Demand for qualified licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Louisiana continues to grow. The Louisiana Center for Nursing reports that the state faces an unmet demand for 1,860 LPNs. While Louisiana's greatest LPN staffing challenges are in long-term care facilities and hospitals, there is a need in all practice settings.

Learn about the top-ranked LPN programs in Louisiana, how to apply, and the steps for state licensure.

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Top LPN Programs in Louisiana

LPN Program Curriculum in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) lists approved programs for practical nurses (PNs). The end goal is to prepare students for licensure and to provide LPNs with clinical competency, skill, and knowledge to provide safe and effective patient care.

Approved LPN programs in Louisiana include classroom instruction, lab practicums, and supervised clinical rotations in healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies.

The curriculum typically consists of a minimum of 700 theory and 800 clinical hours of instruction on the following topics:

Principles and practices of nursing (including medical-surgical, pediatric, geriatric, obstetrical, and mental health)
Anatomy and physiology
Introduction to microbiology
Pharmacology
Family and community health
Nutrition
Career readiness

How to Apply to LPN Programs in Louisiana

Admission requirements vary by school but typically include common application materials. Before applying to an LPN program in Louisiana, research the school and review its website to ensure you meet the enrollment criteria.

Admission Materials:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Any official college transcripts
- Application and application fee
- Proof of selective service status
- Original birth certificate
- Valid driver's license or state-issued ID
- Social Security card
- Background check and fingerprinting
- Physical exam/immunizations
- Passing ACCUPLACER, SAT, ACT, or other test scores
GPA Requirement: Some schools require a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher
Other Requirement: Schools may require you to attend new student orientation, submit a writing assignment, become CPR-certified, or provide negative test results for infectious diseases like tuberculosis.

Steps to Become an LPN in Louisiana

To become an LPN in Louisiana, you must first graduate from an accredited PN program. The next step is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and obtain licensure. Once you have an LPN license, you can search for gainful employment.

Complete an Accredited LPN Diploma Program
Louisiana requires all LPNs to graduate from an approved LPN diploma or degree program, including classroom education and clinical rotations, to get hands-on experience providing basic nursing care. Such programs tend to last about one year. Coursework includes nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, nutrition, physiology, and medical-surgical nursing.
Students should confirm that any LPN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Accreditation or state approval of LPN programs ensures graduates can sit for the NCLEX-PN examination.
Apply for an LPN License
To apply for licensure by exam, you must first create an account in the LSBPNE nurse portal and pay a $100 nonrefundable application fee. You must then have your official transcripts sent from your PN program to the Louisiana Board of Nursing.
A state and FBI criminal background check (CBC) is required for an LPN licensure. Applicants must:
Obtain two fingerprint cards from your local police department. Some stations may require a fee for this service.
Mail the application, fingerprint cards, and $39.25 CBC application fee to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. The payment must be a money order payable to Louisiana State Police.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
You must schedule your test date within 90 days of receiving your ATT email. Visit the Pearson VUE website to search for testing centers, rules, and requirements for the exam day.
Preparation is key. Start studying for the NCLEX-PN at least 2-6 months before the exam date. The best way to set yourself up for success is to take a combination study approach, including enrolling in a test prep course, reading an NCLEX-PN review book, and completing group study, tutoring, or self-study.
Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, you will receive your official results through the LSBPNE nurse portal message center, usually within 7-10 days of your test date. With a $7.95 fee, you can access your unofficial results via Pearson VUE Quick Results 48 hours after your exam.
Please note that LSBPNE no longer issues paper licenses.
Find Employment
Using agency recruiters, attending job fairs, or joiningprofessional organizations are great resources for finding LPN career options. Searching job boards or professional nursing organization websites is also a great platform for exploring open roles.
The BLS reports that nursing and residential care facilities have the highest percentage of LPNs, and government agencies pay LPNs the highest median annual wage ($66,370). LPNs can also work in hospices, home health agencies, nursing homes, physician offices, mental health facilities, and other healthcare sites.
Once you land a job, you must understand your scope of practice. LPNs perform duties such as:
Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Collecting specimen samples
Transferring patients
Administering medications
Charting
Overseeing CNAs
Renew Your LPN License Annually
All Louisiana LPN licenses expire on January 31 of each year and must be renewed annually between November 1 and January 31. Renewal requires timely submission of an application and payment of the $61.08 renewal fee. There are no continuing education (CE) requirements for LPN license renewal in Louisiana, although some employers may require CE as a condition of continued employment.
Failure to renew one's LPN license by midnight on January 31 will result in your license automatically becoming "inactive-lapsed." To renew an "inactive-lapsed" license, you must apply for reinstatement, which costs $162.88.

Salary and Career Outlook for LPNs in Louisiana

According to Projections Central, LPN jobs in Louisiana are projected to grow by 7.5% — from 19,230 to 20,670 — between 2022 and 2032.

As of May 2024, the BLS reports over 650,000 LPN jobs nationwide, with a median annual salary of $62,340. Louisiana's median salary for LPNs is lower at $53,930. Even the state's highest-paying metro area, New Orleans—Metairie, at $58,800, falls short of the national median. However, Louisiana does have the 15th lowest cost of living in the U.S.