Innovative LPN to BSN School Partnership Accelerates Nursing Careers in Northeast Ohio
ACCELERATE YOUR BSN
PLCC LPN graduates receive credit for:
- LPN Education
- Nursing Experience
- Up to 19 Credits
ONLY FOR PLCC LPN PROGRAM GRADUATES. ONLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON. LEARN MORE.
PLCC and University of Akron launch exclusive LPN to BSN degree pathway recognizing LPN education, experience
In his 18 years as a nursing educator, Tim Meyers, PhD, RN, CNE, has never forgotten a fundamental truth from his days as a medical-surgical nurse: every patient is somebody’s loved one. This deep appreciation for both the technical and human aspects of nursing drives his vision as executive director of the University of Akron School of Nursing and associate dean of its College of Health and Human Services. Now that vision—combined with pioneering collaboration between the University of Akron’s nursing faculty and Portage Lake Career Center’s (PLCC) instructor team—is helping transform nursing education in northeast Ohio.
Starting this spring, graduates of the PLCC W. Howard Nicol School of Practical Nursing’s licensed practical nurse (LPN) program in Uniontown, Ohio, will have an exclusive opportunity to accelerate their nursing careers through this unique LPN to BSN bridge program—the region’s first to grant substantial credit for both LPN education and hands-on nursing experience.
“Some of my finest colleagues have been LPNs, but ADN [associate’s degree in nursing] and BSN programs—much like traditional LPN to RN programs—don't give them credit hours for their education or experience," says Meyers. "LPNs normally have to take every class a traditional college freshman would take with no ability to get through the program faster, even though they are licensed nurses. Now we're saying, 'Hey PLCC nursing grads, you've got valuable education and experience. That matters.'”
LPN to BSN school’s fast track: three-year plan offers up to 19 credits for PLCC grads
As a long-time nursing educator, Meyers knew change was needed. But transforming academic requirements meant more than just a policy change—it required a complete reimagining of how nursing education could work.
“This type of decision required the entire faculty to vote, and we as a team believed in the potential,” explains Meyers.
Enter Laura Distelhorst, DNP, MSN, BSN, professor of instruction, University of Akron, who championed this innovative effort. She carefully reviewed PLCC’s entire LPN curriculum, comparing every course and learning objective against the university’s BSN requirements. Her detailed analysis demonstrated a clear alignment between PLCC’s rigorous practical nursing education and key BSN coursework. The resulting LPN to BSN degree pathway automatically grants PLCC LPN graduates 16 credits toward their BSN, with opportunities to earn up to 19 total credits. These credits cover foundational courses including:
- Foundations of Nursing Practice I and II (10 credits)–awarded for successful completion of the PLCC LPN program and NCLEX-PN licensure
- Health Assessment (3 credits)–available through testing out with both written and practical examinations
- Professional Role Development (3 credits)–available through course examination
For PLCC graduates, this innovative credit structure can significantly accelerate their path to a BSN. “They can complete their bachelor’s degree in as little as three years,” explains Meyers. “It just makes sense. They’ve already completed a year of nursing education, so now we’re recognizing that foundation and helping them build on it.”
Marsha Keim, interim practical nursing program administrator at PLCC, sees the program as a game-changer for students. “I tell them, if I were in your shoes, I’d get my LPN, start working right away, and then take advantage of this program to earn my BSN,” she says. “The opportunities are out there—they just have to put in the work. This program not only helps nurses advance their careers but also strengthens the broader healthcare workforce.”
LPN to BSN school’s fast track: three-year plan offers up to 19 credits for PLCC grads
Keim understands the importance of career growth in nursing. After 18 years as a medical-surgical nurse at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, including roles as charge nurse and quality control nurse on a surgical post-operative telemetry unit, she found her path leading to education. Today, she oversees the next generation of practical nurses at PLCC.
“We’re in such need of qualified, experienced nurses,” says Keim, who is currently pursuing her own master’s degree at Tiffin University. “Many of our students tell us they want to go on for more education, and this bridge program is an amazing opportunity for them.”
The program arrives at a critical time for healthcare. With hospitals offering sign-on bonuses and competitive tuition reimbursement packages, PLCC graduates can start working immediately while pursuing further education at a reduced cost.
With around 30 students between PLCC’s full-time and part-time LPN programs, Keim emphasizes quality over quantity. “It’s a rigorous program,” she notes. “We’re looking for students who are here for the right reasons, who can complete the program and, if they want, take advantage of this unique opportunity with the University of Akron.”
Reimagining nursing education through strategic community partnerships
For PLCC, the partnership represents both validation of its program’s quality and an exciting new pathway for students. “We discuss the bridge program with students early on, and Dr. Meyers comes to speak with them as they near graduation,” says Keim. “Over time, I believe this will attract more adult education students who see PLCC as their first step toward a BSN.”
Both institutions are looking forward to transforming nursing education in northeast Ohio. “This is really about giving nurses the ability to practice wherever they want,” says Meyers. “It’s about creating career trajectory and reducing burnout by bettering the nursing career path.”
As this first-of-its-kind partnership takes shape, both institutions see it as just the beginning of a broader transformation in nursing education—one that strengthens LPN to BSN programs by recognizing experience, rewarding dedication, and creating clearer pathways to advanced nursing practice.
Prospective students interested in learning more about the LPN to BSN bridge program can contact Timothy Meyers, PhD, RN, CNE, at tmeyers@uakron.edu. Students who graduate from PLCC’s LPN program in 2025 and beyond should reach out early to discuss their options and ensure they meet all prerequisites for a smooth transition.