Best LPN Programs in Detroit 2026
Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Detroit, Michigan with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Detroit area.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Detroit, MI
Dorsey College
Madison Heights, MI - Private 2-year - dorsey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nurse
Campus Based - Visit Website
Dorsey College's one-year Practical Nurse program in Michigan provides intensive, hands-on clinical training combined with classroom instruction, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. The curriculum includes essential topics such as patient care, pharmacology, and medical terminology, with financial aid available for qualified students. Accredited by ACEN, the program offers career services assistance and is designed for rapid entry into the healthcare field, emphasizing real-world skills through its campus-based format.
- One-year program duration.
- Hands-on clinical training.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Covers patient care basics.
- Includes pharmacology training.
- Medical terminology included.
- Financial aid available.
- Accredited by ACEN.
- Campus locations in Michigan.
- Career services assistance.
Monroe County Community College
Monroe, MI - Public 2-Year - monroeccc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Nursing: Practical, Certificate
Campus Based - Visit Website
Monroe County Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate program prepares students to become licensed practical nurses through a comprehensive curriculum that integrates classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical experiences. Fully approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN, this limited-admission program emphasizes basic bedside care and offers a direct pathway to the PN to RN program. With applications accepted annually and specific admission criteria separate from general college requirements, graduates are equipped for employment in diverse healthcare settings such as acute care hospitals and clinics.
- Fully approved by Michigan Board of Nursing.
- Combines classroom, lab, and clinical learning.
- Prepares for roles as licensed practical nurses.
- Limited-admission program with specific criteria.
- Pathway to PN to RN program available.
- Accredited by ACEN.
- Learning opportunities in diverse settings.
- Equips for employment in various healthcare settings.
- Separate admission requirements from general college.
- Applications accepted once per year.
Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI - Public 2-Year - wcccd.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Wayne County Community College District's Practical Nursing Program is an intensive 12-month certificate pathway designed for motivated students seeking to become Licensed Practical Nurses. The program emphasizes comprehensive clinical training through simulation labs and hands-on experiences across diverse healthcare settings. Students master essential nursing skills including medical-surgical care, pharmacology, and patient safety protocols. The curriculum prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam, with admission requiring prerequisite course completion and health/background checks. This campus-based program focuses on developing compassionate patient care competencies without requiring entrance exams, making it accessible for career-focused individuals.
- 12-month certificate program
- Campus-based clinical training
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Clinical simulation labs
- Multiple healthcare setting experiences
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI - Public 2-Year - macomb.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse
Campus Based - Visit Website
Macomb Community College launches a new Licensed Practical Nurse certificate program in fall 2025, designed as a one-year intensive pathway to nursing licensure. Students gain comprehensive preparation for LPN board examinations through a curriculum blending theoretical instruction, hands-on lab work, and clinical training in diverse healthcare environments. With selective admissions requiring prerequisite coursework and a minimum GPA, the program maintains high educational standards at an estimated total cost of $12,000. Graduates are positioned to enter Detroit's healthcare workforce, where LPNs typically earn around $64,000 annually, while benefiting from professional networking opportunities and practical experience essential for career advancement.
- One-year certificate program
- Prepares for LPN board tests
- Estimated cost $12,000
- Selective admissions
- Prerequisite courses required
- Minimum GPA requirement
- Theory and clinical training
- Lab instruction included
- Average annual compensation $64,000
- Starts fall 2025
Schoolcraft Community College District
Livonia, MI - Public 4-Year - schoolcraft.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Nursing: Practical Certificate (PN)
Campus Based - Visit Website
Schoolcraft College's Practical Nursing Certificate program provides comprehensive training for aspiring LPNs through ACEN-accredited coursework at its Livonia Main Campus. Students engage in clinical rotations and computer lab sessions, focusing on adult, child, and family care while maintaining an 80% minimum grade in nursing courses. The program requires prerequisites in BIOL 236 and PSYCH 201, with day or afternoon shifts available. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure, and financial aid options support accessibility. This campus-based program emphasizes hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings without requiring entrance exams.
- ACEN accredited program.
- Eligible for NCLEX-PN.
- 80% minimum grade required.
- Livonia Main Campus.
- Clinical rotations included.
- Computer lab use required.
- Financial aid available.
- BIOL 236 prerequisite.
- PSYCH 201 prerequisite.
- Day or afternoon shifts.
Dorsey College-Dearborn
Detroit, MI - Private 2-year - dorsey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nurse
Campus Based - Visit Website
Dorsey College-Dearborn's Practical Nurse program delivers intensive, one-year training ideal for aspiring LPNs in Detroit. Students engage in comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experiences, mastering patient care, medication administration, and geriatric nursing. The curriculum emphasizes anatomy and pharmacology, ensuring readiness for the NCLEX-PN exam. ACEN accreditation supports Michigan licensure pathways, while financial aid options enhance accessibility. This focused program equips graduates with essential skills for immediate entry into healthcare roles, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application in a structured, accelerated format.
- One-year program duration.
- Hands-on clinical training included.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- ACEN accredited.
- Covers anatomy and pharmacology.
- Financial aid available.
- Focus on patient care skills.
- Includes geriatric nursing.
- Designed for Michigan licensure.
- Comprehensive curriculum.
Detroit LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play a hands-on role in Detroit’s healthcare system by providing direct patient care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with wound care, and supporting patient and family education under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. In Detroit, LPNs are essential in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, home health organizations serving neighborhoods across the city, outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and hospital units at major providers such as Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Medical Center hospitals, Ascension St. John Hospital, and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.
Employment opportunities for LPNs in the Detroit area are steady across long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings, reflecting broader national trends noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that link demand to the needs of an aging population and the management of chronic health conditions. City and state healthcare priorities around post-acute care and community-based services also reinforce the importance of practical nursing in and around Detroit.
Detroit-area practical nursing programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level practice and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, the NCLEX-PN. Most full-time programs can be completed in about 12 months, while part-time or evening options may take 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine classroom instruction in areas such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, and gerontology with skills lab practice and supervised clinical rotations in local hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.
Practical nursing education and licensure in Michigan are regulated by the Michigan Board of Nursing within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. To become licensed, graduates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. Michigan’s licensing process includes an application to the state, verification of education, and required background checks. The Board also approves nursing education programs and sets standards that Detroit-area schools must meet to maintain approval and ensure graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Detroit
The healthcare industry in Michigan, particularly within the Detroit metropolitan area, is projected for significant job growth through 2030. This expansion is driven in part by an aging population in Southeast Michigan, with demand for services from those aged 85 and over expected to more than double by 2050. The healthcare and social services sector demonstrates resilience, consistently adding jobs even when other industries face slowdowns, ensuring a steady demand for skilled Licensed Practical Nurses.
As of May 2023 (latest available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), the mean hourly pay for a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area was $30.86, translating to a mean annual salary of $64,190. This is over 7% higher than the national average for LPNs. Compensation can vary significantly based on experience, employer, and specific duties, with salaries typically ranging from approximately $52,730 (10th percentile) to $70,060 (75th percentile) annually. Entry-level LPNs generally earn less, while those with more experience and specialized skills such as leadership, delegation, and communication can command higher wages.
Licensed Practical Nurses in Detroit find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals:Major hospital systems are consistent employers of LPNs, offering roles in units such as medical/surgical, women’s and children’s, and surgery services. Facilities like Detroit Medical Center (DMC) and Henry Ford Health System frequently hire LPNs for inpatient, ambulatory, and specialty infusion positions. The DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, for instance, provides LPN jobs specifically in rehabilitation.
- Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are significant employers for LPNs, providing direct patient care, administering medications, and assisting residents with daily living activities. Examples include Hamilton Nursing and Rehab and the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
- Home Health Agencies:There is a strong demand for LPNs in home health for private duty nursing, skilled nursing care (such as trach/vent care, medication administration, and catheter care), and patient coordination. Henry Ford Health offers home health opportunities for LPNs, as do agencies like Marisa Home Care, Inspire Home Care, and Aveanna Healthcare.
- Senior Living and Assisted Living Facilities:LPNs are employed in assisted living communities and memory care units, providing essential nursing care to residents. Trinity Health Senior Communities, for example, lists LPN positions within these settings.
- Clinics and Private Practices:LPN positions are available in various clinic settings, including specialty clinics, general outpatient care, and operations at BioLife plasma donation centers.
Major healthcare systems and networks consistently hiring LPNs in the Detroit area include:
- Henry Ford Health System:As a prominent integrated healthcare provider with numerous facilities across Michigan, Henry Ford Health System regularly lists LPN positions. Their expansion, including the recent acquisition of McLaren Health Care’s facilities in the Flint and Macomb regions, further broadens opportunities.
- Detroit Medical Center (DMC):A nationally recognized academic health system comprising eight specialty and community hospitals, DMC is one of Detroit’s largest private employers. They offer various LPN roles, including those in rehabilitation settings, and support career growth.
- Trinity Health Michigan:This comprehensive system encompasses Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, along with medical groups and continuing care facilities, maintaining a significant presence and frequently listing LPN job openings across its Michigan locations.
- Karmanos Cancer Institute:Focused on cancer research, patient care, and education, Karmanos Cancer Institute employs LPNs at its Detroit and surrounding area locations.
Beyond these large systems, numerous smaller facilities and networks also play a crucial role in LPN employment, such as specialized rehabilitation centers, local nursing homes including Hamilton Nursing and Rehab, and a variety of home health agencies throughout the Detroit metropolitan area.
List of LPN Programs in Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
Dorsey College-Dearborn
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nurse
Campus Based - Website
- One-year program duration.
- Hands-on clinical training included.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- ACEN accredited.
- Covers anatomy and pharmacology.
- Financial aid available.
- Focus on patient care skills.
- Includes geriatric nursing.
Wayne County Community College District
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Website
- 12-month certificate program
- Campus-based clinical training
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Clinical simulation labs
- Multiple healthcare setting experiences
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