Best LPN Degree Programs in Wichita 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Wichita, Kansas with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Wichita 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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Wichita Kansas LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level healthcare roles

2026 Best LPN Programs in Wichita, KS

If you are looking to start your nursing career in Wichita, Kansas, finding the best LPN program is a great first step. At practicalnursing.org, we carefully review and rank these programs to help you make a smart choice. Our team looks at factors like how well students do on exams, how much the program costs, and what support services are available. We want to give you clear, reliable information so you can pick a program that fits your needs and goals. Check out our detailed rankings to see which LPN programs in Wichita stand out. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS - Public 2-Year - wsutech.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

WSU Tech's Practical Nursing program delivers a focused 48-credit hour technical certificate, equipping students with essential competencies for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry into nursing practice. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on skills without experiential learning credits, and graduates can pursue further education through articulation pathways to associate or bachelor's degrees. As a military-friendly institution, it supports diverse learners in achieving their LPN goals efficiently.

  • 48 Credit Hour Program
  • NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation
  • Technical Certificate Option
  • No Experiential Learning Credit
  • Degree Pathway Options
*Data source: NCES IPEDS survey, 2023.

Wichita LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Wichita’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on patient care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. LPNs commonly monitor vital signs, administer medications, provide wound care, support chronic disease management, and communicate care plans with patients and families. In Wichita, they are integral to bedside care in hospitals, continuity of care in long-term care and rehabilitation centers, and patient support across clinics and home health services.

As the largest city in Kansas and a regional medical hub for south-central Kansas, Wichita has a diverse healthcare landscape that includes acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, primary and specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. Employers across these settings regularly hire LPNs to staff medical-surgical units, long-term care, outpatient clinics, and community-based services. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady demand for LPNs over the 2022 to 2032 period, reflecting ongoing needs in long-term care and outpatient services. Local job availability in the Wichita area aligns with these trends due to the city’s concentration of healthcare providers and aging population.

Practical nursing programs in the Wichita area are typically structured for completion in about 12 months of full-time study. Some colleges may offer extended or part-time options that take longer, often ranging up to 18 to 24 months depending on the course load and clinical scheduling. Curricula generally combine classroom instruction with skills lab practice and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics to build competence for entry-level practice.

Graduates of Wichita-area programs must pass the NCLEX-PN to become licensed. In Kansas, practical nursing education programs are approved and nursing licensure is overseen by the Kansas State Board of Nursing, which sets standards for nursing education and ensures programs prepare students for safe practice and success on the licensure exam

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Wichita

The healthcare sector is a cornerstone of the Wichita regional economy, annually employing over 42,000 professionals within the Health Care & Social Assistance sector. This robust environment includes numerous hospitals and hundreds of specialty medical practices, making it a significant employer for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).

The LPN job market in Wichita is considered very active. While the average hourly pay for an LPN in Wichita, Kansas, is approximately $25.32, with annual salaries averaging around $52,670, specific roles such as Med Surg LPNs can command higher salaries. The demand for LPNs remains steady, with the Kansas Health Care Workforce Report for 2024 indicating a hospital LPN vacancy rate of 13%, despite a decline from its peak in 2022, and a 19% turnover rate.

Types of Facilities Hiring LPNs in Wichita

LPNs in Wichita find diverse employment opportunities across a variety of healthcare settings, catering to the community’s varied needs:

  • Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers:Major hospital systems are key employers. This includes facilities like Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Rehabilitation Center, part of HCA Healthcare, as well as Ascension Via Christi hospitals, clinics, and therapy centers, part of Ascension Via Christi. LPNs may work in acute care, emergency departments, or specialized rehabilitation units.
  • Nursing Homes and Senior Living Facilities:These facilities consistently seek LPNs to provide direct patient care, manage medications, and supervise other nursing staff. Prominent examples include Avita Senior Living at Rolling Hills, Homestead Estates of Wichita, Legend Senior Living, Via Christi Village Ridge, Family Health and Rehab, Regent Park Rehabilitation & Healthcare, and The Rushwood Senior Living.
  • Home Health Agencies:There is a significant demand for LPNs in home healthcare, often for weekend and PRN (as-needed) shifts. Agencies like Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, Maxim Healthcare Services, All Saints Home Care, and Angels Care Home Health employ LPNs to deliver skilled nursing care directly in clients’ homes.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LPNs are also vital members of teams in various clinic settings, including family medicine, pain centers, internal medicine, and podiatry clinics. Employers in this sector include Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Wichita Comprehensive Treatment Center, NMC Health, and Ascension Medical Group.
  • Other Settings:Opportunities also exist in specialized areas such as psychiatric care, with employers like Sedgwick County COMCARE.

Major Healthcare Employers in Wichita

Reputable healthcare systems and facilities that are prominent employers of LPNs in Wichita include:

  • Wesley Healthcare Network:Encompassing Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Rehabilitation Center, this network frequently offers LPN positions, sometimes with sign-on bonuses.
  • Ascension Via Christi:As a major healthcare provider in Kansas, Ascension Via Christi provides LPN opportunities across its extensive network of hospitals, clinics, therapy centers, and senior living communities.
  • Senior Living and Long-Term Care Providers:Companies such as Avita Senior Living at Rolling Hills, Legend Senior Living, Homestead Estates of Wichita, and The Rushwood Senior Living are actively hiring LPNs to support their resident care needs.
  • Home Health and Hospice Agencies:Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, Maxim Healthcare Services, All Saints Home Care, and Angels Care Home Health are key players in the growing home care sector.
  • Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital:This facility often hires LPNs, particularly for roles within its pain center.

Beyond these large systems, smaller facilities and staffing agencies like TrueCare24 and HealthTrust Workforce Solutions also play an important role, connecting LPNs with diverse opportunities throughout the city.

List of LPN Programs in Wichita, KS

If you are looking for LPN programs in Wichita, KS, you have come to the right place. This list will help you find schools and their programs in the area. You can see the city and state, program highlights, and links to each school's program page below. Explore your options to start your nursing career today.
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Wichita, KS

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 48 Credit Hour Program
    • NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation
    • Technical Certificate Option
    • No Experiential Learning Credit
    • Degree Pathway Options
*NCES, IPEDS 2023 survey, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/