Online Nursing Schools

Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

With the global nursing shortage showing no signs of ending and the U.S. Department of Labor predicting a need for 1.7 million more nurses by the year 2020, nursing remains one of the hottest career fields. Applications to nursing schools are rising, but as severe as the nursing shortage is, there's an even worse shortage of nurse educators, which means that well qualified applicants are being turned away by the thousands each year, and those who are accepted are generally placed on one to three year waiting lists before being able to start classes. So what's a person to do if they want to start a career in nursing but can't get into a registered nursing program for years to come, or if they can't afford to spend three to four years in college before being able to start earning a living?

Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) as they are called in Texas, become eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam and become licensed to practice upon passing it after spending only 9 to 12 months in training at a community college or career school. If you want to start a career in nursing quickly then becoming an LPN might be the right way to get a start!

LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses as vital members of the nursing team. They perform basic bedside care, taking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, monitor their patients, and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. They collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, feed patients, and record food and fluid intake and output. In States where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

Job Opportunities for LPNs

Thousands of job openings in hospitals, long term care facilities, physician's offices, home health agencies, and a variety of private businesses are available for LPNs.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurses have the ability to get an Associate Degree in Nursing completely online in as little as 12 months, while they work at their regular job, and in most cases with the help of employer's tuition repayment or reimbursement plans. While many students are still waiting to get into nursing schools to become an RN you could be working as an LPN, earning a good living, already pursuing your RN degree, and getting your employer to help pay for it! LPN's can obtain an Associate degree in Nursing or go on to get their BSN degree completely online.

Find out more about becoming an LPN:

Top Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Schools
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs
  • M.S. in Nursing
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • M.S. in Nursing/Master of Health Administration
  • More
Locations
 Online    Phoenix  
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs
  • LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
  • LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
  • Paramedic to RN
  • More
Capella is an accredited, online university where you'll experience unparalleled support, join a community of accomplished professionals, and be challenged with rigorous academics. Learn more about our online doctoral, master’s, MBA, undergraduate, and certificate programs by answer a short form.
Programs
  • MSN - Gerontology Nursing (CCNE-accredited)
  • DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN - Diabetes Nursing
  • More
Locations
 Minneapolis  
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs
  • Nursing, MS
  • Medical Assisting, AS
  • Health Services Administration, AA (Online)
  • More
Locations
 Fort Lauderdale  
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs
  • B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
  • Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
  • More
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
Programs
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs
  • Nursing, MS (Online)
  • Health Services Management, Graduate Business Certificate
Locations
 Fort Lauderdale  
Designed with the needs of working adult students in mind, South University, Online Programs is built on the same curriculum offered at South University's campus locations. As a student at South University, Online Programs you will receive the same degree, quality instruction, variety of learning options and level of service found at the campus locations.
Programs
  • Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (RN-MSN)
  • Nursing Specialization in Nursing Informatics (MSN)
  • Nursing Specialization in Nurse Administrator (MSN)
  • More
Locations
 Savannah  
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs
  • MS in Nursing
  • RN to MS in Nursing
  • MS in Nursing - Nurse Administrator
  • More
Locations
 Fort Lauderdale  
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.
Programs
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Midwifery/Womens Health Nurse Practitioner