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 Columbus Technical College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Transcripts
- Prerequisite courses
Practical Nursing (PN21): HESI A2 minimum 60 taken at CTC testing center ($55 exam + $25 sitting fee), max twice per calendar year, valid 2 years; ranking 100% by HESI A2 score plus bonus points. Competitive application deadline March 1, window opens about two weeks before; all prerequisites complete and official transcripts from all institutions by deadline; cumulative GPA 2.0 or greater; no transfer credit from other nursing/health programs.
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.
- Timeline
- 1 year
- State
- All states
Support available to Spanish learners
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.
- Timeline
- 1 year
- State
- All states
Support available to Spanish learners
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.