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Best LPN Programs in Tampa 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Tampa, Florida with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for practical nurses in the Tampa area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Tampa Florida LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical training for entry-level healthcare roles
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2027 Best LPN Programs in Tampa, FL

Finding the right Licensed Practical Nurse program in Tampa can feel overwhelming, but practicalnursing.org has done the homework. We rank the best LPN programs based on key factors like NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and student support. Tampa offers many solid options, from community colleges to technical centers. Our rankings help future nurses compare programs and choose the one that fits their goals. We update this list regularly to reflect the latest data. For a complete breakdown of how we evaluate schools, see our full ranking methodology at https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/.
#1

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, FL - Public 4-Year - phsc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing (LPN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pasco-Hernando State College's Practical Nursing (LPN) program offers a focused path to NCLEX-PN licensure. With a limited cohort of 36 students per term, instruction is personalized, blending classroom theory with supervised clinical rotations across diverse healthcare settings. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam and pass a criminal background check and drug screening. The program's standout feature: a Money-Back Guarantee refunding tuition if graduates don't secure employment within six months. Programs begin in fall and spring, offering flexibility. Graduates are equipped for roles in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and physician offices. The application deadline is March 30, 2026, with a $25 fee.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • Apply by 2026-03-30
  • $25 application fee
  • Prepares for National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses
  • 36 students admitted per term
  • Money-Back Guarantee if unemployed
  • Eligible for NCLEX-PN licensure
  • Clinical background check required
#2

Manatee Technical College

Bradenton, FL - Public 2-Year - manateetech.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Manatee Technical College offers a Practical Nursing program in a hybrid format, blending online coursework with hands-on clinical training. The curriculum emphasizes practical nursing foundations, medical-surgical nursing, and transitional skills, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Options include a full-time day track (11-13 months) and an evening track (11 months), with clinical experiences at top local hospitals like Blake and Manatee Memorial. The program boasts a 98% job placement rate and 100% on-time completion. Prospective students must take the TEAS entrance exam and achieve a minimum score of 58. Tuition is $7,334 (estimated total cost $8,997.40), with financial aid and dual enrollment available. The program includes 1,350 clock hours, starts in fall and spring, and offers evening and weekend classes, plus involvement in SkillsUSA and HOSA.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • $7,334 total program tuition
  • 11-Month program
  • 2 start dates per year
  • Starts fall/spring
  • 98% job placement rate
  • $45 application fee
  • Prepares for NCLEX
  • Financial aid available
#3

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical/Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay offers a 12-month Practical/Vocational Nursing program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on training in clinical learning labs. Students master vital sign measurement, injection administration, direct patient care, patient lifting and transport, medical history documentation, and assistance with daily activities. The curriculum emphasizes real-world practice and culminates in NCLEX-PN licensure exam preparation. With four start dates per year, a $0 application fee, and no essays required, the program is designed to fast-track entry into nursing. An academic advisor is assigned to each student. The TEAS entrance exam is required for admission. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Graduates are prepared for LPN/LVN roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 12-Month program
  • 4 start dates per year
  • $0 application fee
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Free application, no essays
  • TEAS accepted for entrance
#4

ATA Career Education

Spring Hill, FL - Private 4-year - atafl.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The Practical Nursing (LPN) program at ATA Career Education is delivered in a hybrid format, blending online coursework with hands-on lab training. This accelerated track spans 15 months and includes focused courses such as Medical Surgical Nursing and Maternal/Newborn Nursing. The curriculum integrates NCLEX-PN preparation, equipping graduates to pursue careers in hospitals, skilled care facilities, assisted living centers, medical offices, and home health settings. Students can choose day or evening classes, and the program is structured with no waiting list and no entrance exam requirement. Laptops are provided for all students, and the program holds approval from the Florida Board of Nursing. A dedicated career placement team assists graduates with job placement.

  • No entrance exam required
  • 15-Month program
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • No waiting list
  • Day and evening class times
  • Hybrid online and on-campus
  • Laptops provided to students
  • Florida Board of Nursing approved
  • Career placement assistance
#5

Concorde Career Institute-Tampa

Tampa, FL - Private 2-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career Institute-Tampa's Practical Nursing Diploma is an accelerated campus-based track completed in just 13 months. The curriculum emphasizes preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and restorative care, with hands-on labs and clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. Students deliver nursing interventions under professional supervision, preparing for the NCLEX-PN exam. Careers include hospitals, long-term care, physician offices, home health, and hospice. Direct admission, Director of Nursing support, and financial aid/scholarships are available. This fast-paced diploma ensures real-world patient care experience for quick workforce entry.

  • 13-Month program
  • Complete in Achieve a Diploma in as few as 12 to 13 months
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Direct admission into nursing program
  • Hands-on labs and clinical experiences
  • Clinical rotations with local providers
  • Fast-paced 13-month program
  • Support from Director of Nursing
*Citation: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025. Available at: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Tampa LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses are vital contributors to patient care across Tampa, supporting registered nurses and physicians with bedside care, medication administration, and patient education in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, home health, and outpatient clinics. Tampa’s healthcare ecosystem includes large hospital systems, a major Veterans Affairs medical center, and numerous long term care providers, creating steady demand for practical nursing skills and flexible staffing across shifts and settings.

Authoritative sources consistently note ongoing demand for LPNs, particularly in long term care, rehabilitation, and home health. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports continued opportunities as the population ages and care shifts toward outpatient and community settings. In the Tampa area, these trends translate into employment options in acute care support roles, post-acute facilities, physician offices, and home health agencies.

Tampa-based practical nursing programs are designed to prepare students for direct patient care and licensure. Typical timelines include:

  • Full time tracks that can be completed in approximately 12 months, with daytime schedules that combine classroom, simulation, and clinical rotations.
  • Part time or evening/weekend options that may extend to about 18 to 24 months, offering working adults flexibility while covering the same competencies.

Curricula commonly include nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, gerontology, mental health, and maternal child content, paired with supervised clinical experiences at Tampa area facilities. Programs emphasize NCLEX-PN preparation through test-style practice, clinical judgment development, and competency-based skills validation.

Florida requires graduation from a state approved practical nursing program and a passing score on the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The Florida Board of Nursing approves PN programs, outlines application and background screening requirements, and publishes program performance information for prospective students. Tampa applicants complete the Board’s licensure process and schedule the NCLEX-PN after program completion.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Tampa

The healthcare employment landscape in Tampa, Florida, is robust and continually expanding, positioning the metropolitan area among the top regions nationally for healthcare employment growth. In 2023, the sector experienced significant growth over the previous year, underscoring its role as a significant economic driver for the city. This growth contributes thousands of jobs and substantially to Tampa’s gross domestic product. The region is also emerging as a developing hub for healthcare innovation, research, and biotechnology.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Tampa find a diverse array of employment opportunities across various healthcare settings. These roles are crucial in supporting the broad spectrum of patient care needs within the community.

Types of Facilities Hiring LPNs in Tampa

  • Hospitals:Major hospital systems are consistent employers of LPNs. Prominent healthcare networks include Tampa General Hospital, a leading academic health system and top employer in Florida, and BayCare Healthcare Systems, operating a vast network of community-based hospitals across the region. Additionally, HCA Healthcare maintains a significant presence with numerous hospitals, outpatient centers, and clinics throughout Greater Tampa Bay. Shriners Children’s, with its corporate headquarters in Tampa, also offers various clinical positions.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities consistently seek LPNs to provide essential long-term and rehabilitative care. Examples include Ybor City Center for Rehabilitation and Healing, Gulfport Nursing Center, and Freedom Square of Seminole, which offers skilled nursing care.
  • Home Health Agencies:Home health care is a rapidly growing sector in Tampa, with numerous agencies employing LPNs for in-home patient care. Key agencies include Hygeia Home Health, Concierge Home Care, Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health, The Visiting Nurse Association of Florida, and BAYADA Home Health Care.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs are in demand at specialized rehabilitation facilities such as Tampa Lakes Health and Rehabilitation Center and The Bristol at Tampa. National leaders like Encompass Health and Select Medical also have a presence or provide services in Florida, offering nursing careers in post-acute recovery.
  • Senior Living Facilities:Assisted living, independent living, and memory care communities widely employ LPNs. Notable facilities include Weinberg Village Assisted Living, and communities operated by Brookdale Senior Living.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:Opportunities for LPNs are available in various outpatient settings. Tampa General Medical Group operates primary care offices across the Tampa Bay area, and specialized clinics like United Vein & Vascular Centers also hire LPNs.
  • Specialized Healthcare Settings:LPNs can also find roles in other unique environments, such as BioLife Plasma Services donation centers, State Veterans’ Homes supported by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, mental health facilities like Gracepoint’s Forensics Treatment Program, and potentially within University of South Florida Health for clinical or research support roles.

Key Healthcare Employers in Tampa

Beyond the facility types, several major healthcare networks and institutions are significant employers of LPNs in the Tampa Bay area:

  • Tampa General Hospital (TGH):A comprehensive academic health system and a leading healthcare employer in Florida.
  • BayCare Healthcare Systems:One of the largest employers in the region, with a network of 16 hospitals and extensive health services.
  • HCA Healthcare:A major provider of healthcare services with a broad network of facilities across Greater Tampa Bay.
  • Moffitt Cancer Center:A globally recognized institution dedicated to cancer research and treatment, offering various clinical and support roles.
  • Shriners Children’s:Provides specialized pediatric care with a significant presence in Tampa.

Smaller Facilities and Networks

In addition to the large systems, several smaller facilities and staffing networks contribute significantly to LPN employment opportunities in Tampa:

  • Local Home Health Agencies:Agencies like Hygeia Home Health and CARE TEAM Home HealthCare frequently hire LPNs for skilled nursing visits and private duty care.
  • Rehabilitation and Senior Living Facilities:Tampa Lakes Health and Rehabilitation Center and Weinberg Village Assisted Living are examples of facilities offering LPN positions.
  • Flexible Staffing Platforms:Platforms such as NurseDash and IntelyCare connect LPNs with flexible shifts across various partner facilities, providing diverse work experiences and employment benefits.

List of LPN Programs in Tampa, FL

We've gathered a list of LPN programs in Tampa, FL for aspiring nurses. The table below gives each school's city and state, program highlights, and a direct link to their program page. Take time to compare these LPN options side by side. Then pick the one that matches your learning style and career plans. We hope this helps you take the next step.

Tampa, FL

Concorde Career Institute-Tampa

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 13-Month program
    • Complete in Achieve a Diploma in as few as 12 to 13 months
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Direct admission into nursing program
    • Hands-on labs and clinical experiences
    • Clinical rotations with local providers
*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2025 data collection. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

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