Best LPN Programs in Gilbert 2026
Explore Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Gilbert, Arizona with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical requirements. Learn about licensing steps and nursing career opportunities in the Gilbert area.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Gilbert, AZ
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa
Mesa, AZ - Private 2-year - pmi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa's 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate Program provides comprehensive training for aspiring LPNs through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on clinical practice. Students develop essential patient care skills such as medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and assistance with daily living activities. The curriculum covers key areas including anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, preparing graduates to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. Financial aid options are available to support eligible students in launching their healthcare careers.
- 12-month program duration.
- On-campus delivery method.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on patient care training.
- Covers anatomy and physiology.
- Includes pharmacology education.
- Financial aid available.
- Skills for direct patient care.
- Eligible for licensure post-graduation.
- Combines classroom and practical training.
Brookline College-Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ - Private 4-year - brooklinecollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Brookline College-Phoenix offers a 48-week accelerated Practical Nursing Program that prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses. This campus-based program uses a blended learning approach, combining online coursework with lab simulations and clinical experiences in various medical settings. The curriculum covers essential topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, and specialized nursing care, with a strong emphasis on NCLEX-PN exam readiness. Year-round enrollment and career placement support help graduates quickly enter the workforce. Financial aid is available to assist with accessibility.
- 48-week accelerated program
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Blended learning approach
- Multiple clinical settings
- Year-round enrollment
- Career placement support
- Financial aid available
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ - Public 2-Year - mesacc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mesa Community College's Fast Track Practical Nursing Program prepares students for LPN licensure through a campus-based curriculum blending lectures, simulations, and clinical rotations. Approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, it emphasizes hands-on skills for acute and extended care settings, with flexible morning and afternoon schedules. Admission requires HESI A2 testing and health standards compliance, ensuring graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam. This program offers a swift path to nursing careers, featuring full-day labs and practical training starting after week five.
- Approved by Arizona State Board.
- Eligible for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Combines theory with practical care.
- Flexible morning and afternoon schedules.
- Includes full-day labs and simulations.
- Clinical rotations after week 5.
- Campus-based program.
- Requires HESI A2 testing.
- Meets health and safety standards.
- Prepares for LPN licensure.
Glendale Community College
Glendale, AZ - Public 4-Year - gccaz.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Glendale Community College's Fast Track Practical Nursing program offers an accelerated path to becoming an LPN, focusing on acute, extended, and intermediate care settings. Students complete 22-27.5 credits, blending theory with hands-on experience in hospitals to prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on a nursing program admission test, and a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Approved by the Arizona State Board, this campus-based program is ideal for those seeking a quick entry into the nursing field without requiring ACT or SAT exams, emphasizing practical skills for diverse healthcare environments.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on hospital experience.
- 22-27.5 credits required.
- High school diploma or GED needed.
- Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
- Focus on acute care settings.
- Combines theory and practical learning.
- Approved by Arizona State Board.
- Campus-based program.
- Fast track to nursing career.
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ - Private 2-year - pmi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix offers a 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate Program on campus, designed to prepare students for direct patient care roles. The curriculum includes training in medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and daily living assistance, alongside courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure in Arizona, equipping them for diverse healthcare environments with hands-on skills.
- 12-month program duration.
- On-campus delivery method.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Covers anatomy and physiology.
- Includes pharmacology training.
- Hands-on patient care skills.
- Eligible for licensure in AZ.
- Comprehensive nursing theory.
- Direct patient care focus.
- Skills for various healthcare settings.
Gilbert LPN Program Overview
Gilbert, part of the Phoenix East Valley, supports a growing and diverse healthcare ecosystem where Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play a frontline role. Under the direction of registered nurses and physicians, LPNs provide direct patient care such as medication administration, wound care, monitoring vital signs, and patient education across inpatient and outpatient settings. Their contributions help expand access to care, reduce wait times, and support continuity of services for residents of all ages.
The town’s healthcare landscape includes major hospitals such as Banner Gateway Medical Center and Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, specialty centers including oncology services, numerous skilled nursing and assisted living communities, home health and hospice agencies, and a wide range of primary care and specialty clinics. These facilities create varied clinical learning environments for students and broad employment opportunities for new LPNs, with especially strong demand in long-term care, rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient clinics.
According to national labor statistics, employment for LPNs is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the coming decade, driven by population aging and the need for chronic disease management. In the Phoenix metropolitan area that includes Gilbert, sustained population growth supports ongoing hiring in settings where LPNs are integral to daily operations, particularly nursing facilities, assisted living, and community-based care.
Most local LPN programs that serve Gilbert students offer flexible timelines. A traditional full-time pathway typically takes about 12 months to complete, while part-time or evening/weekend options often span 18 to 24 months. Programs blend classroom instruction with skills lab simulation and supervised clinical rotations in area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community clinics to prepare graduates for safe, entry-level practice.
In Arizona, practical nursing education and licensure are overseen by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. To become licensed, graduates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN examination; applicants also undergo a fingerprint-based background check and must meet all current board requirements. LPN curricula in the region are designed to align with the NCLEX-PN test plan, ensuring students are prepared for both licensure and immediate employment in Gilbert’s healthcare settings.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Gilbert
As a key part of the rapidly expanding Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area, Gilbert offers a robust and growing healthcare sector with diverse employment opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses. The region’s increasing population, particularly its thriving family and retirement communities, drives a consistent demand for skilled nursing professionals. LPNs in Gilbert can find roles that match their skills and career goals across a wide spectrum of medical settings.
Major hospital systems are among the largest employers of LPNs in the area. These facilities offer fast paced environments in specialties ranging from medical surgical units to pediatrics. Prominent healthcare networks operating major facilities in Gilbert include:
- Dignity Health:Mercy Gilbert Medical Center is a full service, acute care hospital located in the heart of Gilbert, providing a wide array of inpatient and outpatient services.
- Banner Health:The Banner Gateway Medical Center and the adjoining Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center campus serve the East Valley, offering LPNs opportunities in specialized areas like oncology, women’s health, and general hospital care.
Beyond the hospital setting, LPNs are essential to patient care in numerous other facilities throughout Gilbert. These environments often allow for building long term relationships with patients and residents. Opportunities are widely available in:
- Skilled Nursing and Long Term Care Facilities:These centers provide rehabilitative and continuous care for patients and are significant employers of LPNs for roles in medication administration, treatment implementation, and patient supervision.
- Assisted Living and Senior Communities:Gilbert has numerous senior living communities that employ LPNs to oversee resident wellness, manage medications, and coordinate care with physicians.
- Physician’s Offices and Outpatient Clinics:LPNs in private practices and specialty clinics perform vital clinical and administrative duties, including patient intake, administering injections, and assisting with minor procedures.
- Home Health Agencies:For LPNs seeking more autonomous roles, home health care provides opportunities to deliver skilled nursing care to patients in their own homes.
All LPNs practicing in the state must be licensed and regulated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Board’s website provides resources on licensure requirements, scope of practice, and professional standards for nurses in Arizona.
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