Licensed practical nursing programs enroll adults who are at the post-secondary stage of their education and prepare them to provide competent care in the complex health care environment. While experience in healthcare is not essential, most LPN programs in Kansas require active certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant as a prerequisite to admission. Comprehensive theory and practical training covered in approximately 12 months will equip students with the abilities and knowledge to care for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Clinical competency and a clear understanding of the LPN role and scope of practice are essential, but there are other soft skills that help nurses succeed. These skills, such as empathy, compassion, communication, and interactive, put patients at ease and help to relieve their fears to encourage recovery. Some of the key skills can develop over time, but nurses should have the ability to empathize with patients from the very onset of their career. This character trait involves the acknowledgment of patients’ desires and concerns, promotion of respect for their individuality and viewpoint (influenced by culture, status, etc.), and the demonstration of sensitivity to their current condition. Nurses who are empathetic will understand the need to communicate freely with patients and team members and remain positive in all their interactions.
Licensed practical nursing is one of the fastest growing career fields. LPNs work in many health settings, including extended care facilities, hospitals, patients’ homes, schools, clinics, and physicians’ offices.
Washburn Tech
Washburn Tech facilitates a practical nursing program that is targeted to post-secondary students. The program’s emphasis is the skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to provide patient-centered care as a practical nurse. The Kansas State Board of Nursing approved program leads to a 48-credit hour technical certificate. Course titles include nutrition, human development, anatomy and physiology, foundations of nursing, pharmacology, strategies for success, medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, mental health, maternal child nursing, and role development. At the conclusion of the study, students should be able to communicate effectively, integrate technology, demonstrate teamwork skills, apply safety, think critically, and have responsible work ethics. Graduates will be eligible to apply to the Board to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. They will also have further opportunities for advancement in the field through further study. Full-time and part-time options are available. Full-time students will complete the requirements in two semesters – classes commence every January and August. Evening students will complete the certificate requirements in three semesters – new classes begin every third semester in January or August. Adult students must complete the prerequisites before applying to the competitive program.
Admission criteria:
- Take an admissions test and the TEAS exam – earn a composite score of 55 or higher on the TEAS
- A high school diploma or GED – submit official transcripts
- WorkKeys scores – Applied Math (Level 5), Reading for Information (Level 6)
- Have a current Kansas CNA license
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, Nutrition, Human Development
- Apply to the nursing program
- Complete a background check, physical exam, and current immunization (MMR, Tdap, negative TB, Hepatitis B, and Varicella) – after admission to the program
- Have current CPR for Healthcare Provider
- Provide proof of insurance coverage
The estimated cost of tuition is $6,192. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,866.
- Website: https://www.washburntech.edu/index.html
- Address: 5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS 66604
- Phone: 785-670-2010
- Toll-Free: 877-588-7140
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90.70%
Colby Community College
Colby Community College’s “1 + 1” program lets students take the practical nursing curriculum during the first year and complete the associate degree in nursing during the second year. Students will learn to practice within the legal and ethical scope of practice, apply the nursing process, coordinate care for clients through the lifespan, and use therapeutic communication in the health care system. They must complete a total of 41 credit hours to earn the Practical Nursing Certificate. Course topics follow a specific sequence and include gerontology nursing, pharmacology, foundations of nursing and clinical, maternal and child care, mental health nursing, medical-surgical nursing. Prerequisite courses include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and developmental psychology. Graduates will be eligible to sit the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Applicants are selected for admission in the Spring of each year.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a separate application to the nursing program
- Official high school or GED transcripts
- Have an active CNA license by August of the acceptance year
- A grade C or above on the prerequisite courses – completed within the last ten years
- Demonstrate English proficiency – for students whose first language in not English
- Submit to a criminal background check
- Provide documentation of current immunization (MMR, Tdap, negative TB, Hepatitis B, and Varicella) – after admission to the program
- Have current CPR for Healthcare Provider
- Provide proof of insurance coverage
Tuition costs $113 per credit for Thomas County residents.
- Website: https://www.colbycc.edu/academics/associate-of-applied-science/nursing/index.html
- Address: 1255 South Range, Colby, KS 67701
- Phone: 785-462-3984
- Toll-Free: 888-634-9350
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 72.97%
Manhattan Area Technical College
The Practical Nursing program at MATC prepares adults for entry-level employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The curriculum includes classroom instruction and clinical experiences in a health care facility. Graduates will be eligible to apply to the Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. They may also use the training as a first step to continue their education in nursing. Course topics include medical math, foundations of nursing and clinical, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, personal and career orientation, mental health nursing, gerontology, and maternal-child nursing. There are specific application requirements for the selective admission program. Enrollment is limited to 40 students in each cycle. All applications must be submitted by March 1.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Anatomy and Physiology, Human Growth and Development, Nutrition, and Intermediate Algebra
- Complete the TEAS with a minimum score of 50% – within three years of applying to the program
- Have current Kansas CNA certification
- Provide proof of English proficiency for applicants whose primary language is not English
- Complete the immunization requirements – MMR, Varicella, TdaP, Hepatitis B
- Complete a comprehensive physical exam
- Have a TB skin test performed
- Complete a background check
- Hold health insurance during enrollment
Tuition for the program is $6,850. Books and supplies and cost an additional $1,100.
- Website: https://manhattantech.edu/program/practical-nursing-0
- Address: 3136 Dickens Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66503
- Phone: 785-587-2800
- Fax: 785-587-2804
- Toll-Free: 800-352-7575
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.50%
Neosho County Community College
At the completion of the first year (Level I) of the Bi-Level Nursing Program at Mary Grimes School of Nursing, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Students who successfully pass the State Boards may move on to the second year prepare for a career as a registered nurse. Course topics include gerontology nursing, pharmacology, foundations of nursing and clinical, maternal and child care, mental health nursing, medical-surgical nursing. Prerequisite courses include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and developmental psychology. Students will participate in a clinical experience to develop technical skills under the guidance of a licensed nurse instructor.
Admission criteria:
- A completed application to the College and Nursing Program
- Pay the application fee – includes the entrance exam fee
- Submit official high school and post-secondary transcripts
- Have a cumulative GPA or 2.0 or higher
- Obtain a composite percentage score of at least 70% on the nursing entrance test
- Submit to a background check and drug screen
- Have a TEAS composite score of 60%
- Current CNA certification
Tuition, fees, uniforms, books, and expenses for the first phase of the program is $8,388.
- Website: https://www.neosho.edu/
- Address: 900 East Logan Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
- Phone: 785-242-2067
- Toll-Free: 888-466-2688
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 77.88%
Johnson County Community College
Johnson Community College prepares practical nursing students with the knowledge and skills to launch a career as a licensed practical nurse. Full-time and part-time options are available. Full-time students will complete the program in just 9 months, and part-time students will require 14 months. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The curriculum includes classroom instruction and clinical rotation. Students will develop technical skills the school’s Healthcare Simulation Center in preparation for the clinical rotation in a real-world environment. Simulation activities will support the development of competencies in assessment, medication pass, catheterization, blood glucose monitoring, and equipment placement. Enrollment is limited to 32 students for full-time sessions and 24 students for part-time sessions. The full-time program starts in August and the part-time starts in June.
Admission criteria:
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – human anatomy and physiology, introduction to psychology, human development, medical terminology
- CPR for Health Care Provide and current AHA BLS for Health Care Provider
- Have current Kansas CNA certification
In-state tuition costs $5,280. Books and supplies cost an additional $3,120.
- Website: https://www.jccc.edu/
- Address: 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
- Phone: 913-469-8500
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98.41%