Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the fifth most populated state in the country. With almost 13 million people living there, the demand for nurses continues to grow. LPNs in Pennsylvania can find gainful employment in doctors’ offices, long-term care centers, nursing homes and hospitals.
The duties LPNs vary according to which type of environment they work in, but some tasks are typically performed regardless of where they work. These tasks include taking vital signs, making beds, prepping examination rooms and administering medications. In order to become an LPN in Pennsylvania, there are specific steps you’ll need to follow.
How to Obtain Your Practical Nursing License
Prior to starting an LPN program at an accredited college you will need to receive your high school diploma or GED, turn 18 years old and have a clear criminal record. Once you meet those requirements, you can start to focus on entering a Practical Nursing (PN) program at an accredited college.
PN programs in Pennsylvania take one year to complete. Once you have completed a program from one of the state’s 53 colleges with accredited nursing programs, you will need to apply for the NCLEX-PN exam. To take the test, you have to submit an application and pay a $35 fee. Once that step has been completed, you will need to register with Pearson Vue, the only company in the state that conducts NCLEX-PN testing.
Colleges Offering LPN Programs
Technical, community and vocational colleges offer LPN programs in Pennsylvania. Some of the programs available are:
- Crawford County Career and Technical Center. The PN program at Crawford starts every August and lasts for one year. Students are scheduled for 28 hours of classroom and clinical instruction each week. Clinical instruction takes place at nursing healthcare facilities, doctors’ offices and hospitals. A simulation lab at the school is also used. The job placement rate for this program has been 100 percent since 2015.
- Community College of Beaver County. The Practical Nursing program at CCBC is one of the highest rated in the state. The program takes three semesters to complete. Students are given experience in hospitals, dental offices and nursing homes so that they can gain real-world experience. The NCLEX-PN pass rate is 97.3 percent.
- Penna Institute of Health and Technology. PIHT is one of the few schools in the state that offers direct admittance to their program. This means you don’t have to take any classes before being officially accepted into their PN program. Over 12 months, students will learn a variety of skills needed by LPNs including phlebotomy, IV therapy and collection of medical specimens. Seventy-eight percent of students complete the program within 12 months.
Career and Salary Statistics
LPNs in Pennsylvania make an average of $44,570 a year. This average is thrown off a little because there is a pretty big difference between what an LPN at a nursing home makes compared to what an LPN in a primary care office or specialty hospital earns per year. Many things can contribute to this pay difference such as location and responsibilities.
Obtaining a PN degree in Pennsylvania is a bit more costly than other states. A one year PN course will run anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000. Even though the education might be a bit expensive, the demand for LPNs continues to grow, which means it is a worthy investment. According to data collected by the Projections Managing Partnership, 38,740 LPNs were working in Pennsylvania in 2016. PMP predicts that by 2026 that number will rise to 43,320.
Employment Outlook
The LPN field in Pennsylvania is strong, and the need for qualified individuals continues to grow. It is predicted that LPNs will be in demand even more so than Registered Nurses or CNAs. Hospitals and nursing homes understand that they are competing for the best people in the field, which means they are offering fantastic incentives to attract and retain the best LPNs.
The highest paying cities in Pennsylvania for LPNs to seek work are Doylestown, Levittown, Philadelphia and Stroudsburg. The lowest paying cities are Wilkes Barre, Scranton, Erie and Johnstown.
Popular Colleges
FAQs
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn in the state of Pennsylvania?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the state of Pennsylvania made an average of $49,200 per year in 2019. Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned around $36,140 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $62,610.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Licensed Practical Nurse programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
All-State Career SchoolEssington, PA(610) 362-112450 West Powhattan AvenueAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | not published | $19,248 to $24,434by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Butler County Community CollegeButler, PA(724) 287-8711107 College DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $9,0002024-25 | $2,746 to $10,967by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna CountyScranton, PA(570) 346-87283201 Rockwell AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | $13,864 to $19,092by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and TechnologyPleasant Gap, PA(814) 359-2793540 N Harrison RdAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Public | not published | $9,184 to $15,714by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit LPN CareerMilton, PA(570) 768-496015 Lawton Lane |
Public | not published | $17,747 to $22,443by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Chester County Intermediate UnitDowningtown, PA(484) 593-5950443 Boot Road |
Public | not published | $16,715 to $21,164by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Clearfield County Career and Technology CenterClearfield, PA(814) 765-53081620 River RoadAccredited by Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Community College of Beaver CountyMonaca, PA(724) 480-22221 Campus DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $14,3402024-25 | $4,640 to $10,391by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing ProgramBroomall, PA(484) 423-700085 North Malin Road |
Public | not published | $19,644 to $24,504by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Eastern Center for Arts and TechnologyWillow Grove, PA(215) 784-48003075 Terwood RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Falcon Institute of Health and ScienceBethlehem, PA(610) 253-25273045 Avenue BAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Private for-profit | $27,1402023-24 | not published |
|
Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing ProgramUniontown, PA(724) 437-2721175 Georges Fairchance RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Fortis Institute-ScrantonScranton, PA(570) 558-1818517 Ash StreetAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | $14,4442023-24 | $22,769 to $31,149by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Franklin County Career and Technology CenterChambersburg, PA(717) 263-56672463 Loop Road |
Public | not published | $13,537 to $22,782by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Great Lakes Institute of TechnologyErie, PA(814) 864-66665100 Peach StreetAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | not published | $17,348 to $23,555by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Greater Altoona Career & Technology CenterAltoona, PA(814) 941-83241500 Fourth AvenueAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $10,159 to $19,830by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Greene County Career and Technology CenterWaynesburg, PA(724) 627-3106158 Portal Road |
Public | not published | not published |
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Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg, PA(717) 780-23001 HACC Dr.Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $9,4952024-25 | $10,289 to $16,636by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Hazleton Area Career CenterHazle Twp., PA(570) 459-32211451 West 23rd StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Health and Technology Training InstitutePhiladelphia, PA(215) 568-2220One South Broad Street, 6th FlAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Private nonprofit | not published | $24,098 to $27,320by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Jefferson County Dubois Area Vocational Technical Practical Nursing ProgramReynoldsville, PA(814) 653-8420576 Vo-Tech Road |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Lancaster County Career and Technology CenterWillow Street, PA(717) 464-70501730 Hans Herr DriveAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $14,617 to $20,433by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Laurel Business InstituteUniontown, PA(724) 439-490011 East Penn StAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | $11,4702023-24 | $6,671 to $14,300by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville, PA(610) 799-21214525 Education Park DrAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $9,3002024-25 | $6,941 to $14,856by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lenape Technical School Practical Nursing ProgramFord City, PA(724) 763-1311104 Armstrong Street Suite B |
Public | not published | $9,767 to $15,756by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Lincoln Technical Institute-AllentownAllentown, PA(610) 398-53005151 Tilghman StAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | not published | $35,792 to $40,161by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Mercyhurst UniversityErie, PA(814) 824-2000501 E 38th StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $44,5102023-24 | $20,609 to $31,992by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Mifflin County Academy of Science and TechnologyLewistown, PA(717) 248-3933700 Pitt St |
Public | not published | $15,275 to $23,201by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Northampton County Area Community CollegeBethlehem, PA(610) 861-53003835 Green Pond Rd |
Public | $11,3702024-25 | $8,432 to $15,777by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Northern Tier Career CenterTowanda, PA(570) 265-8113120 Career Center Lane |
Public | not published | $14,746 to $22,063by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Penn Commercial Business/Technical SchoolWashington, PA(724) 222-5330242 Oak Spring RoadAccredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Private for-profit | $13,6542023-24 | $14,327 to $22,653by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport, PA(570) 326-3761One College AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $17,9402024-25 | $21,863 to $30,514by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Reading Area Community CollegeReading, PA(610) 372-472110 S Second StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $11,3102024-25 | $6,502 to $13,943by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Schuylkill Technology CenterFrackville, PA(570) 874-1412101 Technology DrAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | not published |
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Somerset County Technology CenterSomerset, PA(814) 443-3651281 Technology DrAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | not published |
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The Rapha SchoolHome, PA(724) 397-236517 Griffith DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Private for-profit | not published | $10,573 to $14,463by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Venango County Area Vocational Technical SchoolOil City, PA(814) 677-30971 Vo-Tech Dr |
Public | not published | $10,752 to $20,722by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Western Area Career & Technology CenterCanonsburg, PA(724) 746-2890688 Western AvenueAccredited by Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools |
Public | not published | not published |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.