Best LPN Programs in Saint Paul 2026
Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Saint Paul, Minnesota with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for practical nurses in the Saint Paul area.
2027 Best LPN Programs in Saint Paul, MN
Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount, MN - Public 2-Year - dctc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Dakota County Technical College prepares students for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role through a 43-credit, campus-based Practical Nursing Diploma. The coursework spans adult health nursing, pharmacology, maternal-child health, and behavioral health concepts, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice. Small class sizes and dedicated instructors support personalized learning. The program features two clinical practicums in long-term care and acute settings, plus a nursing capstone that strengthens readiness for entry-level practice. Graduates may pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare environments. Financial aid options make this diploma an accessible pathway into a growing field. The curriculum prioritizes patient-centered care throughout all clinical experiences.
- 43 total credit hours
- Capstone required
- Financial aid available
- Clinical I and II provide hands-on experience
- Capstone course eases LPN transition
- Covers adult health nursing across lifespan
- Includes pharmacology and maternal-child health
- Behavioral health nursing concepts included
Anoka Technical College
Anoka, MN - Public 2-Year - anokatech.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma
Campus Based - Visit Website
Anoka Technical College offers a one-year Practical Nursing Diploma that equips students for LPN licensure. The ACEN-accredited program, approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, covers essential nursing skills, patient care, and medical knowledge, preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN. With a job placement rate above 90%, LPNs in Minnesota enjoy strong demand and a median hourly wage of $29.15. The program requires the TEAS entrance exam and prerequisite courses. Rolling admissions with fall and spring starts allow flexibility, while dedicated faculty advisors support each student. This diploma offers a direct route to a growing healthcare career.
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- Rolling admissions
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 90% job placement rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MN - Public 2-Year - saintpaul.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma
Campus Based - Visit Website
Saint Paul College's Practical Nursing Diploma is an accelerated, three-semester pathway to LPN licensure in Minnesota. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on practice in a multi-million dollar simulation center, using lifelike mannequins to prepare students for real-world patient care. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty ensure personalized attention throughout the curriculum. Prerequisite coursework is required, and the program is military-friendly. Graduates see a 75% job placement rate and a median hourly wage of $29 in Minnesota, with employment options in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Applications are due by October 30, 2026, making this one of the fastest routes into nursing.
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in just three semesters
- Apply by 2026-10-30
- 75% job placement rate
- $29 Median hourly wage in Minnesota
- Prerequisite courses required
- Multi-million dollar simulation center
- Small class sizes
Saint Paul LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play a frontline role in Saint Paul’s care teams, delivering bedside care, administering medications, monitoring chronic conditions, and coordinating with registered nurses and physicians. In the city’s hospitals, clinics, long-term care centers, and home health agencies, LPNs support access to timely, hands-on care for adults, children, and older residents across diverse neighborhoods.
Saint Paul’s healthcare landscape includes major hospitals such as Regions Hospital and Allina Health’s United Hospital, pediatric specialty care at Gillette Children’s, numerous primary and specialty clinics, and a large network of skilled nursing, assisted living, rehabilitation, and home health providers. State labor market and federal workforce data consistently indicate steady demand for LPNs in Minnesota, with strong employment opportunities in the Twin Cities metro, including Ramsey County. Employers commonly recruit LPNs for long-term care, primary care clinics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and community-based services.
Local LPN programs offered by public community and technical colleges in and around Saint Paul are designed to prepare graduates for entry into practice. Typical timelines include:
- Full-time tracks that can be completed in about 12 months after prerequisite coursework.
Curricula blend classroom instruction in practical nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical and geriatric nursing, and mental health with skills lab practice and supervised clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. Programs emphasize NCLEX-PN preparation through integrated course objectives, competency-based skills assessments, and exam-readiness resources.
To practice as an LPN in Minnesota, graduates must complete a board-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and meet licensure requirements administered by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, which oversees program approval, licensure, and professional regulation statewide.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Saint Paul
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Saint Paul, Minnesota, find themselves in a robust job market, particularly within the dynamic healthcare and social assistance sector. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area reported a significant demand for healthcare professionals in 2023, with approximately 20,500 job vacancies in Health Care & Social Assistance, representing the largest share of job openings in the region. Over half of these positions required some form of postsecondary education, underscoring the value of specialized training for roles like LPNs. The demand for qualified healthcare personnel is a consistent trend, as indicated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
As of Fiscal Year 2023, Minnesota had 18,568 actively licensed LPNs, contributing to the state’s vital healthcare workforce. LPNs in Minnesota earn a median hourly wage of $29.68 as of Fiscal Year 2023. Most LPNs work full-time, with 70% reporting between 31 and 40 hours per week, and a median of 36 hours. The primary specialties for LPNs in the state are geriatric/gerontology and adult/family health, together accounting for 58% of practitioners, as documented by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
LPNs in Saint Paul are sought after by a diverse array of healthcare facilities, providing numerous avenues for employment:
- Hospitals:Major hospital systems such as Fairview Health Services and Allina Health frequently hire LPNs to perform delegated nursing and medical functions under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Regions Hospital, part of the HealthPartners network, also offers diverse nursing career opportunities.
- Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities:LPNs are crucial in providing care in long-term and skilled nursing environments. Notable employers include Episcopal Homes, The Phoenix Residence, Good Samaritan Society – Maplewood, and Ebenezer Senior Living’s skilled nursing communities.
- Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities focusing on patient recovery from illness, injury, or surgery, such as Good Samaritan Society – Maplewood, Highland Chateau Health + Rehabilitation Center, and Summit Hill Senior Living and Rehabilitation, employ LPNs for rehabilitative care.
- Home Health Agencies:These agencies frequently hire LPNs for patient care in home settings. Key employers include AccentCare, Inc., Home Health Care, Inc., Vivie, and Care Plus HHA.
- Private Practices and Clinics:LPNs are essential in various clinic settings. HealthPartners, Planned Parenthood, Whole Woman’s Health, and Milan Laser Hair Removal are among the employers seeking LPNs for roles in primary care, wound care, and other specialty clinics.
- Senior Living Facilities:Beyond traditional nursing homes, assisted living facilities also rely on LPNs for patient care. All Cares Incorporated serves as a staffing agency for such facilities in Saint Paul. Presbyterian Homes & Services also hires LPNs for its senior living communities.
- Specialized and Community Settings:LPNs also find opportunities in specialized areas. BioLife Plasma Services employs LPNs for donor eligibility and medical event management. Contract positions in schools, offered by agencies like Sunbelt Staffing, and roles as nurse consultants in group homes with organizations like The Phoenix Residence, Community Medical Services, and Pediatric Home Service, further broaden the employment landscape.
The extensive network of healthcare providers, from large hospital systems to specialized clinics and community-based services, ensures a wide range of employment opportunities for LPNs seeking to contribute to patient care in Saint Paul.
List of LPN Programs in Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul College
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma
Campus Based - Website
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in just three semesters
- Apply by 2026-10-30
- 75% job placement rate
- $29 Median hourly wage in Minnesota
- Prerequisite courses required
- Multi-million dollar simulation center
- Fastest route into nursing
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