Home LPN Programs Louisiana Baton Rouge

Best LPN Programs in Baton Rouge 2026

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

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
Edit Template
Baton Rouge Louisiana LPN programs providing nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles
Jump to Section
Edit Template

Cities in Louisiana

2027 Best LPN Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

Choosing the right Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in Baton Rouge can set the stage for a rewarding healthcare career. We at practicalnursing.org have evaluated local schools based on accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and affordability to bring you the best options. Each program on our list offers hands-on training and strong clinical partnerships. Whether you prefer a quick certificate or a more detailed diploma, these top-rated schools have something for you. Our rankings are built on solid data to help you make a smart choice. To see how we measure each program, check our methodology here: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Baton Rouge Community College

Baton Rouge, LA - Public 2-Year - mybrcc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Baton Rouge Community College's Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing is a five-semester, 59-credit program at the Acadian site, with one fall start per year. Coursework covers fundamental and advanced nursing skills, pharmacology, drug calculations, medication administration, nutrition, IV therapy, and care of pediatric, obstetric, and mental health patients. Leadership and legal issues in nursing are also included. The program emphasizes geriatric and long-term care, preparing graduates for private physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Admission is selective, requiring prerequisite courses with 80% grades and ACT, Accuplacer, or TEAS entrance exam scores. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: ACT, TEAS
  • 5-Semester program
  • 59 total credit hours
  • 1 start dates per year
  • Starts fall
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Focus on geriatric and long-term care
  • Criminal background check required
#2

River Parishes Community College

Gonzales, LA - Public 2-Year - rpcc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

River Parishes Community College offers a Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing at its Gonzales campus, providing a direct path to LPN licensure. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training aligned with regional healthcare workforce demands. Students benefit from a cohort-based model with day and evening options, accommodating working adults. Multiple start dates in January and August allow flexible entry. Admission requires Accuplacer scores; RPCC supports applicants with a free Accuplacer Refresher course and a no-cost retake. This supportive approach helps students succeed. Graduates are prepared to deliver compassionate care in hospitals, clinics, and long-term facilities. With a focus on practical skills and community need, this program is a solid choice for aspiring LPNs in the Baton Rouge area.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Apply by 2026-05-01
  • Cohort-based structure
  • Prepares skilled, compassionate nurses
  • Free Accuplacer Refresher course
  • No-cost Accuplacer retake
  • Evening cohort available
*From: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2025 dataset. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Baton Rouge LPN Program Overview

Baton Rouge is a regional healthcare hub for the Capital Region, and Licensed Practical Nurses play a central role across its hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies. LPNs provide direct patient care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with procedures, supporting discharge planning, and educating patients and families. In the city’s large medical centers, specialty clinics, and numerous nursing and rehabilitation facilities, LPNs help maintain continuity of care and expand access for an aging population and individuals managing chronic conditions.

The local healthcare landscape includes major regional hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, public health clinics, and a robust network of home health and hospice providers that serve East Baton Rouge Parish and neighboring communities. Employers rely on LPNs in settings where ongoing bedside care, medication management, and coordination with interdisciplinary teams are essential, supporting steady demand in long-term care, outpatient, and community-based services.

Practical nursing programs in Baton Rouge typically offer classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations that prepare students for entry-level practical nursing roles. Full-time cohorts commonly run about 12 to 18 months, while part-time or evening formats may take 18 to 24 months, depending on clinical scheduling and program structure.

Louisiana requires graduation from a state-approved practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners approves LPN programs, sets education and clinical standards, and administers licensure and regulatory oversight. Baton Rouge programs align their curricula to these state requirements and provide targeted NCLEX-PN preparation so graduates can meet licensure standards and transition into local practice settings.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Baton Rouge

The healthcare sector in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, presents a dynamic and expanding employment landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The metropolitan area has seen considerable growth in healthcare jobs, with approximately 4,200 new positions added since March 2020. Healthcare is a vital contributor to the state’s economy, representing approximately 15.4% of total employment across Louisiana.

LPNs in Baton Rouge can anticipate competitive compensation. The average annual salary for LPNs is $53,640, translating to an hourly rate of $25.79. Entry-level LPNs in the city earn an average annual salary of approximately $41,600. Factoring in the local cost of living, which is approximately 9.4% below the national average, the national job outlook for LPNs is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, aligning with the average for all occupations. This steady demand is largely driven by the needs of an aging baby boomer population, particularly for home healthcare services and residential care facilities catering to the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions.

LPNs in Baton Rouge find diverse employment opportunities across a wide range of healthcare settings:

  • Hospitals:Major hospitals are significant employers. These include Our Lady of the Lake, Woman’s Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge Specialty Hospital, Surgical Specialty Center of Baton Rouge, The Spine Hospital of Louisiana, Promise Hospital of Baton Rouge, and Oceans Behavioral Hospital of Baton Rouge.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities consistently seek LPNs for patient care. Examples include Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation, Sterling Place, and Heritage Manor of Baton Rouge.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs provide crucial support in settings such as PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Baton Rouge, Sage Rehabilitation Hospital, and The Neuromedical Center Rehabilitation Hospital, assisting patients in recovery.
  • Senior Living Facilities:Assisted living and memory care communities have a steady demand for LPNs. Examples include Claiborne Senior Living and St. James Place Retirement Community.
  • Home Health Agencies:This growing sector offers flexible opportunities in patients’ homes. Prominent employers include Amedisys, CareSouth, and Aveanna Healthcare.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LPNs work in various physicians’ offices and specialty clinics, including those within the Ochsner Health System network and Open Health Care Clinic.
  • Other Facilities:Opportunities also exist in correctional healthcare, such as Turn Key Health, and plasma donation centers like BioLife Plasma Services.

Several major healthcare employers are particularly well-known for hiring LPNs in the Baton Rouge area:

  • Ochsner Health System: A leading provider with multiple facilities and clinics.
  • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center: A prominent hospital serving the community.
  • Woman’s Hospital: A key institution in the Baton Rouge healthcare landscape.
  • Baton Rouge General: A significant employer committed to local service and part of the Baton Rouge Health District.
  • Amedisys: A large home health and hospice company with a strong local presence.
  • Claiborne Senior Living and St. James Place Retirement Community: Examples of facilities focused on senior care.

List of LPN Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

Looking for LPN programs in Baton Rouge, LA? You're in the right place. Below is a table that gives you the full rundown on each school. You'll see the city and state location, the main highlights of each program, and a link to the school's official program page. From clinical training and class schedules to exam preparation, these details help you make an informed choice. Take your time browsing and find the best fit for your nursing career.

Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: ACT, TEAS
    • 5-Semester program
    • 59 total credit hours
    • 1 start dates per year
    • Starts fall
    • Prerequisite courses required
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
*Source: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/, IPEDS 2025 release.

Related Articles