The Best LPN Programs
In the healthcare world, a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a professional who works under a physician or registered nurse. These professionals deliver primary care to patients like taking vital signs, administering first aid, and updating health records. In certain settings, they may help with activities of daily living, like dressing or bathing.
LPNs have to complete a state-approved licensed education program that usually takes about one year, and they have to pass a licensing exam. Below we'll explore some of the best LPN programs in the country.
10 Best LPN Programs
We chose the following programs because they:
- Cost less than $25,000
- Graduate a majority of their students
- Are institutionally accredited
Below are some of the best LPN schools and programs in alphabetical order:
Assabet Valley Regional Technical School
School type: Public
Net price: $12,545
Graduation rate: 89%
Assabet Valley Regional Technical School offers a 10-month, full-time Practical Nurse day program.
B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing
School type: Private
Net price: $5,583
Graduation rate: 100%
B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing offers a Practical Nursing program that you can complete in a year. This program offers hands-on experience at Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
Chester County Intermediate Unit
School type: Public
Net price: $20,919
Graduation rate: 59%
The Chester County Intermediate Unit offers a Practical Nursing Program that focuses very strongly on passing the NCLEX-PN.
Delaware County Technical School
School type: Public
Net price: $17,826
Graduation rate: 74%
The Delaware County Technical School Practical Nursing Program boasts a 90% job placement rate. This program takes a year to complete.
Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program
School type: Public
Net price: $ $9,205
Graduation rate: 69%
Fayette County Career & Technical Institute offers a practical nursing program. This program features small class sizes, experienced faculty, hands-on learning, and individualized coursework assistance.
Fortis College-Centerville
School type: Private
Net price: $22,972
Graduation rate: 51%
Fortis College's Centerville campus offers a practical nursing program that balances theory, laboratory, and clinical experiences.
Fox Valley Technical College
School type: Public
Net price: $10,804
Graduation rate: 55%
Fox Valley Technical College offers a practical nursing technical diploma program.
Harmony Health Care Institute
School type: Private
Net price: $22,678
Graduation rate: 83%
Harmony Health Care Institute offers a Licensed Practical Nursing program. Included in your tuition are personal advising and career support services.
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln
School type: Private
Net price: $22,938
Graduation rate: 70%
Lincoln Technical Insitute's Lincoln campus has a practical nursing program that's largely focused on hands-on training.
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing
School type: Public
Net price: $16,796
Graduation rate: 67%
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center's practical nursing program takes 15 months to complete. They also offer job placement assistance.
How to Choose the Right LPN Program
The best LPN programs should have the following qualities:
- The program should offer a good balance between workshops and classroom learning. It's important to learn the principles behind good nursing and the practical skills of taking care of patients hands-on.
- The best LPN program will also have some form of on-the-job learning, such as externships, internships, or clinical hours out in the field. You should come out of the program feeling confident in the workforce.
- Be sure to choose a program with career placement services so you can get a job after you graduate.
- Look into the instructors. A good program will have qualified instructors with advanced degrees and real-world working experience in healthcare.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
You would start the process of becoming an LPN by enrolling in a state-approved program for LPNs. As you follow the coursework and any clinical/externship requirements, you will carefully build the skills needed to be an LPN.
You will also need to complete an exam to become licensed as an LPN upon graduation, called the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). You will need to be licensed to work as an LPN or LVN in all states. You can work with your school's career services center for finding a job, or you can start applying on your own once you are licensed.
Other Ways to Become an LPN
Becoming an LPN is a very regimented path, considering you must learn and follow healthcare procedures precisely to keep patients safe. Even if you graduate from one of the best LPN schools, you also must become licensed to hold the job.
However, some programs are tiered so that you can start working as an LPN or LVN while continuing your education to become a registered nurse (typically requiring a bachelor's degree) or a nurse practitioner (requiring a master's degree). These programs are called bridge programs, and they often offer course schedules with working adults in mind.
Paying for LPN Classes with Financial Aid
LPN Scholarships
BECA Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship
- Who qualifies: Latino students entering a healthcare profession. Applicants must live in or attend school in San Diego County.
- What it covers: $500-$2,000
- Deadline: March 30
AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship
- Who qualifies: Students who are a citizen or descendent of a federal or state-recognized American Indian Tribe, Alaska Native Village, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or are an Indigenous person of Canada.
- What it covers: $1,000 for undergraduate students
- Deadline: May 31
Grants for LPN Training
To find out what kinds of grants to qualify for, fill out the FAFSA with your school. Grants for undergraduate work are strongly based on very specific eligibility requirements. Awarded grants from associations and the like tend to be for graduate students working in healthcare research.
FAQs on LPN Programs
Do you have to take a program to become an LPN?
Yes, you have to take a program to become a licensed practical nurse, which will prepare you for the state-required licensing exam.
Which are the best LPN programs?
We've listed 10 of the best programs from across the country. However, to find the best program, make sure you check that the program is accredited and state-approved, has qualified instructors, offers plenty of classroom and hands-on experience, and helps you find a job.
What will you learn in an LPN program?
LPN programs cover how to evaluate medical conditions and give nursing care. Students learn how to take vitals, give medications and record information in charts, as a few examples. Other courses may include an overview of nursing care, nursing ethics, science courses, patient care courses, and courses geared towards working in certain settings, like elderly care.
How long are LPN programs?
LPN programs typically take about one year. However, you might find some as short as six months.
How much does LPN training cost?
Cost can vary based on whether you are attending school in-state or out-of-state, whether you attend a public or private institution or even the general cost of living and services in your area. For a ballpark estimate, expect to pay anywhere between about $5,500-$23,000 for the program.
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