LPN Programs in Louisiana

There are many opportunities in the nursing field if you are in the State of Louisiana. The LPNs in the state comprise 34% of the whole nurses’ population, with cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans providing the most number of nursing educational institutions and LPN employment opportunities. 

LPN Salaries in LA 

LPNs in Louisiana can earn salaries that range from $36,519 to as much as $41,574 annually. Those that come from the metropolitan areas tend to have higher salaries than their non-metropolitan counterparts. When you think of it, though, it becomes relative because metropolitan areas have a higher cost of living. 

LPN Education in Louisiana 

The Practical Nursing program in this state is considered as the highway to a successful nursing career. Earning a degree means the student has to spend a year of hands-on practice and classroom training. In this state, the RN comfort score is way higher than the LPN but this does not shadow the fact that becoming a licensed practical nurse is the fastest route to getting on the job the first time. 

If you are thinking of ways to begin your schooling, you might want to schedule a personal interview in one of these prestigious Louisiana nursing schools – 

Delgado Community College 

Located in New Orleans, this school was established in 1921 from the funds of Isaac Delgado. Programs that are offered here range from apprenticeship, certificate to the Associate Degree levels. 

The Practical Nursing Program in this college is a structured, intensive and sequential education that is prepared for the deserving student. Upon completion of this program, the graduate earns his technical diploma and is now eligible to apply for the licensure exam for LPNs. The program length totals 16 months and has the full approval of the LSBPNE or The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. 

Nuñez Community College 

Also referred to as the Elaine P. Nuñez Community College, it was founded in 1992 after the merger of Elaine P. Nuñez Technical Institute and the St. Bernard Parish Community College. 

The Nuñez Practical Nursing program is an accelerated curriculum, meaning, as soon as the student completes the prerequisite courses, he can finish the rest of the program in just 12 months. 

The PN program requires both traditional classroom and lab attendance. The busiest schedule could be 40 hours each week where students study during office hours (from 8:00 A.M. till 4:30 P.M.) on weekdays. The clinical hours vary depending on the health care site that the student attends.

 Successful completion of the PN program qualifies the graduate to the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Classes begin in fall and spring with prerequisite classes completed by May (for those attending the fall enrollment); and by August for those who prefer to enroll during spring. 

Our Lady of the Lake College 

Commonly called the OLOLC, this school was established in 1923 and was then named Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing. But in 1995, this educational institution was christened a new name and became a co-educational college. Located in Baton Rouge, this is still one of the leading educators in the field of nursing. 

The school’s diploma program in Practical Nursing consists of four semesters (about 16 months), has 850 classroom hours and 804 clinical hours. This totals to 53 credit hours for the student. 

The curriculum is based on the requirements that were set by the Lousiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners or LSPBNE. It incorporates the fundamentals in holistic nursing; stress and adaptation; hierarchy of needs; psychosocial development and problem-solving skills. 

A student has the option to earn the Associate’s Degree in Applied Science if he chooses to take the added 12 credit hours which totals up to 65 credits. The required credits are English Composition (3 credits); College Algebra (3 credits); Introductory Psychology (3 credits); and Humanities Elective (3 credits).

Admission requirements for this school are – 

• High School TOR (transcript of records) or GED equivalent
• ACT Score
• Application Letter
• Transcript Form for transfer enrollees
• Proof of Immunization for mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus/diptheria according to the description in the Immunization Policy of the school 
• Certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport
• Completion of safety and health care requirements prior to enrolling in clinical courses 

The schedule for Baton Rouge admission in Practical Nursing is on July 1 (for Fall classes) and November 1 (for spring admission).