Your career as an 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 PN program take?
With our practical nursing program, 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 practical nursing program fully prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN) and become an LPN.
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 September 7th
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On-campus program locations
The Herzing University Practical Nursing program is available at 7 ground campus locations, each offering extensive student resources and support as you pursue your PN diploma.
Herzing University - Akron
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
1600 South Arlington St, 100
Akron, OH 44306
View the Akron PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Birmingham
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
View the Birmingham PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Brookfield
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
15895 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
View the Brookfield PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Kenosha
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
5800 7th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53140
View the Kenosha PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Madison
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
5218 East Terrace Drive
Madison, WI 53718
View the Madison PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Orlando
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
1865 SR 436
Winter Park, FL 32792
View the Orlando PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Tampa
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
3632 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
View the Tampa PN curriculum.
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 GPAi | Science Requirement | TEASii |
3.50–4.00 | None | None |
3.00–3.49 | "B" or better in Anatomy & Physiologyiii | None |
2.00 and higher | None | Composite 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. |
Careers
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 as the #5 Best Health Care Support Jobs in America for 2022 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 2020-2030, faster than the average 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
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.
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 PN program.
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.
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.
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.
According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $50,090 per year ($24.08 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.
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).
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 9% from 2020 to 2030.*
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:
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.