Licensed Practical Nursing Diploma Program
If you want to provide medical care without spending years in nursing school, the Licensed Practical Nursing diploma program at Blue Cliff College may be right for you. In as few as 15 months, you could be in a healthcare facility, working directly with patients.
We are currently not enrolling new students in the Licensed Practical Nursing Diploma Program. In the meantime, please explore our full list of programs to find another you may be interested in.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic medical care and patient education under physician or registered nurse supervision. Though some LPN tasks vary by state, in general, they can often:
- Start IVs
- Draw blood
- Take patients’ vitals and medical histories
- Provide care like changing bandages or inserting catheters
- Help patients with daily needs like bathing, dressing, or eating
- Communicate with patients and report concerns to their supervisors
- Keep records
How Long Blue Cliff College's LPN Program Takes
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diploma program typically takes 15 months to complete.
Blue Cliff College's LPN Diploma Program Curriculum
The LPN diploma program at Blue Cliff College covers everything you need to know for your NCLEX-PN exam. The 90 quarter credit hours (1714 contact hours) include classroom and clinical work.
When it comes to classroom studies, LPN students take courses on the fundamental concepts that help ensure successful patient treatment. These subjects include relevant science and math (such as for dosage calculations), medical terms, computer skills, and more.
Then, it’s time to study and gain clinical experience in specific areas of nursing, including:
- Introduction to the field of practical nursing, including critical skills and state laws governing nursing
- Ethical patient care, including patient rights and respecting variations in patient backgrounds
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology basics, including the prevention of illness
- Diet and nutrition for all types of patients and diets for therapeutic purposes
- Pharmacology and medication delivery, including precautions, safe and effective dosage calculation, generic and brand equivalents, and legal considerations
- Nursing for specific populations or in specific settings, such as geriatric nursing, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental health nursing
- IV therapy, including how to properly administer IV solutions and medicines
- Professionalism and success in the nursing workplace, including certification paths and continuing education
Before taking your NCLEX-PN test, you’ll also get to review the subjects you studied in a capstone course.
Explore Related Programs
Blue Cliff College Licensed Practical Nursing Program Locations
The Licensed Practical Nursing Diploma program is available at the following Blue Cliff College campus:
The Practical Nursing Certificate program is available at the following Blue Cliff College campus:
Getting Your Practical Nursing License
Before working as an LPN, you must complete your diploma program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The test is divided into four umbrella categories, two of which have subcategories:
- Safe and effective care environment: coordinated care; safety and infection control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, Physiological Adaptation
All of these topics are covered in the LPN program at Blue Cliff College, and your capstone class provides NCLEX-PN preparation, details about the test itself, passing scores, and other essential information.
Licensed Practical Nursing Program Enrollment Requirements
All applicants to Blue Cliff College must meet specific requirements. For instance, students need to be at least 17, have finished high school (or the equivalent), and meet with an admissions rep, among other expectations.
The LPN program has additional requirements. You must also do the following before you start the program:
- Provide a certified copy of your birth certificate, valid US passport, permanent resident card, or naturalized certificate
- Be transparent with your criminal justice or professional licensing history, such as any felony convictions, including successfully passing a designated criminal background check, be fingerprinted, and have a negative drug screen
- Provide proof of individual health insurance and submit all current immunizations
- Show current CPR certification
- Provide documentation of physical ability to function as a nursing student via a physical exam completed within 10 days before starting class
In your admissions process into the program, you’ll also need a passing placement exam score from one of the accepted placement exams and interview with an appointed LPN program faculty member.
If you have any questions about our enrollment requirements as they relate to your personal situation, don’t hesitate to speak with our Admissions team.
Licensed Practical Nursing Program Costs
As of the 2024-2025 school year, the LPN program at Blue Cliff College costs $30,991. This amount includes tuition, program fees, and graduation fees.
Additionally, LPN diploma program students must pay for:
- Background Check: $39.25 (once at the beginning and once at the end of the program)
- Right to Review: $26
- LSBPNE Admission Application Fee: $50
- LSBPNE Licensure Application Fee: $127.50
- Physical Exam: TBD
- Immunizations: TBD
- Nursing Pin: TBD
The school covers your first HESI A2 admission exam (math and English) attempt and NCLEX-PN Exam.
Financial Aid at Blue Cliff College
Blue Cliff College students may be eligible for federal financial aid, including loans and the Pell Grant. Eligible veterans may also qualify for assistance through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
In Louisiana, you may also be able to apply for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship.
Why Choose Blue Cliff College for Licensed Practical Nursing?
The LPN program at Blue Cliff College offers practical and theory coursework intended to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam and their LPN careers. We have support to help our students succeed in the LPN program, including a Library/Learning Resource Center where you can access various services and resources to enhance your education. The campus also offers computers and internet access available for student use. Tutoring is available as scheduling allows.
Beyond academics, Blue Cliff College students can utilize Student Services offerings like resource fairs, guest speakers, and successful student workshops. Our Career Services team can help you with resume writing, interview prep, and more as you explore your LPN career options. The school also partners with WellConnect, a student resource service that helps students access mental health and legal assistance, local resources to help with daily needs, and more.
Licensing and Accreditation
Blue Cliff College maintains current certification and accreditation, so you know you’re learning skills that are valued in your field. We are:
- Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Certificate No. C-736
- Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)‡
- Approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) for the Metairie location
‡The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.
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