Top LPN Programs in Pennsylvania

If you'd like to pursue a career in nursing, live in Pennsylvania and want to start earning good pay as quickly as possible, consider training to become a licensed practical nurse. Unlike the training that's required for registered nurses, which takes at least two to four years, training to become an LPN only takes 12 to 18 months. With an LPN license in hand, you'll be eligible for jobs around the state that offer competitive pay and benefits.

Although becoming an LPN in Pennsylvania is fairly simple, much of it depends on the quality of the training that you receive. This is why it's so important to take your time while looking for LPN programs. It also helps to know what to look for and to have a basic understanding of licensing requirements in the state. Get up to speed regarding becoming an LPN in Pennsylvania by reading on below.

Top LPN Programs in Pennsylvania

Given the importance of selecting a first-rate LPN training program, it makes sense to research plenty of options before making a decision. However, you can easily feel overwhelmed simply from the sheer number of options out there. Get your search off to a great start by considering these recommendations:

1. All-State Career School

   50 W Powhattan Ave, Essington, PA 19029 (610) 362-1124

2. Bucks County Community College

   275 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 968-8000

3. Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County

   3201 Rockwell Ave, Scranton, PA 18508 (570) 346-8471

4. Central Pennsylvania Institute Science & Technology

   540 N Harrison Rd, Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814) 359-2793

5. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit

   1339 St Mary St #2, Lewisburg, PA 17837 (570) 768-4960

6. Chester County Intermediate Unit

   443 Boot Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 (484) 593-5950

7. Clarion County Career Center

   447 Career Ln, Shippenville, PA 16254 (814) 226-4391

8. Clearfield County Career & Technology Center

   1620 River Rd, Clearfield, PA 16830 (814) 765-5308

9. Community College of Beaver County

   1 Campus Dr, Monaca, PA 15061 (724) 480-2222

10. Crawford County Career & Technical Center

    860 Thurston Rd, Meadville, PA 16335 (814) 724-6024

11. Delaware County Technical Schools

    85 N Malin Rd, Broomall, PA 19008 (484) 423-7003

12. Eastern Center for Arts & Technology

    3075 Terwood Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 784-4800

13. Falcon Institute of Health & Science

    3045 Ave B, Bethlehem, PA 18017 (610) 252-2277

14. Fayette County Career & Technical Institute

    175 Georges Fairchance Rd, Uniontown, PA 15401 (724) 437-2721

15. Fortis Institute

    517 Ash St, Scranton, PA 18509 (570) 558-1818

16. Franklin County Career & Technology Center

    2463 Loop Rd, Chambersburg, PA 17202 (717) 263-9033

17. Great Lakes Institute of Technology

    5100 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509 (814) 347-8432

18. Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center

    1500 4th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602 (814) 946-8457

19. Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center

    445 Schoolhouse Rd, Johnstown, PA 15904 (814) 266-6073

20. Greene County Career & Technology Center

    60 Zimmerman Dr, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (724) 627-3106

21. Harrisburg Area Community College

    1 HACC Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 780-2380

22. Hazleton Area Career Center

    1451 W 23rd St, Hazle Township, PA 18202 (570) 459-3221

23. Health and Technology Training Institute

    100 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19110 (215) 568-2220

24. Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center

    13221 Big Valley Pike, Mill Creek, PA 17060 (814) 643-6525

25. Indiana County Technology Center

    441 Hamill Rd, Indiana, PA 15701 (724) 349-6700

26. Jefferson County DuBois

    576 Vo-Tech Rd, Reynoldsville, PA 15851 (814) 653-8265

27. Lancaster County Career & Technology Center

    1730 Hans Herr Dr, Willow Street, PA 17584 (717) 464-7050

28. Lebanon County Career & Technology Center

    833 Metro Dr, Lebanon, PA 17042 (717) 273-8551

29. Lehigh Carbon Community College

    4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, PA 18078 (610) 799-2121

30. Lenape Technical School

    104 Armstrong St, Ford City, PA 16226 (724) 763-1311

31. Lincoln Technical Institute

    5151 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104 (610) 398-5300

32. Mercer County Career Center

    776 Greenville Rd, Mercer, PA 16137 (724) 662-3000

33. Mercyhurst University

    501 E 38th St, Erie, PA 16504 (814) 824-2000

34. Northampton Community College

    3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020 (610) 861-5376

35. Northern Tier Career Center

    120 Career Center Ln, Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-8111

36. Penn Commercial Business / Technical School

    242 Oak Spring Rd, Washington, PA 15301 (724) 222-5330

37. Penn State Lehigh Valley

    2809 Saucon Valley Rd, Center Valley, PA 18034 (610) 285-5000

38. Pennsylvania College of Technology

    1 College Ave, Williamsport, PA 17701 (570) 327-4519

39. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

    800 Manchester Ave, Media, PA 19063 (800) 422-0025

40. PITC Institute

    827 Glenside Ave, Wyncote, PA 19095 (215) 576-5650

41. Pittsburgh Technical College

    1111 McKee Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071 (412) 809-5100

42. Prism Career Institute

    8040 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19152 (888) 904-4768

43. Reading Area Community College

    10 S 2nd St, Reading, PA 19602 (610) 372-4721

44. Schuylkill Technology Center

    101 Technology Dr, Frackville, PA 17931 (570) 874-1034

45. Somerset County Technology Center

    281 Technology Dr, Somerset, PA 15501 (814) 443-3651

46. Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center

    2380 Elk Lake School Rd, Springville, PA 18844 (570) 278-9229

47. The Rapha School

    17 Griffith Dr, Home, PA 15747 (724) 549-4700

48. United Career Institute

    1015 Mt Braddock Rd, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456 (724) 437-4600

49. Venango Technology Center

    1 Vo-Tech Dr, Oil City, PA 16301 (814) 493-6590

50. Western Area Career & Technology Center

    688 Western Ave, Canonsburg, PA 15317 (724) 746-2890

51. Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center

    350 Jumper Rd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (570) 822-6539

52. York County School of Technology

    2179 S Queen St, York, PA 17402 (717) 741-0820

LPN Programs in Neighboring States:

• LPN Programs in Delaware
• LPN Programs in Maryland
• LPN Programs in New Jersey
• LPN Programs in New York
• LPN Programs in Ohio
• LPN Programs in West Virginia

LPN training programs in Pennsylvania are typically offered at vocational schools and community colleges. Always confirm that a program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing prior to enrolling, as you will be ineligible to sit for the exam otherwise. While you're at it, check each school's pass rates for the NCLEX-PN, and stick with programs with a pass rate of 95 percent or higher.

LPN Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

To work as an LPN in Pennsylvania, you must possess a valid LPN license. To become licensed as an LPN in the Keystone State, you must meet the requirements as set forth by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Familiarize yourself with these requirements to ensure the smoothest, easiest time:

• Complete an LPN training program that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. This program must be at least 1,500 hours in length and take at least one year to complete.
• Send an application for licensure by examination to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. With it, complete criminal background check as well as pay applicable licensing fees.
• Register for, take and pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam for LPNs. It is administered at test sites around the states on dates throughout the year.

If you possess a valid LPN license from another state, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has an endorsement process that may be used to transfer it to Pennsylvania. Note that Pennsylvania is not a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC, although legislation in the state is pending for NLC at the time of this writing.

Pennsylvania LPN licenses expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year. Unlike in many other states, you do not need to meet any continuing education requirements when renewing your license, so it tends to be quick and easy to do.

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing

When applying for an LPN license in Pennsylvania, send your application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. In the future, any time you need help with your license, you will direct inquiries to this agency. Therefore, keep its contact info handy:

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing

2601 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 783-7142
Fax: (717) 783-0822
Website: dos.pa.gov

LPN Salary & Employment Outlook in Pennsylvania

Although becoming an LPN is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to kick-start a career in nursing, it still requires investments of effort, money and time. Before really throwing yourself into it, then, confirm that you will come away with credentials that allow you to find a well-paying job.

You will be pleased to know that LPNs in Pennsylvania do quite well. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in Pennsylvania earn a median income of $59,650 per year, which is equal to $28.68 per hour. Nationwide, the average annual salary for LPNs is $59,730, or $28.72 per hour, so LPNs in Pennsylvania tend to earn more on average than LPNs in the country as a whole.

As for job prospects, they are good and should continue to remain so for the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, the LPN field in Pennsylvania is projected to grow by a rate of 9 percent from 2014 to 2024. This is quite a bit slower than the national growth rate of 16 percent, but it still means that more than 1,400 new LPN jobs will be added every year during that period.

LPN Salaries in Pennsylvania by Area

Several factors affect how much you can expect to be paid as an LPN in Pennsylvania. In addition to things like experience and quality of training, your geographic location impacts job availability and compensation. This is evidenced below:

Browse LPN schools in Pennsylvania and enroll in one today!