LPN to RN Program

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) nursing program at SOWELA Technical Community College located in Lake Charles, Louisiana is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm (opens new window).

2022: The Associate of Science in Nursing program has continued full approval through the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

SOWELA Technical Community College now offers Louisiana licensed LPN students the opportunity to enroll into SOWELA’s LPN to RN program.

Curriculum Overview

LPN to RN Application

LPN to RN Applications will be available in January and will be due March 17 at 3:00 PM. Applications will be available at the School of Nursing & Allied Health office on the 2nd floor of the H C Drew building. Applicants may also request a copy from Support Coordinator, Kim Mitchell, at kimberly.mitchell@sowela.edu.

LPN to RN Admission Requirements

• Selection for Enrollment in Nursing Courses:
  • Faculty will review each clinical application packet and selection will be made based on each student’s rank:
    • TEAS exam – 30%
    • GPA – 30%
    • Fundamentals exam – 40%
    • TOTAL Possible = 100%
    • Additional points will be awarded if the student holds a degree/diploma/certificate:
      • Master +5
      • Bachelor +4
      • Associate +3
      • Diploma +2
      • Certificate +1
  • Faculty decisions for admission to the LPN to RN program are final. Appeals will not be considered.
• Must have an Unencumbered Louisiana License to Practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Must have IV Therapy Certification.
• Must score a 64% on the Entrance Exam (TEAS VII) prior to registering for NURS 1153.
• Must score a Level II (65%) on the ATI Fundamentals Exam prior to registering for NURS 1153.
• Must apply to NURS 1153 the semester prior and be permitted to register based on the above criteria being satisfied.
• Upon successful completion of NURS 1153, NURS 2300 and NUR 2310 – 17 Credit hours in nursing will be awarded for the following nursing courses: NURS 1100/NURS 1110, NURS 1150, and NURS 2200 and NURS 2210.
• A minimum grade of ‘C’ in all required biology, mathematics, and nursing courses.
• Completion of prerequisite general academic courses toward the degree. (All courses listed in the first and second semester of the curriculum pattern.)
• Minimum grade point average of 2.8 in all courses required for the degree. Grades earned in any required course completed at the time of the application will be calculated in the GPA.
• A student will be permitted to repeat only one required non-nursing or nursing course. A student who fails or withdraws (receives a grade of ‘D’, ‘F’ or ‘W’) again in that course or from a second required course will no longer be permitted to apply to the ASN program at SOWELA Technical Community College School of Nursing and Allied Health.

LPN to RN Application Checklist

Student Responsibilities

Understand all policies and procedures for LPN to RN admission. These are available online as well as in the Nursing office and in the ASN Student Handbook. The application process must be completed, and students must be accepted into the program prior to beginning any clinical nursing course. This application MUST be completed in full by the deadline or student will be considered ineligible.

Checklist and required documentation:

• Apply to SOWELA Technical Community College. (Must be a SOWELA student during the semester of application or have completed all pre and co-requisite courses. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to application).
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• Minimum grade of “C” in all required biology, mathematics, and nursing courses. Students completing pre-requisite/co-requisite courses for the ASN program at SOWELA or transferring from another institution can only have repeated 1 course in which a “W”, “D” or “F” was earned. Credit for RN nursing courses from another institution will not be considered for transfer at this time.
• Completion of pre-requisite general academic courses (at least the first 2 semesters as shown on the curriculum).
• Minimum grade point average of 2.8 in ALL non-nursing courses required for the degree (All non-nursing courses shown in the ASN curriculum will be calculated into this GPA if taken prior to application for admission).
• Ability to complete the online LPN to RN Transitions Course. Completion of the TEAS VII test with a score of 64%. This is a nationally ranked score and not necessarily on a 100-point scale. You will need to visit www.atitesting.com (opens new window) to enroll and pay for the test. Available dates to take the test are posted on the website by the Testing Center.
• Completion of the ATI RN Fundamentals Exam with a Level II score of at least 65%. You must first pass the TEAS VII test with a 64% to be eligible to take the ATI RN Fundamentals Exam. This is also a nationally ranked score. You will need to visit www.atitesting.com (opens new window) to enroll and pay for the test. Available dates to take the exam are posted on the website by the Testing Center.
• Unencumbered Louisiana License to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (attach validation).
• Proof of IV Therapy Certification (attach document).
• Current CPR card (must be American Heart Association BLS Provider. Attach copy of card to application). Other certifications will NOT be accepted.
• Immunization record with current Tdap (must be current, within 10 years, include copy of Immunization record).
• Proof of Hepatitis B status (vaccinations [3] or proof of immunity (titer), include copy of Immunization record).
• Proof of two (2) Varicella vaccinations or varicella titer showing immunity.
• Record of MMR- two (2) injections or Rubella and rubeola titers showing immunity.
• Proof of two (2) meningococcal vaccinations (or signed waiver, located in the application).
• Proof of COVID 19 vaccination (or signed waiver, located in the application).
• Copy of negative PPD skin test or Chest X-ray result (must be within last year and be the official copy from Healthcare provider). If no skin test in the past year, must have 2 PPD tests or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold blood test (QFT-G).
• Signed Health Status Forms (health history and physical exam included in the application must have been completed no sooner than September.
• Copy of health insurance card.
• Attach a passport photo with your name printed on the back of the photo to this application.
• Keep a copy of all documents for your records. (Make copies prior to turning in application).

Course Description

NURS 1153: LPN to RN Transitions: (3-0-3) This online course provides a framework for assisting transition from a licensed practical nurse to an Associate of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse. An overview of principles of pharmacology and the registered nurse’s role in meeting man’s basic needs across the lifespan. Prerequisites: Must meet minimum LPN to RN admission entrance requirements, CSSK 1010, English 1020, Math 2100, Biol 2263, Biol 2261, Hist 2010 OR Hist 2020. Co Requisites: Biol 2103 and Biol 2101.

New classes begin every year during the Summer Semester. This program is offered at our main campus in Lake Charles, LA.

Contact Information