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 Lawson State Community College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Transcripts
- Prerequisite courses
ACT composite 18 plus science 18 (superscores accepted, no expiration; ACT On-Campus scores must be from an Alabama community college); 2.5 GPA on ENG 101, MTH 100, BIO 201 and BIO 202 and 2.0 cumulative. Deadlines Jan 15 (summer) and May 15 (fall), 11:59 pm. Three semesters, 49 credits; ranking up to 63 points. NCLEX-PN 100% (2025), 85.71% (2024), 100% (2023).
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
Your medication administration experience counts. Bridge from certified medication aide into practical nursing and full LPN licensure.
CNA to LPN
Step up from nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse. The fastest license upgrade in nursing, and the standard bridge toward RN.
Find your next step.
Getting in starts with a path. Pick one, then follow the people who already did it.