Online LPN Programs in Pennsylvania: Review Top Schools
If you want to be a nurse but aren’t ready to earn your associate or bachelor’s degree, enrolling in an LPN program in Pennsylvania offers a quick and affordable way to get started. In the following guide, we spotlight some of the best LPN programs in Pennsylvania and give details on how you can earn your LPN licensure. We also answer some common questions about LPN education and offer insights on salaries and earnings potential.
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Spotlighting Pennsylvania’s LP Programs Online
A solid, hands-on clinical education is essential to any type of nursing program. But that doesn’t mean that every facet of this education must be in person. In fact, several Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Pennsylvania are available as hybrids, allowing students to complete some courses online.
Students in a hybrid program finish theory-based or prerequisite coursework at their own pace and put that theory into practice during in-person situations. And while online coursework requires serious self-discipline, hybrid options increase accessibility, especially for students who juggle the responsibilities of school, work, and/or family.
Here are several LPN programs in Pennsylvania, with details about their duration, costs, admissions, and core curriculum.
United Career Institute
The Practical Nursing program offered by United Career Institute (UCI) is a genuine hybrid, with the coursework all taking place online. Based in Irwin, UCI offers classes in tandem with in-person lab and medical experiences in Pennsylvania healthcare facilities. The courses are also centered solely on nursing knowledge instead of general education requirements; plus, UCI offers direct admission so you can start classes shortly after admission into the program. Given this unique admissions process, UCI’s offering can be considered a type of accelerated LPN program. Overall, the classes emphasize important skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and patient records systems alongside wound care, IV therapy, and more. UCI also accepts financial aid from those who qualify.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $15,217 (including course material, supplies, and equipment)
Admissions Requirements:
- Application
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores of 60% reading, 50% math, 40% science, 50% English
- References, essays, transcripts
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Interview with Practical Nursing Program Director
- Health screenings, immunizations, and clearances
- New student orientation course
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing Fundamentals
- Body Structure and Function
- Medical Surgical Nursing
- Practical/Vocational Nursing
- Nursing Pharmacology
- Nutrition for Practical Nursing
- Maternity Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
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Greene County Career Technology Center
This practical nursing certificate program from the Greene County Career Technology Center features some online courses offered at specific times and dates to complement its on-campus and on-site instruction. Based in Waynesburg, the program is divided into three different levels, starting with nursing basics followed by more advanced medical nursing theory and techniques for specific types of patients, with a leadership arc as part of the third level of instruction. Graduates of the Greene Country CTC course are eligible to then take the national licensing exam to become an LPN that’s eligible for work in the state.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $21,100
Admissions Requirements:
- HS diploma or equivalent
- TEAS exam
- References, interview with staff
- Background check
Core Curriculum:
- Science
- Nutrition
- P.V.R.
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Medical/Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacology
- Maternal & Child Health Nursing
- Growth and Development
- Pediatrics
- Leadership and Transition
Reading Area Community College
The Practical Nurse Program at the Reading Area Community College is a one-year full-time certification program that prepares students to provide direct nursing care. The curriculum is centered on holistic care for specialties such as long-term care, assisted living, clinical care, home health, and rehabilitation. The program also includes clinical rotations at several healthcare facilities in Reading for on-the-job training. Plus, you’ll receive test prep instructions and leadership classes as part of the practical nursing coursework. The college can provide guidance on financial aid opportunities and counseling on resume and job interviews as part of the program.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $9,072 for Berks County residents; $15,843 for out-of-county PA residents
Admissions Requirements:
- TEAS score of 58.7 or more
- HS diploma or equivalent
- Grade of C or higher on prerequisite coursework or equivalents (Medical Terminology, Math for Allied Health, Body Structure and Function)
- GPA of 2.5 or better for previous courses
- Transcripts
- Senior Academic Advisor meeting
Core Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Math for Allied Health
- Body Structure & Function
- Practical Nursing
Student Help Center: Common LPN Questions Answered
As you navigate the world of LPN courses in Pennsylvania, you are bound to have some questions about their processes, as well as what awaits in your healthcare career. Here’s a look at some common questions and answers.
Should I go with an LPN program that is accredited?
Yes, accreditation is an important factor in school selection. An accreditation means that accrediting organizations have endorsed the program and validated its quality. Earning a certification from an accredited facility is important to licensing as well as to potential employers. Two of the national accrediting bodies recognized in Pennsylvania include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Is financial aid available to help with the costs of LPN education?
Various sources of financial aid can help reduce the expense of tuition, fees, and books. In addition to traditional financial aid sources for LPNs such as federal and state loans, LPN students have access to a significant list of scholarships and grants. Groups like the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania and the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania offer various annual scholarships for state nursing students. This complements other scholarships that are specific to LPN students. To apply for federal student aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Where can I get a job once I’ve obtained my LPN license?
LPNs are needed in all kinds of contexts in the healthcare world. You could be working in a hospital ward or specialty area, or in a nursing home as one of the go-to sources of taking vital signs, administering and supervising medication, or caring for wounds. Physician offices and clinics are among the other types of facilities that utilize the skill and talents of LPNs. Most of the work being done by LPNs needs to be supervised by an RN or other healthcare professionals, but the role is still in high demand.
Once I get my license, when do I need to renew it?
LPN licenses in Pennsylvania are valid for two years. Renewing your license involves completing 30 required contact hours of continuing education within the two-year active lifespan of that license. Of those 30 contact hours, two must be dedicated to child abuse recognition and reporting. Shortly before it’s time to renew your license, the State Board of Nursing sends out a renewal notice. But, even if you don’t get a notice, it’s your responsibility to maintain an active license.
What are the bridge programs for LPNs who want to advance their careers?
You can take the education you earned as an LPN and leverage that to get a BSN or ADN degree faster than most other students. BSN bridge programs use the credits you’ve already earned in basic nursing and add those to a program centered on earning a bachelor’s degree in the science of nursing, which is useful for higher-paying specialty or leadership roles. Or, you can start a similar bridge program to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and go on to take the tests for a registered nursing license.
Pennsylvania’s Path to LPN Certification
Upon graduation from an LPN program you’ll be armed with the skills to provide quality nursing care. But before you head into the workforce, you’ll need to secure a state nursing license, a process overseen by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
As an LPN program comes to a close, students will need to take those first steps toward a license by petitioning the state for an Authorization to Test. LPN graduates must also provide proof of program completion and pay all applicable fees. LPN applicants must also complete a state and federal background check, as criminal history record checks need to be dated within 90 days of the application’s submission.
In Pennsylvania, LPN licensure hinges on passing grades for one of two exams: the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) or the State Board Test Pool Exam. Graduates waiting to take the exam can apply for a temporary permit if they already have a role and still want to work as an LPN.
There’s an additional step that Pennsylvania requires of LPN licensing candidates. Even before receiving the license, applicants are required to complete three hours of continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting that’s approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Earnings and Careers: LPNs in Pennsylvania
Those who choose to become an LPN in Pennsylvania can enjoy a promising job outlook from 2022 to 2032. The nationwide growth rate for LPNs is 5.3%, but in Pennsylvania, it is slightly higher at 6.2%. This translates into 2,900 annual openings. While many of these are new jobs arising from the expansion of healthcare in Pennsylvania, others result from LPNs leaving the profession due to retirement or advancing to work as registered nurses.
In Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $59,620, with those in the 10th percentile earning $47,020 and those in the 90th percentile earning $72,270. The highest pay is found in the Philadelphia area, home to world-renowned medical centers such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Those in the Philly metro area can expect a median annual wage of $62,710 and significantly more job opportunities than those in more rural areas of the state. Refer to the charts below to learn what to expect regarding salary and job outlooks for your area of the Keystone State.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $47,020 | $59,650 | $72,270 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $48,240 | $59,390 | $70,760 |
| Altoona, PA | $42,740 | $53,550 | $66,230 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | $47,250 | $54,520 | $63,100 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | $45,290 | $60,730 | $70,680 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | $47,360 | $59,090 | $63,080 |
| Erie, PA | $41,990 | $54,880 | $63,520 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $47,690 | $56,790 | $64,630 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $49,150 | $59,650 | $68,200 |
| Johnstown, PA | $43,740 | $50,120 | $62,900 |
| Lancaster, PA | $48,270 | $58,710 | $64,560 |
| Lebanon, PA | $48,270 | $59,950 | $68,520 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $51,440 | $62,710 | $75,400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $46,580 | $59,090 | $66,790 |
| Reading, PA | $49,180 | $60,820 | $72,800 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA | $47,730 | $56,750 | $63,400 |
| State College, PA | $45,840 | $57,240 | $62,900 |
| Williamsport, PA | $43,210 | $53,320 | $63,390 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $46,950 | $57,750 | $63,570 |
Source: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Pennsylvania | 34,410 | 36,560 | 2,150 | 6.20% | 2,900 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
