Thomas Reed, RN
June 4, 2025
Pennsylvania relies on Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) as key personnel in its healthcare workforce. LPNs deliver basic patient care with the oversight of RNs and physicians while working at hospitals as well as long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare settings. The LPNs in Pennsylvania gain skills for medication administration and vital sign measurement as well as patient hygiene maintenance. Long-term care services and aging population demographics in the state boost the importance of LPNs in Pennsylvania.
Uniontown, PA - Private 2-year - laurel.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Laurel Business Institute's Practical Nursing diploma stands out as an intensive 12-month program strategically designed for aspiring nurses seeking rapid professional entry. Located in Uniontown, PA, the curriculum meticulously balances rigorous classroom instruction with immersive clinical training, providing students with 300 lab and 670 clinical hours. Specialized coursework in pharmacology, nutrition therapy, and medical surgical nursing ensures comprehensive healthcare preparation. The program's admission process requires a minimum 2.0 GPA and successful completion of Wonderlic SLE or ATI TEAS assessments. Graduates receive robust NCLEX certification preparation, leveraging small class sizes and experienced instructors to maximize learning potential and professional readiness.
Williamsport, PA - Public 4-Year - pct.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pennsylvania College of Technology's Practical Nursing program provides an intensive 1,536-hour training pathway for aspiring licensed practical nurses in North Central Pennsylvania. Students benefit from a flexible educational model offering full- and part-time class schedules designed to accommodate diverse learner needs. The comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on healthcare training, preparing graduates to meet industry demands and excel in professional nursing environments. With robust financial support options including scholarships and financial aid, the program ensures accessibility for motivated students seeking a structured and comprehensive nursing education. Military-friendly policies further enhance the program's commitment to supporting diverse student populations in their healthcare career journeys.
Erie, PA - Private 4-year - mercyhurst.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mercyhurst University's Practical Nursing program delivers an accelerated educational experience, transforming aspiring healthcare professionals into skilled LPNs within a condensed one-year timeframe. Students benefit from immersive clinical training in cutting-edge nursing environments, gaining comprehensive hands-on expertise across diverse medical settings. The curriculum strategically prepares students for the critical NCLEX-PN licensure examination, emphasizing practical patient care techniques and comprehensive medical skill development. With an impressive nearly 100% job placement rate, this program offers a streamlined pathway into the nursing profession, enabling graduates to quickly launch their healthcare careers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Pittsburgh, PA - Private 4-year - carlow.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carlow University's Practical Nurse Certificate delivers an intensive 16-month educational journey specifically tailored for aspiring healthcare professionals. Located in Pittsburgh, the program strategically addresses the projected LPN workforce shortage through comprehensive clinical training. Students navigate 44 credits of immersive coursework at $559 per credit, gaining expertise across diverse healthcare environments. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on patient care techniques, cultural competency, and community engagement. With a focus on preparing students for the NCLEX-PN examination, the program equips graduates with essential nursing skills and positioning them advantageously in Pennsylvania's evolving healthcare landscape. Strong industry connections and on-campus clinical training provide students a competitive edge in launching their nursing careers.
Reading, PA - Public 2-Year - racc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Reading Area Community College's Practical Nursing program offers an accelerated pathway into healthcare, delivering a robust one-year certification designed to equip students with comprehensive clinical skills. Students benefit from immersive training across diverse healthcare environments, including long-term care facilities, medical offices, and home health settings. The program's standout feature is its impressive 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared for professional nursing practice. Strategic clinical rotations at premier regional healthcare facilities provide hands-on experience, while comprehensive curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care and professional development. Graduates can anticipate competitive entry-level salaries between $40,000-$50,000 and potential advancement opportunities in nursing specializations.
LPN programs throughout Pennsylvania require students to participate in in-person learning activities because they cannot complete their education entirely through online studies although hybrid models are becoming more common. Students in this program complete theoretical coursework online but still need to attend in-person labs and clinical rotations. The adaptable learning approach appeals to students who work or have family commitments. Students need to complete practical hands-on training through simulation labs and clinical sites as licensing standards require it despite the advantages of online learning.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center |
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| Northampton County Area Community College |
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| Laurel Business Institute |
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| Certifying Board | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, Department of State |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | High school diploma or GED plus completion of a Board-approved practical nursing program (minimum 1,500 hours over at least 12 months) and 3 hours of child abuse education |
| Application & Fees | $95 application fee for PA program graduates, $115 for out-of-state graduates, $120 for endorsement, $145 endorsement with exam, plus $200 NCLEX exam fee and a $70 temporary permit fee |
| Processing Time | Authorization to test in about 1–2 weeks, permanent license generally issued within 4–6 weeks of passing NCLEX and completing requirements |
| License Renewal | Biennial renewal every two years with a $76 fee, due by your license expiration date |
| Continuing Education | 2 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition/reporting training required each renewal cycle |
| Licensure by Endorsement & Compact | Out-of-state LPNs apply with endorsement fee and verification of an active, unrestricted license, multistate licensure available via the Nurse Licensure Compact. |
LPNs in Pennsylvania experience excellent job market conditions together with high salary ranges. The average yearly compensation for LPNs in Pennsylvania ranges between $55,000 to $60,000 and their wages vary based on work environment, location and experience level. The salaries in urban areas remain higher due to increased market demand for nurses yet rural settings provide supplementary benefits to recruit nursing personnel. The nursing workforce at LPN level experiences high demand because LPNs work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics and home healthcare services.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Pennsylvania | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $57,177 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $27.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$63,900 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $57,177 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$51,541 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | 4.8% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~6,910 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Butler County Community College |
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| Carlow University |
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| Fortis Institute-Scranton |
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Pennsylvania LPNs can advance their careers through continued education and certification programs. The typical career advancement for practical nurses begins with enrollment in LPN-to-RN bridge programs that grant associate or bachelor’s degrees in nursing and accept previous education credits. These programs enable LPNs to gain RN status after passing the NCLEX-RN exam thus allowing them to perform advanced duties and earn higher compensation. Specialized certifications focusing on IV therapy along with wound care and gerontology skills help LPNs build stronger job prospects in the market.
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