Best LPN Programs in Mesa 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Mesa, Arizona with information on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Mesa area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Mesa Arizona LPN programs with hands-on nursing training for entry-level healthcare careers

2026 Best LPN Programs in Mesa, AZ

If you're looking to start your nursing career in Mesa, AZ, finding the best LPN program is a great first step. At practicalnursing.org, we've carefully reviewed the local options to help you choose. Our rankings highlight programs that offer strong training, good support for students, and solid job preparation. We focus on what matters most to future nurses, like pass rates and hands-on experience. You can trust our list to guide you toward a program that fits your goals and sets you up for success. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

Mesa, AZ - Private 2-year - pmi.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pima Medical Institute-Mesa offers a 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate Program that prepares students for direct patient care roles. The curriculum covers vital skills like monitoring signs, medication administration, and daily living assistance, with training in anatomy, pharmacology, and patient techniques. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed practical nurses. This on-campus program blends classroom learning with hands-on experience, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

  • 12-month program duration.
  • On-campus delivery method.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Hands-on patient care training.
  • Covers anatomy and physiology.
  • Includes pharmacology education.
  • Financial aid available.
  • Skills for direct patient care.
  • Eligible for licensure post-graduation.
  • Combines classroom and practical training.
#2

Brookline College-Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ - Private 4-year - brooklinecollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Brookline College-Phoenix's 48-week accelerated Practical Nursing program prepares students for LPN licensure through a blended learning approach that combines online coursework with hands-on lab simulations and clinical rotations across diverse medical settings. The comprehensive curriculum emphasizes anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, and specialized nursing care, while focusing heavily on NCLEX-PN exam readiness. With year-round enrollment and career placement support, this program enables graduates to quickly enter the nursing field, supported by financial aid options to enhance accessibility.

  • 48-week accelerated program
  • Comprehensive nursing curriculum
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Blended learning approach
  • Multiple clinical settings
  • Year-round enrollment
  • Career placement support
  • Financial aid available
#3

Mesa Community College

Mesa, AZ - Public 2-Year - mesacc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Mesa Community College's Fast Track Practical Nursing Program prepares students for LPN licensure through a comprehensive curriculum blending theoretical instruction with extensive practical experience. The program features lectures, role-playing exercises, online case studies, and simulation labs to develop skills for acute, extended, and intermediate care settings. With flexible morning and afternoon scheduling options, students engage in full-day laboratory sessions and clinical rotations beginning after the fifth week. Approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, graduates qualify for the NCLEX-PN examination. Admission requires meeting health and safety standards, completing nursing prerequisites, and passing the HESI A2 entrance test. This campus-based program offers an efficient pathway to nursing careers in Arizona.

  • Approved by Arizona State Board.
  • Eligible for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Combines theory with practical care.
  • Flexible morning and afternoon schedules.
  • Includes full-day labs and simulations.
  • Clinical rotations after week 5.
  • Campus-based program.
  • Requires HESI A2 testing.
  • Meets health and safety standards.
  • Prepares for LPN licensure.
#4

Glendale Community College

Glendale, AZ - Public 4-Year - gccaz.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Glendale Community College's Fast Track Practical Nursing program accelerates entry into nursing careers, requiring 22-27.5 credits and preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. It emphasizes hands-on experience in acute, extended, and intermediate care settings through hospital placements, blending theory with practical learning. Admission demands a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on a nursing program admission test, and a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Approved by the Arizona State Board, this campus-based option is ideal for those seeking swift certification without a specified concentration.

  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Hands-on hospital experience.
  • 22-27.5 credits required.
  • High school diploma or GED needed.
  • Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
  • Focus on acute care settings.
  • Combines theory and practical learning.
  • Approved by Arizona State Board.
  • Campus-based program.
  • Fast track to nursing career.
#5

Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ - Private 2-year - pmi.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix offers a 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate Program on campus, focusing on direct patient care skills like medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and daily living assistance. The curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory, providing a solid foundation for diverse healthcare environments. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure in Arizona, emphasizing hands-on training without requiring entrance exams. This program is ideal for those seeking a fast-track to a practical nursing career, with eligibility for state licensure upon completion.

  • 12-month program duration.
  • On-campus delivery method.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Covers anatomy and physiology.
  • Includes pharmacology training.
  • Hands-on patient care skills.
  • Eligible for licensure in AZ.
  • Comprehensive nursing theory.
  • Direct patient care focus.
  • Skills for various healthcare settings.
*Original data: IPEDS 2023, NCES, U.S. Department of Education.

Mesa LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a frontline role in Mesa’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. In typical practice, LPNs monitor patients, administer medications according to scope and policy, perform basic wound care, and support care coordination across inpatient and outpatient settings. Their work helps hospitals, long term care facilities, home health agencies, and clinics maintain safe staffing and timely patient care.

Mesa’s healthcare landscape includes large acute care hospitals and specialty centers, such as regional medical centers on the city’s east and west sides, along with numerous skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, primary care and specialty clinics, and home health and hospice providers serving the East Valley. These settings regularly utilize LPNs for bedside care, chronic disease management support, and post-acute transitions, creating a steady demand for practical nursing skills across shifts and service lines.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting ongoing needs in long term and community-based care. While employment conditions vary by employer and specialty, Mesa’s mix of hospitals, rehabilitation and long term care facilities, and home health providers aligns with the role’s traditional areas of growth.

  • Program timelines: Arizona practical nursing programs commonly offer full-time options of roughly 12 to 18 months that combine classroom, lab, and supervised clinical rotations. Selected schools may provide extended or part-time schedules to accommodate working adults, which generally lengthen the total time to completion.
  • NCLEX-PN preparation: Curricula are designed to prepare graduates for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. Completion of a board-approved practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN are required steps for LPN licensure in Arizona.
  • Oversight: The Arizona State Board of Nursingregulates LPN education and practice, approves practical nursing programs, and oversees licensure for Mesa graduates.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Mesa

The healthcare employment landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Mesa, Arizona, demonstrates a consistent demand for skilled professionals across a diverse range of facilities. LPNs in Mesa benefit from competitive salaries, with the average annual salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area being approximately $62,020, which is about 3.8% higher than the national average for LPNs. This robust environment offers numerous opportunities for LPNs to apply their skills in various healthcare settings.

Types of Facilities Commonly Hiring LPNs in Mesa

  • Hospitals:LPNs can find opportunities in hospitals both within and near Mesa. A notable example is Arizona General Hospital, part of the CommonSpirit Health network, which frequently has openings.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities are significant employers in Mesa. Specific examples include Allegiant Healthcare Of Mesa and Advanced Healthcare of Mesa. Sandridge Post Acute is also known for actively seeking skilled nursing professionals.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:The Mesa area offers roles in rehabilitation, including facilities like Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, located in nearby Gilbert but serving the wider Mesa community, and positions within the broader Encompass Health network.
  • Senior Living and Assisted Living Facilities:Many senior living communities and assisted living facilities throughout Mesa and its vicinity employ LPNs. Examples include Pegasus Landing of Mesa (Broadway Mesa Village), American Orchards Senior Living in Gilbert, and Brookdale Senior Living facilities. These roles typically involve medication administration, resident assessments, and supervising resident assistants.
  • Home Health Agencies:The home health care sector is a strong area for LPNs, with agencies such as Aveanna Healthcare, Aegis Healthcare, and Maxim Healthcare consistently hiring for in-home care, including specialized pediatric homecare.
  • Private Practices and Specialized Clinics:LPNs also secure positions in various outpatient and specialized clinic settings. BioLife Plasma Services, a Takeda Company, hires LPNs as Medical Support Specialists in its Mesa plasma donation centers. MinuteClinic, a CVS Health business, employs LPNs for clinic services, and Milan Laser Hair Removal in Gilbert also recruits LPNs.
  • Other Settings:Opportunities extend to mental health residential treatment centers (e.g., Renewal Health Group in Phoenix), government nursing roles (e.g., at the Arizona Department of Corrections through NaphCare, Inc.), and remote positions like those with CareHarmony for value-based care management. Molina Healthcare also hires LVN Care Review Clinicians.

Key Healthcare Employers and Networks in the Mesa Area

In addition to the specific facilities mentioned above, several key healthcare employers and staffing networks play a vital role in providing LPN employment opportunities in Mesa:

  • CommonSpirit Health:As a major healthcare system, it includes hospitals like Arizona General Hospital with LPN openings.
  • Allegiant Healthcare Of Mesa / Advanced Healthcare of Mesa:These skilled nursing and post-acute facilities are prominent employers of LPNs.
  • Aveanna Healthcare:A significant provider of pediatric and adult homecare services, consistently hiring LPNs.
  • BioLife Plasma Services (A Takeda Company):Operates plasma donation centers in Mesa, requiring LPNs/LVNs for medical support roles.
  • Brookdale Senior Living:A large senior living operator with facilities in the broader Phoenix metropolitan area, offering various LPN positions.
  • Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital:Located in Gilbert, it serves the East Valley and provides rehabilitation roles for LPNs.
  • Molina Healthcare:Recruits LVN Care Review Clinicians, often involving field care management.
  • NaphCare, Inc.:Employs LPNs/LVNs at the Arizona Department of Corrections, accessible from Mesa.
  • Pegasus Landing of Mesa (Broadway Mesa Village):A senior living community that hires LPN/LVNs for health and wellness coordination.
  • PRS Management, Inc.:Seeks LPNs for Assisted Living and Memory Care departments.
  • Aegis Healthcare:Actively expanding its Home Health & Hospice teams in the Mesa area, hiring LPNs.
  • Nursa Platform:This staffing platform connects LPNs with per diem shifts at numerous smaller facilities across Mesa. These include facilities such as Sandridge Post Acute, Acoya Mesa, Soba Mesa Drug Rehab Detox and Addiction Recovery, Prime IV Hydration and Wellness, Mesa Adult Day Treatment, Ursula Nurse Supported Group Home, Springdale Village Post Acute, Emerald Groves Central, Mesa Adult Care Home II, All Ways Caring HomeCare, Amandas Care Home, Angel Home Health Care, Arbor Rose Senior Care, Arizona Life Hospice, Armada Care Homes, Avista Senior Living, Baraka at Rosegardens II Assisted Living, and Bella Vista Assisted Living Home.

List of LPN Programs in Mesa, AZ

If you are looking to start a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Mesa, Arizona, you have several great options to choose from. The table below lists local schools that offer LPN programs. It shows you where each school is located, highlights what makes their program stand out, and provides direct links to learn more about each program on their official websites. This information helps you compare your choices easily and find the right fit for your nursing education.
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Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Fast Track Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Approved by Arizona State Board.
    • Eligible for NCLEX-PN exam.
    • Combines theory with practical care.
    • Flexible morning and afternoon schedules.
    • Includes full-day labs and simulations.
    • Clinical rotations after week 5.
    • Campus-based program.
    • Requires HESI A2 testing.

Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 12-month program duration.
    • On-campus delivery method.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
    • Hands-on patient care training.
    • Covers anatomy and physiology.
    • Includes pharmacology education.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Skills for direct patient care.
*NCES IPEDS database, 2023 release. Available at: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/