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Best LPN Programs in Philadelphia 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with information on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Philadelphia 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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Philadelphia Pennsylvania LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers
Guide to Philadelphia LPN Programs
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2026 Best LPN Programs in Philadelphia, PA

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Philadelphia, finding the right program is key. We at practicalnursing.org have looked at many schools to bring you our list of the best LPN programs in Philadelphia, PA. Our rankings help you see which programs offer great training and support. You can trust our list because we focus on what matters most to students. We check things like how well the program prepares you for your career and the support you get along the way. This makes it easier for you to pick a program that fits your goals. Learn more about how we rank these programs at https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/.
#1

Bucks County Community College

Newtown, PA - Public 2-Year - bucks.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Bucks County Community College's Practical Nursing program offers an intensive 12-month certificate pathway to LPN licensure, distinguished by its #2 ranking among Pennsylvania's 52 programs. This campus-based curriculum combines rigorous classroom instruction with extensive face-to-face clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX exam. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and professional development, enabling immediate employment in diverse healthcare settings or further education toward an RN degree. As a military-friendly institution, it provides a supportive environment for career advancement without requiring entrance exams for this practical nursing level.

  • 12-month full-time program
  • NCLEX exam preparation
  • Face-to-face clinical instruction
  • Pathway to RN degree
#2

PITC Institute

Wyncote, PA - Private 2-year - pitc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

PITC Institute in Wyncote provides a campus-based Practical Nursing program culminating in an Associate in Skilled Technology Degree, designed to prepare students for the PN-NCLEX exam and LPN licensure. Flexible scheduling includes full-time day or part-time evening classes, complemented by general education courses for comprehensive training. The program features a state-of-the-art simulation facility and clinical agreements with healthcare sites for hands-on experience. Accredited by ABHES and approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing, it offers financial aid options like Pell grants and emphasizes high pass rates and job placement support.

  • Day and evening classes.
  • Prepares for PN-NCLEX exam.
  • Associate in Skilled Technology Degree.
  • Financial aid available.
  • State-of-the-art simulation facility.
  • Clinical agreements with facilities.
  • Accredited by ABHES.
  • Licensed by PA Dept of Education.
  • Approved by PA Board of Nursing.
  • General education courses included.
*National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Philadelphia LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Philadelphia’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on care under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. LPNs support medication administration, wound care, monitoring of chronic conditions, and patient education, helping hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community providers maintain safe staffing and timely access to care across the city.

Philadelphia’s healthcare landscape includes nationally recognized academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, extensive networks of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, home health and hospice agencies, outpatient clinics, and primary and specialty practices. Consistent with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting, LPN employment is concentrated in nursing and residential care facilities and home health, with additional roles in clinics and select hospital units. State labor market analyses also indicate ongoing employer demand driven largely by retirements and replacement needs, particularly in long-term and community-based care.

Local LPN programs typically follow a certificate or diploma pathway designed for rapid entry into practice. Most full-time options can be completed in about 12 months, while part-time or evening/weekend tracks commonly extend to roughly 18 to 24 months. Curricula blend classroom instruction with skills lab and supervised clinical rotations in Philadelphia-area healthcare settings, and include targeted preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.

In Pennsylvania, practical nursing education and licensure are overseen by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. To become licensed, graduates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. Applicants should review current Board requirements for education, examination, and any background or training mandates prior to applying for licensure.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Philadelphia

The vibrant healthcare landscape in Philadelphia offers a very active and growing job market for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Nationally, employment for LPNs is projected to grow 5% between 2022 and 2032, leading to approximately 54,000 annual openings, often to replace those who are retiring or changing professions. LPNs in Philadelphia also benefit from competitive compensation, with the city recognized as the highest-paying in Pennsylvania for LPN/LVN salaries.

LPNs play a critical role in providing essential patient care across a wide array of healthcare settings. In Philadelphia, these opportunities are diverse and can be found in various facilities:

  • Hospitals:While duties may differ from other settings, LPNs in hospitals contribute by assisting with patient care, collecting samples for testing, and conducting routine laboratory tests. The Veterans Health Administration, specifically for its Community Living Centers, is an example of a hospital system hiring LPNs in the region.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs are regularly sought after by dedicated rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. Employers include Riverview Estates Rehabilitation & Senior Living, West Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Care Pavilion Nursing & Rehab Center, Logan Square Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, The Pines at Philadelphia Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Roosevelt Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Caring Heart Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, and University City Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. Many of these facilities are supported by networks like Marquis Health Consulting Services.
  • Nursing Homes and Senior Living Facilities:These facilities are significant employers, encompassing long-term care, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and senior living communities. Prominent examples in the Philadelphia area include Paul’s Run (senior living), Riverview Estates Rehabilitation & Senior Living, Chestnut Ridge (Senior Living and Memory Care), Glen Mills Senior Living, Tylers Mill Senior Living, Immaculate Mary Center, Tucker House Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, The Lafayette (part of Redeemer Health), Masonic Village Assisted Living, Deer Meadows Retirement Community, and Wyndmoor Hills’ Assisted Living Campus.
  • Private Practices and Outpatient Clinics:Opportunities for LPNs are available in physicians’ offices, specialized clinics, and outpatient care centers. BioLife, a plasma collection company, also recruits LPNs for its centers.
  • Home Health Agencies:These agencies provide flexible roles for LPNs caring for both pediatric and adult patients directly in their homes. Key agencies hiring in Philadelphia include Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health, Helping Hand Nurse, LLC, CareSense Home Health Care, AccentCare, Inc., Visiting Nurse Group, and BAYADA Home Health Care.
  • Other Settings:LPNs are also crucial in correctional facilities, such as the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF), residential group homes for healthcare and medication administration, and school settings for one-on-one nursing roles, often for children with complex medical needs. Agencies like Aveanna Healthcare and Care Options for Kids / Ro Health specialize in providing LPNs for pediatric home care and school nursing roles.

Overall, Philadelphia’s extensive healthcare ecosystem provides a robust and varied landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses, offering numerous paths for career growth and professional development across its many esteemed healthcare providers and community-based services.

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