Licensed Practical Nurses work under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, caring for and attending to the personal needs of the sick, convalescent and disabled. Their primary duties include bedside care, such as giving enemas and injections, measuring vitals, treating bedsores, and applying dressings. They may assist patients with bathing, grooming, and other personal hygiene activities. Experienced LPNs evaluate resident needs, supervise nursing assistants, and develop care plans. In 2008, approximately 27 percent of LPNs worked in hospitals, but a shift in the healthcare industry caused a reduction of LPN staff in the hospitals leading them to work in nursing care facilities, adult daycares, clinics, and physicians’ offices. Today, the estimated 14 percent of LPNs working in the nation’s hospitals are experienced nurses with specialized training.
Louisiana Delta Community College – LDCC Bastrop
The Practical Nursing program at LDCC offers specialized classroom instruction and supervised clinical experiences to prepare graduates for success on the NCLEX-PN to work as a licensed practical nurse. Nursing courses have prerequisite course requirements which students must complete before enrolling in the upper-level courses. Students will also be expected to demonstrate basic computer skills, by passing a competency exam, before participating in the clinical component of the program. The program includes 1535 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical instruction, which amount to 58 credit hours. Course topics include nursing fundamentals, geriatric clinical, nutritional aspects, basic pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, practical nursing perspectives, medical surgical nursing, mental illness/psychiatric nursing, IV therapy, and leadership and management. Students must complete each course with a minimum 80% to graduate. There are two exit points in the program: a technical diploma in practical nursing, and a technical competency area (TCA) practical nursing: health aid. Tuition for the 54-week program is $7,271 plus $3,200 for books and supplies.
- Website: https://www.ladelta.edu/
- Address: P. O. Box 629, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
- Phone: (225) 342-9500
Our Lady of The Lake College
The Practical Nursing Program at Our Lady of the Lake College is a four-semester program comprising of classroom instruction and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals and medical facilities. The program is open for admission in the fall and spring semesters. Although the primary goal is to prepare students for success on the NCLEX-PN for a career as a practical nurse, the curriculum’s design facilitate completion of the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, enabling graduates to continue with their nursing education at the college. The career ladder program gives students the option to apply for CNA certification after the first semester. Applicants must submit a completed application and fee, have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or a minimum average score of 500 on the GED equivalent, submit ACT scores, complete a letter of application describing reasons for enrolling, and provide a copy of their birth certificate or US passport. Upon acceptance to the program, students must complete the health and safety packet and a fingerprint and criminal background check.
- Website: http://69.2.57.119/catalog1011/HCI_Programs.html
- Address: 7500 Hennessy Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
- Phone: (225) 768-1750
Delta College – Baton Rouge
The practical nursing program at Delta College equips students with the knowledge and competencies to function as an effective member of the health-care team. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to work as licensed practical nurses. The program is available as a day-time program or an evening program. Day students complete the program in 16 months and evening students complete the course in 24 months. Applicants must submit a transcript of their high school education or GED scores and pass the admission exam and personal interview. Students accepted into the program must meet the health and background check requirements. Criminal convictions may exclude an applicant from admission. Prerequisite courses may be required for entry. Course topics include fundamentals of nursing, geriatric nursing, nursing leadership and management, medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, and maternal child nursing. Tuition for the program is $23,100 plus expenses for books and supplies.
- Website: https://deltacollege.com/
- Address: 7380 Exchange Place, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
- Phone: (225) 928-7770
Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge CC practical nursing program prepares students for employment as an entry-level employee at hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Graduates who complete all 59 credits will receive a technical diploma (TD) that will make them eligible to take the NCLEX-PN. For the limited enrollment program, applicants must submit the application, fee, and requested documents by the published deadline. A high school diploma or GED, ACT or Compass Scores (not older than 3 years), and college transcripts are essential for enrollment. Applicants must be 18 years of older, provide evidence of fingerprinting, attend a mandatory orientation, submit three reference letters and a typed essay describing the reason for choosing a career in nursing. Once accepted into the program, the student must provide proof of immunization, a copy of an official birth certificate, obtain AGA CPR certification, complete a TB skin test and drug screening, and schedule a physical history and exam. Tuition for the program is $9,964.51 plus expenses for the fingerprint background check, physical exam, textbooks, uniforms, HESI fees, student equipment, technology fees, ID badge, and lab fees.
- Website: https://www.mybrcc.edu/
- Address: 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
- Phone: 1-866-217-9823
River Parishes Community College
The practical nursing program at River Parishes Community College admits new students in the spring and fall semesters. Students complete the program’s 58 credits in four semesters and receive a technical diploma at the conclusion, which makes them eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN. Applicants must have Compass test scores (math 40, reading 85, and language 70), a minimum grade of C or better in college science, computer literacy, a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a high school diploma. Medical terminology is strongly recommended. Once accepted, students will have to pass a background check, drug screen, physical exam, and admission’s interview. Course topics include nursing fundamentals, PN perspectives, nutrition aspects, basic pharmacology, advanced pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, obstetrics, mental illness, A&P for healthcare providers, and pediatrics, PN leadership and management. Tuition is $9,452 plus $1,900 for books and supplies.
- Website: https://www.rpcc.edu/
- Address: 7384 John Leblanc Blvd, Sorrento, LA 70778
- Phone: (225) 675-8270
South Central Louisiana Technical College – SCLTC River Parishes
The practical nursing program at SCLTC prepares students to meet Louisiana state requirements for licensure as a practical nurse. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, lab practicum, and supervised clinical activities at accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Students must complete each course with a minimum 80%. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN. The course comprises of 1550 clock hours: 715 lecture hours and 835 lab and clinical hours. Upon completion, students will earn 50 credits to graduate. Completing the Special Programs will give students the ability to earn a Technical Competency Area (TCA). Course topics include an introduction to practical nursing, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology applications, nursing fundamentals, adult health alterations, IV therapy, maternal/neonate health alterations, and leadership and management skills. The cost of tuition for in-state students is $5,937.50 and $15,658.50 for out-of-state students. Books and supplies cost an additional $1918.54. The total for miscellaneous fees, including CPR, TB skin test, application fee, NCLEX testing fee, fingerprinting, immunization, background check fee, and nursing pin is $1,523.
- Website: http://www.scl.edu/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=156&pnid=0&pid=58
- Address: 181 Regala Park Road, Reserve, LA 70084
- Phone: (985) 536-4418
Northshore Technical Community College – NTCC Florida Parishes
The comprehensive practical nursing program at Northshore Technical Community College prepares students to meet Louisiana State licensure requirements for practical nurses. The program includes classroom, lab, and supervised clinical experiences to prepare students for success on the NCLEX-PN. Applicants must submit Compass scores, a high school diploma or GED, and pass a placement exam for science courses. Other requirements include CPR for Healthcare Providers certification, official birth certificate, proof of current immunization, TB skin test or chest x-ray, history and physical exam, two sets of fingerprints, drug screening, and a $50 money order payable to Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Students earn 53 credits after completing 1,570 clock hours over four semesters. Tuition for the program is $6,129 plus $636 for books and supplies.
- Website: https://www.northshorecollege.edu/
- Address: 137 College, Greensburg, LA 70441
- Phone: (225) 222-4251