Earn a PN diploma in Akron and become possible
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Transfer credit | Transfer up to 27 approved credits |
| Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses at our Akron, Ohio campus |
| Pathways | Pathways to further your nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN) |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with 小黄书 |
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Practical Nursing Diploma Program - Akron, OH
The Diploma in Practical Nursing is a 37-credit career diploma program which prepares you to begin your nursing career as a practical nurse.
The Akron campus program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical-surgical nursing, growth and development, pharmacology for nurses, and practical hands-on experience.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you鈥檙e ready and prepare to get started soon.
What you'll learn in the 小黄书 PN diploma program
The practical nursing program at 小黄书 in Akron, Ohio provides theoretical, academic and clinical instruction in many different types of nursing to bridge the patient lifespan: including surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health.
Over the course of the program, you will learn the basics of nursing procedures, measuring vital signs, administering medication, and develop communication skills necessary to easily collaborate with other healthcare providers.
Most courses are delivered on-campus in Akron; you may complete general education courses online.
| Program | Months i | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Practical Nursing | 12 | 37 |
Average number of months for students to complete program
Required Courses in Nursing
A minimum of 28.00 semester credit hours is required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this practical nursing program must complete a minimum of 8.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines.
The following nursing support course聽must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better. 聽Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts is subject to dismissal from the nursing program.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
1.00 semester credit hours are required.
Resuming students should refer to the section on re-entering聽for additional requirements.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Lab Clinical Total Contact Hours Credits NP 100 Growth and Development 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 NP 110 Pharmacology for Nurses with Lab 22.50 15.00 0.00 37.50 2.00 NP 120 Fundamentals of Nursing with Lab and Clinical 45.00 45.00 22.50 112.50 5.00 NP 125 Medical Surgical Nursing I for LPNs 45.00 0.00 90.00 135.00 5.00 NP 230 Nursing Specialty 45.00 0.00 45.00 90.00 4.00 NP 235 Medical Surgical Nursing II for LPNs 45.00 0.00 90.00 135.00 5.00 NP 275 LPN Practical Experience 0.00 0.00 135.00 135.00 3.00 NP 280 Preparation for NCLEX-PN 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 104 English Composition I 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HC 101 Medical Terminology 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 SC 144 Intro to Anatomy and Physiology 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 Personal/Professional Development 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 Totals 382.50 90.00 382.50 855 37.00 聽
Enrollment requirements
To be considered for admission into the Practical Nursing program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet the following criteria based on your cumulative GPA:
| Cumulative GPAi | Science Requirement | TEAS ii |
|---|---|---|
| 3.50鈥4.00 | None | None |
| 3.00鈥3.49 | "B" or better in Anatomy & Physiologyiii | None |
| 2.00 and higher | None | Composite TEAS of 48 |
i. Students with 18 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.
ii. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI).
iii. Students in the 3.00-3.49 GPA range who do not meet this requirement must earn a composite score of 48 on the TEAS.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the practical nursing program in Akron is $530 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That's why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarship Opportunities
We are proud to have awarded $13+ million in scholarships and grants to nursing students in 2024.
An affordable, career-focused education is possible with 小黄书.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with 小黄书.
Natalie Hassan Became Possible
Experienced PN program faculty helped Natalie both professionally and personally, changing her life for the better in many ways.
Enrolling in a PN program is step #1 to starting your new career
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse happens in 4 steps:
- Enroll in the 小黄书 practical nursing program
- Graduate and get your PN diploma
- Take and pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed
- Find your first job!
How long does it take to become an LPN?
The 小黄书 PN program can take as little as 12 months to complete. After your training and earning your PN diploma, all that鈥檚 left for you is passing the NCLEX-PN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Ohio.
I want to become a registered nurse (RN). Do I need more than a diploma in practical nursing?
Yes鈥攜ou鈥檒l need at least an associate鈥檚 degree in nursing to become a registered nurse, although we encourage you to pursue a bachelor's degree if you鈥檙e serious about becoming an RN. Hospitals and medical facilities are more often recommending or outright requiring nurses to earn their BSN degree.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
According to the , licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $64,150 per year ($30.84 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.
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鈥檚 or bachelor鈥檚 degree.
However, any claim they are being 鈥減hased out鈥 isn鈥檛 accurate. LPNs remain in demand in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and many other environments. The predicts job opportunities for LPNs will rise approximately 3% from 2023-2033.*
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. 小黄书'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).
Potential employers may prefer a candidate with experience as a CNA, but it鈥檚 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 小黄书 PN program.
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.
PN program coursework is meant to be challenging, but not impossible. As a Herzing student you鈥檒l find support every step of the way, from faculty, staff, instructors and other students enrolled in the program. You鈥檙e never alone鈥攁nd never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Learn more about how hard nursing school is at 小黄书, and read some testimonials from former students describing their experience.
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 .
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.
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鈥檛 for everyone and such a fast track can be overwhelming. If you鈥檙e considering a few months鈥 difference in time as a tipping point in your decision, remember the quality of your education is most important!
小黄书鈥檚 1-year PN diploma program gets you an excellent hands-on education in a short amount of time. You鈥檒l learn the foundational concepts and skills in nursing needed to excel in your new career as an LPN.
No, there are no accredited PN programs that are 100% online. LPN programs describing themselves as 鈥渙nline鈥 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鈥攂ut 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.
The Student Experience at Herzing
What I liked most about my experience at 小黄书 were the faculty members. They made it feel like it was family here.
Wanda Colon
Nursing Student | Orlando CampusI always enjoyed helping people, and that鈥檚 the main reason I decided to become a nurse.
Alvin Taylor Jr.
Nursing Student | Birmingham CampusI knew for a while that I wanted to be a doctor but didn鈥檛 know how to make that happen. That鈥檚 when I found Herzing鈥檚 one-year LPN program and I knew it would be the perfect step for someone like me.
Gail Radecki
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee CampusI needed to make a change in my life, so I decided it was time to earn a nursing degree.
Jacqueline Kakeyere
Nursing Student | Orlando CampusI'd always wanted to be a nurse, but I had to put off my dream. It was a struggle learning to be a student again at home with three sons and my husband. There are no shortcuts in education, but it all works out in the end and it鈥檚 worth it!
Kamaria S. Singleton Reed
Nursing Student | Kenosha CampusAccreditation & Disclosures
小黄书 is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
2023 Calendar Year
| Campus | NCLEX庐 Pass Ratei | Completion Rate | Completion Rate 150% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 30.51% | 32.20% | |
| Birmingham | 15.97% | 18.49% | |
| Brookfield | 29.46% | 32.14% | |
| Kenosha | 29.31% | 31.90% | |
| Madison | 36.11% | 38.89% | |
| Nashvilleii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Orlando | 23.08% | 28.21% | |
| Tampa | 25.94% | 28.44% | |
iNCLEX庐 pass rates reflect the rates as published by the respective board of nursing. iiThe Nashville Campus will not graduate their first cohort of PN students until 2024. | |||
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Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with 小黄书.