Becoming an LPN in Albuquerque

Last Updated/Verified: Oct 28, 2023

There are four post-secondary educational institutions in Albuquerque providing LPN programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Licensed Practical Nurses make up 6% of all nurses in the city. This figure is expected to grow in the coming decade as demand for health services increase.

How long it will take to complete an authorized LPN program depends on whether the student pursues full-time or part-time study. Typically, a course of study will include a mix of lectures, clinical work, and lab work.

All four Albuquerque LPN programs are approved by the New Mexico State Board of Nursing.

Available courses that make up the LPN program include:

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Growth and Development
  • Principles of Nutrition
  • Core Concepts of Pharmacology
  • Nursing Care Concepts
  • Psychosocial Nursing
  • Maternity & Pediatrics
  • Nursing Leadership

Schools That Offer LPN Programs in Albuquerque, NM

Carrington College

Carrington College is a network of private colleges based out of Sacramento, California providing medical training. The Albuquerque campus is small and intimate, with 35,000 square feet of space tailored to one-on-one hands-on training. It has a full range of science labs and even a simulation lab with digital human to patient simulators, a medical library, and online resources.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Pass Wonderlic SLA with a minimum 15 score
  • Pass ATI TEAS Admission Assessment. Combined minimum score pass rate is 53%
  • Submitting to background checks including New Mexico Caregivers Screening
  • Drug screen – applicant pays the fee
  • Proof of American Heart Association CPR card (Healthcare Provider minimum level)
  • Proof of MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, TB, and Influenza immunizations

Pima Medical Institute

  • Website: https://pmi.edu/
  • Address: 4400 Cutler Ave N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110
  • Phone: (800) 477-7462

Founded in 1972, Pima has campuses across the Western USA accredited by the Bureau of Health Education Schools. It has a strong focus on practical professional skills for producing high quality entry-level nurses, clocking up over 1,000 hours of both theory and practical instruction. Students can expect to study human development, nutrition, strategies, physiology, and many other areas. 

Admission Requirements:

  • Appointment with a Career Specialist at the school
  • Pass the Wonderlic test (minimum 20 score)
  • Pass the entry math test (minimum 80%)
  • Pre-Entrance exam (HESI which includes Critical Thinking). Minimum score 70%
  • High school transcripts or GED
  • All transcripts from previous college where relevant
  • Submit resume and attend an interview
  • Proof of immunizations for Varicella, Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis B
  • Negative TB drug screen
  • Pass drug tests and background checks 
  • Current CPR certification (Healthcare Provider Level) certified by American Health Association
  • Orientation

The Career Enrichment Center and Early College Academy

The Career Enrichment Center of Albuquerque Public Schools is a program designed for high school students to enter practical nursing and a range of other careers. It is a two-year study program, and at the end graduates may either progress to a nursing degree or enter a workplace as a qualified LPN. They teach practical clinical skills, communication, basic pharmacology, and more, and are NLNAC accredited.

Admission Requirements:

  • Applicant should be enrolled at an APS high school
  • GPA 3.0 minimum
  • Completed two semesters comprising Biology and Mathematics. Minimum grade is B
  • Complete the mandatory CEC PN application
  • Three references from your Science, Math, and English teachers
  • Minimum age of applicants is 16 on 1st September in year the program begins
  • Completed Medical Release form
  • Completed annual TB testing
  • Up-to-date immunizations
  • In-date CPR certifications covering basic life support for healthcare providers
  • Submit to fingerprint testing for NM Department of Health checks
  • Clear drug testing from a SAMSHA lab

Brookline College

Established in 1972, Brookline College has colleges in New Mexico and Arizona. Their LPN programs prepare students for the NCLEX-PN exam and permit them to work in entry-level LPN employment. Students must study one semester of general education, followed by two semesters of nursing core coursework. All schools are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Admission Requirements:

  • GED or high school transcripts
  • Minimum age of 18
  • Pass the school’s admissions exam
  • Submit to several background checks
  • Proof of the regular immunizations, including TB
  • A current CPR certification

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Albuquerque

The largest healthcare employers proving work for LPNs and LVNs in Albuquerque are (this list is non-exhaustive):

Other healthcare facilities:

LPN Programs Near Me in Albuquerque

Albuquerque

Pima Medical Institute

4400 Cutler Ave N.E., Albuquerque, NM 800477

Compare Program to Nearby Schools

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