Earn a diploma in practical nursing and become possible
- Program length: as few as 12 months
- Transfer up to 27 approved credits
- Available on-campus at 6 Herzing campus locations
- Online general education classes + core on-campus courses
- Graduate and become eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Pathways to further your nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN)
Your career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) starts here
Earning your diploma in Practical Nursing is a great way to start your nursing career sooner. It’s the fastest way to getting a hands-on education with a vocational focus, preparing you to become a LPN and get your first job as a nurse.
How long does the Herzing University LPN program take?
With our practical nursing programs, you'll develop the skills and confidence to be on your way to a nursing career in as few as 12 months. You'll gain real-world skills and emerge from our LPN program fully prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN) and become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
As a Herzing University practical nursing student, you will:
- Practice in simulation labs
- Gain hands-on clinical experience
- Learn from nursing instructors with real healthcare experience
You'll also have support every step of the way! Our faculty's #1 job is to support your success in and outside of the classroom. Our mission is to empower you to become better at what you do, earn your PN diploma and find success in your new career.
Classes Start May 10th
Learn More Today
Rozina Holmes Became Possible
"I have three kids, I work part-time and I go to school full-time. The Herzing staff were very helpful -- the flexibility with my schedule, help with my financial aid, even if I needed a shoulder to cry on!"
What you'll learn in the Herzing University PN Diploma Program
Our practical nursing program provides academic, theoretical and clinical instruction in different types of nursing to bridge the patient lifespan, including surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric and mental health care.
Courses in the LPN program include the fundamentals of:
- Nursing
- Adult Health
- Health and Illness Through the Lifespan
- Psychology
Required classes include Fundamentals of Nursing with Lab and Clinical, Nursing Specialty, LPN Practical Experience and NCLEX-PN exam prep.
Through a combination of coursework and clinical experiences, you'll develop a foundation of nursing skills, an understanding of ethical and legal issues and the necessary skills for communication in a professional healthcare setting. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam to become an LPN.
For more details..
Herzing University Practical Nursing Diploma campus programs:
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 any of the below requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and meet the minimum composite score on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). TEAS score must be from within three years of anticipated date of matriculation
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and a minimum score of 19 on the ACT
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (no entrance test!)
* Minimum TEAS score varies by campus – contact your campus for more information. Students with 12 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Candidates with a GED or HSED will be assessed a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Classes Start May 10th
Waived Enrollment FeeCareers
Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
As an LPN, you'll provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians in a wide variety of healthcare settings; including hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, hospice and urgent care clinics.
Working as an LPN, your duties may include:
- Taking patient vital signs and histories
- Changing bandages, inserting IVs or catheters
- Maintaining and updating patient records
- Ensuring patients' comfort —for example, by helping them bathe
- Listening to patients' concerns and providing reports to RNs and doctors
Licensed Practical Nurse ranked among the Best Health Care Support Jobs in America for 2021 by U.S. News & World Report.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to increase 9% from 2019-2029, faster than the average of 4% across all U.S. occupations.
Now is an excellent time to begin earning the education you need to get a fast start in your nursing career and earn a practical nursing diploma in as little as 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
There is no prerequisite to be a CNA before enrolling in the Herzing University LPN program.
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 LPN program, and discuss how beneficial it can be for you to become a LPN.
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.
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 9% from 2019 to 2029.
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 six of our ground campuses:
No, there are no accredited LPN 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 LPN 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.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $48,500 per year ($23.32 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. Herzing does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salary.
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.
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.
LPN 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.
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).
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