LPN Programs in Maryland
By EveryNurse Staff on February 01, 2021
Since people in the U.S. are living longer and the overall population continues to grow, healthcare professions across the nation are increasingly in demand, such as the licensed practical nurse. There is a great need for more LPNs to care for patients – not only to treat sickness and disease, but to also provide patient education and preventive care. However, training from an LPN program in Maryland is required before an individual may assume the responsibilities of this role.
Schools With LPN Programs in Maryland
- Students with an interest in gaining an education to become an LPN will find a Practical Nursing Track offered through Carroll Community College. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, this program generally takes a student 36 months to complete, and ends with the receipt of a certificate. The LPN program at Carroll consists of 62 credits, including pre-requisites such as Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Following the completion of pre-clinical requirements, students will encounter a curriculum that is spread across a fall, spring and summer term. Students will have to maintain a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all courses within the nursing program.
- Those who complete the LPN program at Frederick Community College will earn a certificate in Practical Nursing, and become eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam to gain licensure. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, the curriculum is comprised of 43 credit hours of study. When taking into account the overall requirements to complete the program, students typically graduate in at least two years. The clinical portion alone takes one year to finish. Students then become eligible to enter the clinical portion by applying to the program, taking placement tests, completing all prerequisites with a “C” grade or better, as well as applying to the PN program by the deadline.
- Graduates of the LPN program at College of Southern Maryland walk away with a Practical Nursing certificate and the eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam to gain licensure. The school admits applicants into the Practical Nursing program in the fall semester only, where students can take classes at any of the college’s campuses in La Plata, Leonardtown, or Prince Frederick. Through class activities, clinical experiences, and lab work, students build a solid foundation for entering the nursing career field. The LPN program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, as well as accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
- Graduates of the LPN program at Wor-Wic Community College will receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing. There are two different ways that a student may enter the program: the ACT admission track and the GPA admission track. Both approaches lead to a slightly different curriculum. For example, the ACT admission track requires the completion of a one-credit summer session of Fundamentals of College Study. The coursework for both programs centers on concepts relating to physical, biological and social sciences.
- Baltimore City Community College is home to a Practical Nursing certificate program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN licensing exam for aspiring licensed practical nurses. Students entering the one-year program may choose the program upon admission to the College or after the completion of core courses, NUR 111: Calculation of Medications in Nursing, and NUR 120: Introduction to Nursing Practice. Full-time students typically complete the program within 23 months, while part-rime students taking six credits per semester graduate within 45 months.
- Students who complete the 41-credit LPN program offered at Anne Arundel Community College are awarded a certificate in Practical Nursing. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, it takes one academic year to finish the curriculum of this evening and weekend program. With the help of a college lab equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and a knowledgeable staff, students also gain clinical experience at local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and with home health and community health agencies. Before taking any nursing courses, an applicant must complete the following pre-requisites: Human Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Psychology, and Mathematics.
- Hagerstown Community College awards a certificate in Practical Nursing to students who complete a minimum of 42 credit hours related to a curriculum comprised of laboratory work, lectures, and clinical experiences. Every summer, applicants are accepted into the program, which always has more applicants than available spaces. Students selected for admission possess the best TEAS score, and final acceptance is determined when applicants meet specific program requirements, such as passing a dosage calculation exam with a score of 90% or above.
Degree Guides
Maryland LPN Checklist
- Research state-approved options for an LPN program to gain the necessary training to assume a job position within the field, and complete the curriculum.
- After gaining a certificate in practical nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam in Maryland.
- Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to the Maryland Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$100 fee. Complete additional paperwork requirements, such as submitting a criminal history record check and declaration of primary state of residence.
- Renew LPN license every year.
- LPNs are not required to fulfill any continuing education requirements in order to work in the state of Maryland.
Maryland Salary & Job Outlook
Completing the state-approved curriculum of an accredited LPN program allows a graduate to seek employment at local hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and other healthcare-related environments such as schools and urgent care centers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that licensed practical nurses landing an entry-level position in the state of Maryland generally earn a median salary of $49,900. With years of experience, some LPNs assume a more supervisory role in the workplace that generally comes with an increase in yearly income.
