Choosing an LPN program in Memphis often comes down to a tradeoff between proximity and options: the city itself hosts only a handful of practical nursing programs, even though Methodist Le Bonheur, Baptist Memorial, and Regional One Health together staff acute care floors, long-term care units, and outpatient clinics that hire LPNs year-round.
That scarcity of local seats pushes many applicants toward commute-friendly campuses in West Tennessee and North Mississippi, or toward hybrid programs that pair online coursework with in-person clinicals.
Seat availability, not demand, is the real bottleneck shaping how fast a Memphis resident can start earning an LPN paycheck.
Memphis's Healthcare Landscape and Why LPNs Are in Demand
Memphis is one of the largest medical hubs in the Mid-South, and the city's hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies collectively sustain a steady stream of LPN hiring. More than 140 LPN & LVN Jobs were open across the metro at the time of this writing, concentrated in the Medical Center district, Midtown, and East Memphis.
Who Is Hiring LPNs in Memphis
The major health systems each use LPNs differently, which means the role you land can look very different depending on the employer.
- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare: The system had 22 open LPN positions recently2, spanning med-surg floors, outpatient specialty clinics, and weekend-only or PRN schedules.
- Baptist Memorial Health Care: One of the region's largest systems, Baptist staffs LPNs in acute care units, ambulatory surgery centers, and primary care offices across Shelby County.
- Regional One Health: Known for its Level 1 trauma center, Regional One places LPNs in wound care, outpatient clinics, and post-acute follow-up settings.
- St. Francis Hospital: Part of the Tenet Health network, St. Francis uses LPNs on inpatient floors and in rehab-oriented care.
- Memphis VA Medical Center: Federal VA facilities hire LPNs for medication administration, chronic disease monitoring, and long-term residential care for veterans.
Beyond hospitals, long-term care employers like Signature HealthCARE, Brookdale Senior Living, and Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab fill LPN slots regularly. Home health and hospice agencies, including AccentCare, Amedisys, LHC Group, and Pennant Services, round out the picture for LPNs in Hospice Care.
What Tennessee Lets LPNs Do
Under Tennessee Board of Nursing rules, LPNs practice under the direction of a physician, advanced practice nurse, or other authorized provider. Day-to-day duties typically include medication administration, wound care, routine patient assessments, and documentation within an established plan of care. LPNs who earn Specialty Certification for LPNs can also perform IV therapy, a skill that expands employability in both hospital and home health settings.
A Tri-State Advantage
Memphis sits at the corner where Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas meet. Because Tennessee belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, an LPN licensed here can practice across state lines without obtaining a separate license, opening up employer options in DeSoto County, MS, and Crittenden County, AR within a short commute.
With an aging population driving demand in skilled nursing and home health, and workforce shortages keeping job boards active, practical nursing remains one of the fastest entry points into Memphis's healthcare economy.
LPN Salary and Employment Outlook in the Memphis Metro
Memphis-area LPNs benefit from a healthcare economy anchored by major hospital systems, skilled-nursing facilities, and a growing home-health sector. BLS data confirms that LPNs working in the Memphis TN-MS-AR metropolitan area earned a mean hourly wage of $28.96 as of May 2025, which translates to roughly $60,200 annually. That figure runs above the Tennessee statewide median of about $58,870 reported for the same period and notably higher than the 2022 national median of $54,620. Hospitals and specialty clinics tend to pay toward the upper end of the range, while skilled-nursing facilities and home-health agencies typically cluster near the 25th-to-50th percentile. Because metro-level percentile breakdowns for Memphis have not been published for 2025, the national percentile distribution below offers a useful reference point for the wage spread LPNs can expect as they gain experience and move between employer types.
Online and Hybrid Practical Nursing Programs Open to Memphis Students
A fully online LPN program does not exist in Tennessee, and it never will as long as licensure requires supervised clinical hours in a real care setting. What does exist is Hybrid LPN Programs: didactic coursework (pharmacology, anatomy, nursing fundamentals) completed online or in evening sessions, paired with in-person clinical rotations at partnering healthcare facilities.
What's Actually Available
The closest match to a hybrid model on the Best LPN Programs in Tennessee list is TCAT-Crump, which blends online coursework with evening classes and in-person clinicals at area healthcare facilities. It's a real option worth calling about, but its clinical placements are built around the Crump area, not confirmed in Shelby County or the Memphis metro. Don't assume proximity without checking.
Memphis's two Board-approved practical nursing programs, The Healthcare Institute and Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis, both run as traditional in-person cohorts at their respective campuses. Neither currently offers a hybrid or distance track. You'll also see Southwest Tennessee Community College mentioned in general LPN searches, but its LPN Mobility Track is an advancement pathway for nurses who are already licensed, not an entry point into practical nursing, and it isn't on the state's approved practical nursing list. Same caveat applies to Concorde Career College.
Before You Enroll Anywhere
If you're searching "lpn classes near me" or "licensed practical nurse program near me" and an out-of-area program pops up promising online flexibility, verify two things before you pay a deposit:
- Clinical site location: Confirm in writing that the school has an active clinical partnership with a facility in Shelby County or an adjacent county. A program based two hours away with no Memphis clinical site means you're driving regularly or relocating.
- Accreditation stack: The program needs both national accreditation (ACEN or CCNE) and Tennessee Board of Nursing approval. Missing either one can block you from sitting for the NCLEX-PN, no matter how good the coursework looked online.
Nearest LPN Programs Within Commuting Distance of Memphis
Memphis residents searching for practical nursing programs find a tight local market but a wider regional network worth exploring. The city itself has one primary public option, while several campuses in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi sit within 60 to 90 minutes by car.
TCAT Memphis: The In-City Anchor
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis is the most-searched LPN pathway for city residents. The campus offers a practical nursing certificate that requires completion of Anatomy and Physiology plus an Administration of Medication prerequisite course.1 Applicants must be at least 18, pass a background check and drug screening, and provide current immunizations.1 TCAT Memphis lists day, night, and online class formats at the institutional level,2 though the specific schedule structure for practical nursing cohorts in 2026 has not been published.3 Students should contact the program directly at 901-543-61361 to confirm upcoming start dates and whether evening sections are running.
TCAT Northwest Campuses: Covington, Ripley, and Beyond
TCAT Northwest operates practical nursing programs at multiple satellite sites north of Memphis. Covington, roughly 40 miles from downtown, accepts applications through July 31, 2026 for a cohort starting September 3, 2026.4 Ripley's January 2026 cohort deadline has passed, but future cycles typically follow a similar pattern.4 Both campuses offer day and evening tracks,4 which matters for working adults balancing jobs and family responsibilities. Additional TCAT Northwest sites in Newbern, Bells, and Union City hold May 2026 start dates with March 2026 deadlines,4 though those campuses sit farther from the Memphis core.
Northern Mississippi: Northwest Mississippi Community College
Just across the state line, Community College Nursing Programs include Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, about an hour's drive from midtown Memphis. The program requires an online application followed by a HESI exam.5 Specific 2026 deadlines and schedule formats are not detailed in the current catalog, so prospective students should contact the nursing department for the latest cohort information.
A Note on Arkansas Options
West Memphis, Arkansas sits minutes from downtown, but no LPN programs in that immediate area appear in current state-approved listings. Students interested in Arkansas pathways should verify options directly with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, as program availability can shift year to year.
The formal ranked comparison of these programs appears in a later section.
How Much Do LPN Programs Cost in Memphis?
Tuition listed by Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis (TCAT Memphis) shows as $0 on the school's own published rate sheet, while Northwest Mississippi Community College, about 40 minutes south in Senatobia, charges $3,740 flat for both in-state and out-of-state practical nursing students. Neither number tells the whole story of the cost of LPN programs: TCAT Memphis's average net price after institutional and federal aid factors to roughly $14,315, a campus-wide figure that reflects what students actually pay once grants and scholarships are applied, not a guaranteed quote for any individual applicant.
Is any LPN program in Memphis actually free?
No practical nursing program in the metro is free in the sense of zero cost to someone, but for many students the out-of-pocket bill lands close to nothing once aid stacks. Tennessee Reconnect operates as a last-dollar grant, meaning it pays whatever tuition and mandatory fees remain after other aid is applied, at public TCATs and community colleges offering eligible certificate and diploma programs.1 To qualify, applicants generally need to be Tennessee residents age 23 or older who have not already earned an associate or bachelor's degree, and they apply through the standard FAFSA.1
Stacking WIOA, Pell, and local aid
The Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board administers WIOA training grants for income-eligible adults, dislocated workers, and some younger jobseekers facing employment barriers. Awards through this program have covered tuition, books, and supplies at roughly $4,000 to $6,000 per program year, with some individual awards reaching $8,000 to $10,000 depending on need and program length.3 Federal Pell Grants add another layer: the 2025-2026 award ranges from $740 to $7,395 depending on financial need, enrollment status, and cost of attendance, calculated from the student's FAFSA information rather than a flat amount everyone receives.2 Layered together, TN Reconnect, WIOA, and Pell can zero out tuition for many qualifying Memphis LPN students, though the exact combination depends on individual eligibility and each program's funding cycle.
Costs that aid doesn't always cover
Even with tuition handled, plan for expenses that grants often exclude. Most Memphis-area programs require a background check and drug screening before clinical placement, both at the student's expense. Add uniforms, a clinical supply kit, liability insurance, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee due at the end of the program, and these line items can run into several hundred dollars beyond whatever tuition assistance you secure. Ask each program's financial aid office directly which of these costs, if any, their scholarships or Reconnect funding actually absorb.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates at Memphis-Area Nursing Schools
Pass rates are one of the first numbers a future LPN should check before enrolling, because they measure how well a program prepares students for the licensing exam, which is why getting your LPN/LVN degree can be a smart strategic move. A strong first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate signals effective instruction, realistic clinical preparation, and a curriculum that tracks Tennessee's scope of practice. Low pass rates can also affect a program's accreditation standing, so this is both a quality marker and a practical risk indicator.
Why first-time pass rates matter
The first-attempt result matters most. Students who pass on the first try can apply for licensure immediately and start work sooner, whether they plan to practice as LPNs or pursue LPN to RN in Tennessee. A program with a consistently high first-time pass rate has built a path that works for most of its graduates, rather than relying on repeat attempts to reach an acceptable number.
What the public data shows for Memphis-area programs
At the time of writing, program-level 2024 and 2025 NCLEX-PN pass rates for individual Memphis-area schools are not published in the Tennessee Board of Nursing summary available to us. Readers should check the Board's annual NCLEX pass rate report directly for school-by-school figures, because the visible statewide summary does not list Shelby County or adjacent-county programs in a way that can be verified here.
For benchmarks, the available figures are: - Tennessee first-time pass rate: 88.51% as reported in a 2019 cycle; more recent state documents cite rates around 92%, but the reporting year is inconsistent between sources. - National first-time U.S.-educated pass rate: 88.4% in 2024. - National all-candidates pass rate: 79.1% in 2024.
These benchmarks give you a context line. A Memphis program that publishes a first-time pass rate above the national average is generally a stronger bet, while one notably below the all-candidates rate deserves a closer look at its support services, remediation policy, and clinical hours.
Admissions Requirements and Upcoming Deadlines
Practical nursing programs in the Memphis area share a core set of admissions requirements, though exact thresholds and deadlines vary by school. Because seats are limited and many programs use competitive or rolling admissions, applying early gives you the strongest chance of securing a spot in your preferred cohort.
- High school diploma, GED, or HiSETEvery Memphis-area LPN program requires proof of secondary education. TCAT Memphis also requires applicants to be at least 18 years old.
- Prerequisite courseworkTCAT Memphis lists Anatomy & Physiology and Administration of Medication as prerequisites for its practical nursing program. Other area schools may require medical terminology or similar foundational science courses. Confirm with each school whether prerequisites must be completed before application or can run concurrently.
- Entrance examTennessee TCAT campuses generally require a nursing entrance exam, and many use a HESI-based assessment. TCAT Memphis has not published the specific exam format or minimum section scores for 2026 on its public-facing pages, so contact the admissions office directly to confirm which test is required and what passing thresholds apply. Some TCAT campuses accept ACT scores as an alternative.
- Background check and drug screeningBoth are mandatory at TCAT Memphis and at virtually every accredited LPN program in the region. Clinical partner facilities set their own clearance standards, and a disqualifying result can prevent you from completing the program.
- Immunization records, TB test, and flu shotYou will need current immunization documentation, a negative TB skin test, and a current flu vaccination. A satisfactory health physical is also required before you begin clinical rotations.
- Three character or professional referencesTCAT Memphis requires three references as part of the application packet. Other programs may have similar requirements, so gather these early.
- Medical insuranceTCAT Memphis requires students to carry active medical insurance throughout the program. Students are also responsible for any additional costs tied to clinical-site compliance.
- CPR certificationMost Tennessee LPN programs require a current Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification, typically the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers course, prior to starting clinicals.
- Application windows and cohort start datesTCAT Memphis has not published specific 2026 application deadlines or cohort start dates on its website as of this writing. Because TCAT practical nursing programs across Tennessee typically operate with limited-seat cohorts and competitive or rolling admissions, waiting until the last minute is risky. Contact the TCAT Memphis admissions office as soon as possible to learn the current timeline and ensure your application packet is complete well before any cutoff.
What the Curriculum Looks Like: Course Load, Clinicals, and Schedule Options
Most Memphis-area practical nursing programs pack a full year of intensive coursework and clinical rotations into a tight, structured schedule, so knowing what to expect before you enroll is essential.
How Long Does It Take to Become an LPN in Memphis?
The standard timeline is 12 months for a full-time day cohort.1 TCAT Memphis, the area's primary public practical nursing program, lists its day track at 12 months with classes running Monday through Friday, roughly 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.2 An evening cohort has historically extended to about 16 months, meeting Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.2
If you have searched for six-month or Fastest LPN/LVN Programs in Memphis, be aware that no accredited Memphis-area school currently advertises a complete practical nursing program shorter than 12 months. Some CNA-to-LPN bridge pathways shorten the coursework phase to as few as nine months3, but once you factor in CNA training time and NCLEX-PN scheduling, the realistic start-to-license timeline still lands close to a full year.
What You Will Study
Tennessee Board of Nursing rules require a minimum of 550 contact hours of classroom and conference instruction. A typical LPN curriculum includes:
- Fundamentals of Nursing: Skills lab work covering vital signs, wound care, and patient safety.
- Pharmacology: Drug classifications, dosage calculations, and medication administration.
- Medical-Surgical Nursing: The largest clinical and didactic block, covering adult health conditions across body systems.
- Maternal and Infant Health: Basics of prenatal care, labor and delivery, and newborn assessment.
- Pediatric Nursing: Care of children from infancy through adolescence.
- Mental Health Nursing: Therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and common behavioral health disorders.
Clinical Hour Requirements
TCAT practical nursing programs in Tennessee require a minimum of 430 direct-patient-care clinical hours. The breakdown typically follows this pattern: 300 hours in medical-surgical settings, 60 hours in obstetrical care, 35 hours in pediatrics, and 35 hours in behavioral or mental health. Memphis students complete these rotations at area hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities, and community health centers across the metro. Students must maintain at least an 80 percent average in every subject area and fulfill all clinical hours to qualify for graduation and NCLEX-PN eligibility.
Weekly Time Commitment
Expect a full-time commitment regardless of cohort. Day students should plan for roughly 30 to 35 hours per week of scheduled class and clinical time, plus independent study. Evening students face a similar weekly hour load compressed into later hours, which can work for those holding daytime jobs but leaves little room for other obligations. Confirm the current schedule directly with your program, as cohort start dates and formats can shift year to year.
How to Get Your LPN License in Tennessee
Earning your LPN license in Tennessee follows a straightforward sequence, but timing each step correctly can shave weeks off the process. The Tennessee Board of Nursing allows you to begin paperwork before you even graduate, so plan ahead. As of April 2026, the board application fee for initial licensure by exam is $150, and the NCLEX-PN registration fee paid separately to Pearson VUE is $200. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, which means your Tennessee LPN license lets you practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license.
Top LPN Programs Serving Memphis Students
Below are the top LPN programs serving Memphis students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. One sits on the Memphis main campus on Alabama Avenue; the other runs a four-site Mississippi network that reaches into the DeSoto County side of the metro. Both lead to the NCLEX-PN, and both build clinical hours into hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt after completion
- Institutional graduation rates
- Program completion and cohort data
- State board approval and accreditation
- Clinical access and schedule flexibility
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis is the practical nursing program on this list that sits inside the city, based at the main campus and built to serve Memphis and the surrounding area. The 12-month diploma runs across three trimesters and covers medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, maternity, mental health, and pediatric care, with clinical rotations in Memphis hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Day and night class options keep the program workable for students who are already holding jobs, and the college's workforce partnerships connect graduates to local employers. The program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and the practical nursing page and student handbook were both refreshed in August 2026.
- 12-month full-time diploma at the Memphis main campus
- Three trimesters covering medical-surgical, pharmacology, maternity, mental health, and pediatrics
- Clinical rotations in Memphis hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities
- Day and night class options for working students
- Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology required
- Background check and drug screening required before clinical placement
- Skill lab sessions paired with hands-on clinical training
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College runs practical nursing from four district sites, including Senatobia, DeSoto, Oxford, and Ashland, which puts a campus within reach of Memphis-area students who live south of the state line. Classroom and clinical work covers biological, physical, and behavioral sciences plus supervised patient care, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Cohorts complete in 12 or 18 months, with day and evening/weekend tracks available. Admission is competitive and asks for an ACT composite of 16, a HESI entrance exam, and a minimum score of 65, though no prerequisite courses are required.
- Program sites in Senatobia, DeSoto, Oxford, and Ashland
- Day and evening/weekend tracks, 12 or 18 months to completion
- Covers biological, physical, and behavioral sciences with clinical practice
- Admission requires an ACT composite of 16 and a HESI entrance exam
- Minimum entrance score of 65; no prerequisite courses required
- Cohort progression requires an 80% average
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN
