Overview
Career outlook
Employers hire licensed practical nurses to provide basic patient care such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily needs under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
Getting in
What College of DuPage asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Prerequisite courses
- Transcripts
- Background check
- Drug screen
- Immunizations
- CPR certification
The Practical Nursing certificate is only available to students admitted to the ADN program, so ADN selective-enrollment rules apply: $50 Health Career Selective Enrollment application (plus $20 college application for non-students), HESI A2 with 75% cumulative and 75% in each scored area within 2 years, cumulative GPA 2.75 in prerequisite/general education coursework (A&P 1551/1571 and 1552/1572 within 5 years, MICRO 1420, MATH 1102 or higher, all C or better) and a completed CNA course by the deadline. Two cycles per year, about 80 students admitted per cycle; Spring 2027 deadline November 5, 2026 at 5 p.m., decisions 4-6 weeks later; merit ranking out of 39 points.
Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.
Paths
Routes into LPN. The first step is where you enroll today.
Medication Aide to LPN
CMA LPNYour medication administration experience counts. Bridge from certified medication aide into practical nursing and full LPN licensure.
- Time
- 1 year
- State
- All states
Southwestern College
View path
CNA to LPN
CNA LPNStep up from nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse. The fastest license upgrade in nursing, and the standard bridge toward RN.
- Time
- 1 year
- State
- All states
East Arkansas Community College
View path
Find your next step.
Getting in starts with a path. Pick one, then follow the people who already did it.