Best LPN Programs in Norfolk 2026
Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Norfolk, Virginia with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Norfolk area.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Norfolk, 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 program equips students with essential clinical skills through hands-on training for LPN licensure. Focusing on patient care techniques and medical communication, graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam and work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The program emphasizes collaboration with healthcare teams and quality care under supervision, with multiple Virginia campus locations offering a condensed, military-friendly pathway to nursing careers.
- 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 hybrid Practical Nursing program blends online coursework with in-person clinical training, offering flexibility for aspiring LPNs. Students develop essential skills through hands-on clinical experiences, preparing thoroughly for the NCLEX-PN exam. Financial aid is accessible for eligible candidates, and the program supports career advancement for CNAs by considering transfer credits from prior nursing education. This comprehensive approach equips graduates with the practical knowledge needed to succeed in nursing roles.
- Hybrid program format.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on clinical experience.
- Financial aid available.
- Transfer credits for CNAs.
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 three-semester pathway to LPN licensure, requiring 45 credits and clinical training at the Virginia Beach Campus. The Virginia State Board of Nursing approved curriculum emphasizes comprehensive nursing skills and NCLEX-LPN exam preparation. Prospective students must complete prerequisite steps, including an advising session and passing the ATI TEAS entrance exam, enabling graduates to swiftly enter healthcare with strong employment prospects.
- 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's Practical Nursing Diploma offers a comprehensive 12-month pathway to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. This ACEN-accredited program combines 41 credit hours of rigorous coursework with extensive clinical rotations across various healthcare environments. Students develop essential nursing competencies through hands-on training in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The curriculum specifically prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN licensure, enabling immediate entry into diverse healthcare roles. With multiple campus locations and career-focused design, this program provides accessible nursing education without requiring entrance exams, making it ideal for those seeking efficient career transition into practical nursing.
- 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
Norfolk LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in Norfolk’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on care across hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, clinics, and physician practices. In team-based settings, LPNs support medication administration, wound care, patient education, and coordination of care, helping to meet daily clinical needs and improve access for diverse patient populations.
Norfolk is a healthcare hub within the Hampton Roads region, anchored by major facilities such as Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, alongside numerous skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, primary care and specialty clinics, and home health providers. This broad mix of care settings creates varied opportunities for entry-level practical nurses in acute, outpatient, and long-term care. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of LPNs to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting steady demand that aligns with Norfolk’s concentration of hospitals and aging population served by local long-term care and home health services.
Practical nursing programs available to Norfolk residents are designed to be time-efficient: full-time options commonly take about 12 months to complete, while part-time or evening/weekend pathways may extend to roughly 18 to 24 months. Programs blend classroom instruction with supervised clinical rotations in local healthcare settings so that graduates are prepared for entry-level practice.
Virginia requires graduation from a state-approved practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The Virginia Board of Nursing approves LPN programs, sets education and practice standards, and oversees licensure by examination and endorsement. Many Norfolk-area programs integrate NCLEX-PN test preparation into coursework and clinical experiences. Virginia also participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing eligible LPNs to hold a multistate license and practice across compact states, which can expand employment flexibility for local graduates.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia, presents a vibrant healthcare environment with a consistent demand for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs in Norfolk provide essential basic nursing care under the supervision of Registered Nurses or licensed independent practitioners across a variety of settings. The employment landscape for LPNs in the city offers numerous opportunities with an average hourly pay for LPNs in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA-NC metropolitan area of approximately $29.70, with wages typically ranging between $22.65 and $36.08. Many positions also provide flexible scheduling options, including full-time, part-time, and per diem shifts.
LPNs in Norfolk can find diverse employment opportunities within various healthcare facilities, including:
- Hospitals:Major hospitals in the area regularly hire LPNs for different departments. Prominent employers include Sentara Healthcare, which operates Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Leigh Hospital. LPNs can also find roles at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital, often working in areas such as emergency departments or inpatient case management.
- Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are significant employers for LPNs, offering positions in skilled nursing and long-term care. Examples include Signature HealthCARE of Norfolk, Norfolk Health & Rehabilitation Center, Autumn Care of Norfolk, and Thornton Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
- Private Practices and Medical Groups:LPNs are sought after in physician offices and specialized clinics. Sentara Medical Group frequently hires LPNs for its dedicated care centers and vascular specialist offices, along with numerous other private practices and clinics specializing in areas like pain management and OB/GYN.
- Senior Living Facilities:Assisted living and memory care units within senior living communities frequently hire LPNs for resident care. Facilities such as Harbor’s Edge and Acclaim at East Beach AL & MC often have LPN openings.
- Home Health Agencies:The home health sector is a growing area for LPN employment in Norfolk. Agencies like Aveanna Healthcare, Maxim Healthcare Services, Amedisys, and Care Advantage, Inc. hire LPNs for in-home patient care, often offering flexibility and opportunities for specialized care such as trach/vent care.
- Behavioral Health Facilities:LPNs play a crucial role in behavioral health settings. Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health, an 82-bed hospital, hires LPNs for acute, residential, and partial hospitalization treatment for children and teens. Avenues Recovery Center also seeks LPNs for various levels of care.
- Other Healthcare Settings:LPNs may also find opportunities in urgent care centers, such as Velocity Urgent Care, hospice care with providers like Legacy Hospice, and even within correctional facilities under the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Beyond these specific facility types, major healthcare systems and organizations in the Norfolk area consistently recruit LPNs. Bon Secours, for instance, provides LPN positions in various settings, including physician offices. These diverse opportunities highlight Norfolk as a promising city for LPNs seeking stable and varied career paths.
List of LPN Programs in Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, VA
Fortis College-Norfolk
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on clinical experience.
- Financial aid available.
- Transfer credits for CNAs.
Tidewater Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Education Certificate Program
Campus Based - Website
- Three-semester nursing program
- 45 total program credits
- NCLEX-LPN exam preparation
- Virginia Beach campus location
- State Board of Nursing approved
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