LPN Programs in Arizona

Admission Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of prerequisite courses, including anatomy and physiology, with a grade of 'C' or higher.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisite courses.
• Current Arizona CNA certification is recommended but not mandatory.

Application Deadlines:

• Fall semester: Applications are typically due by April 1st.
• Spring semester: Applications are typically due by November 1st.

Entrance Exams:

• Applicants must take the HESI A2 entrance exam, with a minimum score of 70% in each section.

Transfer Options:

• Students who complete the LPN program may have the opportunity to transition into the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Central Arizona College, allowing them to further their education and become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Job Placement/Clinical Placement Opportunities:

• The program includes clinical placements at local healthcare facilities, giving students real-world experience in various nursing environments.
• Graduates of the LPN program have strong job placement rates, often finding employment in long-term care facilities, clinics, and hospitals within the region.

Yavapai College offers a "step-out" option for students who wish to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) after completing the first two semesters of the ADN program. This allows students to take the NCLEX-PN exam and work as an LPN before continuing their education to become an RN.

Program Overview:

• The LPN program typically takes about one year to complete.
• The program includes courses in nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-child nursing. Students also participate in clinical experiences to gain hands-on skills in various healthcare settings.
• Like the ADN program, students in the LPN program at Cochise College will have clinical rotations in hospitals and healthcare agencies, primarily in Cochise and Pima counties.

Admission Requirements:

• Prerequisites: Applicants need to meet certain educational prerequisites, including courses in anatomy, physiology, and basic nursing skills.
• TEAS Exam: A passing score on the TEAS exam is required for admission.
• Fingerprint Clearance: Applicants must obtain a fingerprint clearance card, as required by Arizona state law.

Step-Out Option for LPN Licensure:

• Students who complete the first two semesters of the ADN Nursing program may be eligible to apply for LPN licensure. This option is designed for students who wish to begin working in the nursing field sooner or who may need to temporarily pause their education.
• After completing the required coursework, students can opt to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Successfully passing this exam allows them to work as an LPN while continuing their education to become an RN later on if they choose.

GCC offers an option for students in the ADN program to step out of the program and obtain their Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure. This option is often referred to as an "exit option" or "step-out option."

Step-Out Option for LPN Licensure:

• Eligibility: Students who have successfully completed the first two semesters (Blocks 1 and 2) of the AAS Nursing program are eligible to apply for LPN licensure.
• Process: After completing these initial semesters, students can choose to take the NCLEX-PN exam, which is the licensing exam for Practical Nurses. Passing this exam allows students to become licensed as LPNs in Arizona.
• Continuation: Students who choose this option can later return to complete the remaining semesters of the ADN program if they wish to continue their education and become Registered Nurses (RNs).

Pima Community College’s Center for Training and Development offers a licensed practical nursing program that is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The program is ideal for students who have obligations outside of school, such as work or children because they offer either weekday classes or classes on evenings and weekends.

After completing this course the student will be given a certificate (non-credit certificate) and will be eligible to take the licensing exam. The course prepares the student to work in a variety of health care settings with classes such as Health Care Fundamentals and Introduction to Practical nursing.

Admission into the program is offered five times each year. To qualify for admission potential students must take the Accuplacer exam and pass with satisfactory scores. Candidates for the program must also obtain a fingerprint clearance card as well as pass a drug test and show documentation of current immunizations and TB skin test.

The program accepts transfer students from other accredited schools that have completed all of the necessary prerequisites. Also with completion of this course and with successful completion of the licensing process, the student has an option to get admitted into the associate degree-nursing program offered by PCC’s Center for Training and development.

Estrella Mountain Community College’s South West Skills Center offers a diverse practical nurse program that can be completed in as few as 46 weeks. This program prepares students for a career as a practical nurse by combining instruction in a classroom setting that includes lectures, videos, computer work and projects with important hands-on clinical learning, either in their state of the art laboratory or off campus in a real world work environment. The Arizona State Board of Nursing approves the program and after completion students will be able to apply to become a licensed practical nurse and take the NCLEX-PN in Arizona.

For admission into EMCC’s SWSC practical nursing program you must complete an HESI A2 entrance exam. The enrollment process also requires the student have a high school diploma or GED, documentation of immunizations, a current CPR certification card, and complete a criminal background check.

Students will be required to take such courses as essentials of practical nursing I and II and practical nursing science I and II. After completing the course they will be able to work directly under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse. They should be able to demonstrate the role of a practical nurse through excellent communication and caring behaviors while remaining professional and ethical.