CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Experienced healthcare workers across Southern Ohio are taking the next step in their careers through Ohio University Chillicothe’s LPN-to-RN Advanced Placement Track [cite: CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (Aug. 14, 2026) – Jonda Pitts has worked as a licensed practical nurse for 16 years., Last spring, she found the program she says was worth the wait: Ohio University Chillicothe’s LPN-to-RN Advanced Placement Track., Pitts is one of a growing number of licensed practical nurses choosing OHIO Chillicothe to take the next step in their nursing careers.].
The accelerated, three-semester program allows licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, qualifying them to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam [cite: Designed specifically for licensed practical nurses, the three-semester track allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).]. The curriculum combines classroom instruction, lab work, and supervised clinicals with an option for dual enrollment in OHIO’s online RN-to-BSN program for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree [cite: The accelerated program combines nursing and general education coursework with classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical placements., Students who complete the associate degree may also qualify for dual enrollment in OHIO’s online RN-to-BSN program, creating a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree.].
Overcoming Obstacles to Career Growth
For Jonda Pitts, a 16-year LPN commuting from Circleville, the program provided the supportive environment she needed after work demands, health issues, and personal challenges previously disrupted her education [cite: Jonda Pitts has worked as a licensed practical nurse for 16 years., She has started and stopped several nursing programs in pursuit of her registered nurse credentials, derailed at different times by work demands, a health crisis and life’s unexpected challenges., For Pitts, who commutes from Circleville, the combination of academic rigor and personal support set OHIO Chillicothe apart from other programs she has tried.].
Currently dual-enrolled in both the associate and bachelor’s tracks, Pitts left a position with a regional health system to focus full-time on her studies [cite: Pitts is dual enrolled in the associate and bachelor’s programs and plans to graduate with her associate degree in the spring, take the NCLEX-RN and complete her bachelor’s degree later that year., She left a position with a regional health system to focus on completing her degree full-time, motivated by a childhood experience that first inspired her to become a nurse.].
“The professors here have just been very encouraging,” Pitts said. “OHIO Chillicothe is family, and that’s been really nice.”
Program Features and Student Experiences
Students enrolled in the cohort highlight several distinct advantages of the program:
- Critical Thinking Emphasis: Zach and Madison Wilcoxon, a married EMT-and-LPN duo employed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, chose OHIO Chillicothe for its academic rigor [cite: The married couple, both of whom work for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, evaluated several nursing programs before enrolling together at OHIO Chillicothe., Madison Wilcoxon earned a degree in English in 2015 before training as an EMT., She and Zach met while working as EMTs and decided to pursue nursing careers together, first earning their Certified Nursing Assistant and LPN credentials., “I was really impressed by her and what felt like a different level of rigor,” Madison Wilcoxon said.]. “The program teaches you to understand why things are happening with a patient,” Zach Wilcoxon noted. “It’s not about shortcuts.”
- Expanding Scope of Practice: Teresa Freas, a U.S. Air Force veteran and emergency department LPN at Mount Carmel, enrolled to gain a broader clinical scope [cite: Teresa Freas’ path to OHIO Chillicothe started in the U.S. Air Force., After serving as a military medic at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Freas faced challenges transferring her training into civilian credentials., She ultimately enrolled in a practical nursing program and today works as an LPN in the emergency department at Mount Carmel., “As an RN, you think more about these critical things and you have a broader scope,” she said.]. “As an RN… you can push those life-saving medications and continue those life-saving drips,” Freas explained.
- Leveraging Prior Experience: Program leadership notes that the track builds directly on the existing clinical experience of working professionals [cite: Shotts said the LPN-to-RN track was designed for experienced caregivers who want an efficient path to career advancement., “These students are committed professionals who already bring valuable clinical experience to the classroom,” Shotts said., “The program helps them build on that foundation and move forward in their careers.”].
Looking Ahead
The LPN-to-RN track offers three semesters of instruction designed for efficient career progression without requiring students to restart their foundational education [cite: Designed specifically for licensed practical nurses, the three-semester track allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)., The three-semester curriculum, combined with the opportunity to continue directly into OHIO’s RN-to-BSN program, allows students to expand their credentials without starting over.].
For enrollment details and program information, prospective students can contact media relations at [email protected] or visit Ohio University’s admissions office.
