LPN Schools

To become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) one must complete an educational training program that satisfies guidelines set forth by the local State Board of Nursing. Each state has its own board of nursing that is in charge of regulating nursing licensure, education programs, continuing education, maintaining an active nurse registry and fielding complaints from consumers and employers. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN.org) presides over all individual state boards to ensure that certain standards are being adhered to on a national level. Our national directory of LPN schools is organized by state and includes academic institutions that offer a Practical Nursing education program that has current approval from their respective state board of nursing. It is recommended that you inquire with individual schools of interest to find out more about their program details such as class schedules, total number of hours, credits awarded, campus locations and more. To verify current status of a program’s approval check with your local state board of nursing.

Some practical nursing programs may enjoy state approval but that does not mean that they are nationally accredited. The National League for Nursing (NLN) is the primary agency in charge of accrediting LPN programs. If a program is both state-approved and NLNAC accredited then it enjoys full recognition on a local and national level. If the program is not NLNAC accredited, graduating students might not receive credit for their education in other states or from certain academic institutions. Therefore, completing a practical nursing program that is limited to local approval only might limit the individual’s career options down the road. It is best to weight the pros and cons of choosing a specific education program before investing your time and resources.