Licensed practical nurses help people with their daily needs when they’re unable to do so on their own. The role of LPN is ever changing to accommodate the complexities and growth of the health care delivery system. General duties include wound care, measuring and recording vitals, observation and reporting concerns to registered nurses and physicians, administering medications, prepping patients for surgery, provision post-surgical care, end of life care, supervising nursing assistants, and developing and implementing patient care plans.
Licensed practical nurses held about 754,500 jobs in 2016. In that year, employment opportunities in long-term care exceeded those in hospitals and clinics. A growing number of LPNs now work in patients’ homes, and outpatient care. At a projected growth rate of 12 percent, the growth in employment of LPNs is much faster than average. While prospects are great, opportunities will vary by the industry. Growth will be fastest in long-term care and home health.
Median annual wages of licensed practical nurses were $45,030 in May 2016.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College prepares students for success on the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. Graduates will be capable of providing competent patient care in acute and long-term care settings. Through classroom lectures, skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations, students will acquire the essential knowledge and skills to become competent nurses. The clinical rotations will take place at several healthcare facilities and will give students the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice under the direction of the experienced clinical instructor. The Occupational Courses account for 48 credits, and the General Core Courses account for 9 credit hours. Occupational courses include human body structure and function, pharmacology and clinical calculations, diet and nutrition for allied health, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, maternity nursing, and nursing leadership. The practical nursing program admits new students in the Fall and Summer semesters. The duration of the program is 72 weeks. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing Program.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Submit a completed application and fee
- Provide official high school transcript or GED equivalency
- Provide official college transcripts if available
- Submit acceptable SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER, COMPASS, or ASSET scores taken within 60 months of submitting the program application – college transcripts of appropriate courses may qualify for exemption from this requirement
- Current American Heart Association Provider CPR Certification
- Obtain criminal background clearance
- Complete the drug screen requirements
- Documentation of up-to-immunizations
- A physical exam report
Tuition for the program is $5,917. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,642. The program is eligible for the HOPE Career Grant.
- Website: https://wiregrass.edu/course-catalog/2017-2018/programs/practical-nursing-diploma
- Address: 4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta, Georgia 31602
- Phone: (229) 333-2100
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 89.48%
Albany Technical College
Albany Technical College’s Practical Nursing program culminates with a diploma for successful students. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. They will also be prepared to provide competent nursing care through the general and occupational courses covered in the classroom, skills lab, and patient care experiences at several health care facilities. Students must complete 57 credits to graduate with a Practical Nursing Diploma. General courses include Fundamentals of English, Foundations of Mathematics, and Basic Physiology. Occupational courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Diet and Nutrition for Allied Health Sciences, Introduction to Pharmacology and Clinical Calculations, Nursing Fundamentals, Medical Surgical Nursing, Maternity Nursing, and Nursing Leadership. Students who fail more than two classes will be dropped from the program and will not be able to re-enter for another 5 years. After failing the first course, students will need to attend an appeal hearing with the Dean and will be placed on probationary status. The duration of the program is 75 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Submit a completed application and fee
- Take the admissions test – may be waived if the applicant has completed acceptable college credit or certain ACT, SAT, or English Language Arts. ACCUPLACER scores must be Sentence Skills (60), Reading Comprehension (64), Arithmetic (40)
- Submit official high school transcript or GED scores
- Submit official college or university transcript
- Submit acceptable Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) score of 35 or better
- Attend a mandatory orientation – when notified by the office of admissions
- Copy of birth certificate
- Two professional recommendation forms
- Orientation and personal interview
The program costs $6,225 for in-state tuition and fees. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,126.
- Website: https://www.albanytech.edu/academics/areas-of-study/healthcare-technology/775-practical-nursing
- Address: 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA. 31701
- Phone: 229-430-3500
- Fax: 229-430-6180
- Toll-Free: 877-261-3113
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Southern Regional Technical College
The Practical Nursing program at Southern Regional Technical College includes theory and hands-on work to prepare students for success on the NCLEX-PN to become Licensed Practical Nurses. Graduates will qualify for entry-level employment in acute and long-term settings where they will provide safe and quality care under the direction of a registered nurse. The program includes lectures and demonstrations in the classroom, hands-on work in a simulated lab, and supervised clinical rotations designed to reinforce the academics. At the conclusion of the 5 semesters, students will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma that will demonstrate their ability to maintain a sterile environment, take and record vital signs, and provide safe nursing care in various healthcare settings. SRTC admits new students for the general education courses at the beginning of each semester. Before commencing the occupational courses, students must pass the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam and complete the prerequisite course with a grade C or better. Prerequisite courses include Human Body Structure and Function, Diet and Nutrition, Fundamentals of English, Foundations of Mathematics, and Basic Psychology. Students can register for the occupational courses in the Fall after complete the prerequisites.
Admission criteria:
- Be 17 years or older
- Complete the prerequisite courses
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Provide official college transcripts if applicable
- Take the standardized tests
- Have current American Heart Healthcare Provider CPR/First Aid Certification
- Submit a completed and signed physical exam report
- Complete drug toxicology
- Obtain criminal background clearance
- Provide a report indicated up-to-date immunizations – flu, MMR, etc.
In-state tuition and fees cost $8,252. Books and supplies cost $1,606.
- Website: http://southernregional.edu/college-catalog/current/programs/practical-nursing—lpn
- Address: 15689 U.S. Highway 19 North, Thomasville, Georgia 31792
- Phone: (888) 205-3449
- Fax: (229) 225-4330
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.77%
Coastal Pines Technical College
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Coastal Pines Technical College includes a blend of theory and practical instruction in accordance with the technical training requirements for nurses. Students must complete 57 credit hours of general education and occupational courses to receive a Practical Nursing Diploma. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply to the Georgia Board of Nursing for authorization to sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. They will also be prepared to provide competent nursing care in acute and long-term care settings and will have the foundation preparation for advanced placement in a registered nursing program. Occupational courses include human body structure and function, diet and nutrition for allied health sciences, introduction to pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, medical surgical nursing, maternity nursing, and nursing leadership. Students will be required to participate in supervised clinical rotations to provide patient care under the direction of the nursing preceptor.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Submit a completed application and fee
- Submit official high school transcript or GED equivalency
- Submit acceptable placement scores for regular admission. ACCUPLACER scores: English (60), Reading (55), Math (34)
- Submit a satisfactory criminal background check
- Complete a drug screen
Tuition costs $89 per credit hour for in-state students.
- Website: http://www.coastalpines.edu/catalog/practical-nursing-pn12.htm
- Address: 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross, Georgia 31503
- Phone: 912-287-6584
- Alt: 877-332-8682
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.12%
South Georgia Technical College
South Georgia Technical College’s Practical Nursing program is designed to give students the confidence to succeed on the NCLEX-PN. Experienced instructors accomplish this goal through the delivery of a specific sequence of courses that go from simple to complex. The curriculum requires completion of 57 credits of basic and occupational courses. Instructors use lectures, demonstrations, presentations, and interactive discussions in the classroom. The hands-on work in a modern lab will prepare students for direct patient in a clinical setting where they will continue learning under the direction of an experienced nurse instructor. Students who successfully complete the requirements will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma that demonstrates their ability to provide safe and competent care. Occupational courses include human body structure and function, diet and nutrition for allied health sciences, introduction to pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, medical surgical nursing, maternity nursing, and nursing leadership.
Admission criteria:
- Be 16 years or older
- A high school diploma or GED equivalency
- Complete a physical exam
- Complete a background check and drug test
- Obtain acceptable scores on the college placement test or submit acceptable SAT or ACT scores
Tuition costs $6,593. Books and supplies cost an additional $300.
- Website: https://www.southgatech.edu/programs/practical-nursing/
- Address: 900 South GA Tech Pkwy, Americus, GA 31709
- Phone: 229-931-2394
- Fax: 229-931-2732
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 72.34%