Question:
I work during the day, and I would like to get my LPN degree online. Could you please help me find information on online nursing degrees?
Answer:
In order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you need to earn an LPN diploma from a state-approved school and pass the national licensing exam, the NCLEX-PN. There are two ways to find a qualified online LPN program: get a list of approved online programs from your State Board of Nursing and/or use online directory sites to locate a program, contacting your state board for approval of the program.
State Board Search. The first might be a more direct route. There are 1,250 state-approved LPN programs in the United States. The National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service (NAPNES) offers a handy tool that allows you to search for approved LPN programs by state (http://www.napnes.org/schools/index.htm)
For the most comprehensive, up-to-date list of approved schools, check with your State Board of Nursing. Most states post a list online. New York's board, for example, links to a list of LPN programs (http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurseprogs-lpn.htm). You may find that your local vocational school or community college offers an approved online program. Even if you don't attend classes on campus, a local program might be an advantage when it comes time to satisfy the clinical requirement.
Online Search. If your state's board doesn't specify an online program, approach your search from the opposite direction. Get a list of online programs and then check with your state board for approval. Online directory sites like this one can point you to online schools that offer LPN training. Many of these programs lead to a "Diploma in Practical Nursing," so try entering this term into your browser. Once you have a list of schools, check the school Web site or contact the admissions department for more information. The school should be able to tell you whether their online LPN diploma will qualify you for licensure in your state.