Becoming an LPN in Arizona

With a nationwide nursing shortage, Arizona is constantly looking to hire licensed practical nurses to improve healthcare in the state. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a 12% growth in employment for the industry, it’s no wonder why those in the state looking for a promising career pathway are opting for LPN school.  With the average hourly wage for LPNs in Arizona landing at $24.84 (or $51,670 per year), there’s never been a better time to consider entering the rewarding world of nursing.

Details on Arizona LPN Schools & Classes

Becoming an LPN in Arizona consists of attending a school that offers an accredited LPN program, and then taking and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Many schools in the state, from community colleges to trade schools, offer quality LPN programs for potential students to choose from, and most can be completed in as little as one year.

Once enrolled in an LPN program, students will take a mixture of science and nursing courses, such as these from the LPN program at Scottsdale Community College:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing Theory and Science
• Practical Nursing Transition

Accreditation

An accredited LPN program is worth its weight in gold, as these programs are held to high academic standards. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is an excellent example of a national accreditation to watch for. The Arizona Board of Nursing also maintains a list of approved LPN programs.

Admission Requirements

Arziona LPN schools typically require the following in order to be eligible for admission:

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Certified Nursing Assistant documentation may be necessary
• Results from TEAS standardized exam
• Math and biology proficiency

Tuition and Costs

While the cost of an LPN program can depend on many factors, including type of school, duration of program, and others, all students will need to cover the cost of tuition, mandatory school/program fees, and course materials. For example, tuition fees for the LPN program at Pima Community College in Tucson runs roughly $15,500. This does not include any additional expenses, such as textbooks, application fees, or uniforms.

Arizona LPN Licensing Requirements

To become an LPN in Arizona, applicants must receive a diploma or a certificate of completion from a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX.

Arizona Licensing Applications and Forms:
http://www.azbn.gov/licensure-certification/applications-forms/

Physical strength and endurance challenges are part of the job when working as an LPN, so the applicant’s physical abilities may need to meet certain criteria before he or she is offered a job as an LPN in the state.

Arizona LPN licenses expire every 4 years and do not require continued education for renewal.

NCLEX Exam Information

The NCLEX-PN exam must be taken and passed by students once they graduate from an LPN program. The exam covers topics such as health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, and more. To learn more about the NCLEX-PN, be sure to take a look at our overview, and feel free to take our NCLEX-PN practice exam in order to prepare for the real test.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

As part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, Arizona does not require nurses from other NLC states to hold additional licensure to practice in the state. As of January 2018, Arizona will be moving forward with the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which adds additional requirements to the multistate license application. Nurses with an original NLC multistate license will be grandfathered into the eNLC.

LPN's from states located outside of the compact area can apply for an Arizona license by endorsement. Aside from having a current license from another state, applicants must also have:

• Practiced nursing for more than 960 hours within the last 5 years.
• Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the last 5 years.
• Obtained an advanced nursing degree within the last 5 years.

Foreign educated and licensed applicants must submit proof of having met the education and practice requirements, that he or she has competent English language skills, and has passed the NCLEX exam.

For detailed information about LPN endorsement by application in Arizona check out:
https://www.azbn.gov/licensure-certification/registered-nurse-practical-nurse/licensure-by-endorsement/

LPN Salary in Arizona By Area

The table below lists career information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for licensed practical nurses in Arizona. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Arizona LPN to RN/BSN programs page.