LPN Programs in Delaware
By EveryNurse Staff on January 12, 2023
With an increasing number of people requiring long-term care assistance and treatments, the need to hire qualified employees is also greater. Qualified applicants are those who have undergone appropriate training in practical nursing, biology, pharmacology, and supervised clinical hours. Licensed practical nurses who graduate from an LPN program in Delaware are equipped with the skills and knowledge to assist patients directly in their home, work at nursing homes, and also educate family members on how to properly care for loved ones.
Schools With LPN Programs in Delaware
- Polytech Adult Education offers an intensive three-semester training program for aspiring LPNs that includes 1,496 hours of coursework. The curriculum is designed to concentrate on developing the knowledge, critical thinking, decision-making, and technical skills of future practical nurses. Clinical instruction starts in the first trimester, and by the end of the 11-month program of full-time study, graduates are awarded a diploma. During the Fall Semester, students take Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, and Fundamentals of Nursing. The Spring semester touches upon Human Growth & Development, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal-Child/Pediatric Nursing, and Microbiology. In the summertime, classes focus on Mental Health Nursing, additional Medical-Surgical Nursing coursework, and NCLEX Review & Preparation. Polytech’s LPN program is approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing, and is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN).
- Located in Wilmington, the Delaware Skills Center offers an LPN program approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing that starts in August and ends in June. Daily class schedules are held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clinical hours take place from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Applicants to the program are required to be a U.S. citizen, resident of Delaware, as well as 20 years of age. Courses have mandatory requirements, and students can be dismissed from courses for poor attendance.
- Wilmington is also home to the Delaware Institute of Health Sciences, which provides classroom instruction and clinical experiences based upon a curriculum that strives to address the major trends regarding nursing care. The Practical Nursing program at the school heavily incorporates technology across the curriculum, and supports Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) software as a way to enhance learning. The Delaware Institute of Health Sciences is approved by the Department of Education & the Delaware Board of Nursing.
- The Leads School of Technology, located in New Castle, offers a Practical Nursing program that caters to both part-time and full-time students. Part-time students pursue their diploma in five quarters, while full-time students complete the curriculum within four quarters. Coursework that a student is expected to complete includes classes in Pharmacology Principles; Child Health Nursing; Geriatric Nursing; and Diet and Nutrition Therapy.
- In Dover, Delaware Technical and Community College has a Practical Nursing studies program that ends with the receipt of a diploma upon successful completion of the curriculum. The school offers the program at two different campus locations in the state – Dover and Georgetown. Students attending the Terry Campus program in Dover are required to complete 36 credit hours, which is approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing, and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The program at the Georgetown Campus requires 44 credit hours to graduate, and is approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing.
- Delcastle Technical High School also offers a program for student learners interested in becoming an LPN that starts in the eleventh grade. At that time, studies focus on psychiatric nursing and medical-surgical nursing, and include a clinical practicum. In the twelfth grade, students continue studying medical-surgical nursing – in addition to nursing related to obstetrics and pediatrics. Another clinical practicum also takes place during the student’s senior year of high school.
Delaware LPN Checklist
- To gain acceptable practical nursing skills and experience, choose a state-approved educational program for LPNs.
- Upon receiving a certificate in Practical Nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam in Delaware.
- Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to the Delaware Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$110 fee.
- LPN licenses in the state are renewed every two years.
- In Delaware, LPNs fulfill 24 contact hours every renewal period as part of his or her continuing education requirements for the state.
Helpful Links
Delaware Salary & Job Outlook
Graduates of an LPN program face a positive career outlook for their occupation, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates an expected growth of 22 percent (from 2010 to 2020), which is faster than the average for other jobs across the nation. According to the BLS, licensed practical nurses working in Delaware typically earn a median salary of $47,350.
