LPN Programs in Pennsylvania
By EveryNurse Staff on January 14, 2023
The healthcare industry in Pennsylvania is growing significantly, and the demand for healthcare workers is growing. The demand for licensed practical nurses is expected to grow by 11% through the year 2020. When a particular type of healthcare worker is in demand, they enjoy better offerings and salaries from potential employees. Individuals who are pursuing an LPN career in Pennsylvania should start by finding a board-approved and accredited LPN training program.
Schools With LPN Programs in Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg Area Community College offers a practical nursing program at both the Lancaster and the Harrisburg campuses. The 43-credit program spans three semesters and combines classroom learning with clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate of practical nursing and will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Tuition costs are $142.50 per credit for in-district students.
- Those living in or around the Bethlehem area can take advantage of Northampton County Area Community College. The practical nursing certificate program at this school is composed of 27 credits of nursing courses and 16 credits of general education courses, designed to be completed in 1 year. The program combines classroom teaching, laboratory experiences and clinical practice settings to train students to become qualified, competent practical nurses. The estimated tuition costs are $123 per credit.
- Lehigh Carbon Community College offers an undergraduate licensed practical nursing certificate that takes just 14 weeks to complete. The course helps prepare future practical nurses to provide competent, quality care for patients and assistance to doctors and registered nurses. The average cost of the program is $9,439 plus approximately $2,000 for books and supplies.
- Those living in or around Youngwood can attend Westmoreland County Community College, which offers an associate degree nursing program that can be finished in 2 years or a practical nursing certificate which can be earned in 3 semesters. The nursing program aims to be flexible by offering day courses as well as night and weekend courses.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology has a 3-semester practical nursing program that enables students to receive a certificate of practical nursing. Those who earn this certificate will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination. Clinical experiences are obtained at a variety of local healthcare settings, and students will receive classroom theory and laboratory experience as well. The program is 1600 hours total, and is approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
- Reading Area Community College offers a 12-month practical nursing program which requires 48 credits to complete. The program prepares men and women to become competent, eligible practical nurses. The course combines classroom theory with clinical experiences in healthcare settings throughout the community. The estimated total costs for this program are $2,580.
- Mercyhurst College offers an undergraduate practical nursing program at both the Erie and North East campuses. The program is designed to train future practical nurses to provide adequate patient care as well as assisting doctors and registered nurses. The cost for the program is estimated to be $21,800 not including books and supplies.
- Men and women in or around Monaca can utilize the Community College of Beaver County’s practical nursing program. This 50-credit program covers things like human anatomy and physiology, practical nursing, general psychology and more. The program combines classroom theory with clinical experiences to train practical nurses to provide competent, quality care.
- Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center offers a comprehensive, one-year practical nursing program designed to train future practical nurses properly. It covers all phases of patient care, from direct patient care to medication dispensing. The program includes classroom instruction and clinical experiences in various healthcare settings. Students must submit the $40 non-refundable application fee when applying, and the total costs for the program is $11,000.
- Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center offers a 52-week practical nursing program that typically takes 15 months to complete. Just a few of the courses included in this program are human anatomy and physiology, gerontology, personal and vocational relationships, nutrition and diet therapy, and pharmacology. The costs for the program are $2626 per level, and there are three levels involved.
- Those who are in or around Frackville have the Schulykill Technology Center, which offers a 12-month practical nursing program that starts in July of each year. This program will provide graduates with a practical nursing certificate that allows them to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination. The total cost for this program is $12,360 not including textbooks and additional fees.
- Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania also offers a 12-month practical nursing program. At the end of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination. Upon acceptance, a $1875 fee is required to reserve your spot, and there is a non-refundable $75 application fee required. The estimated cost of the program is $12,000. There are three levels that compose the program, and individuals will get the advantage of classroom instruction combined with lab experience and clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, located in Bellefonte, offers a 12-month practical nursing program that is divided into four levels. The training begins with introductions to a variety of topics, from ethics and various aspects of nursing and progresses throughout each level. The program not only includes classroom instruction, but gives students the benefit of experience through clinical practice.
- Those in or around Uniontown, Pennsylvania can take advantage of the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute, which offers a practical nursing program divided into four levels. While the first three levels are composed mostly of classroom education, the last level includes clinical rotation, where students will add experience to their education. The in-state tuition is $7,900, but this does not include additional costs and fees.
- Lenape Tech, located in Kittaning, offers a practical nursing program that can be completed in 12 months with full-time study or 2 years with part-time study. This program, like many others, is divided into four levels, with education and practice progressing throughout the levels. The tuition cost is $12,980 for the program, but this does not include supplies and additional fees.
- Mercer County Career Center boasts a high-quality practical nursing program which is composed of 1500 hours. Approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, this program teaches future practical nurses combining patient care and kindness with science in order to train competent, quality nurses.
- Located in Lewisburg, Central Susquehanna LPN Career Center boasts a high-quality, board-approved program that has been around for more than 40 years. The program lasts one year, and runs from August to August. Students take classes during the day between 8am and 4pm. Those who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, and approximately 96% of students who take the exam pass it the first time. The tuition costs are $14,853 not including supplies and additional fees.
- Delaware County Technical School, located in Broomall, has a one-year practical nursing program divided into four levels. The program accepts 100 students each year, and trains them with a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experiences in various healthcare settings across the community. Just a few of the topics students will learn include obstetrical and pediatric nursing, gerontological nursing, medical-surgical nursing and more.
- Lawrence County Area Technical School’s practical nursing program lasts one year, and at the end, students receive a practical nursing diploma. This diploma enables them to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing. Like most programs, students have the benefit of classroom instruction but also get opportunities to work with real patients in healthcare settings.
- Those in the Scranton area can take advantage of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County and their practical nursing program. The program is a 52-week course that is extended over a 15-month period and includes about 50% classroom instruction and 50% clinical experience. Clinical experiences take place throughout the community, in healthcare settings like Geisinger Community Medical Center, Moses Taylor Hospital, Regional Hospital of Scranton and Mountain View Care Center.
- Western Area Career and Technology Center, located in Canonsburg, offers two tracks with their practical nursing program: a 12-month, full-time track and a 24-month, part-time track. These are available at both the Canonsburg campus and the Charleroi campus. The total program costs are just over $16,500, and this includes all costs and fees associated with the program.
- Venango Technology Center’s practical nursing program provides students with 50% classroom instruction and 50% clinical experience, all designed to create the most well-rounded practical nurses possible. The program lasts one academic year and runs from August to August. Estimated costs are $10,550.
- Those in Shippenville have the option of attending Clarion County Career Center, which provides a flexible practical nursing program. Students have the option of attending full time and completing the program in just one year or attending part time and completing the program in two years. The program is divided into three different levels, and classroom instruction and clinical experiences progress throughout each level. It’s approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and those who complete the program can sit for the NCLEX-PN.
- Indiana County Technology Center’s School of Practical Nursing has 2 different sites for their practical nursing program: the campus in Indiana offers a full-time, 52-week program while the Steel Center Satellite in South Hills gives students the option of a part-time program which lasts 16 months. Each campus accepts one class each August. Both options offer high-quality classroom instruction with competent instructors and clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. There is a $30 application fee which must be submitted with the application.
- The Franklin County Career and Technology Center’s Practical Nursing Program lasts 196 days and is divided into 6 different levels. There is a $50 application fee required, and students must have their scores from a proficiency test. Background checks and drug screenings will be required to enter and attend the program. The estimated cost is $14,135 for in-state students.
- Clearfield County Career & Technology Center offers a three-semester practical nursing program which provides students with the knowledge and experience for entry level practical nursing. The program lasts 12 months and is a total of 1,500 clock hours. Both part-time and full-time study is offered. The full time program is 4 days per week and starts in August of each year while the part-time program is 2 days a week and starts in March on odd years.
- Jefferson County Dubois Area Vocational Technical Practical Nursing Program has been training practical nurses since 1968. Approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, the program combines classroom learning with clinical experience and presents graduates with diplomas that enable them to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination.
- Those in the Hanover area can take advantage of the Hanover Practical Nursing Program. This program lasts one year, and qualifies individuals to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing. It takes place at the Hanover High School, and graduates of the program have consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rates.
- Hazleton Area Career Center offers a practical nursing program that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Those who want to participate must pass a proficiency examination and present the scores to the career center. They must also pass a criminal background check and a drug screening. The estimated cost of this program is $10,500, not including books and additional supplies.
- The Greene County Career and Technical Center located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania offers a one-year practical nursing program that combines traditional classroom work with patient experience in several healthcare settings. The program is divided into three levels, which progress as the student works through them. The estimated total cost of this program is just over $19,200, and this includes books, uniforms and additional fees.
- The Mifflin Juniata Career Technical Center also provides a practical nursing program which is a 12-month, 1540 clock hour program. Classroom instruction takes place during weekdays, between 8am and 3pm and clinical experiences vary depending upon the need and availability. The estimated cost of the program is $13,245, and this includes supplies and additional costs. The program is divided into four terms, and students will study a variety of topics including Mental Health Concepts, Nursing Science, Maternity Nursing, Pediatric Nursing and more.
- Northern Tier Career Center’s practical nursing program is a one calendar year program, which totals 1575 hours. Students will get the benefit of fantastic classroom instruction combined with clinical experiences in local hospitals, extended care facilities and other local health care agencies. This program boasts a job placement rate of 94% to 100% based on graduates of the past five years.
- The Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center offers a practical nursing program that lasts 12 months and trains individuals to become competent, quality practical nurses. The program is divided into three levels, starting with the basic knowledge and skills and progressing with each level. The estimated cost for this program is $11,880, not including additional fees and supply costs.
- Crawford County Career and Technical Center’s practical nursing program starts every July and ends in June. The program consists of 48 weeks of instruction, combining classroom learning with clinical experience in healthcare facilities throughout the community. The program boasts a job placement rate of 94%, and the estimated total costs are $13,500 for in-state students.
Helpful Links
Pennsylvania LPN Checklist
- Locate a high-quality LPN training program in the state of Pennsylvania that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- Apply for your Practical Nursing License through the Pennsylvania State Board and included the required $35 fee.
- Take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.
- Maintain your license by renewing it every 2 years and including the $60 required fee.
Pennsylvania Salary & Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, practical nurses that are licensed in the state of Pennsylvania earn an annual median salary of $42,880. This is just the middle line; LPNs in this state can earn as much as $80,000 or as little as under $20,000 per year. However, those living in more populous areas are likely to earn more money than those who live in more rural areas. Experience and individual employers also have a lot to do with a practical nurse’s actual salary.
