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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.
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.
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Herzing University Practical Nursing Diploma campus programs:
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Applying for the LPN Program at Herzing University
Admission decisions vary by campus and program, but here are some of the firm requirements to be considered for admission into our Practical Nursing program:
- Completion of high school or equivalency (Diploma, HSED or GED)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (students with 12 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Candidates with GED or HSED will be assessed a 2.5 cumulative GPA)
- Achieve the minimum composite score on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS); TEAS score must be from within two years of anticipated date of matriculation.
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 2020 by U.S. News & World Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may find some programs offering 6 month or 9 month paths to a PN diploma. 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 a 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.
Potential employers may prefer a candidate with experience as a CNA, but it’s not necessarily a requirement for getting a job as a LPN.
There is no prerequisite to be a CNA before enrolling in the Herzing University LPN program.
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.
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.
Although the majority of LPN’s work in nursing homes, retirement communities or assisted living facilities, many LPN’s 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 LPN’s 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. LPN’s remain in demand in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and many other environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job opportunities for LPN’s will rise approximately 12% from 2016 to 2026.
The landscape is changing, but LPN’s remain a vital contributor in the nursing community.
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.
Licensed Practical Nurses earn an average annual salary of $47,050 per year ($22.62 per hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% of LPN’s earn on average $62,160 and higher annually. Salary is dependent on the state of employment, place of employment and relative demand in your area.
Nurses are in demand. From 2016-2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that LPN jobs will grow by 12% above current levels - much faster than the overall projected job growth of 5-9%. This could result in 88,600 new jobs for those who have completed an LPN program.
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 of Science in Nursing if you’re serious about becoming a registered nurse (RN) and continuing your education beyond. Hospitals and medical facilities are more often recommending or outright requiring nurses to earn their BSN degree.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline you may be interested in our accelerated BSN program option.
What I liked most about my experience at Herzing University were the faculty members. They made it feel like it was family here.
Wanda Colon
LPN Program Student
