Education and Nursing

Are There Any Online LPN Programs?

It seems like a lot of frustration is boiling over on the web from people interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse who have an interest in taking online classes. First of all, it is important to understand that all accredited and state approved LPN training programs consist of two parts, classroom study and hands-on clinical experience. While it is important to master key nursing concepts in theory, it is equally important that students are able to effectively and efficiently perform the common duties and procedures that a nursing job requires on an ongoing basis. Think of it as a two step process towards becoming a licensed nurse. First, you must learn the basics of nursing such as medical terminology, science, and biology. Once you have a solid background in fundamental nursing concepts, you can learn to apply them in a setting that involves real patient care. Most aspiring nurses consider that the fun part!

Can LPN Programs Be Completed Online?

For those of you who have a busy schedule to work around or are more comfortable working at your own pace, you can complete most if not all of your classroom studies online. The clinical portion of your LPN training however must be completed in a live clinical setting where you work directly with patients and other experienced nurses. Online nursing school programs commonly partner with one or more medical facilities in the community to satisfy this portion of your curriculum. It is important to understand that a career in nursing involves working closely with people so if your motivation for wanting to enroll in a strictly online program is to avoid face-to-face contact with others, you may want to look into other career options. If convenience and saving time are your goals, a school that allows you to take online nursing classes will likely be a good fit.

How to Find an Appropriate Program

Each state has a Board of Nursing that provides approvals for schools who offer active nursing and they will typically offer a list of currently approved colleges and online schools. Here is a sample list from the Arizona Board of Nursing for reference. If you want to take LPN classes online, you will want to look for schools offering an associate’s degree RN with PN approval. PN stand for Practical Nursing and it is the standard notation describing the training process required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Graduation from the program doesn’t automatically mean that you are going to get licensed. Students must first complete and approved program and then take the NCLEX-PN exam to receive an active license. You will NOT find schools offering a specific listing with a description such as online LPN program or similar. This is what throws many students off and creates a considerable amount of confusion. Once you have found a school with an associate’s degree RN program, be sure to speak with an academic advisor to verify that they offer the PN option as well. Approved schools are at their own discretion to decide whether they will give this option to students. Many of them do however, PN approval does not automatically guarantee program availability.

A good place to start is to request a free information package from any online schools that interest you. They usually have a simple form for you to fill out with your contact information and they will send you details, program specifications, and admission requirements. They may also be able to offer help preparing your application to help streamline the process. Classes often fill up quickly so be sure to apply early and prepare your financial aid paperwork several months before you plan to start so you can avoid getting stuck on a waiting list.