A Comprehensive Expert Review of Top LPN Programs in the St. Louis Region

Earning a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification opens doors to an essential and meaningful allied healthcare career supporting doctors, registered nurses, and directly caring for patients.

This extensive guide examines LPN occupational growth trends in Missouri, dives deep on the licensing process, compares top-rated training programs in metro St. Louis, and shares expert insights to inform prospective nursing students’ decisions when researching schools.

Let’s get started exploring this rewarding career path and the steps to gain vitally needed skills!

The Vital Role of LPNs in Healthcare

Licensed practical nurses provide critical frontline care and assistance to patients of all ages and health statuses in medical settings ranging from hospitals to private homes.

On any given shift, an LPN‘s responsibilities may include:

• Recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rate to track and report patient status
• Administering medications, injections, wound care, and other physician-prescribed treatments
• Coordinating patient specimen samples and testing requirements with labs
• Monitoring IV drips and oxygen equipment
• Documenting provided services in detail for patient records
• Communicating with care teams to relay updates or concerns on patient responses and needs

LPNs function under the direction and supervision of registered nurses, doctors, nurse practitioners and work closely alongside aides, orderlies, and other staff.

While LPNs share some similar clinical duties with RNs, key differences in their typical scope are:

Registered Nurses

• 4 year BSN nursing degrees
• Licensed to administer anesthesia
• Lead coordination of patient care plans
• Supervise LPNs and other staff

Licensed Practical Nurses

• 1 year certificate / diploma programs
• Focus on bedside care and supportive tasks
• Provide status updates to supervising RNs
• Serve specific care interventions delegated by RNs

Now that we’ve aligned on roles, let’s examine Missouri’s promising job growth outlook for LPNs and the education required…

Strong Growth Projected for LPNs Statewide

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) forecasts a 10% expansion in LPN job numbers across the state through 2030.

This translates to over 1,400 additional openings expected due to factors like an aging population and expanded healthcare access increasing demand.

Regional projections for the St. Louis metro area specifically are even brighter:

St. Louis Region LPN Role Growth Projections

With over 300 new LPN job opportunities on the horizon in Greater St. Louis by 2030, let’s look at typical earning potential…

Average LPN Yearly Salaries in St. Louis Metro

Based on the latest wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in the region earn approximately $46,000 per year on average across employer types – with increased pay possible over time with experience.

Next let’s switch gears to learning requirements and making an informed program choice…

Missouri LPN Licensing Steps and Process

To obtain state licensure allowing professional nursing practice, LPN candidates must:

1. Graduate from an Approved Program

Approved LPN schools include community colleges, universities, technical/vocational colleges both online and local. More details on finding a quality St. Louis area program upcoming!

2. Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) tests essential nursing knowledge and workflows required for state authorization. Exams are administered via computer adaptive testing at designated centers.

LPN programs assist students in registering for NCLEX exams and provide prep workshops. The typical registration cost is $200 and applicants have 3 test attempts to pass the NCLEX-PN.

3. Apply for Missouri Authorization

The Missouri State Board of Nursing handles LPN applications and renewals through their License Registration portal.

Once authorized, LPN licenses remain valid for 2 years before requiring renewal with proof of continued competencies.

4. Maintain Licensing

No mandatory continued education hours exist for Missouri LPNs. But taking additional training courses to expand clinical knowledge is encouraged and often required by healthcare employers.

Okay, now that we‘ve covered essential foundations, let‘s compare the top local training programs…

Best LPN Schools in the Greater St. Louis Area

The St. Louis region hosts many accredited colleges and technical schools offering full-time or part-time LPN certifications fitting different schedules and budgets.

Based on rankings across numerous factors, these 5 emerge as top local options:

Top 5 Metro St. Louis LPN Programs

Now let‘s assess key advantages of each to find the right fit…

Ranken Technical College

Top Rankings Factors

• 91-93% average first-time NCLEX pass rate
• Renowned facilities and expert instructors
• Very high job placement rate (96%+)

As the #1 LPN program locally, Ranken admits only 150 highly qualified students annually for its intensive daytime program.

Competitive applicants have prior healthcare experience, academic excellence in sciences like A&P and microbiology, great letters of recommendation, and strong entrance essays.

Ranken grads are extremely well prepared for licensing exams and securing LPN jobs in sought-after hospital settings due to the rigorous nature of their focused training. But the limited seats and selectivity make it out-of-reach for many.

St. Louis Community College

Top Rankings Factors

• Lowest annual tuition at under $8,500 total
• Multiple campus locations
• High NCLEX pass rate still (87% first try)

STLCC is the clear choice for affordability and accessibility to quality LPN education. They offer full-time, part-time and even online LPN courses making it flexible for working students.

With relaxed admission requirements including just a high school diploma or GED and passing an arithmetic test, STLCC has plenty of capacity as the largest area provider.

The sheer program size and variety of clinical rotation sites ensures graduates find openings if willing to be flexible on initial work settings and schedules.

Southwestern Illinois College

Top Rankings Factors

• Partners directly with hospitals to staff grads
• Accelerated FT option finishes in 10 months
• Hybrid coursework maximizes convenience

SWIC has a fantastic track record for placing graduates into hospital LPN roles – nearly 50% secure jobs before completing the program.

Their hybrid model incorporates interactive online learning with just 2 days per week of on-campus labs and simulations. This allows self-paced coursework unrestricted by geography.

As the LPN program isn‘t as popular as STLCC or competitive as Ranken, applicants have a good chance of admission with proof of enough academic preparedness. SWIC also offers an LPN bridge to RN program.

Hickey College

Top Rankings Factors

• All-inclusive costs with textbooks, uniforms, testing prep included
• Industry-experienced faculty
• Small class cohorts of just 8-12 students

For LPN applicants desiring a highly personalized, supportive environment outside large institutions, Hickey College delivers.

The private school advantage here comes via very small lab teams, allowing customized coaching and feedback. Hickey also has exceptional job placement outcomes in line with Ranken.

As a potential tradeoff, total costs exceed public program tuition. But admissions are less stringent for qualified candidates if they meet minimum GPA and assessment testing levels.

Chamberlain University

Top Rankings Factors

• Well-ranked national university for nursing
• Online, onsite, and hybrid options
• Generous credit transfers for existing coursework

Unlike technical and community colleges, Chamberlain offers LPN and advanced nursing certificates seamlessly stackable into eventual RN BSN degree pathways.

Their online courses allow completing LPN prerequisites anywhere before limited on-campus clinical skills intensives. This structure gives students outside Missouri a nationally respected LPN pathway option through Chamberlain in St. Louis.

As expected with a large private university, costs are high but so is academics rigor. Credit transfers allow waiving certain gen ed courses to maximize affordability.

Comparison Table of Top-Ranked Area Programs

*Hickey costs all-inclusive of textbooks, equipment, testing, uniforms, etc.

As shown in the comparison, prospective LPN students in the Greater St. Louis region have diverse high quality options matching schedule needs and academic preferences!

Now I‘d like to dispel some common worries about earning an LPN certification online before diving into more expert advice on acing your application…

Online LPN Programs: Confronting Key Concerns

Many would-be nurses have reservations about pursuing LPN training fully online or via hybrid models blending distance coursework with labs. But data shows strong outcomes.

Here are research-based facts confronting top 4 worries:

Concern: Limited hands-on practice

Reality: Accredited online LPN schools require 400+ hours of in-person clinical rotations – same as onsite programs – prior to certifying skills competency.

Concern: Isolated learning experience

Reality: Reputable online programs facilitate engagement via message boards, videoconferencing for group projects, virtual simulations and demos, chat channels.

Concern: Lower job prospects

Reality: One study by Med Research Archives showed zero difference in employment rates between online vs traditional nursing school grads.

Concern: Weaker preparation and test passage

Reality: Repeated research at Thomas Edison State University and elsewhere substantiate similar or higher exam pass rates for distance learners due to self-direction.

While online isn‘t an ideal fit for everyone, many LPN students see better outcomes matching their focused learning style outside regimented on-campus programs.

Let‘s shift now to expert tips on putting your best foot forward with a winning LPN program application…

Applying to St. Louis LPN Schools: 10 Key Tips

Follow this comprehensive checklist when submitting your LPN program application for the highest admission chance:

1. Meet Basic Prerequisites

Having a high school GED or diploma with transcripts, passing an entrance exam like the TEAS or HESI, and meeting minimum GPA thresholds established by your target schools lock the fundamentals.

2. Highlight Related Experience

Any prior healthcare work, military or service industry history, volunteer efforts in hospitals or homes, or informal assisting of elderly family members goes on your application. Don‘t take relevant experience for granted no matter how routine it seems. Admissions evaluators want to understand your familiarity with environments an LPN operates within and gauge your genuine motivation through past roles supporting patient wellbeing in any capacity.

3. Get Your References in Order

Secure letters of recommendation from teachers, work supervisors, volunteer organizers or doctors highlighting your reliability, caretaking competencies, team collaboration abilities and strengths that make you well prepared for nursing school plus clinical patient responsibilities. The right references provide third party validation you won‘t excel as an LPN.

4. Lead With Your Compassion

Admissions essays require balancing your intellect, abilities, education, and goals with the compassion at the heart of your nursing ambitions. Share a specific story illustrating a time you comforted someone vulnerable or helped beyond duty‘s call. Describe how an experience ignited your passion for caring for others. Emotionally connecting reviewers to your deeper motivations is key.

5. Prepare Early For Interviews

Re-read your submitted materials and develop answers addressing why LPN over RN, how you handle stressful health emergencies, methods for organizing complex medication schedules, ways you’ll continue learning as medicine evolves, and scenarios speaking to judgment, ethics, safety vigilance. Sound polished and competent answering situational questions and behavioral interview prep contains no surprises.

6. Address Weaknesses Proactively

If your academic history includes issues like early college struggles before hitting your stride, layoffs impacting recent work history, or other red flags – tackle them head on when applicable. Demonstrate lessons learned and how you’ve grown into a scholar ready to manage LPN program intensity. We all have obstacles in our past – show you’re prepared to overcome future challenges that come your way.

7. Secure Funding Early

Confirm financing eligibility through FAFSA, explore LPN-targeted scholarships and local grants, discuss customized payment programs to break tuition down, have GI bill benefits approved for veterans, etc. Show the admissions team evidence you can handle program costs and seem a wise investment unlikely to drop due to money issues.

8. Visit In Person Before Deciding

Make time for an open house event to meet fellow prospective students. Chat with instructors. Ask candid questions about clinical partners, recent graduate outcomes, support resources for balancing school and life demands, and other top concerns. Visiting campuses and getting a feel for culture and fit influences one’s confidence selecting the ideal LPN program. Don’t decide purely on paper – invest time upfront visiting top choices.

9. Complete All Documentation Thoroughly

Cross every T During final onboarding after acceptance, don’t let urgency rush your completion of healthcare provider CPR certification, immunization paperwork, disability accommodation requests, transcripts from prior colleges, childcare logistics, and anything else required for first day formalities. Meticulously prepare this paperwork because being unqualified to start on day one is devastating.

10. Embrace The Adventure Ahead!

Getting accepted to an LPN program kicks off a life-changing journey. Let nerves settle into excitement and know that the challenging road ahead leads to incredible knowledge, accomplishments and career rewards. Stay focused on each milestone – dedication breeds success. You’ve achieved a major goal making it this far!

Hopefully these evidence-based insights from an experienced nursing school educator and career advisor set you up for a smooth application process followed by maximizing your LPN preparation when classes start!

I welcome anyone to reach out with further questions at the email below. Wishing everyone aspiring to join this honorable profession good luck with applications!

Regards,

Sarah Marshall, BSN RN
Nursing Educator & Career Consultant
Email: [email protected]