Diploma Program
Practical Nursing Program
Online & Campus Classes
Diploma Program
Practical Nursing Program
Online & Campus Classes
Earn a diploma in practical nursing and become possible
Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
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Program length | as few as 12 months |
Transfer credit | Up to 27 approved credits |
Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses1 |
QuickPaths | Build on a PN diploma to advance your nursing education into a future degree program faster (ASN, BSN, MSN) |
![Practical Nursing (LPN prep)](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_500x300_jpg/public/2023-04/nurse-practitioner-with-pediatric-patient.jpg?h=31bd08a1&itok=eHldgGQx)
Overview: Practical Nursing Diploma Program
The Practical Nursing diploma is a 37-48 credit program (varies by campus) which prepares you for a career as a practical nurse. The diploma program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in human growth and development, nursing fundamentals, medical terminology, medical surgical nursing, and much more.
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Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
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Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
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Experienced faculty
Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.
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Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
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Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start May 6th
Learn More Today
On-campus program locations
The Herzing University Practical Nursing program is available at 8 ground campus locations, each offering extensive student resources and support as you pursue your PN diploma.
Herzing University - Akron
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
1600 South Arlington St, 100
Akron, OH 44306
View the Akron PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Birmingham
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
View the Birmingham PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Brookfield
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
15895 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
View the Brookfield PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Kenosha
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
5800 7th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53140
View the Kenosha PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Madison
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
5218 East Terrace Drive
Madison, WI 53718
View the Madison PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Nashville
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
100 Centerview Dr., Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37214
View the Nashville PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Orlando
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
1865 SR 436
Winter Park, FL 32792
View the Orlando PN curriculum.
Herzing University - Tampa
Practical Nursing program (LPN prep)
3632 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
View the Tampa PN curriculum.
Alternative online pathways (RN prep)
While the practical nursing program does offer the opportunity to complete general education courses online, it is not an online program.1 You will need to take nursing classes in-person at one of our campuses in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, or Wisconsin.
Is a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) in your future? We do offer alternative online nursing pathways to students who want to become an RN, and an additional online associate degree option for those whose GPA is too low to qualify for nursing school right now.
1. All courses in Orlando and Tampa are delivered either on-campus or in a hybrid modality.
1. Choose the BSN path
You may be eligible to apply for our online pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Bridge options available for practical nurses, paramedics, military medics, cardiovascular technologists, and respiratory therapists.
Online BSN program2. Prepare for a BSN
Enroll in a pre-nursing AS program and improve your GPA to qualify for the BSN program.
General Studies - Pre-Nursing3. Pursue a master’s degree
Non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders have the option to choose an online MSN program.
MSN - Direct Entry programNow Through March 31st
Natalie Hassan Became Possible
Experienced PN program faculty helped Natalie both professionally and personally, changing her life for the better in many ways.
Careers
Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
As an LPN, you'll provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians in a wide variety of healthcare settings; including hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, hospice and urgent care clinics.
Working as an LPN, your duties may include:
- Taking patient vital signs and histories
- Changing bandages, inserting IVs or catheters
- Maintaining and updating patient records
- Ensuring patients' comfort —for example, by helping them bathe
- Listening to patients' concerns and providing reports to RNs and doctors
Licensed Practical Nurse ranked as the #13 Best Health Care Support Jobs in America for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to increase 5% from 2022-2032, faster than the average across all U.S. occupations.*
Now is an excellent time to begin earning the education you need to get a fast start in your nursing career and earn a practical nursing diploma in as little as 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Potential employers may prefer a candidate with experience as a CNA, but it’s not necessarily a requirement for getting a job as an LPN (same goes for going from CNA to RN).
You aren't required to go from CNA to LPN and there is no prerequisite to be a CNA before enrolling in the Herzing University PN program.
You may find some programs offering 6 month or 9 month paths to a PN diploma to become an LPN. Be mindful that accelerated diploma/degree programs aren’t for everyone and such a fast track can be overwhelming. If you’re considering a few months’ difference in time as a tipping point in your decision, remember the quality of your education is most important!
Herzing University’s 1-year PN diploma program gets you an excellent hands-on education in a short amount of time. You’ll learn the foundational concepts and skills in nursing needed to excel in your new career as an LPN.
Quite simply, yes! A PN diploma and a job as a LPN is a great way to quickly get involved in the nursing profession and get a better feel for what it means to be a nurse. Earning your diploma helps get you into a career with above average pay, and can springboard you into the next level of nursing education should you choose to continue advancing your education and career.
We can help you come to a better determination. Send us a request for more information and we can answer any questions you have about the PN program, and discuss how beneficial it can be for you to become a LPN.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $55,860 per year ($26.86 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.
No, there are no accredited PN programs that are 100% online. LPN programs describing themselves as “online” will offer a hybrid option where you can take some classes online to supplement your primary classroom coursework.
Students enrolled in the Herzing PN program may complete general education courses online—but the bulk of the coursework must be completed on campus.
Ultimately there is no replacement for real hands-on clinical experience, practice in simulation labs and direct in-person support from nursing instructors with real healthcare experience. Learning the skills required to become an LPN requires the live educational experience to become an excellent Licensed Practical Nurse.
While practical nurses (LPN) and medical assistants often perform similar tasks, there are a few key differences to be aware of, including:
- Educational requirements
- Average salary
- Scope of practice
- Ongoing career opportunities
- Future outlook for jobs
Learn more about the difference between practical nursing and medical assisting and how to go from MA to LPN.
Although the majority of LPNs work in nursing homes, retirement communities or assisted living facilities, many LPNs work in:
- Physician's offices
- Hospitals
- Colleges
- Insurance carriers
- Home care
- Community food and housing
You can see a full industry profile for Licensed Practical Nurses from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
PN program coursework is meant to be challenging, but not impossible. As a Herzing student you’ll find support every step of the way, from faculty, staff, instructors and other students enrolled in the program. You’re never alone—and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Learn more about how hard nursing school is at Herzing University, and read some testimonials from former students describing their experience.
Because many hospitals are upping their educational requirements for nurses in general, the demand for LPNs in hospitals is falling relative to registered nurses with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
However, any claim they are being “phased out” isn’t accurate. LPNs remain in demand in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and many other environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job opportunities for LPNs will rise approximately 5% from 2022-2032.*
The landscape is changing, but LPNs remain a vital contributor in the nursing community.
Considering a career as an LPN?
Your first step is to get a hands-on education to learn the fundamentals of nursing in a career-focused program. Herzing University's practical nursing program combines classwork with clinical experiences to help you earn your diploma and prepare you to become an LPN in as few as 12 months. Our program is available at several of our ground campuses:
While Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) often work together in collaboration in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, their roles and responsibilities are very different. Learn more about the biggest differences between practical nurses (LPN/LVN) and registered nurses (RN).
Related Programs
For me, working and going to school at the same time was a challenge, but Herzing provided me with the tools and resources I needed in order to realize my dream.
Disclosures & accreditation
1. All courses in Orlando or Tampa are delivered on campus.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Program | Completion Rate | Pass Rate (NCSBN)* |
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Akron Campus: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | 43.52% | 72.97% |
Birmingham Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 46.96% | 91.43% |
Birmingham Campus: Practical Nursing | 23.91% | 100% |
Orlando Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 28.24% | 78.51% |
Note (1): NCLEX Pass Rate is based on first time exam takers from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
*Official Data is still under review by NCSBN.
Note (2): Program Completion Rate calculation for students who complete the program of study on-time begins with calculating enrollment on the first day of the first nursing course and ends with completion of course required for conferral of the degree. Data presented is in the aggregate for students who started the program in 2020.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.