Best LPN Programs in Lexington 2026

Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Lexington, Kentucky with information on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Lexington area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
Edit Template
Lexington Kentucky LPN programs offering nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2026 Best LPN Programs in Lexington, KY

If you're looking to start a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Lexington, KY, finding the right program is key. We've put together a list of the best LPN programs in the area to help you make a smart choice. Our rankings at practicalnursing.org focus on things like how well students do on exams, job placement rates, and overall program quality. We check each school carefully to give you reliable info. This guide points you to top options that can set you up for success in nursing. Learn more about how we rank these programs at https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/.
#1

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Lexington, KY - Public 2-Year - bluegrass.kctcs.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Bluegrass Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing program provides an accelerated diploma pathway, enabling students to become LPNs in under one year. Through classroom learning, skill labs, and supervised clinical rotations in local healthcare settings, students develop comprehensive nursing abilities focused on patient care and clinical judgment. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX licensing exam. With total costs around $10,300 and potential free tuition for Kentucky residents, admission requires attending a pre-admission conference, completing prerequisites, and achieving a minimum score of 41.3 on the ATI TEAS entrance exam.

  • Less than one-year diploma
  • Two campus locations available
  • State Board of Nursing approved
  • Hands-on clinical training
  • NCLEX exam preparation
  • Total program cost ~$10,300
  • Potential free tuition
  • ATI TEAS exam required
  • Multiple scholarship opportunities
*U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics.

Lexington LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Lexington’s care teams by delivering direct, hands-on nursing under the direction of registered nurses and providers. In typical LPN roles, you will monitor vital signs, administer medications, provide wound care, document care, and support patient education. In Kentucky, LPN practice and education are regulated by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, which approves practical nursing programs and oversees licensure.

Lexington’s healthcare landscape is diverse and offers broad placement opportunities for LPNs. The city is anchored by major hospital systems and academic medicine, including UK HealthCare’s Chandler Hospital, Baptist Health Lexington, and CHI Saint Joseph Hospital, along with a VA medical center. Numerous skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, physician offices, and outpatient clinics serve the region, creating steady demand for practical nurses, especially in long term care, primary care, and specialty clinics. National labor data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate ongoing employment need for LPNs, with particularly strong opportunities in nursing and residential care and ambulatory settings.

  • Typical program length: Many Lexington area practical nursing programs are designed for approximately 12 months of full time study and include classroom instruction, skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations at local facilities.
  • Part time options: Some schools offer evening or extended tracks that can take about 18 to 24 months, which may suit working adults.
  • Admissions and readiness: Programs commonly require prerequisite coursework, immunizations, background checks, and standard pre-admission testing. Clinical placements are usually completed in hospitals, long term care, and outpatient sites in the Lexington area.

Graduates of Kentucky Board of Nursing approved programs are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical nurses. The Kentucky Board of Nursing sets scope of practice, monitors program outcomes, and issues LPN licenses by examination or endorsement. Kentucky participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, giving eligible LPNs multistate practice privileges, which can expand employment options after graduation.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Lexington

The healthcare landscape in Lexington, Kentucky, presents a robust and varied array of employment opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Recognized as one of Kentucky’s top-paying cities for LVN (LPN) jobs, salaries for these professionals in Lexington generally exceed the state average. As of May 29, 2024, the average hourly pay for an LPN in Lexington is approximately $27.53, with typical ranges from $25.08 to $29.98, and top earners reaching up to $32.43 per hour.

The nursing workforce in Kentucky, as evidenced by the 2023 Nursing Workforce Survey Results from the Kentucky Board of Nursing, compiled from data collected between November 2022 and March 2023, shows a significant concentration of professionals in urban areas like Fayette County, where Lexington is located. This suggests a strong demand for nursing staff across various settings.

LPNs in Lexington can find fulfilling careers in a diverse range of healthcare facilities, including:

  • Hospitals:Major hospital systems are primary employers for LPNs, offering roles across various units.
    • UK Healthcare, part of the University of Kentucky, employs LPNs at facilities such as UK Good Samaritan Hospital, with duties spanning from starting IVs to assisting with wound care.
    • CommonSpirit Health, encompassing CHI Saint Joseph Health System and Continuing Care Hospital Inc., also seeks LPNs for units like continuing care, telemetry, and progressive care.
  • Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities:These facilities are consistent employers for LPNs, providing essential direct patient care.
    • Examples include Lexington Premier Nursing & Rehab and Bluegrass Care and Rehab Center. Staffing agencies like Alliance Medical & Home Care and Ardor Health Solutions also place LPNs in skilled nursing facilities throughout Central Kentucky.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LPNs are crucial to outpatient care settings.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities specializing in patient recovery and rehabilitation provide specialized LPN roles.
    • Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital has dedicated LPN/LVN departments. Nationally recognized Encompass Healthalso hires LPNs/LVNs in Lexington, focusing on patient rehabilitation goals and offering professional development opportunities.
  • Senior Living Facilities:LPNs provide vital care in settings like assisted living, independent living, and memory care.
    • Magnolia Springs Lexington, Morning Pointe Senior Living, and Richmond Place are examples of facilities actively hiring LPNs to support their senior residents.
  • Home Health Agencies:LPNs play a critical role in providing personalized care in patients’ homes, often offering flexibility.
    • LHC Group, through its local affiliates such as Commonwealth Home Health and Caretenders, recruits LPNs for home health services across Fayette and surrounding counties. Amedisys Home Healthis another significant provider in Lexington, offering LPN positions with comprehensive benefits.

List of LPN Programs in Lexington, KY

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Lexington, KY, you have several great programs to choose from. This list helps you find schools in the city and state, learn about program highlights, and get direct links to their program pages. Start exploring your options today to take the next step in your nursing career.
Jump to City:

Lexington, KY

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Less than one-year diploma
    • Two campus locations available
    • State Board of Nursing approved
    • Hands-on clinical training
    • NCLEX exam preparation
    • Total program cost ~$10,300
    • Potential free tuition
    • ATI TEAS exam required
*Source data: IPEDS 2023, compiled by NCES.