The licensed practical nurse (LPN) training program provides the entry path for anyone who is driven by the need or motivation to help save lives, help others hurting, and those needing comfort in sickness. Not only is a nursing career one of the most powerful, direct ways to achieve a world of significant change for others, it is also a personally fulfilling role that as drawn thousands into the medical field from all types of backgrounds. And, interestingly, the LPN program is available all over the country through hundreds of schools, clinical programs, universities and community colleges. As a result, for anyone who want to make the first step in nursing is on the right path enrolling in an LPN course discipline. However, some schools are better than others in a lot of different ways.
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Like many areas in health, the demand for nurses at all levels is exploding. This is due to a combination of population growth, better medical results over the last 40 years, and the largest generation in history moving deep into retirement and senior years. As a result, even the most conservative estimates are expecting a huge demand in nurse positions that will continue through to at least 2030. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that for licensed practical nurses, the demand will easily increase by 12 percent through 2026, and that’s just for the entry-level into the nursing field with a salary of $45,000 annually according to the federal government.
To be a licensed practical nurse, one has to first go through the required training via an accredited program. Not any clinical training class set will sufficient. The program involves a year of courses and testing. When successfully passed and scored, the candidate can then move to practical training in a lab or clinical setting. Finally, the candidate can then prepare and take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLE), which is accepted in all 50 states as being ready to work as an LPN in a professional medical setting.
Students and potential applicants needing additional information on particular schools can contact us directly for more in-depth evaluations and research if needed.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green River College | Auburn, Washington |
| 2 | South Florida State College | Avon Park, Florida |
| 3 | Feather River Community College | Quincy, California |
| 4 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, Florida |
| 5 | Edmonds Community College | Lynnwood, Washington |
15 Most Recommended LPN Programs
Green River College
For anyone in the northwest, Green River College provides a great location in the city of Auburn for anyone interested in achieving the LPN certification as well as an associate degree at the same time. New students do need to have certifications in both CPR as well as basic life support training already accomplished. Students will also go through a background check, drug testing and vaccine immunizations clearance as well.
South Florida State College
Operating and training since 1965, the campus located in Avon Park as a State College today trains multiple levels of nurses. For the LPN path, students entering need to be able to show they have a minimum capability in math, science, English, and reading comprehension. Applicants should be prepared to provide references, as well as, pass entrance tests with appropriate scoring (ATI® Test of Essential Academic Skills [TEAS®]).
Feather River Community College
Situated in Quincy, this California community college provides people both an associate degree in nursing as well as an LPN certificate, providing two different pathways to reaching working status as a nurse. In recent years California has practically made tuition for the first two years of college free, which is one of the best higher education financial options available in the country. And free doesn’t mean poor quality either; Feather River has almost an 89% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam, which is nationally recognized.
Florida Gateway College
Founded in 1947, Florida Gateway’s nursing program today address multiple levels of nursing careers in three different categories. The class sizes are small, which enhances learning and direct instructor to student attention. Basic academic competency must be proven by testing to enter, and then students have to maintain scores to pass Florida state’s requirements for successful program completion.
Edmonds Community College
Also situated in the state of Washington, Edmonds College has been delivering to the local Lynnwood region and greater area first college experiences since 1967. They only operate one nursing program at the LPN level, but that program today is fully approved by the state Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Candidates are expected to maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA in coursework, complete all practicum, complete TEAS requirements, have passed a background check, and also be able to obtain two professional references/recommendations.
Bismarck State College
As a state college and located in the capital of North Dakota, Bismarck State College automatically gets a lot of recognition, both locally as well as nationally. The campus was first established in 1939, and the nursing program today is selective and competitive in terms of entry. The school has multiple levels of nursing programs ranging from a 12-month entry level certification to an associate of science degree as well as a pathway to an RN.
North Florida Community College
Started in 1957, the North Florida Community College campus operates today on over 165 acres of land and multiple classroom buildings. The nursing program for the school expects all applicants to be over 18, pass a Florida background check, pass a drug test, and score with a passing grade on the Test of Essential Academic Skills. That’s in addition to being admitted to the school in general.
Brazosport College
Located in Lake Jackson, TX, the Brazosport College has provided entry level nursing training in a slightly different manner than most schools. Operating three different nursing programs, Brazosport admissions are operated by committee review first, which also assumes candidates have met all necessary criteria of grades, work history, references and TEAS scores. Once admitted, students can work towards a certificate or degree as an LVN, ADN or transition from an LVN to an ADN.
Eastern Florida State College
Despite the fact that Eastern Florida operates multiple satellite offices and class campuses in the state, the main operations as well as the nursing program are located in Melbourne, FL, especially for any student seeking the LVN certificate on graduation. Admission is selective and very limited. Students can expect to have to met entry exam requirements such as the TEAS and TABE, and internal requirements have to be met during classes as well in terms of grade performance and similar.
Gulf Coast State College
Gulf Coast operates as a four-year college school, providing students various paths to both a bachelors as well as associate degrees in various topics. The school’s nursing program is not expansive, but it does meet the basic LPN requirements for the State of Florida. All students must be over 18 for the nursing program, pass successfully with TEAS scores, and meet state legal requirements for nursing students.
The school’s nursing program offers a variety of options including Practical Nursing, Associate Degree nursing, a LPN-to-ADN articulation option and a RN-to-BSN program. Students must have a high school diploma or GED. The LPN-to-ADN program offers traditional weekday or weekend option which allows LPNs to pursue an Associate’s Degree in nursing while employed. All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Practical Nursing applicants must take the TABE test. Associate Degree Nursing program applicants must successfully pass the HESI A2 exam and complete several prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher prior to entry. RN-to-BSN applicants must have a RN license and meet General AA degree requirements by graduation. The RN-to-BSN program offers a “fast track “ option which can be completed in as little as 3 semesters.
Grays Harbor College
Another LPN school of note located in Washington State, Grays Harbor has been teaching students since its establishment in 1930. In terms of nursing, the College provides training both in practical nursing as well as a pathway for a two-year RN associate degree as well. Students need to be over 18 years of age, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and pass with minimum TEAS scores as well as all academic criteria for entry. Additionally, they only offer an LPN option for their ADN students after their first year is completed. It is not open to individuals not accepted to that program.
Daytona State College
While Daytona itself might be famous for Spring Break and car racing, the town is also home to the Daytona State College established in 1957. The College nursing program provides a full spectrum of nursing training, from a basic entry LPN pathway to a four-year nursing bachelors degree. Applications should be certified in CPR, pass drug testing, TEAS scores, required academic prerequisites and be able to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while in the program.
Santa Fe College
One might think that Sante Fe College is located in New Mexico due to name, but that would be incorrect. Instead, the Gainesville, FL campus has been teaching students since 1965 and today provides a practical nursing training path matching state requirements and comparable to other nursing schools in Florida as well. Applicants can expect similar criteria for background checks, drug testing, vaccinations, TEAS minimum scoring, academic criteria being met, and CPR certification.
Miami Dade College
Combined with a simulation hospital and nursing skills lab, students at Miami Dade are trained in both classroom nursing theory as well as practical application with modern hospital technology all in the same place. The result is an LPN student ready for work in a modern hospital versus standards and expectations from 10 or 15 years ago. Applicants can expect that they will need to met vaccination and drug testing requirements as well a background check before entry. Minimum TEAS scoring is required and the application should be able to provide CPR certification as well.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
As a technical school started at the end of the 1980s, the Pennsylvania College of Technology doesn’t have the history back to the 1960s like many of the LPN alternatives available nationally, but the school does have a successful graduation rate for its LPN program consistently delivered. The school provides three different associate degrees in nursing as well as two bachelors degree paths, and it is heavily geared for working adults with online offerings as well.
The scoring for the above schools was determined by a triple consideration that included the cost of attending, the student to teacher ratio (lower being better), and the graduation rate the school typically passes successfully. The tuition value scoring assumes the student is in-state to achieve the lowest cost eligibility, which typically assumes the person has become a resident for at least six to twelve months prior to starting the program, depending on the state involved. One of the most important factors involved is the graduation rate. While a high passage rate might create worry that the school is too easy and not rigorous enough in preparation, a very low passage rate can also be problematic as well. Generally, the nursing schools that passed more of their students indicated successful training and completion of their students from start to finish, and that increased the school’s ranking. If you have questions regarding above schools and their information or would like to correct the data provided to date, please contact us to discuss.
