North Carolina LPN Programs

Browse our list of state approved LPN certification programs

Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina

In today’s economy, jobs in the field of health care and nursing are in relatively high demand. While many sectors of the economy are shrinking and down-sizing, health care is growing. This trend is predicted to continue for years to come as millions of baby boomers enter retirement and our nation’s health care needs increase.

An excellent career position in the health care field is the licensed practical nurse (LPN). To become an LPN, you must have a high school diploma or GED, go through the required training, and pass a board certified exam to become licensed. The ideal LPN candidate should be compassionate, dedicated, patient, have the ability to handle challenges and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Before enrolling in LPN training classes many people prepare by taking additional Math and Science courses during their high school years.

Typical courses within an LPN program aim to teach students skills such as taking vital signs, administering first aid, patient hygiene, feeding patients, administering medication, and providing emotional support to patients. Most LPN programs include course work in anatomy and physiology, because it is essential for LPNs to understand the human body and how it works. Education in Pharmacology is also important for monitoring IVs and working with different medications.

There are numerous schools that offer LPN programs in North Carolina, including the Medical Careers Institute in Raleigh, and the ECPI College of Technology with campuses in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. There are also schools in Asheville, Jacksonville, Sanford, Jamestown, Marion, Shelby, Roxboro, Clinton, Henderson, and many more North Carolina cities.

Being an LPN affords the individual many choices in where they work. Practical nurses can find employment in hospitals, senior living facilities, hospices, home care, veteran centers, or private doctors’ offices. Almost ever city has at least one of the above mentioned facilities. LPNs also enjoy the benefits of working with nearly every population: children in pediatrics, elderly in geriatrics, veterans, adults, and even emergency room patients, or patients with specific injuries or illnesses. The average salary for an LPN practicing in North Carolina is around $45,000 per year. Salary can vary depending on experience, place of employment, and actual position and job duties.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse, there are a handful of different advancement options within the same field. Once you have been working for some time, you can always use your experience, knowledge, and skills to go back to school or seek advancement opportunities within your current place of employment. You can manage other LPNs or work more closely with certain doctors or departments in your place of work. Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse is an excellent way to increase job stability and security and still have a career that will feel personally rewarding.

List of LPN Programs in North Carolina (NC)

Find Local LPN Classes in Every State

North Carolina LPN Schools

Our directory lists all North Carolina schools that currently offer approved practical nursing programs. The North Carolina state board of nursing is the regulatory organization in charge of approving LPN education programs. To gain approval, educational institutions must demonstrate to the board of nursing that their program sufficiently prepares students with the knowledge and skills expected of a licensed practical nurse. The on-going approval of a program depends largely upon their graduation rates and the NCLEX pass rates of their graduates. If a program starts to produce poor results in either of these two categories they can quickly lose their state approval or be placed on probationary approval status until their results improve.

Required LPN Classes in North Carolina

The specific course work required in practical nursing programs can differ from institution to institution. However, there are some subjects that are almost always included in most programs. Typical LPN classes include Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Nursing Skills, Nutrition, Math for Nurses, Psychology and Pharmacology. Topics covered within these subjects prepare students with the knowledge base required to perform the work of a licensed practical nurse.

How to Become an LPN in North Carolina

Start the process by researching available education programs to find one that suits your schedule and preferences. The next step is to enroll and complete an LPN training program that is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Most LPN programs take roughly one year to finish. Upon successful completion of all course requirements you are eligible to challenge the NCLEX-PN exam. After passing the test you can register with the state of North Carolina as a licensed practical nurse and begin searching for employment.

Taking the NCLEX-PN Exam in North Carolina

When it comes time to challenge the practical nursing license exam it is advisable to prepare for the exam with a self-study program or classroom prep course. Knowing what to expect on the actual test and completing practice questions can increase your chances of passing. When you feel ready to take the test, apply for your practical nursing license with the North Carolina state board of nursing and register with Pearson VUE. There is a $200 fee required in order to register for the exam. The next step is to wait until you receive confirmation of your Authorization to Test (ATT). Once you receive your ATT you can schedule your NCLEX exam with Pearson VUE at a nearby testing center.

LPN Quick Reference Links

North Carolina Board of Nursing
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Pearson VUE – Official NCLEX Testing Provider
LPN/LVN Career Outlook – US Dept of Labor
Licensed Practical Nurse Wiki
National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service (NAPNES)
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses