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 Cuyahoga Community College District asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Background check
- Immunizations
- CPR certification
- Transcripts
- Prerequisite courses
Practical nursing certificate is awarded after year one of the one-plus-one AAS nursing program, so the ADN admission criteria apply (2025-2026 packet). Age 18+, cumulative Tri-C GPA 2.75 with 9 credit hours, prerequisites BIO 2331 (B or higher), MATH 1410, PSY 1010, NURS 1000 and NURS 1010 with C or higher; HESI A2 75% on Math and English (waived with an associate degree or higher, 2 attempts per 12 months); BCI background check, immunizations and AHA BLS CPR. Admits twice a year, first come until filled.
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.