Three hospital systems, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, and UF Health Jacksonville, have added inpatient capacity and outpatient clinics across the First Coast in the past two years, and each expansion translates into more charting, medication administration, and bedside care hours that fall to LPNs rather than RNs. Skilled nursing facilities and outpatient specialty clinics are hiring at a similar clip, which keeps entry-level LPN openings steady even as new graduates enter the market each cohort.
Jacksonville students choose between a public college track, several private career-school programs, and hybrid didactic formats built for adults working full time. Tuition, schedule length, admissions timelines, and NCLEX pass rates differ enough across these options to change both your total cost and your time to licensure.
Why Jacksonville Is a Strong Market for New LPNs
Jacksonville's healthcare landscape is anchored by hospital systems that collectively operate thousands of beds and dozens of outpatient sites, all of which rely on LPNs to keep clinical operations running.
Major Employers Across the First Coast
The metro's largest systems actively recruit practical nurses for med-surg floors, long-term care units, and specialty clinics:
- Baptist Health: Five hospitals plus a growing network of primary care and urgent care locations.
- Mayo Clinic Florida: Specialty and subspecialty clinics on its Jacksonville campus.
- UF Health Jacksonville: A safety-net academic medical center with high patient volumes.
- Ascension St. Vincent's: Multiple hospital campuses and outpatient facilities in Duval and Clay counties.
- Memorial Hospital: A community hospital with strong med-surg and behavioral health services.
Demand extends beyond the city limits. St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach, and Palm Coast each support skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers, and physician offices that hire LPNs, giving graduates flexibility across the broader First Coast region.
A Scope of Practice That Expands Your Value
Florida allows LPNs who earn IV certification , a form of Specialty Certification for LPNs , to administer intravenous fluids and certain medications. That expanded scope , a contrast that matters in any CNA vs LPN vs RN comparison , makes Jacksonville LPNs more versatile than their counterparts in states where IV therapy is off-limits, and it creates opportunities in infusion clinics, post-acute care, and hospital float pools.
Steady Demand Driven by Demographics
Florida's aging population continues to fuel growth in home health, assisted living, and post-acute rehabilitation. According to the most recent federal wage data available for the Jacksonville metro, roughly 2,820 LPNs were employed in the area, earning a median hourly wage near $27.22. While updated figures for 2025 and 2026 have not yet been published at the occupation level for Jacksonville, the combination of population growth, new facility construction, and retirement-driven turnover points to consistent entry-level openings for newly licensed practical nurses across the metro.
Online and Hybrid LPN Options for Jacksonville Students
The Florida Board of Nursing requires supervised clinical hours for LPN licensure, so no Jacksonville program is 100% online in 2026. The realistic format is hybrid: online lectures with in-person labs and clinicals, not a remote path to licensure. For practical nursing, that requirement is non-negotiable.
What "Online LPN" Actually Means
Hybrid LPN Programs move didactic coursework to a learning management system. You complete readings, quizzes, and sometimes recorded lectures on your own schedule. Then you attend scheduled on-campus lab days for skills checkoffs and finish required clinical rotations at local partner facilities. Online means flexible theory hours, not an online nursing license.
Jacksonville-Area Delivery Status
Among major area schools, Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville offers the clearest blended option for practical nursing.1 The program combines online coursework, on-campus training, and clinical externships; the diploma is listed at 13 months daytime or 20 months evening/weekend. Some general education and core courses have been delivered online through a consortium with Concorde Kansas City2, although Florida's Commission for Independent Education has not approved that online delivery3, so students may be required to take certain online classes.4 No other major Jacksonville-area LPN program clearly documents a statewide hybrid arrangement, so confirm current delivery details directly with admissions.
Florida State College at Jacksonville lists its Practical Nursing Career Certificate as on-campus only, with no formal hybrid route. The certificate runs 12 to 16 months depending on campus. Jersey College Jacksonville states it does not offer an online option for its LPN program.
If you search "online LPN programs jacksonville fl" while reviewing Best LPN Programs in Florida 2026, expect a hybrid that still requires in-person labs and clinicals. Ask any program precisely how much didactic content is asynchronous during LPN/LVN Program Admissions before enrolling.
Program Schedules: Evening, Weekend, and Accelerated Tracks
Jacksonville area LPN programs offer a range of scheduling formats, but students searching for 6 month LPN programs in Jacksonville, FL should know that true six month options are extremely rare in Florida. Most accelerated day tracks run 10 to 13 months, while evening LPN programs typically extend to 18 or 20 months to accommodate working students. The table below compares confirmed schedule options at each Florida Board of Nursing approved program in the Jacksonville metro. Contact each school directly for the most current 2026 and 2027 cohort dates, as start windows shift by term.
| School | Day Track Length | Evening or Weekend Track Length | Upcoming Start Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSCJ, North Campus | 12 months | Not listed | Admits students in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms; specific 2026 to 2027 dates should be confirmed with the admissions office |
| FSCJ, Nassau Center | 16 months | Not listed | Spring 2026 cohort (confirm availability for later terms) |
| Concorde Career Institute, Jacksonville | 13 months (full time) | 20 months (evening and weekend) | Multiple start dates offered annually; 2026 to 2027 cohort dates not yet published in the current catalog |
| Jersey College, Jacksonville | Approximately 12 to 16 months (four terms of 12 to 16 weeks each) | 18 months | Day PN fall term begins October 5, 2026 |
Admissions Requirements and Application Deadlines
Admissions standards vary significantly across Jacksonville LPN programs. FSCJ uses a competitive, scored admission process, while several private schools take a more streamlined approach. Below is what you should expect to prepare before applying for 2026–2027 cohorts.
- Entrance ExamsFSCJ requires the HESI A2 (minimum 70 percent on each subtest, with a 75 percent composite average) and a passing CASAS reading and math assessment unless you hold a qualifying Basic Skills Waiver. Concorde Career Institute and Jersey College have historically required an entrance exam, but specific score thresholds for 2026–2027 have not been publicly confirmed, contact admissions directly. Coastal College of Nursing states that the TEAS is not required for admission, making it one of the more accessible entry points in the area.
- GPA and PrerequisitesFSCJ lists a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and requires a high school diploma or GED. Prerequisite coursework in anatomy and basic math is typical at state-college programs, though specific course requirements should be verified through the FSCJ catalog each term. Concorde requires a high school diploma or GED and applicants must be at least 18 years old; an interview with the Program Director is also part of the process. Private schools generally do not publish a hard GPA cutoff for initial LPN entry.
- Background Check, Drug Screening, and CPREvery Jacksonville program requires a criminal background check and drug screening upon acceptance. FSCJ additionally requires current BLS/CPR certification before you begin clinical coursework. Immunization records and health clearance documentation are standard across Florida nursing programs, though specific requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by institution, request the compliance packet early so you have time to complete any outstanding items.
- Application Deadlines (FSCJ 2026–2027)FSCJ admits students on a term-by-term competitive cycle: May 15 for the fall term, September 15 for the spring term, and February 15 for the summer term. Seats are limited and ranked by composite admission score, so applying well before the deadline is advisable. Concorde and other private institutions typically offer more frequent start dates, and some operate on rolling admissions, verify current cohort openings with each school directly.
- Competitive vs. Open-Enrollment AdmissionsThe biggest procedural difference in the Jacksonville market is between FSCJ's scored, competitive model, where your HESI A2 results and GPA factor into a ranked selection, and the more open-enrollment approach at private schools such as Concorde and Coastal College. Open enrollment does not mean guaranteed acceptance; you still need to clear background, health, and exam requirements. However, the pathway tends to be faster and start dates more flexible, a trade-off that often comes with higher tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs in Jacksonville
Choosing the right LPN program means sorting through timelines, scope of practice details, and transfer options. Below are answers to the questions Jacksonville students ask most often, drawn from current program catalogs and Florida Board of Nursing guidelines.
How long does it take to finish an LPN program in Jacksonville?
Full-time day tracks typically run 12 to 16 months. Concorde Career College, for example, completes its daytime cohort in about 13 months, while its evening and weekend track takes roughly 20 months. FSCJ's Practical Nursing certificate totals 1,350 clock hours and is offered as a part-time night cohort, generally finishing within 12 to 18 months. Jersey College also lists a 12 to 18 month range depending on schedule.
What is the difference between an LPN and an RN in Florida?
An LPN completes roughly one year of training and passes the NCLEX-PN, while an RN earns a two- to four-year degree and passes the NCLEX-RN , the differences between LPN and RN programs. In Florida, RNs perform independent assessments, formulate care plans, and delegate tasks. LPNs work under RN or physician supervision, collect patient data, and deliver basic nursing care. Florida does allow certified LPNs to administer IV therapy after completing 30 hours of specialized training, though certain IV procedures (blood products, chemotherapy, IV push medications beyond saline or heparin flushes) remain restricted to RNs.
Can I transfer LPN credits toward an RN program at FSCJ or another Jacksonville school?
FSCJ offers a dedicated bridge pathway: the Nursing R.N. Bridge Option for Paramedics and Licensed Practical Nurses, a 72-credit Associate in Science degree open to licensed LPNs. This LPN to RN in Florida bridge recognizes your LPN credential for admission, though the exact number of credits awarded through advanced standing is not published in the current catalog. If you earned your practical nursing certificate at a private school such as Jersey College or Concorde, check directly with FSCJ's nursing department about how those hours may apply.
Do any Jacksonville LPN programs accept students with no healthcare experience?
Yes. None of the major Jacksonville programs, including FSCJ, Concorde, and Jersey College, list prior healthcare experience as a published admissions requirement. Entrance criteria typically focus on academic prerequisites, entrance exam scores, and background checks rather than clinical work history. That said, admissions requirements can change between cohorts, so verify the latest criteria with each school before applying.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Jacksonville LPN Programs
A first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate above 80% is generally considered a solid benchmark, and programs that consistently clear that threshold signal strong curriculum design, effective test preparation, and quality clinical training. When comparing Jacksonville-area LPN programs, keep both the Florida statewide average and the national average in view. In the most recent fully published reporting cycle, the national average sat well above Florida's state figure, which means Jacksonville programs that match or exceed the national mark deserve close attention. Among programs with publicly available historical data, Jersey College in Jacksonville posted the highest documented first-time pass rate at nearly 92%. Program-level 2024 rates for Florida State College at Jacksonville and Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville have not yet been released in the Florida Board of Nursing annual report, so prospective students should request the latest figures directly from each school's admissions office.
Clinical Rotation Sites and Hospital Partnerships
Which hospitals will you actually train in as a Jacksonville LPN student? It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that none of the three area programs, FSCJ, Concorde Career Institute, and Jersey College, publish a specific roster of partner hospitals or facilities. What each school does confirm is that clinical education happens off-campus, in real patient-care settings, separate from lecture and lab time on campus , the focus of the Complete Guide to LPN/LVN Clinical Rotations.
What the programs say
FSCJ requires a background check, health history documentation, and immunizations before clinical placement, language that points toward hospital and medical office settings without naming them. Concorde's catalogs describe clinical and externship hours as occurring off-campus, with scheduling that can vary by cohort. Jersey College references "offsite practicum partners" for its LPN track, confirming formal arrangements exist even though the specific facilities aren't listed publicly. Given the region's mix of major health systems, expect rotations to draw from some combination of large hospital networks, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics, though prospective students should verify current partnerships directly with each admissions office rather than assume a specific site.
Why site quality matters
Clinical exposure shapes NCLEX-PN readiness and job prospects alike. Rotating through varied settings, acute care, long-term care, outpatient, builds the breadth of hands-on hours state boards expect during LPN school. It can also open informal hiring pipelines, since preceptors and unit managers often remember strong students.
Guaranteed placement or not
None of the three programs publish a guarantee that every student receives a placement. Ask directly during your admissions interview.
Jacksonville LPN Programs Ranked by Outcomes and Value
Below are the top LPN programs serving Jacksonville students, ranked by completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. Northeast Florida's practical nursing pipeline is anchored by one large public institution with state board approval and a long record of licensure outcomes. The list reflects what the available program and institutional data actually supports for the 2026 admissions cycle.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt loads
- Overall institutional graduation rates
- Program completion and licensure pass rates
- State board approval and accreditation
- Net price and total program cost
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville is the region's largest public provider of practical nursing education, offering a Florida State Board of Nursing approved LPN certificate built on 1,350 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical instruction. The college reports an 82% program completion rate and a 94% NCLEX-PN pass rate, and its LPN graduates can bridge into an Associate of Science in Nursing and later a BSN. A part-time night cohort begins at North Campus in spring 2026, and clinical placements run through hospitals, physicians' offices, and long-term care facilities. Program-level earnings for LPN graduates are not yet reported in federal data.
- 1,350 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical instruction
- $3,942 total program tuition with financial aid available
- 94% NCLEX-PN licensure pass rate reported
- 82% program completion rate
- Three start dates per year: fall, spring, and summer
- HESI A2 entrance exam required for admission
- Bridge pathway to the Associate of Science in Nursing and BSN
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, physicians' offices, and long-term care
