Best LPN Programs in Phoenix 2026
Explore Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Phoenix, Arizona with details on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Review state licensing steps and career opportunities for practical nurses in the Phoenix area.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Phoenix, 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 skills in vital sign monitoring, medication administration, and patient care techniques. The curriculum covers key areas like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, preparing graduates to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. Financial aid is accessible for qualified individuals, supporting their entry into direct patient care roles in various healthcare settings.
- 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 with online coursework, lab simulations, and clinical experiences across multiple medical settings. The curriculum covers anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, and specialized nursing care while emphasizing NCLEX-PN exam preparation. With year-round enrollment and career placement support, graduates can quickly enter the nursing field. Financial aid options are available to make this comprehensive education accessible to aspiring healthcare professionals.
- 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 offers a comprehensive pathway to LPN licensure through a blend of theoretical instruction and extensive hands-on training. Students engage in lectures, role-playing, online case studies, and high-fidelity simulations to master skills for acute, extended, and intermediate care settings. The program, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, includes full-day labs and clinical rotations starting after week five, with flexible morning and afternoon schedules to accommodate diverse needs. Admission requires meeting health and safety standards, completing nursing prerequisites, and passing the HESI A2 entrance exam. Graduates are well-prepared to take the NCLEX-PN and embark on a rewarding nursing career in Arizona.
- 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 a direct path to becoming an LPN, requiring 22-27.5 credits and preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. Emphasizing acute, extended, and intermediate care, it integrates hands-on clinical experience in hospitals with theoretical coursework. Admission mandates a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on a nursing program admission test, and a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. This campus-based program is approved by the Arizona State Board, ideal for those seeking a swift entry into nursing without requiring an ACT or SAT exam.
- 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 on-campus Practical Nursing Certificate Program that prepares students for direct patient care roles. The curriculum includes hands-on training in medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and assisting with daily living activities, alongside comprehensive coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure in Arizona, equipping them for diverse healthcare environments without requiring a specific concentration or entrance exams.
- 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.
Phoenix LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role across Phoenix’s healthcare system by delivering direct patient care, monitoring health status, administering medications, and supporting care teams under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. In Phoenix, LPNs contribute in diverse settings that include major hospital systems, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics that serve a rapidly growing and aging population.
The city’s healthcare landscape is anchored by large hospital networks and specialty centers alongside extensive long-term care and home health services, creating steady demand for practical nursing skills in inpatient, post-acute, and community-based care. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for LPNs to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, supporting continued opportunities for new graduates in the Phoenix area. Employers commonly seek LPNs for roles in geriatrics, chronic disease management, primary care, behavioral health, and transitional care.
Typical LPN program timelines in Phoenix vary by school and scheduling format. Most full-time options are designed for completion in approximately 12 to 18 months, while part-time or evening pathways may extend to 18 to 24 months. Programs generally combine classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations in acute, long-term, and community settings to build entry-level competence.
Arizona approves LPN programs and regulates licensure through the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Graduates of board-approved programs are eligible to apply for licensure by examination, which includes taking the NCLEX-PN. The Board oversees program standards, licensure requirements, and fingerprint-based background checks. Most Phoenix programs integrate NCLEX-PN preparation through structured review, practice testing, and competency-based clinical experiences aligned with Arizona’s scope of practice for practical nursing.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Phoenix
The healthcare sector in Phoenix, Arizona, offers a robust and growing employment landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The state anticipates a significant 21.8% growth in LPN employment between 2022 and 2032, which translates to approximately 730 annual job openings for both new positions and replacements. As of 2022, Arizona is home to 10,661 Licensed Practical Nurses, highlighting the strong demand for these professionals.
LPNs in Phoenix find employment across a diverse range of healthcare settings, providing essential patient care. These include:
- Hospitals:Opportunities exist in various hospital types, such as general, rehabilitation, and behavioral health facilities. Notable employers include Valleywise Health Medical Center, Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Phoenix, and Haven Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix.
- Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities are significant employers, with a substantial portion of LPNs nationally working in such settings. Examples in Phoenix include Desert Peak Care Center and The Terraces of Phoenix.
- Senior Living and Assisted Living Facilities:Many LPNs work within continuing care retirement communities and assisted living environments. Employers in the Phoenix area include Brookdale Senior Living, Sinceri Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, The Terraces of Phoenix (managed by HumanGood), and Spectrum Retirement Communities.
- Home Health Agencies:LPNs are in demand for providing skilled in home care, often offering flexible schedules. Agencies actively hiring in Maricopa County include NurseCore, Maxim Healthcare, Dignity Health at Home, Curana Health, and BAYADA Home Health Care.
- Plasma Donation Centers:Facilities like BioLife Plasma Services, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., regularly hire LPNs for roles such as donor eligibility determination and managing adverse events.
- Behavioral Health and Mental Health Residential Treatment Centers:Facilities like Montare Behavioral Health, Avenir Behavioral Health Center, Valley Hospital – Phoenix, and Community Bridges, Inc. employ LPNs with specialized knowledge in psychiatric and medical nursing.
- Correctional Facilities:LPNs are also employed in correctional settings, such as the Arizona Department of Corrections Perryville, located near Phoenix.
- School Districts:LPNs are sought for school nursing roles within Phoenix area districts, including Paradise Valley and Peoria.
- Private Practices and Clinics:This category includes roles in specialized clinics and medical practices, such as City of Hope, which hires LPNs for employee health screenings, infusion services, and direct patient care.
Major healthcare organizations and networks in Phoenix known for hiring LPNs include Valleywise Health, Dignity Health/CommonSpirit Health, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited/BioLife Plasma Services. Other prominent employers include Brookdale Senior Living, NurseCore, Maxim Healthcare Services, City of Hope, Haven Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix, Montare Behavioral Health, and Sunrise Senior Living.
Beyond these large systems, smaller facilities and specialized networks also play a vital role in LPN employment. These include La Casa Health Care, Outfield Healthcare Partners, Renewal Health Group, Ro Health, LLC, and Soliant Health.
List of LPN Programs in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Brookline College-Phoenix
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Website
- 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
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Website
- 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.