Are there any online LPN or LVN programs

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 6, 2013

Not fully online as all 50 states require a clinical component to a nursing program.

I've read some members post that they've found the didactic/classroom portion in an online format but still needed to go to facilities for the clinical component. The pre-req courses can often be completed online.

susan51659 · Jan 6, 2013

You have to have classroom training and hospital training

MAnders1405 · Jan 7, 2013

OK, I understnad that. So are there any programs that do that? I mean, there are NP porgrams online that have classroom requiremntes. There are PA programs online that have classroom requirements. Why are there not any LPN programs like that?

loriangel14, RN · Jan 7, 2013

Because with NP and PA programs you already have nursing experience and have the hands on skills.Starting off as an LPN you needs lots of hands on, in person experience.You need to be there to learn the skills before you start clinical placements.There are many things you simply can't learn sitting at a computer.You couldn't do the whole program sitting alone at a computer and then walk into clinical and be able to know how to do naything.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 7, 2013

I would think that at the masters level, you have proved that you are a good student and do not need loads of attention and direction. It's expected that you have experienced a good bit of college and are aware of the effort needed to succeed.

LPN, not so much. It is a very basic level of higher education with mostly beginner students.

MAnders1405 · Feb 18, 2013

Because with NP and PA programs you already have nursing experience and have the hands on skills.Starting off as an LPN you needs lots of hands on in person experience.You need to be there to learn the skills before you start clinical placements.There are many things you simply can't learn sitting at a computer.You couldn't do the whole program sitting alone at a computer and then walk into clinical and be able to know how to do naything.[/quote']
Sure I understand if you are starting out. I've been doing patient care for 12 years.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 18, 2013

Yes but not performing nursing duties. I'm not talking about personal care. Have you been giving shots, starting IVs, inserting catheters, analyzing lab results,giving tube feedings, changing dressings,passing meds, doing assessments,etc. These are some of the skills you need to learn in person and practice in the clinical setting.The requirements for being eligible to write the licensing exam for nursing requires hundreds of hours in clinical settings during school.It doesn't matter how long you have been doing patient care.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Feb 18, 2013

If you are an RRT like your profile indicates, you can look into Excelsior College as they have an online RRT to ASN/RN program with only a single clinical requirement which is a weekend clinical proficiency examination at the end of the program whereby you demonstrate that you have the clinical skills to safely practice as a new graduate registered professional nurse.

LPN programs that are online without clinical experience do not exist. The NP/PA programs that are exclusively online require some sort of documented clinical background. If you do not have an appropriate clinical background and BS degree you would not be admitted to an online only program and be required to complete in person clinical rotations.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Feb 18, 2013

If you live in Oregon there is an LPN/LVN online program combined with classroom training as well, its called nursing nightingale.

kurtayn · Feb 19, 2013

If you look around, there are no pre-licensure programs that are fully online. The only ones that I have seen that come close are Excelsior's ADN program, Indiana's LPN-BSN program, WGU, and Texas A&M's eline program. Even with these programs, there is an on-site clinical aspect to them and you have prior medical experience (WGU is the exception, but you need an associates or bachelor's degree with all science courses completed). Put it this way, do you think having a licensing program that doesn't have any type of hands on component to it would be a good thing for the profession, or would it make it harder to get hired as an LPN?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2013

Sure I understand if you are starting out. I've been doing patient care for 12 years.

Technically, you still are starting out as a brand new nursing student, even though you might have many years of extensive healthcare work experience. There are no shortcuts to becoming an LPN.

Even though you might be able to find a PN (practical nursing) school that offers online classes, every state's board of nursing will require you to complete an extensive amount of hands-on clinical practicum time at various healthcare facilities in person.

For example, the state of California requires PN/VN (practical nursing) students to complete 954 clinical hours. My class accomplished this by completing three 8-hour clinical practicum shifts per week for one year at various hospitals, nursing homes, and subacute facilities. We practiced wound care, enteral tube feedings, IV therapy, insertion of urinary catheters, ostomy care, patient assessments, and other hands-on clinical skills.

As others have mentioned, Excelsior College is a distance-based program that allows paramedics, RTs, and others with extensive healthcare experience to study to become RNs through online courses and testing out. However, you will still need to attend a very expensive 3-day clinical rotation where you display your clinical competencies and skills. You only have 3 chances to pass this 'weekend clinical.'