Associate Degree Nursing – Advanced Placement (LPN-ADN transition)

Are you a License Professional Nurse (LPN) and interested in expanding your horizons? Become a Registered Nurse (RN) and earn your associate degree in only one year through Forsyth Tech’s Associate Degree Nursing – Advanced Placement (LPN-RN transition) program. This LPN-ADN track program is designed for students who are already an LPN and wish to earn an ADN. Graduates of this program are well-prepared to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam which is necessary for RN licensure.

RNs with an ADN degree are prepared for a wide range of entry-level positions in the global healthcare system, including in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and health centers. Graduates can also apply the credits from their ADN and work experience if they choose to enroll in a four-year program to earn a Bachelors of Science (BSN) degree.

If you are not yet an LPN, consider Forsyth Tech’s one-year Practical Nursing (LPN) degree or two-year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) degree to see what works best for your budget and schedule.

Not sure whether to get a two-year ADN or a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a four-year university? You can become a Registered Nurse (RN) by completing an ADN, LPN-RN or BSN program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam.  However, the academic path you take to become an RN determines what types of care you will be able to provide in a healthcare setting and the level of responsibility and pay you will have.

Many nurses start with a two-year ADN to reduce tuition and start earning sooner. However, because a BSN has more education and practice requirements, graduates usually earn more and have greater responsibility. A BSN also prepares you for a more advanced degree, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree.

An ADN is an excellent entry-point and a BSN is increasingly becoming the industry standard for stability, salary and professional mobility. Many hospitals will hire you with an ADN and then pay for your BSN through an “RN-to-BSN” bridge program. This is the most cost-effective way to get the higher degree.

The Spring 2026 application to apply to the Advanced Placement (LPN-RN transition) program will open on August 18, 2025, and the application deadline will be September 19, 2025. If you have questions about the program and any changes, please contact your advisor.

• Patient Care 
• Medical Knowledge 
• Clinical Skills 
• Nursing Ethics 
• Pharmacology 
• Critical Thinking 
• Communication 
• Health Promotion