Jake Flannigan, NP
June 2, 2025
LPNs are the backbone of Louisiana’s healthcare system. LPNs work under the direction of registered nurses or doctors, administering basic nursing care such as taking vital signs, helping patients bathe and eat, administering medications, and keeping records on patients. LPNs in Louisiana are employed in a variety of health care facilities such as hospitals and physicians’ offices as well as nursing homes, clinics and home health care agencies. Long-term care and rural-based nursing are dependent on LPNs because LPNs are the providers of essential care in areas that are struggling with nursing shortages.
Schriever, LA - Public 2-Year - fletcher.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Aspiring nurses can launch their healthcare career through Fletcher Technical Community College's robust Practical Nursing Diploma Program. This comprehensive two-year curriculum delivers 64 credit hours of intensive training, blending rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences across diverse healthcare environments. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the program ensures students receive top-tier professional preparation. Prospective students must navigate selective admission requirements, including high school diploma verification, specific ACT or ACCUPLACER score thresholds, and successful background screenings. Financial accessibility is enhanced through multiple funding avenues like federal grants, student loans, TOPS, and the MJ Foster Promise Program, making nursing education more attainable for Louisiana residents.
Shreveport, LA - Public 2-Year - susla.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southern University at Shreveport's Practical Nursing program offers an intensive, comprehensive pathway for aspiring nurses seeking to enter the healthcare profession. As a historically black college (HBCU), the program provides specialized training focusing on critical nursing fundamentals and patient care skills. Students experience a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, with a non-credit structure that emphasizes practical, hands-on learning. The campus-based program cultivates professional development, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to deliver competent, compassionate nursing care across diverse healthcare environments. Unique highlights include targeted skill-building and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth in the nursing field.
Lacombe, LA - Public 2-Year - northshorecollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northshore Technical Community College's Practical Nursing Program delivers a comprehensive healthcare education designed to launch aspiring nurses into successful careers. Students benefit from an intensive curriculum featuring strategic hands-on training across multiple campus locations. The program employs a competitive admission process utilizing a sophisticated ranking system that evaluates applicants through multiple performance indicators. Prospective students must complete a detailed application and financial responsibility documentation. With an emphasis on practical nursing skills and comprehensive clinical preparation, this program provides robust educational pathways for individuals committed to entering the healthcare profession with advanced practical competencies.
Lake Charles, LA - Public 2-Year - sowela.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
SOWELA Technical Community College's Practical Nursing program in Lake Charles provides a comprehensive pathway to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. Through an innovative curriculum blending rigorous classroom instruction with immersive clinical experiences, students develop advanced patient care skills across diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes holistic nursing principles, problem-solving techniques, and comprehensive patient management strategies. With flexible diploma and Associate of Applied Science degree options, students can tailor their educational journey. The program's unique 80% minimum grade requirement ensures high academic standards, while its streamlined admission process allows aspiring nurses to quickly transition into professional healthcare roles.
Baton Rouge, LA - Public 2-Year - mybrcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Baton Rouge Community College's Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing offers an intensive five-semester pathway into professional nursing. Students navigate a rigorous 59-credit curriculum meticulously designed to cultivate comprehensive healthcare competencies, with a distinctive emphasis on geriatric and long-term care settings. The program strategically prepares students for the critical NCLEX-PN licensure examination, ensuring graduates are primed for diverse healthcare employment opportunities. Stringent admission protocols include pre-nursing course completion with high academic performance, mandatory entrance exam qualifications, and thorough background screenings, reflecting the program's commitment to producing highly skilled and professionally vetted practical nurses.
The practical nature of nursing education leads to the absence of completely online LPN programs throughout Louisiana. All practical nursing students must complete their clinical training and laboratory work in person. Some educational institutions provide flexible learning options through their programs. A few LPN programs at educational institutions offer evening and weekend classes that enable working adults to pursue their training beyond standard weekday hours.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College |
|
|
| Infinity College |
|
|
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College |
|
|
| Certifying Board | Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from an LSBPNE-approved practical nursing program (minimum 1,500 clock hours, including at least 700 theory and 800 clinical hours) |
| Application & Background Check | Submit the LPN Initial Exam application through the Nurse Portal (valid for 12 months or one testing attempt) and complete state/FBI fingerprint-based criminal background checks |
| Fees | NCLEX-PN registration $200, state application $100, endorsement application $185, fingerprint processing fees as required |
| Application Processing Time | Permanent license generally issued within 4–6 weeks of passing NCLEX and completion of all requirements |
| License Renewal Period | Annual renewal November 1–January 31 with a $61.08 fee, reinstatement after January 31 costs $162.88, no continuing education hours required but licensees must have practiced within the past four years |
| Licensure by Endorsement | Out-of-state LPNs apply online with a $185 endorsement fee, verification of a current unrestricted license, fingerprint background check, and proof of recent practice or completion of a board-approved refresher if inactive over four years |
The career earnings of LPNs in Louisiana maintain stability that increases as they gain experience in their profession. In 2025 the average yearly salary of a licensed practical nurse working in Louisiana reaches the range of $50,000 to $55,000, with an hourly rate around $25 to $26. The starting salary for fresh LPN graduates falls in the range of low-$40,000s, yet experienced LPNs working in larger cities or specialized roles can earn $60,000 or higher annually. The wage levels for LPNs in Louisiana vary by region yet provide a satisfactory standard of living for the profession.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Louisiana | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $52,498 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $25.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$63,607 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $52,498 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$43,134 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~6.7% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~850 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Northshore Technical Community College |
|
|
| South Louisiana Community College |
|
|
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College |
|
|
Multiple career growth opportunities exist for licensed practical nurses operating in Louisiana. Experienced LPNs can earn their registered nursing degree through the LPN-to-RN bridge program. The state offers numerous bridge programs that enable practical nurses to finish their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) education more efficiently than traditional paths. After completing their RN license through a bridge program, LPNs become qualified for positions that demand more responsibility and pay better. The career path of practical nursing allows complete job satisfaction and provides essential skills for RN licensure and advanced nursing specializations in future careers.
Additional Nursing Programs in Louisiana
LEARN MORE
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
