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.
2027 Best LPN Programs in Philadelphia, PA
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 certificate is an intensive 12-month, full-time program starting each July. Coursework and clinical experiences cover nursing fundamentals, math, and science, with classes held Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No prior coursework is required, and the program is accredited by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN, and the college's pass rates consistently beat the national average. This military-friendly program offers financial aid to those who qualify and serves as a direct pathway to an associate degree in nursing and RN licensure. Admission occurs in three distinct phases.
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 12-Month program
- Full-time enrollment
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts summer
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Admission in three distinct phases
Orleans Technical College
Philadelphia, PA - Private 2-year - orleanstech.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing (PN)
Campus Based - Visit Website
Orleans Technical College in Philadelphia delivers a 52-week, full-time Practical Nursing certificate program designed to prepare students for LPN licensure. The campus-based curriculum integrates classroom theory, laboratory skills, and clinical rotations, covering personal care, administrative tasks, and hands-on clinical duties. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Admission requires a high school diploma, age 18 or older, a minimum TEAS score of 48, and background clearances including FBI fingerprinting, PA state criminal check, and child abuse certification. The September 2024 start date offers a direct path into a growing healthcare field with strong job prospects. Contact admissions for pre-admissions options.
- 52-week full-time program.
- Day program schedule.
- Campus-based instruction.
- Classroom, lab, clinical experiences.
- Earns a certificate.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Leads to LPN licensure.
- 18+ age requirement.
- High school diploma required.
- TEAS entrance exam required.
Lansdale School of Business
North Wales, PA - Private 2-year - lsb.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Lansdale School of Business offers a Practical Nursing diploma program designed to prepare students for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The curriculum combines classroom instruction in nursing theory, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities. Approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, the program readies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Career opportunities span long-term care, birthing centers, surgical centers, memory care/assisted living, and adult day care. With a focus on practical, fast-paced training, the program addresses the growing demand for nurses in varied medical settings. Graduates emerge equipped for entry-level positions requiring clinical competence and patient care skills.
- Diploma program format.
- Approved by Pennsylvania State Board.
- Prepares for Nursing Board exam.
- Includes classroom theory courses.
- Lab studies component.
- Clinical rotations at local facilities.
- Campus-based program.
- Focus on Licensed Practical Nursing.
- Hands-on career training.
- Works in various medical fields.
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.
List of LPN Programs in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Orleans Technical College
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing (PN)
Campus Based - Website
- 52-week full-time program.
- Day program schedule.
- Campus-based instruction.
- Classroom, lab, clinical experiences.
- Earns a certificate.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Leads to LPN licensure.
- 18+ age requirement.
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