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.
2026 Best LPN Programs in Baton Rouge, LA
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 59-credit, five-semester program that builds core nursing competencies with an emphasis on geriatric and long-term care. Students complete clinical and academic training to prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam, leading to roles in hospitals, clinics, and care facilities. Admission mandates pre-nursing courses with 80% or higher grades, specific entrance exam scores, and thorough background and health checks. This limited-enrollment pathway ensures focused skill development for diverse healthcare environments.
- Five-semester, 59 credit program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Focus on geriatric care
- Limited enrollment program
- Comprehensive nursing skills training
- Clinical and academic requirements
- Multiple healthcare employment paths
- Specific admission test scores required
- Pre-nursing course prerequisites
- Criminal background check mandatory
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 campus-based Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing that equips students with essential healthcare skills for a rewarding career. The program requires Accuplacer scores for application and provides a free refresher course to help meet these requirements. Admission is competitive, with final acceptance determined by candidate ranking and available spots, ensuring dedicated students can pursue this pathway into nursing. This military-friendly program focuses on building a solid foundation in practical nursing without requiring specific entrance exams like ACT or SAT, making it accessible for career changers and new entrants to the field.
- Campus-based program
- Accuplacer scores required
- Free refresher course available
- Final acceptance based on ranking
- Prepares for practical nursing career
Fortis College-Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA - Private 2-year - fortis.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Fortis College-Baton Rouge's Practical Nursing program immerses students in hands-on clinical training within real healthcare environments, preparing them thoroughly for the NCLEX-PN exam. The curriculum emphasizes anatomy, pharmacology, and patient care skills through a blend of classroom learning and lab work. With small class sizes and experienced faculty, students gain personalized attention to master essential nursing competencies. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and financial aid options support eligible candidates. This campus-based program is ideal for those seeking a fast-track entry into practical nursing, focusing on comprehensive, real-world preparation without requiring entrance exams.
- Campus-based program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Hands-on clinical experiences
- Covers anatomy and pharmacology
- Financial aid available
- High school diploma required
- Comprehensive patient care training
- Small class sizes
- Experienced faculty
- Real-world healthcare settings
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
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- Five-semester, 59 credit program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Focus on geriatric care
- Limited enrollment program
- Comprehensive nursing skills training
- Clinical and academic requirements
- Multiple healthcare employment paths
- Specific admission test scores required
Fortis College-Baton Rouge
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- Campus-based program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Hands-on clinical experiences
- Covers anatomy and pharmacology
- Financial aid available
- High school diploma required
- Comprehensive patient care training
- Small class sizes
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