LPN to ADN/BSN: accelerated curriculum for LPN's.

This article describes a special project involving the design, implementation and evaluation of a flexible education track for licensed practical nurses (LPN) within an established nursing program containing an associate degree in nursing (ADN) track and a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) track. The LPN track facilitated the achievement of the associate degree or baccalaureate degree through curricular options which decreased the length of time and/or credit load for the LPN. A mechanism also was designed and implemented whereby credit for previous nursing knowledge and skills was awarded. Years 1 through 3 of the project focused on the advanced placement of LPNs into the associate degree program, and years 4 and 5 are an expansion to include the advanced placement of LPNs into the baccalaureate degree program.