Online Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program Guide
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Online LPN programs offer a direct path to a career as a licensed practical nurse (known in some states as a licensed vocational nurse, or LVN). These online nursing programs are often designed for working adults and other nontraditional students. You can find LPN diploma and certificate programs at community colleges, trade schools, and specialized nurse training centers, among other types of postsecondary institutions.
Because LPN programs have field-based clinical requirements, online programs have to use hybrid learning models. You can complete your academic coursework online and your hands-on components in person.
Career at a Glance: LPN
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), practical and vocational nurses earned a median annual wage of $62,340 as of May 2024.
- Between 2023 and 2033, the BLS projects that LPN/LVN jobs will grow by 3%, which is as fast as the average growth rate across all occupations.
- The BLS also expects to see 54,000 annual openings for LPNs from 2023 to 2033, including the new jobs covered in its growth projections.
- You can readily upgrade your LPN credentials to a registered nurse (RN) license to qualify for nursing careers that pay a median annual salary of $93,600 per year.
What Is an LPN Program?
37-60 credits
Required Credits
10-15 months
Program Length
LPN programs train students for entry-level, supporting positions in nursing. They combine foundational coverage of topics like anatomy and microbiology with the development of hard nursing skills in areas such as:
- Patient assessment and treatment fundamentals
- Wound care and intravenous therapy
- Nutrition and medication management
- Medical recordkeeping
You’ll also develop important soft skills for interacting with patients, peers, and senior members of caregiving teams.
Programs also specifically prepare students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). In addition to earning a certificate or diploma from your program, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-PN to become licensed.
After you earn your LPN license, you’ll be qualified for academic programs that lead to higher-level nursing careers. This gives you built-in flexibility and career mobility.
Can You Take LPN Classes Online?
Yes, you can enroll in online LPN programs. However, accredited online programs use hybrid learning models to deliver foundational and theory-based coursework remotely. You’ll then build hands-on skills through on-site clinical training in a hospital, medical clinic, residential care center, or a similar setting.
It’s important to confirm that your state’s nursing board recognizes your LPN program in order to qualify for licensure. You can connect with your local licensing authority through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
How Much Does an LPN Program Cost?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) cites an overall average cost of $10,749 per year for certificate programs in healthcare fields, which includes LPN programs. However, many schools offer more affordable in-person and online LPN programs, as shown in the chart above.
Properly accredited programs qualify you for federal financial aid, and you can also fund your education with nursing scholarships. The Health Resources and Services Administration can also connect you with loan repayment and grant programs for nursing students. For additional financial aid options, check with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Does accreditation matter?
If you are planning to use federal financial aid to pay for your online LPN program, then you must attend a school that holds institutional accreditation.
Additionally, some LPN programs may be specially accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Though this programmatic accreditation is not typically required, it may boost your employment prospects. Plus, if you ever need to transfer your license to another state, having an ACEN-accredited certificate/diploma can help.
How to Get Into an LPN Program
Schools usually strive to make their online LPN programs as accessible as possible. Core admission requirements typically include a high school diploma or the equivalent and English proficiency. You must also satisfy minimum age requirements, which typically begin around 17-18.
In addition, you may need to present proof of vaccination for such diseases as measles, mumps, and rubella, influenza, and COVID-19 before beginning your clinical training fieldwork. Schools also typically require tuberculosis (TB) testing, which may involve a two-step skin test or a blood test called an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). e.
Schools may also require you to submit test scores, usually for the Health Education Systems, Incorporated (HESI) nursing examination or the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI-TEAS). HESI and ATI-TEAS are tests commonly used to assess the existing skills of nursing school applicants.
How to Choose the Best LPN Program for You
1. Identify your goals.
As a starting point, think through your near-term and long-term career goals. This can help you select the right school and program, and ensure that your program sets you up to meet your longer-term objectives.
For example, if you would eventually like to become an RN or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you may benefit from a more academically rigorous program than one that’s primarily designed to minimize your time investment and accelerate your path to basic nursing licensure.
2. Check for state approval.
You should only consider LPN programs that are officially approved and endorsed by your state’s nursing board. Without state approval, the program is unlikely to qualify you for the license you need to start working as an LPN.
Unfortunately, some predatory schools exploit students who haven’t done their research. Spend a moment and complete this important verification step.
3. Consider format and length.
Program length, pacing, and delivery format can all have profound impacts on your student experience and learning outcomes. If you have specific scheduling needs, look for programs designed for flexibility. Many state-approved programs cater to the needs of working adults and other students whose scheduling needs make on-campus attendance difficult.
If you currently work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), then look for CNA-to-LPN programs, which can give you an accelerated pathway to an LPN credential.
If you plan to study online, remember that all accredited online LPN programs are really hybrid programs — you’ll need to complete your clinical fieldwork at a physical location.
4. Compare costs and financial aid.
As a last step, look at tuition costs and what each school offers in terms of financial aid. The raw numbers are important, but they may not tell the full story. Instead, look specifically at what’s known as the net cost (or price) of attendance.
The net price identifies the exact out-of-pocket costs you’ll face after factoring in scholarships, grants, and other non-repayable forms of aid. Schools with higher initial tuition fees but generous scholarship programs may end up costing less.
Find State-Approved LPN/LVN Programs
Q&A With a Real Licensed Practical Nurse
Nicole Hart worked as a licensed practical nurse for five years. She decided to pursue a career in nursing as a single mom of twins. After the birth of her youngest child in 2019, she transitioned to working from home. She has since found her passion as an online fitness and nutrition coach, helping fellow moms prioritize themselves and their health.
Nicole has helped dozens of women lose weight, gain confidence, and remember something that many moms tend to forget: They are more than just moms.
Q: Why did you decide to become an LPN?
“I decided to become an LPN while working in a nursing home as a CNA. I learned that I really enjoyed hands-on patient care and desired to take my education and skills further.”
Q: How did you research or compare LPN programs before committing to one?
“The nursing home that I worked at actually had a program that paid for me to attend nursing school at an accelerated pace while also working. This was ideal for me as a single mom needing to make ends meet. I was also willing and able to learn at an accelerated pace.”
Q: What is something that surprised you about practical nursing?
“It surprised me how nerve-racking it was to do clinicals. It’s one thing to study and test for things, but it’s a whole other feeling when you’re applying what you’ve learned with real patients (even while under supervision).”
Q: What is your biggest piece of advice to students considering becoming LPNs?
“Being a nurse is one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I’ve done. I absolutely loved hands-on patient care. I loved knowing I was making a difference in people’s lives. I also learned how calm I can be under pressure, how mentally and emotionally strong I can be when needed. Know that the journey is tough, the days are long and often difficult, but it’s so fulfilling. It takes a special person to be a nurse.”
Next Steps for Online LPN Program Grads
Becoming Licensed
Before you can apply for licensure and begin working as an LPN, you must take and pass the NCLEX-PN, which uses computer adaptive testing and ranges from 85 to 150 questions.
To sit for the exam, you’ll first need to apply through your state’s board of nursing, submit required documentation (such as fingerprints or a background check), and receive authorization to test. Your nursing school will usually submit your transcript or proof of program completion directly to the state board, but you may need to request this as part of your application.
Once licensed, you’ll be required to renew your license via continuing education units (CEUs). Check with your state’s nursing board to confirm renewal periods and the exact number of CEUs required.
Career Advancement for LPNs
LPN licensure opens up many pathways, especially as you accumulate years of professional experience. Nursing schools commonly offer LPN-to-RN programs for LPNs who want to become registered nurses (RNs). Most states use the associate degree in nursing (ADN) credential as their minimum academic requirement for RN licensure.
You could also pursue an LPN-to-BSN program. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree can boost your career and increase your salary. With a BSN, you can qualify for professional and educational pathways that can lead to APRN licensure.
