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.
2027 Best LPN Programs in Gilbert, AZ
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ - Public 4-Year - mesacc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mesa Community College's Fast Track Practical Nursing program, offered at the Red Mountain campus, equips students for entry-level LPN roles in acute, extended, and intermediate care. The curriculum integrates nursing theory with hands-on clinical experiences at hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare agencies. Instruction uses lectures, role play, online case studies, and simulation labs. Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays, with full-day labs and clinical placements beginning after week five. The program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and ethical care. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN. A HESI entrance exam is required. The program is currently paused; applications reopen August 2026, with virtual info sessions on the first and third Tuesdays.
- Arizona State Board of Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Theory and skills for acute, extended, intermediate care
- Teaching methods include lectures, role play, simulation
- First semester classes on Mondays and Wednesdays
- Full-day labs and simulations
- Clinical experiences begin after week 5
- Program paused, applications open August 2026
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 Certificate of Completion is an intensive, three-term pathway to LPN licensure. The curriculum merges classroom theory with hands-on clinical rotations in hospitals, nursing homes, and community health agencies, emphasizing evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, and the nursing process. Students learn to collect patient data, implement individualized care plans, and assess outcomes while building technical proficiency through courses like Practical Nursing Theory and Science I and II. Requiring 22–27.5 credits on a full-time schedule, the program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam. Admission mandates a nursing program entrance test and a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. With Arizona’s average LPN salary at $57,800, this certificate offers a swift route to a rewarding healthcare career.
- Entrance exam required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Clinical experiences in hospitals and nursing homes
- Approved by Arizona State Board of Nursing
- Minimum grade of C in all courses
- Level One Fingerprint Clearance required
- Average LPN salary $57,800 in Arizona
- Full-time course sequence available
- 22-27.5 total credits required
Brookline College-Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ - Private 4-year - brooklinecollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Brookline College's 48-week Practical Nursing diploma program in Phoenix provides intensive hands-on training in patient monitoring, medication administration, and interprofessional collaboration with doctors and RNs. The curriculum is structured for rapid entry into the nursing field, emphasizing compassionate, practical care. Students prepare directly for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and entry-level LPN positions in diverse healthcare settings. Rolling admissions allow year-round enrollment, and the supportive admissions team helps students begin without delay. This accelerated campus-based program is designed for career changers and newcomers alike, offering a direct route to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. With its focus on frontline readiness, Brookline equips graduates with the essential clinical skills and confidence needed to succeed.
- 48-Week program
- Rolling admissions
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Hands-on patient care training
- Entry-level LPN job assistance
- Collaborate with doctors and RNs
- Practical Nursing diploma awarded
- Accelerated program for fast career entry
- Career training as a Practical Nurse
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.
Related Articles
- Most Affordable LPN/LVN Programs for 2026: Your Path to Nursing Success on a Budget
- LPN / LVN History & Background
- LPN to RN Bridge Programs: Accelerating Career Growth for Practical Nurses
- You Will ALWAYS Be Learning!
- Nursing in Long Term Care
- Full Time Mother and LPN
- Culture of LPNs and RNs in Team Nursing
- How to Prepare for Your LPN/LVN Program Entrance Exam