Pennsylvania licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs can be as short as 1,500 hours and last as little as 12 months.
After completing the program, students must sit for the NCLEX-PN exam to earn an LPN certificate.
Certification depends on passing the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).
Page Navigation
- 5 Licensed Practical Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
- Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
- HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College – Harrisburg
- Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County – Scranton
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Bucks County Community College – Newtown and Perkasie
- Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Pennsylvania – Summary Table
- Top 5 Schools in Pennsylvania
- Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How can a licensed practical nurse become a clinical nurse specialist?
- Can a licensed practical nurse take the NCLEX-PN test without attending classes?
- Where can I work as an (LPN)?
- What are the requirements for LPN certification in Pennsylvania?
- What classes are required for a licensed practical nurse?
5 Licensed Practical Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center is located on Willow Street, with other campuses in Mount Joy, Brownstown, Lancaster, and Manheim.
It has its LPN programs during the daytime and evenings.
The daytime program lasts 12 months and begins in January, May, and September.
The evening program starts in March and September and lasts 18 months.
Both programs have 1605 credit hours divided into two.
Theory hours consist of 738 hours, while practical takes 867 hours.
To earn a certificate, you must score at least 75 percent in all the nursing courses.
The estimated cost of tuition for the program is $16,950 for in-state students and $18,900 for out-state students.
The cost is inclusive of term fee, technology fee, student insurance fee, and graduation fee.
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College – Harrisburg
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The school is the first and biggest community college in the area.
The full-time practical nursing program takes 15 months, consisting of 51 credits.
Clinical sessions are spread over three semesters and are delivered by qualified faculty members and skilled instructors.
The sessions are arranged in various healthcare settings at Harrisburg and Lancaster campuses.
To earn the certificate, students must score at least a “C” grade in all the courses.
The estimated tuition for the program is $19,713, everything inclusive.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County – Scranton
The LPN program at the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) takes 15 months to complete.
The program starts in March and December in the even calendar years and only in September for the odd ones.
The curriculum has 1560 program hours divided into four levels, each taking 13 weeks.
Both theory lessons and practical sessions take an equal time of 780 hours each.
Classes are available from Monday to Friday.
Clinical practicals are done in healthcare settings like Moses Taylor Hospital, Geisinger Community Medical Center, Mountain View Care Center, and Regional Hospital of Scranton.
The estimated tuition fee for levels I, II, III, and IV is $15,200.
The college is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College offers a one-year practical nursing program that trains the students on the practices of an LPN in the healthcare sector.
The program has three semesters.
The fall semester consists of 18 credits, the spring semester is 18 credits, and the summer semester has 15 credits.
This program prepares the students to provide effective nursing care to the ailing and needy.
The course is designed in a way that facilitates practical learning.
Clinical sessions are available during the training, which helps the students to handle situations confidently.
To earn the certificate, students must achieve a “C” grade in all the courses.
The school is located in Schnecksville, with others in Allentown, Jim Thorpe, and Tamaqua.
The estimated cost of the program is $6,435 for in-district students, $11,340 for in-state students and $16,245 for out-of-state students.
Bucks County Community College – Newtown and Perkasie
Bucks County Community College is located in Swamp Road, Newtown.
The college offers a full-time practical nursing course that takes one year to complete.
The program begins in July every year.
The curriculum includes 1,530 program hours divided into three levels.
The first level takes 483 hours, the second level 562 hours, and the third level takes 485 hours.
The course structure includes theory classes and clinical sessions.
The theory takes 798 hours, while clinical sessions take 732 hours.
The program provides opportunities to work as a licensed practical nurse in various patient care settings.
The estimated tuition: fee is $14,500.00, everything inclusive (textbooks/eBooks, assessment testing, and resources).
Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Pennsylvania – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Pennsylvania
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Lancaster County Career & Technology Center | 1730 Hans Herr Dr, Willow Street, PA 17584 |
| HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College - Harrisburg | 1 HACC Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110 |
| Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County - Scranton | 3201 Rockwell Ave, Scranton, PA 18508 |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | 4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, PA 18078 |
| Bucks County Community College - Newtown and Perkasie | One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944 |
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania
As of June 28, 2022, a licensed practical nurse in Pennsylvania earns an average salary of $50,506, although the range can be between $45,860 and $56,180.
However, salary ranges may differ mainly depending on the city and other factors, like education, certifications, different skills, and the years you have been practicing.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $54,210 |
| Pittsburgh | $49,848 |
| Allentown | $51,002 |
| Erie | $46,746 |
| Upper Darby | $54,210 |
| Reading | $50,343 |
| Scranton | $46,710 |
| Bethlehem | $51,002 |
| Lower Merion | $54,210 |
| Bensalem | $54,658 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,790 | $58,900 | $28.32 | $70,760 | $48,240 |
| Altoona, PA | 520 | $54,440 | $26.17 | $66,230 | $42,740 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 360 | $54,600 | $26.25 | $63,100 | $47,250 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 330 | $57,460 | $27.62 | $70,680 | $45,290 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 230 | $56,720 | $27.27 | $63,080 | $47,360 |
| Erie, PA | 790 | $54,200 | $26.06 | $63,520 | $41,990 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 180 | $56,790 | $27.3 | $64,630 | $47,690 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,620 | $58,720 | $28.23 | $68,200 | $49,150 |
| Johnstown, PA | 270 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $62,900 | $43,740 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,520 | $57,650 | $27.72 | $64,560 | $48,270 |
| Lebanon, PA | 440 | $59,070 | $28.4 | $68,520 | $48,270 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 13,020 | $63,870 | $30.71 | $75,400 | $51,440 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4,230 | $57,530 | $27.66 | $66,790 | $46,580 |
| Reading, PA | 760 | $60,690 | $29.18 | $72,800 | $49,180 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 1,760 | $56,360 | $27.1 | $63,400 | $47,730 |
| State College, PA | 350 | $55,450 | $26.66 | $62,900 | $45,840 |
| Williamsport, PA | 450 | $54,090 | $26.01 | $63,390 | $43,210 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 760 | $56,480 | $27.15 | $63,570 | $46,950 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a licensed practical nurse become a clinical nurse specialist?
To advance from a licensed practical nurse to a clinical nurse specialist, you must become a registered nurse and complete graduate education.
Can a licensed practical nurse take the NCLEX-PN test without attending classes?
The (NCLEX-PN) test is designed for entry-level PN nurses.
To acquire a PN license, students must complete a licensed practical nurse education program to qualify for the NCLEX-PN test.
Where can I work as an (LPN)?
Licensed practical nurses can work in different medical settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, and private practice.
What are the requirements for LPN certification in Pennsylvania?
You should complete an approved licensed practical nursing program in Pennsylvania and pass the licensure certification exam (NCLEX-PN).
What classes are required for a licensed practical nurse?
The typical coursework for LPN candidates includes nursing skills, physiology, anatomy, mental health nursing, and patient assessment.
