your request around how your work has benefited patients, improved workflows, or supported team goals. For example, you might say, ?Over the past year, I have taken on mentoring roles, completed advanced training, and contributed to improved patient satisfaction scores.? Confidence is key. Advocating for yourself is not arrogance; it is professionalism. You are not just asking for more. You are demonstrating why you have earned it. Take on leadership roles when you can. As an LPN, you can volunteer as a team lead, mentor new LPNs or CNAs, and participate in committees focused on infection control, policies, or patient safety. These experiences build leadership credentials. Setting clear career goals is essential for professional growth. The SMART framework, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, can help turn aspirations into actionable plans. For example, instead of saying, ?I want to become an RN someday,? a SMART goal would be, ?I will enroll in an LPN-to-RN program within six months and complete it in 18 months.? This goal is concrete, time-sensitive, and aligned with long-term career advancement. It also provides a roadmap for tracking progress and staying motivated. Regularly assessing your goals is just as important. As your interests evolve or new opportunities arise, such as discovering a passion for wound care or leadership, you can adjust your goals to reflect those shifts. Whether you are aiming for certification, a new role, or further education, SMART goals keep your development focused and intentional. Here are a few more examples. ?I will volunteer to lead the monthly patient safety huddle starting next month and continue for at least six months to build leadership experience.? This is a specific leadership role with a defined timeline and measurable commitment. Another example is, ?I will mentor two newly hired CNAs over the next three months, meeting with each weekly to support their onboarding and clinical confidence.? This goal focuses on measurable mentoring outcomes and supports team development. One more example: ?I will join the infection control committee by the end of this quarter and contribute to reviewing our PPE compliance protocol within the next six months.? This goal aligns with facility goals and shows initiative in policy improvement. You can also gain specialty certifications in areas like wound care, gerontology, pediatrics, or long-term care. These show your managers that you are invested in your career and willing to take the next step. They can improve your job prospects, your pay, and your readiness to advance into different roles. Another option is pursuing higher education. This is one of the most powerful ways LPNs can advance their careers, expand their scope of practice, and unlock new professional opportunities. Whether you are looking to transition into a registered nurse role or aiming for long-term leadership through a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate of Science in Nursing degree, there are multiple pathways to help you get there. LPN-to-RN bridge programs are often associate degree programs offered at community colleges and universities and can often be completed in 12 to 18 months. These programs build on your existing clinical experience and prepare you for broader responsibilities, including care planning, patient education, and supervisory roles. For those thinking further ahead, LPN-to-BSN programs provide a more comprehensive education and open doors to specialized fields like case management, public health, and nursing leadership. A BSN is increasingly preferred for roles in hospitals, Magnet-recognized facilities, and advanced practice settings. The good news is that you do not have to choose between work and school. Many institutions offer online, hybrid, or part-time formats that allow you to keep working while earning your degree. Financing your education is a common concern, but there are many resources available. Financial aid through FAFSA is a starting point, and many states offer nursing-specific scholarships and grants. Look into local workforce development programs, nursing associations, and hospital-sponsored tuition reimbursement, especially if your continued education aligns with your employers goals. Higher education is not just about earning a credential. It is about investing in your future, expanding your impact, and stepping into roles where your voice and expertise can shape the future of patient care. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or already preparing to apply, the path forward is flexible, achievable, and full of possibility. Are there any questions in the chat? We do not have any questions yet, but I encourage everyone to share thoughts in the chat or Q?A. Do not be shy. Let us know what you are thinking. I see a comment: ?Nice and informative session.? I appreciate that. Any questions about school or transitioning? One question is: how can an RN advance her career while wanting to work in the hospital? That is a great question, and a hospital setting is a great place to start. Speak to your manager during yearly reviews or any open format to see what your options are. Ask about tuition reimbursement and whether there is any required service commitment after accepting it. Another pro tip is to see whether your hospital system has agreements with nursing schools. Many do, and you may be able to get reduced tuition through certain hospital systems. Another way to advance your career is to show interest in the unit where you work. Can you join a unit-based council or help run one? Are there safety protocols where you can teach people about handwashing and infection prevention? Look for opportunities within your own unit and express your desire to help and contribute more. Another question asks how to discover the main motivation for becoming an RN. Sit down and think about it. Make a pros and cons list. Think through what you hope to gain from becoming an RN. Ask yourself what is drawing you to it. Is it helping people? Is it patient-centered care? Do you want to be the voice of someone who is having a difficult time? Reflect internally, and then you can begin thinking about obtaining the license. Another question asks whether this applies specifically to the United States or Canada. This presentation was developed for the United States, but many parts can apply elsewhere. You can still ask: how can I further my career? Can I mentor someone? Can I precept someone? How can I get involved in my unit or workplace? Can I volunteer or help run a committee? Going back to school may also be an option if that interests you. Another question asks whether wound care solely means giving first aid. No. For example, in a nursing home, there is often a wound team or wound nurse. Many times these are LPNs who receive advanced training from the employer on how to care for wounds, assess them, and choose appropriate treatments. This experience translates well to hospitals, where wound care teams round on complicated wounds. So it is not just first aid; you would be doing treatments with other clinicians, registered nurses, and doctors. Another question asks whether you have to be an RN to specialize in wound care. No, you can be an LPN. I started as an LPN and was a wound care nurse in a nursing home. I received specialized training from experts brought in by different companies, and I was the wound care nurse for the entire building, which had over 300 residents. You do not have to be an RN to do wound care. Another question asks about RN jobs that require experience: how do you gain experience if no one wants to offer it? That can feel discouraging. Look for PRN CNA or PCT positions to start with, or volunteer in hospitals where possible. If you are a new graduate RN, look for job postings that specifically mention transition-to-practice or new graduate nurse programs. Nurse residency programs are also a great way to get your foot in the door. These programs are more common now than they were in the early 2000s. They often train you for about 12 weeks, expose you to different units, and help you find a job afterward. Another question asks: what are the best ways to stand out as a student? Be on time, prepared, respectful, and engaged. Participate in class, answer questions, and help fellow students. When students are ready to learn in the classroom or clinical setting, instructors are ready to teach. Engagement matters, and you will get more out of the experience based on how you approach it. If you are unprepared in class, you will fall behind. In clinicals, instructors cannot always predict teaching opportunities, so students need to be ready, engaged, hands-on, and willing to advocate for themselves. Let your instructor know what you are looking for and which concepts are more difficult to understand. Another question asks how many years of experience are needed for becoming an LPN or RN. If you mean training time, an LPN program at a community college is usually about two semesters. After that, you take your boards and begin practicing. An RN associate degree program is usually four semesters, followed by boards. Once you pass, you can practice. There are also many bridge programs once you obtain your LPN license. Many are hybrid or online and allow you to apply your previous LPN knowledge at the ASN or BSN level. Another question asks about the difference between an associate degree in nursing, or ADN, and a bachelors degree, or BSN, path. The associate degree is usually the fastest way to become an RN. The difference between the ADN and BSN is often nonclinical coursework, such as leadership courses. If you want to begin your RN career quickly, an ASN program is a great entry point, and you can later bridge to a BSN online. Once you have your RN from an associate program, an RN-to-BSN bridge is typically online and does not include a clinical component. ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN. It depends on your timeline. If you need to start your nursing career quickly, an ASN is often the fastest way to put RN behind your name. Another question asks how becoming an RN aligns with long-term career goals like specialty nursing, leadership, or advanced practice. There are many paths and no wrong one. You may take a long scenic route or a more direct approach. First, think about your long-term goal. You may have a clear vision, or you may only know the next step, and that is okay. If you know you want to be a nurse, become an RN and start practicing. Your experiences will guide you. You may find leadership opportunities, management interests, bedside care interests, or a particular patient population you enjoy. Your path can change any time, and that is the beauty of nursing. The opportunities are vast, and you can go down one path, turn around, and choose another. Another question asks how much hands-on simulation training is provided before entering clinicals as an LPN. This varies greatly by school and state. Each board of nursing dictates how many simulation hours count as clinical hours. Broadly, you will usually need pharmacology and health assessment before entering the clinical setting. These typically include head-to-toe assessment checkoffs, vital sign validations, and often pain assessment. The number of hours depends on the program and whether it is accelerated or traditional. Another question asks for a popular BSN program recommendation. That is difficult to answer without knowing where you are located. A good approach is to search for top schools in your area, then compare programs based on what fits your life. Consider distance, whether you are working, whether the program is full-time or part-time, what support they offer, and whether it is easy for you to attend. Also make sure the college or school is accredited. Another question asks whether schools give credit or advanced standing for prior LPN experience when moving to RN or NP. Schools will value your experience, and college credits may transfer, but requirements vary by program. Another question asks how to differentiate between long-term and short-term goals as an LPN or RN. Your short-term goal might be becoming an LPN, while your long-term goal might be becoming an RN. See how working as an LPN feels and observe the differences in scope between LPNs and RNs. Your goals may change as you gain experience, and that is okay. Talking with classmates and coworkers can also open doors and give you ideas about where you might want to go next. Another question asks about in-person classes versus self-paced online formats. Be honest with yourself about how you learn best. Some people flourish online, while others need interaction with an instructor in a traditional classroom. Either option can be great. If you start online and find it is not right for you, you can transition to a traditional school. Online classes are not necessarily easier or lower quality. Sometimes they can be harder. Another question asks about critical thinking and leadership expectations for RNs versus LPNs. As an RN, you are expected to delegate and use more advanced critical thinking. This is taught early in RN education. An LPN will recognize changes and report them to the RN, then follow the plan or orders from there. RNs learn to assess situations quickly, determine what is happening, and make decisions. Another question asks whether it is better to stay in bedside nursing or eventually move into education, management, or advanced practice for career advancement. There is no single right answer. Some nurses stay at the bedside and are outstanding leaders there. Others define success as moving into management, education, or advanced practice. It depends on your definition of success and what you want. Think about what success looks like for you. Another question asks whether the amount of time working increases or decreases when you become an RN. Usually, hours do not change simply because you become an RN. It depends on where you work. LPNs and RNs may both work eight-hour or 12-hour shifts, depending on the staffing model. Hours change based on your job setting and your choices, not just your license. Another question asks whether you need a college degree or medical license to become an RN or LPN. Yes. You need to complete the program at the school of your choice and then pass the appropriate state board exam for your LPN or RN license before you can practice. Another question asks how flexible the clinical schedule is and whether students can maintain work hours. This is very school-specific and is a great question to ask an admissions officer or advisor. Many students work to some degree, but nursing school can be intense. Some students may need to reduce from full-time to part-time work depending on stress, family responsibilities, and program demands. Another question asks how long it takes for an RN salary to offset schooling costs. This varies depending on the job, whether you work full-time or part-time, shift differentials, and other factors. Night shift differentials can increase pay. It is hard to say exactly how long it will take, but the return on investment over a full nursing career is significant. Community college associate programs are often the most affordable way to become an RN. Many employers then help pay for a bachelors degree through tuition reimbursement. Another question asks whether current RN experience counts toward clinical hours. Typically, it does not. However, your clinical skills and experience will help you shine in future clinical settings, especially if you are pursuing advanced degrees. Another question asks whether students are allowed to select clinical sites or whether they are assigned. Clinical sites are generally assigned, especially at the associate degree level. Some BSN programs may allow students to share preferences or suggest options. In graduate programs, students may be expected to find their own clinical sites. Clinical affiliation agreements between the school and facility are often required. Another question asks about the experience of moving from LPN to RN and whether you have to change locations to move up. My experience was excellent. I was in a career ladder program, started as an LPN while still in school, and worked in a nursing home with great support from LPNs, RNs, nurse practitioners, and doctors. LPN experience gave me confidence, helped me learn medications, side effects, assessments, and communication. Transitioning to RN felt seamless because of that background. You do not have to change locations to move up. You can stay in a nursing home, assisted living, doctors office, or other setting. Many RNs choose to move into hospitals, but it is not required. Thank you so much for joining this webinar and for your thoughtful questions. As a thank you, please note the offer for 15 percent off Osmosis for attending todays webinar. We hope this was helpful and that you can use these tips to advance your career. This webinar will be available soon, and Osmosis will email you when it is ready. The next webinar will be on compassion fatigue and how to recharge your mind, body, and spirit. It will be on September 10, and you can register at osmosis.org/events to save your seat. Before you go, please fill out our short four-question survey. Thank you, everyone. Thanks for joining us. 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