Louisiana LPN Requirements and Training Programs

LouisianaA career in practical nursing offers a competitive salary, job stability, personal enrichment, and satisfaction. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for LPNs is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018 due to the long-term care needs of the rising senior population. LPNs care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the guidance of registered nurses and physicians. They provide basic bedside care, record vital signs, administer injections and enemas, monitor catheters, dress wounds, treat bedsores, and collect samples for routine tests. LPNs use their keen sense of observation to monitor patients’ reactions to medications and treatments and report adverse effects to supervisors. They assist patients with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, mobility, and personal hygiene. The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners allows LPNs with special training and authorization to administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids. Most LPNs practice in hospitals, nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices, correctional facilities, patients’ homes, and in the public service sector.

LPN Programs in Louisiana:

LPN Training Louisiana: Prerequisites and Program Content

The Practical Nursing Diploma Program consists of twelve months of classroom instruction, service learning opportunities and supervised clinical training in state-licensed hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. There are more than 30 practical nursing education programs approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE). It is important to attend an approved program to be eligible to take the national licensing examination.

The program curriculum emphasizes the nursing process and incorporates the concepts of holistic treatment, prioritization of care, critical thinking, professional judgment, stress management, and caring for patients across the lifespan. Classroom instruction includes, but is not limited to, basic nursing principles, practical nursing concepts, safety and infection control, the promotion of health and wellness, diet and nutrition, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, mental health, communication and intervention, and trends, issues, and management. Course instructors encourage independent thinking, accountability, and lifelong learning.

Students must attend all the clinical sessions where licensed members of faculty direct their activities in a real-world healthcare setting. The clinical experience reinforces classroom instruction, giving students valuable insight into the daily activities of LPNs and opportunities to develop the essential skills for employment.

To be eligible for enrollment, applicants must complete the school’s application form, including an admissions request to the nursing department, provide evidence of high school completion or equivalent, and pass a pre-admissions test. Applicants must cover the cost of the physical exam with lab tests, background check, liability insurance, and immunization necessary for entry into the program. Prerequisite courses include human anatomy, college algebra, psychology, English composition, chemistry, and microbiology –all with a minimum C grade. In the highly competitive enrollment process, your admission to the program will be based on your ability to meet all the school’s requirements and the outcome of a pre-admissions exam and interview.

Upon graduation, the student is awarded a diploma and is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN based on the LSBPNE approval. Successful completion of the nursing education requirements does not guarantee eligibility to take the NCLEX as the Board takes the candidate’s criminal history and other factors into consideration before granting permission to take the exam.

Duration and Cost of Training: Full-time students complete the practical nursing education requirements in just 12 months; part-time schedules require an additional 6 to 12 months based on the students’ schedule. The average cost of tuition is $15,500 for resident students; out-of-state students pay more. The average cost will increase by a minimum 15% for part-time students. Additional expenses include textbooks, administrative fees, course materials, lab supplies, clinical supplies, transportation, uniform, pre-admission testing, and pre-admission requirements, such as liability insurance, background screen, TB test, immunization, CPR, criminal background screening, and prerequisite courses. Sources of financial aid include WIA (Workforce Investment Act), VA (Veteran’s Assistance), Federal Pell grant, and private loans for qualifying students.

NCLEX Louisiana

Most nurses and graduate nurses are familiar with the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). All Louisiana nursing graduates must pass the exam as a requirement for state licensure.

The LSBPNE will determine your eligibility to take the exam after you submit an application for licensure and register with Pearson Vue online or by phone. The registration fee for the exam is $200 payable using a credit or debit card. You must enter a valid email during the registration process as all correspondence from Pearson Vue will be sent using email. You will receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) in your inbox once the LSBPNE sends approval to Pearson Vue. In it, you’ll find the personal information you submitted during registration (confirm that the information is correct, including the spelling of your name), the candidate identification number, the authorization number, and the expiration date. The ATT expiry date is critical; it represents the time you have to schedule and take the test. There is no opportunity to extend the date so make sure to follow the instructions and schedule your exam before it expires. You do not need to take the ATT to the testing center; only take an acceptable form of identification – a picture ID with your signature.

The Computerized Adaptive Test calculates your grades as you progress through the exam and adjusts the questions as you answer. A passing score indicates your readiness to provide safe and competent care as a practical nurse. The Board will receive the results within 14 business days and mail your license if you pass the exam and meet all the requirements for licensure. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after 45 days. The Board will mail a copy of your Candidate Performance Report from the NCSBN, which provides an overview of your strengths and weaknesses. Use the information to prepare for the repeat exam. Repeat writers must submit another application to the Board and Pearson Vue and pay the respective fees.

Louisiana LPN Licensure Requirements

The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners defines the practice of practical nursing as the performance, for compensation, of acts in the care, treatment, or observation of the ill and for the maintenance of health and promotion of health care. Any individual seeking to practice must first obtain a license or temporary permit before practicing. After receiving a license, the LPN must practice under the direction of a licensed physician, registered nursing, dentist, psychologist, or optometrist.

The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) will issue a license to a permanent resident or citizen of the US who demonstrates good moral character and completion of an accredited practical nursing education program and submits an application, application fee, and the required documents. LPNs, with the Board’s approval, may perform specialized tasks when directed by a licensed physician or registered nurse.

Licensure By Examination

Applicants for licensure by exam must pass the NCLEX before the Board issues a license to practice as a practical nurse and authorize the use of the title Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

To apply for the licensure exam, submit:

  • A completed application for licensure by examination. Complete the application fully, making sure to use your legal name and input your social security number.
  • A 2” x 2” dated photo signed by you and the nursing education instructor.
  • A money order for the non-refundable application fee of $100 made payable to the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
  • Certified court documents for any arrests/criminal convictions reported. Also include a written note explaining the circumstances surrounding each conviction.
  • Verification of your nursing education. The school should send verification automatically after you complete the program.
  • Your registration to take the NCLEX-PN with Pearson Vue using the online submission or hotline.
  • A request for special accommodations for the NCLEX if you qualify under the Disability Act.

In accordance with state regulations, the Board may request and obtain state and national criminal history record information from the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for any person applying for a license to practice.

Licensure By Endorsement

The Board may issue licenses by endorsement to persons licensed as practical nurses in other states if the licensees meet the requirements for practical nursing in Louisiana. To qualify for licensure by endorsement, you must submit:

  • A completed application for licensure by endorsement.
  • The application fee of $135, using a certified check or money order, payable to LSBPNE.
  • Evidence of permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.
  • Evidence of a current, valid license in good standing in another state.
  • Evidence of practice within four years immediately preceding the application. Applicants with no work experience must complete an approved refresher course.
  • Verification of practical nursing education. Request official transcripts from the nursing education provider to the sent directly to the Board of Nursing.
  • Criminal background records.
  • Your original birth certificate.
  • A report in writing to the executive director of the Board for any diagnosis of HIV/HBV.
  • A copy of a Board order/consent order if you answer “yes” to the disciplinary action questions.
  • A completed applicant Form M if you answer yes to the physical health/ substance abuse questions. Also, fill out Patient Consent Form.
  • A completed Applicant Form D if you have a history of arrest/ criminal convictions.
  • A completed Verification of Original License (by examination) form. Complete the top portion and submit to the licensing agency in your original state of licensure. The agency should complete the form and return directly to the Board of Nursing. If you were licensed in a state that issues a compact license, you can register with Nursys to complete the verification process.
  • A completed Verification of Additional Licenses form if you’re licensed by endorsement in other states.

The board may issue a temporary work permit upon receipt of a completed, signed, and notarized endorsement application, the application fee, and a copy of your current license issued by another state. Also include a copy of your signed and dated written request to the FBI, a copy of your fingerprint card, and a copy of the payment made to the FBI. The Board requires your original birth certificate (not a copy) to issue the license. The temporary work permit is valid for a period of 12 weeks.

Renewing Your LPN License

Louisiana LPN licenses expire annually on January 31. Licensees must renew on or before the expiry date to continue practicing. Late renewals will incur a delinquent fee in addition to the license renewal fee. LPNs, who continue to practice past the license expiration, will face heavy fines and/or disciplinary actions.

All renewals must be completed online, and the fee paid using a Visa or MasterCard only. After the Board reviews the submission and verifies the accuracy of the information provided, they will issue a certificate of renewal to the applicant.

Salary and Job Outlook LPNs Louisiana

There’s no slowing down the demand for Licensed Practical Nurses. The healthcare needs of a growing senior population are in part responsible for the BLS’ projections of 25% growth in employment opportunities for LPNs. The mass exit of nurses approaching retirement also contributes significantly to the shortage of LPNs to address the acute care and long-term needs of the general population.

Meanwhile, Louisiana’s approved nursing programs face a different struggle; there is a lack of space to accommodate the increasing influx of applicants to the nursing programs. The result is the inability to produce new nurses to meet demands and replace nurses who leave due to retirement and other reasons. When schools are able to extend their facilities and hire faculty to facilitate training, there’s a lack of space in medical facilities to accommodate students for the required clinical portion of the program.

Students who gain entry into a program and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN for state licensure, have an excellent chance of employment within 3 to 6 months. While hospitals are reorganizing staff assignments and shifting LPNs to outpatient care and other areas – there may be some decline in opportunities for LPNs. However, there are numerous jobs available for LPNs in long-term care and home health care settings. More than 45 percent of the state’s nurses work in extended care facilities attending to the needs of the senior members of society.

Rural and low-income areas also provide an abundance of jobs for new and experienced LPNs. The median annual income for LPNs in Louisiana is $37,810, which is slightly lower than the national median.

Contact the Board of Nursing
Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
131 Airline Drive, Suite 301,
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone 504-838-5791
Fax 504-838-5279

Louisiana Board of Nursing Approved Training Programs and NCLEX Pass Rates

Abbeville, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Louisiana Community College – SLCC Gulf Area
1301 Clover St., Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 893-4984

Alexandria, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Alexandria
4311 S. Macarthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71302
(318) 487-5443

Baton Rouge, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Bastrop
P. O. Box 629 , Baton Rouge, LA 70821
(225) 342-9500

Our Lady of The Lake College
7500 Hennessy Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 768-1750

Delta College – Baton Rouge
7380 Exchange Place, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 928-7770

Bogalusa, LA LPN Training Programs:
Northshore Technical Community College – NTCC Sullivan
1710 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, LA 70427
(985) 732-6640

Chalmette, LA LPN Training Programs:
Nunez Community College
3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA 70043
(504) 278-6390

Cottonport, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Ward H. Nash Avoyelles Campus
508 Choupique Street, Cottonport, LA 71327
(318) 876-2801

Covington, LA LPN Training Programs:
Delgado Community College
500 N Theard St, Covington, LA 70433
(985) 893-6286

Delta College – Covington
19231 N. 6th Street, Covington, LA 70433
(985) 892-6651

Ferriday, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Ferriday
P.o. Box 1465 · 2100 E.e. Wallace Boulevard, Ferriday, LA 71334
(318) 757-6501

Greensburg, LA LPN Training Programs:
Northshore Technical Community College – NTCC Florida Parishes
137 College, Greensburg, LA 70441
(225) 222-4251

Hammond, LA LPN Training Programs:
Compass Career College
42353 Deluxe Plaza, Hammond, LA 70403
(985) 419-2050

Northshore Technical Community College – NTCC Hammond Area
111 Pride Drive, Hammond, LA 70401
(985) 543-4120

Jena, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Rod Brady Extension Campus
521 East Bradford Street, Jena, LA 71483
(318) 628-4342 x5013

Jennings, LA LPN Training Programs:
SOWELA Technical Community College – Morgan Smith
1230 North Main Street, Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-4811

Lafayette, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Louisiana Community College – SLCC Lafayette
1101 Bertrand Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 521-9000

Delta College – Lafayette
200 Republic Ave, Suite F, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 988-5455

Lake Charles, LA LPN Training Programs:
SOWELA Technical Community College
3820 Sen J Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 421-6565

Lake Providence, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Lake Providence
156 Highway 833-1, Lake Providence, LA 71254
(318) 559-0864

Leesville, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Lamar Salter
15014 Lake Charles Highway, Leesville, LA 71446
(337) 537-3135

Mansfield, LA LPN Training Programs:
Northwest Louisiana Technical College – NWLTC Mansfield
943 Oxford Rd., Mansfield, LA 71052
(318) 872-2243

Martinville, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Louisiana Community College – SLCC Evangeline
600 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., St. Martinville, LA 70582
(337) 394-6466

Minden, LA LPN Training Programs:
Northwest Louisiana Technical College – NWLTC Minden
9500 Industrial Drive P. O. Box 835, Minden, LA 71055
(318) 371-3035

Morgan City, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Central Louisiana Technical College – SCLTC Young Memorial
900 Youngs Road, Morgan City, LA 70380
(985) 380-2957

Natchitoches, LA LPN Training Programs:
Northwest Louisiana Technical College – NWLTC Natchitoches
6587 Highway 1 Bypass P. O. Box 657, Natchitoches, LA 71457
(318) 357-3162

Oakdale, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Oakdale
117 Highway 1152, Oakdale, LA 71463
(318) 335-3944

Opelousas, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Louisiana Community College – SLCC T.H. Harris
332 East South Street, Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 943-1518

Plaquemine, LA LPN Training Programs:
Baton Rouge Community College – BRCC Westside
Westside campus, Plaquemine, LA 70805
(225) 687-5500

Reserve, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Central Louisiana Technical College – SCLTC River Parishes
181 Regala Park Road, Reserve, LA 70084
(985) 536-4418

Ruston, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Ruston
1010 James Street, Ruston, LA 71273
(318) 251-4145

Shreveport, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
One University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115
(318) 798-4177

Northwest Louisiana Technical College – Shreveport
2010 North Market Street, Shreveport, LA 71107
(318) 676-7811

Southern University at Shreveport
3050 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Shreveport, LA 71107
(318) 670-9641

Schriever, LA LPN Training Programs:
Fletcher Technical Community College
1407 Highway 311, Schriever, LA 70395
(985) 448-7900

Slidell, LA LPN Training Programs:
Delta College – Slidell
105 Gause Blvd. West, Slidell, LA 70460
(985) 643-7730

Sorrento, LA LPN Training Programs:
River Parishes Community College
7384 John Leblanc Blvd, Sorrento, LA 70778
(225) 675-8270

Tallulah, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Tallulah
132 Old Highway 65 South, Tallulah, LA 71284
(318) 574-4820

Ville Platte, LA LPN Training Programs:
South Louisiana Community College – SLCC Ville Platte
1124 Vocational Dr.ward 1, Industrial Park, Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337) 363-2197

West Monroe, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC West Monroe
609 Vocational Parkway, West Monroe, LA 71292
(318) 397-6100

Winnfield, LA LPN Training Programs:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College – CLTCC Huey P. Long
5960 Hwy 167 North, Winnfield, LA 71483
(318) 628-4342

Winnsboro, LA LPN Training Programs:
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Winnsboro
1710 Warren Street, Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318) 435-2163

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