Accelerated LPN-RN nursing education: is role socialization lost along the way?

In response to a critical shortage of registered nurses, an accelerated transition program for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) was developed and implemented. A study of the program was undertaken to evaluate students' academic achievement and socialization into the RN role. NCLEX-RN scores and the Professional Nursing Questionnaire (PNQ) of Minnick, Yocum and Scherubel were used for evaluation. Experimental program students were compared with students in the second year of conventional two-year nursing programs. Results of role socialization revealed no significant differences between the groups at either the beginning or end of the program. NCLEX-RN scores were not significantly different. The lack of significant results may be attributable to the inability of the PNQ to detect changes over a short time, or to LPNs' knowledge of the RN role prior to program entry. NCLEX score results indicated that comparable academic achievement was possible in the accelerated program.