Best LPN Programs in Chesapeake 2026
Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Chesapeake, Virginia with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Chesapeake area.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Chesapeake, VA
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA - Private 4-year - ecpi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
ECPI University's campus-based Practical Nursing diploma equips students with essential clinical skills for LPN licensure through hands-on training. The program emphasizes patient care techniques, medical communication, and clinical reasoning in a condensed format, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam. Students learn to work under professional supervision in diverse healthcare settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities, with multiple Virginia campus locations available. This military-friendly program focuses on developing collaborative team members who deliver quality care, without requiring entrance exams for admission.
- Campus-based practical nursing diploma
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- Hands-on clinical skills training
- Works under medical professional supervision
- Multiple campus locations in VA
Fortis College-Norfolk
Norfolk, VA - Private 2-year - fortis.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Fortis College-Norfolk's Practical Nursing program offers a hybrid format that blends online coursework with in-person campus learning, providing flexibility for students. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical training to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, with financial aid options available for eligible candidates. Ideal for CNAs seeking career advancement, the program may accept transfer credits for prior nursing education. As an LPN program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams, focusing instead on practical skills development.
- Hybrid program format.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on clinical experience.
- Financial aid available.
- Transfer credits for CNAs.
Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin, VA - Public 2-Year - pdc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Certificate in Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Paul D Camp Community College offers a three-semester Practical Nursing Certificate that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry into the LPN workforce. The program emphasizes patient-centered care, ethical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration, equipping graduates with skills for diverse healthcare settings. In the Hampton Roads region, there are nearly 4,000 LPN positions with strong demand for new professionals, offering competitive wages starting around $48,100 and reaching up to $63,400 for experienced nurses. This campus-based program focuses on culturally competent nursing practice without requiring entrance exams, making it accessible for aspiring practical nurses.
- Three-semester full-time certificate
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- Diverse healthcare employment opportunities
- Patient-centered care training
- Competitive entry-level wages
- Interdisciplinary healthcare skills
- Culturally competent nursing practice
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA - Public 2-Year - tcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Education Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Tidewater Community College's Practical Nursing Education Certificate Program offers a fast-track three-semester pathway to LPN licensure. The Virginia State Board of Nursing approved curriculum includes 45 credits with clinical training at the Virginia Beach Campus, preparing students for the NCLEX-LPN exam. Prospective students must complete prerequisite steps, including attending an advising session and passing the ATI TEAS entrance exam. This comprehensive program provides strong employment prospects for graduates entering the healthcare field.
- Three-semester nursing program
- 45 total program credits
- NCLEX-LPN exam preparation
- Virginia Beach campus location
- State Board of Nursing approved
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA - Private 4-year - bryantstratton.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach offers a 12-month Practical Nursing Diploma program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and LPN licensure. This ACEN-accredited, state-approved program combines 41 credit hours of classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience across various healthcare settings. The intensive curriculum focuses on essential clinical skills, enabling graduates to pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home healthcare. With multiple campus locations and a career-focused approach, this program provides an affordable, flexible pathway for quick entry into nursing while supporting future educational advancement opportunities.
- 12-month diploma program
- 41 total credit hours
- Prepare for NCLEX-PN exam
- State-approved nursing program
- Multiple campus locations
- Clinical experience included
- Career-focused curriculum
- ACEN accredited program
Chesapeake LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play an essential role in Chesapeake’s healthcare system by providing direct, hands-on care across acute care units, skilled nursing facilities, primary care and specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. In team-based settings, LPNs support patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and documentation under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, helping expand access to care for residents throughout the Hampton Roads region.
Chesapeake’s healthcare landscape includes a full-service acute care hospital, public school career and technical education pathways, and proximity to regional clinics and long-term care providers. These settings create steady opportunities for entry-level nurses, particularly in long-term care and home health where ongoing patient needs drive demand. National labor data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates continued employment growth for practical nurses, reflecting an aging population and expanding community-based services.
In Virginia, LPN education programs are regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing. To become licensed, students must complete a board-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. The Board oversees program approval, licensure, and compliance with the state Nurse Practice Act, and it provides guidance on application, criminal background checks, and examination requirements.
Typical LPN program timelines in Chesapeake and the surrounding area include full-time tracks that can be completed in approximately 12 months, and part-time or evening pathways that may extend to 18 to 24 months. Programs blend classroom instruction, skills laboratory work, and supervised clinical experiences at local healthcare sites to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN and safe entry-level practice.
Prospective students can find board-approved options through local public school career and technical education programs and nearby colleges or health career schools. When evaluating programs, verify current Virginia Board of Nursing approval status and NCLEX-PN outcomes, and consider schedule options that match your needs, including day, evening, or part-time cohorts.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Chesapeake
The healthcare employment landscape in Chesapeake, Virginia, indicates a steady and growing demand for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a significant presence of practical nurses in the Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area, which encompasses Chesapeake, contributing substantially to the region’s total nursing workforce. The BLS anticipates a higher-than-average increase in the demand for practical nursing through the 2020s, primarily driven by an aging population requiring more preventative and frontline healthcare services. This outlook ensures a robust job market for LPNs seeking opportunities in the area, offering diverse roles across various care settings.
Types of Facilities Hiring LPNs in Chesapeake
LPNs in Chesapeake can find employment across a wide range of healthcare settings, providing flexibility and diverse career paths:
- Hospitals:Major hospital systems and regional medical centers are key employers. These include Chesapeake Regional Healthcare and facilities within the extensive Sentara Healthcare network, which operates numerous hospitals and care sites across the region. Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters also hires LPNs for office-based roles supporting pediatric care.
- Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are significant employers, seeking LPNs to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Examples include Chesapeake Health & Rehabilitation Center, Laurel Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Sentara Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – Chesapeake, and Autumn Care of Chesapeake.
- Home Health Agencies:Numerous agencies in Chesapeake actively recruit LPNs to deliver patient care in home settings, offering a more personalized care environment. Prominent agencies include Amedisys, Sentara Home Care Services, Atlantic Homecare Services (specializing in pediatric homecare), Maxim Healthcare Services, and Personal-Touch Home Care.
- Senior Living Facilities and Assisted Living:As the senior population grows, so does the need for LPNs in senior care environments such as The Vero at Chesapeake and Commonwealth Senior Living At Cedar Manor. Erickson Senior Living also hires LPNs for various roles within their senior living and healthcare communities.
- Private Practices and Physician Offices:LPNs are integral to the efficient operation of physician groups and private practices. Employers like Bon Secours (with various family practices), Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (for office LPNs), and Tidewater Physicians for Women frequently hire LPNs.
- Correctional Facilities:Opportunities are also available in institutional settings, such as St. Brides Correctional Center, which employs LPNs for part-time positions.
- Plasma Donation Centers:Facilities like BioLife Plasma Services in Chesapeake utilize LPNs/LVNs as Medical Support Specialists to assist with plasma collection.
Major Healthcare Employers in Chesapeake
Several reputable healthcare systems and organizations consistently seek LPNs in the Chesapeake area:
- Sentara Healthcare:A large, not-for-profit integrated healthcare provider widely recognized as an “Employer of Choice.” Sentara offers extensive opportunities across its more than 500 sites of care, including hospitals, home health, hospice, and medical groups.
- Bon Secours:Known for hiring LPNs in physician offices and various other clinical settings throughout the region.
- Amedisys:One of the largest home health and hospice companies in the U.S., with a strong presence in Chesapeake, offering community-based care roles.
- Chesapeake Regional Healthcare:A significant local healthcare system providing a wide array of services and career opportunities for LPNs.
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters:Regularly hires LPNs for office-based roles, contributing to pediatric healthcare services in Chesapeake.
Smaller Facilities and Flexible Employment Options
Beyond the major systems, smaller facilities and specialized networks play a crucial role in LPN employment in Chesapeake:
- Chesapeake Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Laurel Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
- The Vero at Chesapeake
- Commonwealth Senior Living At Cedar Manor
- Atlantic Homecare Services
- Victorious Angels Home Healthcare
Additionally, staffing agencies such as IntelyCare and Nursa facilitate flexible employment for LPNs, offering per diem and short-term assignments across various facilities in Chesapeake and the broader Coastal Virginia region, providing competitive hourly rates and adaptable schedules.