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Diploma Program

Practical Nursing Program (LPN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

12 Mo.

Program Length

48

Credits

On-campus

Format

Hands-on

Training

Diploma Program

Practical Nursing Program (LPN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

Earn a PN diploma in Birmingham and become possible

AccreditationACEN accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 36 approved credits
FormatOnline general education classes + core on-campus courses at our campus in Birmingham, Alabama
QuickPathsPathways to further your nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN); transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

A second home near you

Join a vibrant class of students and faculty eager to help you find your way to a new career path.

Herzing University

Birmingham Campus

Visit us
280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
Practical Nursing (LPN prep) - Birmingham

Practical Nursing Diploma Program - Birmingham, AL

The Diploma in Practical Nursing is a 48-credit career diploma program which prepares you to register/apply to the Board of Nursing for clearance. If approved, the graduates can apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

The Birmingham campus program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in patient assessment, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child nursing, mental health nursing, and much more.

SVG
Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

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Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

SVG
Experienced faculty

Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.

SVG
Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

SVG
Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start May 6th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Herzing Birmingham PN program classes & curriculum details

The practical nursing program at Herzing University in Birmingham, Alabama provides theoretical, academic and clinical instruction in many different types of nursing to bridge the patient lifespan, including geriatric, obstetric, pediatric and mental health care.

Over the course of the program, you will learn the basics of nursing procedures, measuring vital signs, administering medication, and develop communication skills necessary to easily collaborate with other healthcare providers.

Most courses are delivered on-campus in Birmingham; you may complete general education courses online.

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Diploma in Practical Nursing - Birmingham1248

i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses

All courses, 40.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required General Education Courses

Both courses, 6.00 semester credit hours, are required.


The following general education course must be completed with a grade of "C" (70%) or better for a student to continue in the nursing program. 

Nursing Program Support Courses

3.00 semester credit hours are required.  The following nursing support course must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better.  Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts is subject to dismissal from the nursing program.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To be considered for admission into the Practical Nursing program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet the following criteria based on your cumulative GPA:

Cumulative GPAiScience RequirementTEASii
3.50–4.00NoneNone
3.00–3.49"B" or better in Anatomy & PhysiologyiiiNone
2.00 and higherNoneComposite TEAS of 48

i. Students with 18 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.

ii. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI).

iii. Students in the 3.00-3.49 GPA range who do not meet this requirement must earn a composite score of 48 on the TEAS.

Waived Enrollment Fee

Now Through March 31st

Natalie Hassan Became Possible

Experienced PN program faculty helped Natalie both professionally and personally, changing her life for the better in many ways.

Careers

Enrolling in a PN program is step #1 to starting your new career

Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse happens in 5 steps:

  1. Enroll in the Herzing University practical nursing program
  2. Graduate and get your PN diploma
  3. Apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the NCLEX-PN
  4. Take and pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed
  5. Find your first job!

How long does it take to become an LPN?

The Herzing University PN program can take as little as 12 months to complete. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) licensing exam.

I want to become a registered nurse (RN). Do I need more than a diploma in practical nursing?

Yes—you’ll need at least an associate’s degree in nursing to become a registered nurse, although we encourage you to pursue a bachelor's degree if you’re serious about becoming a RN.  Hospitals and medical facilities are more often recommending or outright requiring nurses to earn their BSN degree.

Herzing University Nursing Programs
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

While practical nurses (LPN) and medical assistants often perform similar tasks, there are a few key differences to be aware of, including:

  • Educational requirements
  • Average salary
  • Scope of practice
  • Ongoing career opportunities
  • Future outlook for jobs

Learn more about the difference between practical nursing and medical assisting and how to go from MA to LPN.

PN program coursework is meant to be challenging, but not impossible.  As a Herzing student you’ll find support every step of the way, from faculty, staff, instructors and other students enrolled in the program. You’re never alone—and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

Learn more about how hard nursing school is at Herzing University, and read some testimonials from former students describing their experience.

Although the majority of LPNs work in nursing homes, retirement communities or assisted living facilities, many LPNs work in:

  • Physician's offices
  • Hospitals
  • Colleges
  • Insurance carriers
  • Home care
  • Community food and housing

You can see a full industry profile for Licensed Practical Nurses from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Potential employers may prefer a candidate with experience as a CNA, but it’s not necessarily a requirement for getting a job as an LPN (same goes for going from CNA to RN).

You aren't required to go from CNA to LPN and there is no prerequisite to be a CNA before enrolling in the Herzing University PN program.

No, there are no accredited PN programs that are 100% online. LPN programs describing themselves as “online” will offer a hybrid option where you can take some classes online to supplement your primary classroom coursework.

Students enrolled in the Herzing PN program may complete general education courses online—but the bulk of the coursework must be completed on campus.

Ultimately there is no replacement for real hands-on clinical experience, practice in simulation labs and direct in-person support from nursing instructors with real healthcare experience. Learning the skills required to become an LPN requires the live educational experience to become an excellent Licensed Practical Nurse.

Because many hospitals are upping their educational requirements for nurses in general, the demand for LPNs in hospitals is falling relative to registered nurses with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

However, any claim they are being “phased out” isn’t accurate. LPNs remain in demand in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and many other environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job opportunities for LPNs will rise approximately 5% from 2022-2032.*

The landscape is changing, but LPNs remain a vital contributor in the nursing community.

Considering a career as an LPN?

Your first step is to get a hands-on education to learn the fundamentals of nursing in a career-focused program. Herzing University's practical nursing program combines classwork with clinical experiences to help you earn your diploma and prepare you to become an LPN in as few as 12 months. Our program is available at several of our ground campuses:

Apply now!

You may find some programs offering 6 month or 9 month paths to a PN diploma to become an LPN. Be mindful that accelerated diploma/degree programs aren’t for everyone and such a fast track can be overwhelming. If you’re considering a few months’ difference in time as a tipping point in your decision, remember the quality of your education is most important!

Herzing University’s 1-year PN diploma program gets you an excellent hands-on education in a short amount of time. You’ll learn the foundational concepts and skills in nursing needed to excel in your new career as an LPN.

While Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) often work together in collaboration in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, their roles and responsibilities are very different. Learn more about the biggest differences between practical nurses (LPN/LVN) and registered nurses (RN).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $55,860 per year ($26.86 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.

Quite simply, yes! A PN diploma and a job as a LPN is a great way to quickly get involved in the nursing profession and get a better feel for what it means to be a nurse. Earning your diploma helps get you into a career with above average pay, and can springboard you into the next level of nursing education should you choose to continue advancing your education and career.

We can help you come to a better determination. Send us a request for more information and we can answer any questions you have about the PN program, and discuss how beneficial it can be for you to become a LPN.

Disclosures

Accreditations

Accreditations & Disclosures

1. The Practical Nursing program at Herzing University – Birmingham located in Birmingham, Alabama is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 ǀ Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing program is Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

The Diploma in Practical Nursing program at Herzing University-Birmingham is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing (RSA Plaza, 770 Washington Avenue, Suite 250, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, 334-293-5200, www.abn.alabama.gov). Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) licensing exam.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

Herzing University Birmingham Nursing Student Handbook

Diploma in Nursing Gainful Employment

View Program Outcomes

ProgramCompletion RatePass Rate (NCSBN)*
Akron Campus: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing43.52%72.97%
Birmingham Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing46.96%91.43%
Birmingham Campus: Practical Nursing23.91%100%
Orlando Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing28.24%78.51%

Note (1): NCLEX Pass Rate is based on first time exam takers from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
*Official Data is still under review by NCSBN.

Note (2): Program Completion Rate calculation for students who complete the program of study on-time begins with calculating enrollment on the first day of the first nursing course and ends with completion of course required for conferral of the degree. Data presented is in the aggregate for students who started the program in 2020.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Visit Us
Herzing University - Birmingham Campus

Come visit our Birmingham campus for a personalized look at our program to get a feel for the school and our learning environment. We are located just south of downtown off of I-65 on W Valley Avenue.

Herzing University - Birmingham

280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
(205) 791-5860

View all Birmingham nursing programs.

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Herzing Tuition Wizard

When do you want to start classes?

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
Practical Nursing (LPN prep) Birmingham Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$605.00
Base Tuition$27,540.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (36 x $605.00 )(-$21,780.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$5,760.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$225.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*$1,510.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
42
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
4812
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$30,560.00$7,270.00
Estimated Savings*
$23,290.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Any student in a degree-seeking program that makes on-time, out of pocket payments toward tuition and fee expenses.

Requirements

The amount of the payments made that exceed the amount of excess loan funding received will be used to calculate total award. Eligible students must make on-time payments, according to a predetermined payment plan. Restrictions may vary.

  • Matching percentage is based on student’s EFC at the time of application.
  • Student’s with a Pell eligible EFC will receive a 100% match
  • Students will non-Pell eligible EFC will receive 50% match
  • Students who do no complete the FAFSA will automatically qualify for the 50% match.
Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Available to undergraduate students enrolled in an Associates or Bachelor’s degree that are on the Dean’s or President’s list

Requirements

Eligible Applicants must:

  1. Submit an application by the required deadline for applicable semester answering the following questions in paragraph form/essay format, bulleted outline, video submission, or other creative means.
    • What are your proudest achievements during this semester? (Examples: community service, campus involvement, family life, charity work, major improvement to grades, etc.)
    • What obstacles did you have to overcome to achieve your academic success this semester?
  2. Not have received any HU Strive Scholarship in any enrollment. If an applicant is not selected during a semester, they may reapply by submitting a new application in subsequent semesters for as long as they remain on the Dean’s or President’s list

The application must be submitted through Canvas by the end of the A Term immediately following the semester when the Dean’s or President’s list was earned.

Who Can Apply
  • ASN or BSN: Must have completed the TEAS Assessment Score of 78+ or Kaplan Test Score of 66+.
  • MSN: must have a 3.8+ GPA upon entering the program.
Requirements
  • Applicants in the ASN and BSN, must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled.
  • Applicants in the MSN program must maintain a 3.8 GPA.
Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program

Requirements
  • Documentation showing proof of employment is required
  • Recipients must be packaged at direct cost (receiving financial aid for tuition and fees only)

Questions?

Reach out to a member of the Financial Aid team at the Birmingham campus:

Renae Thomas
Financial Aid Advisor
(205) 271-4266
rethomas@herzing.edu

Kentray Sims
Director of Financial Aid
(205) 916-2800 Ext. 06111
ksims@herzing.edu

Rosalyn Mills
Senior Financial Aid Advisor
(205) 916-2800 Ext. 06109
rmills@herzing.edu

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.