Practical Nursing Program Overview
Earn your Practical Nursing diploma in as little as 12 months
Kick-start your nursing career in just 12 months with our blended (in-person & online) Practical Nursing program!
Our career-focused curriculum will equip you with the knowledge and hands-on training you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the shortest time possible. Upon graduating, our career services team will help you find Practical Nursing job opportunities in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, and extended care facilities. You may also qualify for a scholarship that reduces the tuition of our Practical Nursing program.
Our program includes practical nursing training in labs, simulations, and healthcare facilities, as well as assistance with passing the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Don’t wait any longer to pursue your dreams of becoming a nurse – fill out our request form today, and one of our admissions representatives will contact you with more information
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know
Does Eagle Gate College offer a Practical Nursing program near me?
Aspiring Practical Nursing students are welcome to enroll at either one of our two campus locations in Idaho or our campus in Utah:
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Like Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), LPNs provide basic medical care under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. Their job duties can vary depending on the employer and location. They can find employment in several medical environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and extended care facilities. Many also work in doctor’s offices.
How much do Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Licensed Practical Nurses was $51,850, as of May 2021.
Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 12/31/2022)
Are LPNs and LVNs the same thing?
While LPNs and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) represent the same job, these terms cannot always be used interchangeably. This is because the correct title will depend on your location in the United States.
What is the fastest way to become an LPN?
The first step is to pursue an approved educational program. Once you have graduated from the program, the next step is to sit for the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN). If you choose a diploma program, you can typically complete your studies in one to two years. However, our PN program can be completed in as little as 12 months!
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
What is a Practical Nursing Program?
A Practical Nursing program can provide you with the practical training, hands-on experience, and industry support needed to pursue a satisfying career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Our practical nursing program will also help you prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Those who graduate from our practical nursing program can advance their careers by applying their PN credits towards a future associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
How long is the Practical Nursing Program?
At Eagle Gate College, our Practical Nursing program can be completed in as little as 12 months. If you’d like to start a new career without spending years in school, this could be a great choice for you.
What is the cost of the Practical Nursing Program?
Many students choose to pursue their PN diploma because it requires less time and money to enter the workforce than if they pursued other nursing degree programs.
The cost of fees, books, uniforms, supplies, transportation, housing, etc. can vary by student and by location.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
My favorite part of Eagle Gate College was their flexible online and on campus schedule. And the clinicals were awesome!
Practical Nursing Program Curriculum
Our blended on-campus and online Practical Nursing program will prepare you to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and pursue entry-level employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In as little as 12 months, you will learn to perform various clinical tasks in a medical office, clinic, hospital, or other healthcare setting.
Our program provides a combination of hands-on training in simulations, labs, and healthcare facilities, allowing you to enter the field with confidence. Classes feature extensive nursing instruction in clinical skills, such as patient monitoring, administering prescribed medications while reporting adverse reactions to any treatment, starting intravenous fluids, and other special duties common in the field, like educating patients and their families.
Course topics include anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, fundamentals of nursing practice, pharmacology & medication math, medical/surgical nursing care, maternal/newborn nursing care, pediatric nursing care, and transition to profession practical nursing.
Graduates of the Practical Nursing program are trained in:
- Completing a plan of care
- Transcription and charting
- Patient vital signs, ECGs, and other diagnostic procedures
- Intravenous fluids
- Prescribed medications
- Care for ventilator-dependent patients
- Injections and pharmacology
I chose Eagle Gate College because of the small class sizes, I got a lot of personal attention. I also made so many friends in my program and consider them my family!
Practical Nursing Admissions Requirements
What do I need to do to start?
Our admissions representatives are here to help you understand all the options surrounding starting your nursing education and will guide you through the enrollment process so that you are comfortable, confident, and ready to start your first day of classes. We start with a career planning session to learn about your unique interests and goals, will walk through all required documents and any necessary prerequisites, and help you develop a funding plan to help you achieve your goals.
Enrollment requirements for the Practical Nursing program include:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Complete our Practical Nursing prerequisite course within the past 12 months.*
- Attend an interview with the Program Director or designee and receive a passing score.
- Submit proof of a physical examination, including immunizations and TB testing, within three months prior to the start date of the first clinical rotation in Term I of our program.
Practical Nursing Campus Locations
Contact any of our campuses to learn more about becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or about enrolling in our Practical Nursing program.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Out-of-pocket costs for our Practical Nursing program can vary depending on your individual situation. There are various financial aid options available to qualified students. In fact, our financial aid team is ready to help you develop a financial plan to achieve your educational goals.
Our financial aid options include the following programs and opportunities for those who qualify:
- Federal Grants
- Institutional Scholarships and Grants
- Outside Scholarships
- Federal Work-Study
- Federal Loans
- Private Loans
Please visit the School Catalog for more details.
Practical Nursing Career
Nursing is a healthcare career that’s in demand. In general, healthcare occupations are expected to create 2.6 million new jobs. Licensed Practical Nurses play a critical role in this field, working in tandem with RNs and physicians while providing fundamental care. While their job duties can vary depending on the location, they usually include the following tasks:
- Assist in gathering assessment data of patients
- Report adverse reactions to medication or treatment
- Gather information from patients, including their health history and how they are currently feeling
- In some states, LPNs are allowed to administer prescribed medications, start intravenous fluids, and provide care to ventilator-dependent patients.
Unlike Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) require less time in school and can enter the workforce a lot quicker than many other nursing care professionals. Furthermore, LPNs can look forward to a strong job outlook for years to come. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPN employment is expected to increase 9% by 2029. As of May 2020, LPNs earned an average salary of $50,090, while those earning in the top 90th percentile earned up to $65,520 or more, per year.
When you are ready, you can also enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Eagle Gate College. In many ways, our PN program is the best of both worlds. Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse affords you quick access to a nursing career so you can begin doing what you love.
To learn more, click here to view our comprehensive career guide on how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 12/31/2022)
Practical Nursing Program Accreditation
Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Eagle Gate College is a private institution with the mission to provide high-quality training and academic excellence in the areas of healthcare and nursing.
*This admissions requirement applies to our PN program at the Boise and Idaho Falls campus.
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