Best LPN Programs in Chesapeake 2026
Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Chesapeake, Virginia with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Chesapeake area.
2027 Best LPN Programs in Chesapeake, VA
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA - Private 4-year - ecpi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
ECPI University's Practical Nursing diploma is an accelerated, campus-based program that can be completed in just 15 months. The curriculum focuses on foundational nursing skills, critical thinking, and effective communication, with hands-on labs and clinical experiences that prepare students for entry-level LPN roles. Students study alongside doctors and registered nurses, gaining real-world patient care experience. The program includes NCLEX-PN preparation, ensuring graduates are ready for licensure. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam; no additional prerequisites are required. This military-friendly program offers a direct path to a rewarding nursing career.
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 15-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Foundational nursing skills for LPN
- Work alongside doctors and RNs
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- Hands-on labs and clinical training
Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin, VA - Public 2-Year - pdc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Certificate in Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Paul D. Camp Community College offers a campus-based Certificate in Practical Nursing designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure. Delivered over three full-time semesters, the curriculum covers nursing concepts across the lifespan, legal and ethical principles, clinical skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students learn to conduct focused nursing assessments, plan care, and evaluate patient outcomes. Admission is selective, and graduates qualify for staff positions in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The program addresses strong regional demand, with 266 new LPN positions projected annually in the Hampton Roads area. This certificate serves as a solid foundation for entering nursing practice.
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in A college-ready student attending Camp full-time can complete this certificate in three semesters
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Selective admissions process
- Careers in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics
- 266 new LPN jobs projected annually
Fortis College-Norfolk
Norfolk, VA - Private 2-year - fortis.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Fortis College's Practical Nursing program in Norfolk, VA, uses a hybrid format blending online coursework with in-person lab and clinical training. Students gain real-world experience in hospitals and healthcare agencies while studying nursing theory. The curriculum prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN and pursue LPN licensure, caring for patients across the lifespan. The program is military-friendly and offers financial aid assistance. A notable advantage: working CNAs with recent clinical experience may receive transfer credit. Dedicated career services support job placement following graduation. This pathway accommodates both new students and CNAs seeking advancement.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available
- Theory, lab, and clinical experiences
- CNA transfer credit available
- Career Services assistance
- Financial aid offices on campus
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA - Public 2-Year - tcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Education Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Offered at Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach Campus, the Practical Nursing Education Certificate is a 45-credit, three-semester track within the Beazley School of Nursing. Beginning each spring, the program blends classroom theory with clinical rotations across diverse healthcare settings. Students develop competencies in patient care, medication administration, and health assessment, with an emphasis on evidence-based, compassionate practice. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN and pursue LPN roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care. Admission requires a mandatory advising session, official transcripts, and ATI TEAS scores. The application packet must be hand-delivered by September 30. Approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, the program also offers faculty advising and tutoring support. This structured cohort model offers an efficient route into nursing.
- Virginia Board of Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in only three semesters of study
- 45 total credit hours
- Starts spring
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Offered at Virginia Beach Campus
- Mandatory advising session required
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA - Private 4-year - bryantstratton.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bryant & Stratton College–Virginia Beach offers an on-campus Practical Nursing Diploma designed to launch your LPN career in just 12 months. The 41-credit curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, IV therapy, and maternal/child health, with hands-on clinical placements providing real-world experience. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN. The program emphasizes leadership skills and supports career advancement through credit transfer to the associate RN degree. With no application fee, military-friendly policies, and internship opportunities, this diploma prepares students for roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
- 12-Month program
- 41 total credit hours
- $0 application fee
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Hands-on clinical experiences
- Transfer credits to RN program
- On-campus program in Virginia Beach
- Career in hospitals and clinics
- Internship opportunities available
Chesapeake LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play an essential role in Chesapeake’s healthcare system by providing direct, hands-on care across acute care units, skilled nursing facilities, primary care and specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. In team-based settings, LPNs support patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and documentation under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, helping expand access to care for residents throughout the Hampton Roads region.
Chesapeake’s healthcare landscape includes a full-service acute care hospital, public school career and technical education pathways, and proximity to regional clinics and long-term care providers. These settings create steady opportunities for entry-level nurses, particularly in long-term care and home health where ongoing patient needs drive demand. National labor data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates continued employment growth for practical nurses, reflecting an aging population and expanding community-based services.
In Virginia, LPN education programs are regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing. To become licensed, students must complete a board-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. The Board oversees program approval, licensure, and compliance with the state Nurse Practice Act, and it provides guidance on application, criminal background checks, and examination requirements.
Typical LPN program timelines in Chesapeake and the surrounding area include full-time tracks that can be completed in approximately 12 months, and part-time or evening pathways that may extend to 18 to 24 months. Programs blend classroom instruction, skills laboratory work, and supervised clinical experiences at local healthcare sites to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN and safe entry-level practice.
Prospective students can find board-approved options through local public school career and technical education programs and nearby colleges or health career schools. When evaluating programs, verify current Virginia Board of Nursing approval status and NCLEX-PN outcomes, and consider schedule options that match your needs, including day, evening, or part-time cohorts.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Chesapeake
The healthcare employment landscape in Chesapeake, Virginia, indicates a steady and growing demand for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a significant presence of practical nurses in the Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area, which encompasses Chesapeake, contributing substantially to the region’s total nursing workforce. The BLS anticipates a higher-than-average increase in the demand for practical nursing through the 2020s, primarily driven by an aging population requiring more preventative and frontline healthcare services. This outlook ensures a robust job market for LPNs seeking opportunities in the area, offering diverse roles across various care settings.
Types of Facilities Hiring LPNs in Chesapeake
LPNs in Chesapeake can find employment across a wide range of healthcare settings, providing flexibility and diverse career paths:
- Hospitals:Major hospital systems and regional medical centers are key employers. These include Chesapeake Regional Healthcare and facilities within the extensive Sentara Healthcare network, which operates numerous hospitals and care sites across the region. Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters also hires LPNs for office-based roles supporting pediatric care.
- Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are significant employers, seeking LPNs to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Examples include Chesapeake Health & Rehabilitation Center, Laurel Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Sentara Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – Chesapeake, and Autumn Care of Chesapeake.
- Home Health Agencies:Numerous agencies in Chesapeake actively recruit LPNs to deliver patient care in home settings, offering a more personalized care environment. Prominent agencies include Amedisys, Sentara Home Care Services, Atlantic Homecare Services (specializing in pediatric homecare), Maxim Healthcare Services, and Personal-Touch Home Care.
- Senior Living Facilities and Assisted Living:As the senior population grows, so does the need for LPNs in senior care environments such as The Vero at Chesapeake and Commonwealth Senior Living At Cedar Manor. Erickson Senior Living also hires LPNs for various roles within their senior living and healthcare communities.
- Private Practices and Physician Offices:LPNs are integral to the efficient operation of physician groups and private practices. Employers like Bon Secours (with various family practices), Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (for office LPNs), and Tidewater Physicians for Women frequently hire LPNs.
- Correctional Facilities:Opportunities are also available in institutional settings, such as St. Brides Correctional Center, which employs LPNs for part-time positions.
- Plasma Donation Centers:Facilities like BioLife Plasma Services in Chesapeake utilize LPNs/LVNs as Medical Support Specialists to assist with plasma collection.
Major Healthcare Employers in Chesapeake
Several reputable healthcare systems and organizations consistently seek LPNs in the Chesapeake area:
- Sentara Healthcare:A large, not-for-profit integrated healthcare provider widely recognized as an “Employer of Choice.” Sentara offers extensive opportunities across its more than 500 sites of care, including hospitals, home health, hospice, and medical groups.
- Bon Secours:Known for hiring LPNs in physician offices and various other clinical settings throughout the region.
- Amedisys:One of the largest home health and hospice companies in the U.S., with a strong presence in Chesapeake, offering community-based care roles.
- Chesapeake Regional Healthcare:A significant local healthcare system providing a wide array of services and career opportunities for LPNs.
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters:Regularly hires LPNs for office-based roles, contributing to pediatric healthcare services in Chesapeake.
Smaller Facilities and Flexible Employment Options
Beyond the major systems, smaller facilities and specialized networks play a crucial role in LPN employment in Chesapeake:
- Chesapeake Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Laurel Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
- The Vero at Chesapeake
- Commonwealth Senior Living At Cedar Manor
- Atlantic Homecare Services
- Victorious Angels Home Healthcare
Additionally, staffing agencies such as IntelyCare and Nursa facilitate flexible employment for LPNs, offering per diem and short-term assignments across various facilities in Chesapeake and the broader Coastal Virginia region, providing competitive hourly rates and adaptable schedules.
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