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:
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.
