20 Best Lpn Programs In Pittsburgh, PA (2023 Updated) – Save Our Schools March

ByChris Padilla Last Update on

20 Best LPN Programs in Pittsburgh, PA (2023 Updated)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to some of the top LPN programs in the country that offer high-quality education and training to aspiring nurses. As the demand for licensed practical nurses continues to grow steadily, having the right education and credentials is key to launching a successful and fulfilling career in nursing.

In this blog post, we dive into the 20 best LPN programs in Pittsburgh, PA and its surrounding metro region based on curriculum, quality of education, reputation, and alumni success rates. Whether you’re just starting your nursing education or looking to advance your skills as an LPN, finding the right program can be challenging. That’s why we’ve rounded up and researched 20 of the top schools and colleges so you can make an informed decision. Read on for school profiles, rankings, key program highlights, and more.

1. West Virginia Junior College – Morgantown

West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) has an excellent LPN training program offered 100% online, making it accessible and flexible for working professionals. With small class sizes and a student-centered curriculum, WVJC empowers LPNs with hands-on clinical judgment, empathy, and decision-making skills. Highlights include:

  • Accredited program with strong exam pass rates
  • Career-focused courses led by nursing experts
  • Flexible online courses to accommodate working students
  • Clinical preceptorships at partner healthcare sites
  • Job search assistance upon successful program completion

2. Community College of Beaver County

For over 50 years, CCBC has offered an accredited 1-year LPN diploma centered on compassionate patient care, safety, and communication. Their program is routinely updated to reflect current industry practices in settings like hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and physician offices.

  • Highly qualified, supportive nursing faculty
  • Small intimate class cohorts
  • Hands-on labs in the school’s Nursing Simulation Center
  • 600+ hour clinical rotations across the county
  • 89% NCLEX-PN first-time exam pass rate

3. Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst offers several nursing education options including an acclaimed LPN pathway that can be completed full-time in just 12 months. With robust scholarships and financial assistance, their LPN diploma program is an affordable option in the region.

  • Options to earn college credits towards an RN or BSN
  • High-tech simulation lab mirroring real-world clinical environments
  • Faculty-led research opportunities in nursing
  • Guaranteed admission for qualifying LPN diploma graduates into Mercyhurst‘s BSN program
  • 96% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade

4. Duquesne University

As one of Pittsburgh‘s top private research universities, Duquesne offers an LPN-BSN career ladder program for working LPNs seeking career advancement. Their curriculum bridges classroom and online learning focused on developing holistic, compassionate, expert nurse leaders.

  • Accredited by CCNE with high exam pass rates
  • Hybrid flexible pathway for working LPNs
  • Competency-based curriculum and experiential learning
  • Cutting-edge simulation technology and labs
  • Supportive faculty focused on leadership and advancement

5. Delaware County Community College

For the past 50+ years, DCCC has offered exceptional LPN training at its thriving Media campus near Philadelphia. Their year-long practical nursing diploma incorporates interactive learning technology, evidence-based curriculum, and caring instructors.

  • High fidelity human patient simulators and scenario-based labs
  • Small class sizes focused on individual skill development
  • Clinical rotations across diverse healthcare settings
  • NCLEX prep and testing built into curriculum
  • Seamless transition between LPN and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs

6. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

IUP has an excellent LPN to BSN program catered towards working LPNs offered 100% online. With small classes of 25 or less, IUP provides impactful instruction focused on leadership, communication, ethics, patient-centered care and more.

  • CCNE accredited with stellar exam pass rates
  • Renowned teaching hospital providing clinical experience
  • Evidence-based curriculum focused on quality, safety and leadership skills for nurses
  • Engaged and supportive nursing faculty
  • Generous transfer credits to minimize repeats of previous coursework

7. PennWest California

PennWest offers an accelerated year-long LPN diploma program preparing graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN exam and excel as novice nurses. With an emphasis on clinical preparedness, students receive hands-on skills labs, simulation training and direct patient care experience.

  • High-tech simulation labs on par with hospital settings
  • 600+ hour clinical rotations across Nursing Homes, Physician Offices, Clinics, and Hospitals
  • Veteran faculty with deep industry experience
  • NCLEX preparation woven throughout curriculum
  • Pathways to advance from LPN to RN at PennWest

8. Bidwell Training Center

For 50+ years, Bidwell Training Center has offered accredited LPN training focused on helping disadvantaged communities access nursing careers. Their holistic program provides the knowledge, skills, and clinical training to confidently enter the nursing profession.

  • Comprehensive LPN diploma completed in 12 months
  • Financial assistance for students demonstrating need
  • Small class sizes focused on hands-on skills development
  • 650+ hours of clinical rotations across various care settings
  • High job placement rates directly after graduation

9. Citizens School of Nursing

Since 1913, Citizens School of Nursing has offered exceptional LPN training preparing compassionate and competent bedside nurses. Students learn through interactive discussions, demonstrations, labs, and clinical preceptorships facilitated by seasoned nurse educators.

  • 12 month diploma program offered on a full and part-time basis
  • State-of-the-art simulation labs
  • Faculty-led NCLEX preparation and testing strategies
  • Clinical rotations focused on building core competencies
  • Seamless transition for licensing and employment after graduation

10. Great Lakes Institute of Technology

Located in Erie, PA, Great Lakes Tech has offered accredited LPN training for over 50 years across its 140-acre campus. With scenic views of Lake Erie, students learn through simulation labs, virtual hospital software, and direct patient care clinical across various settings.

  • Affordable 12 month diploma program
  • Financial aid and scholarships available
  • 650+ hours of clinical experience included
  • Career assistance with job search and resume writing
  • Pathway programs available to continue towards an ADN or BSN

11. HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

As one of Pennsylvania‘s largest community colleges, HACC has an excellent year-long practical nursing diploma program offered across its campuses in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Gettysburg and Lebanon County. Their program integrates interactive smart labs, simulation technology and clinical experience.

  • Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • Faculty with decades of recent clinical experience
  • 650+ hours of hands-on clinical rotations
  • 94% NCLEX-PN first time pass rate
  • Continuing education options available after licensing

12. Penn Foster College

Offering online career certificates and diplomas for over 130 years, Penn Foster offers an online self-paced LPN/LVN diploma program for about $4,500 in total tuition. Students learn remotely and gain hands-on skills during 650+ hours of clinical rotations.

  • Respected online LPN program completing in 12 months
  • Start dates every 3 weeks offer scheduling flexibility
  • Dedicated student advisors provide support 7 days per week
  • Clinical rotations completed at approved healthcare sites
  • Affordable pay-as-you-go tuition model

13. Pittsburgh Technical College

PTC has offered exceptional LPN training centered around compassionate care, safety, and ethics for 75+ years. Their accredited program offers flexible day and evening course schedules integrating interactive smart classrooms, cutting-edge simulation labs and clinical rotations.

  • High-tech simulation labs mirroring real-world clinical environments
  • Experienced faculty providing individualized support
  • Clinical experience across hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices and clinics
  • NCLEX pass rates consistently above national averages
  • Continuing education options available after licensing

14. UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing

UPMC Shadyside offers an acclaimed 12-month practical nursing diploma centered around patient-centered compassionate care. The curriculum integrates hands-on simulation labs and clinical rotations across UPMC’s network of award-winning hospitals.

  • Ranked among the nation’s top hospitals with a commitment to nursing education
  • 600+ hours of clinical experience included
  • Rigorous science-driven curriculum preparing graduates for licensing exams
  • Industry-leading faculty and technology resources
  • Guaranteed admission for high performing graduates into the UPMC nursing bachelor program

15. Pennsylvania School of Health and Business Careers

For over 25 years, PSHBC has offered an accredited year-long LPN diploma integrating cutting-edge simulation labs and technology. Small class sizes allow for individualized instruction and support guided by compassionate seasoned nurse educators.

  • Financial aid and scholarships available based on eligibility
  • Faculty with decades of recent clinical experience
  • 650+ hours of supervised clinical rotations
  • Career placement assistance with resume, licensing, and interview prep
  • Community service opportunities promoting care and compassion

16. South Hills School of Nursing and Allied Health

South Hills offers an acclaimed LPN training program integrating web-based interactive media, traditional classroom instruction, skills labs and clinical rotations. With flexible schedules and affordable tuition, graduates are prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN and excel as novice nurses.

  • High-fidelity simulation labs and virtual hospital
  • Faculty-led NCLEX success strategies
  • Financial Aid available for those who qualify
  • Clinical experience focused on core competencies
  • Continuing education options available after licensing

17. Butler County Community College

For over 50 years, BC3 has offered nursing diplomas focused on developing skilled bedside nurses trained in patient safety, medicine administration, wound care and infection control. Their year-long LPN program integrates cutting-edge simulation training readying graduates for health systems across Western PA.

  • Curriculum bridges classroom and clinical through immersive simulation labs mirroring hospital settings
  • Dedicated passionate faculty with decades of frontline experience
  • 650+ hours of clinical rotations across Butler Heath System
  • 94% first-time NCLEX exam pass rate over past decade
  • Seamless transition between practical nursing and registered nursing programs

18. Sharon Regional School of Nursing

Sharon Regional School of Nursing located in the Shenango Valley offers an accredited 12-month practical nursing diploma focused instilling the knowledge, skills and judgment to safely practice across healthcare settings after licensing.

  • Curriculum integrates principles of holistic evidence-based nursing practices through didactic and clinical experiences
  • Financial assistance available based on determined need
  • Extensive hands-on clinical experience across Sharon Regional Medical Center
  • NCLEX pass rates above national averages
  • Guidance provided on licensing and job placement

19. St. Margaret School of Nursing

St. Margaret offers an acclaimed year-long diploma providing students with the technical skills and critical thinking ability to excel as an LPN across healthcare settings. Their curriculum bridges classroom and clinical through interactive labs, scenario-based exercises and direct patient care experience guided by seasoned nurse experts.

  • High-fidelity birthing, adult, and child simulators
  • Small cohort sizes focused on personalized instruction
  • Clinical rotations focused on building core nursing competencies
  • NCLEX preparation woven throughout curriculum
  • Continuing education options available after licensing

20. Mon Valley Career and Technical Center

The LPN program through Mon Valley Career & Technical Center (MCTC) readies graduates for gainful nursing employment after about 11 months of training. Their holistic training curriculum focused on knowledge, skills, compassion, safety, and ethics through multimedia labs, clinical rotations and direct hands-on learning.

  • Financial assistance available based on determined need
  • State-of-the-art simulation labs mirroring hospital settings
  • Specialized course on nursing ethics and legal practices
  • Select clinical rotations within renowned Allegheny Health Network Sites
  • Excellent job placement rates after licensing and graduation

Finding the right LPN diploma program involves careful consideration around location, cost, curriculum, outcomes, options for advancement and overall fit. Pittsburgh offers several accredited and competitive programs blending compassionate care, ethical grounding, clinical competence, leadership, and team-based communication. If you have a passion for caring for others and launching a nursing career, Pittsburgh’s nursing schools provide the launchpad you need to excel on the frontline of healthcare.

A dedicated father and former high school English teacher, Chris's journey into education advocacy is both personal and profound. His passion for equitable education sparked not in the classroom, but at home, as he navigated the challenges and triumphs of raising his children within the public education system.

After receiving his Master's in Education, Chris embarked on a teaching career, enriching young minds with literature and critical thinking skills. However, it was his transition to full-time parenthood that brought a new dimension to his understanding of education. He witnessed firsthand the effects of underfunding and standardized test pressures on schools and students alike.

Motivated by these experiences, Chris took his advocacy to the digital world. His blog, born from a blend of professional insight and parental concern, delves into the nuances of educational policy, resource allocation, and the need for a balanced approach to student assessment. Chris's unique perspective as both educator and parent offers a compelling call to action for quality, accessible public education.

Chris, residing with his family in [City, State], continues to be a beacon for educational reform, inspiring others through his writings and community involvement.

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