Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

Nurses get to experience a different type of career than most.

Many nurses enjoy working with patients and knowing they’re contributing to something greater than themselves, but the career is often financially rewarding as well. For those who want to start their career as quickly as possible, a practical nursing program may be the ideal solution.

These curriculums usually take much less time to complete than other nursing programs such as registered nursing or nurse practitioners. They usually don’t require a degree, and LPNs can pursue a registered nurse degree or specialty while also working in a hospital or physician’s office.

LPN opportunities abound in Delaware, thanks to a spike in job growth rates due to an aging population and rising health concerns. LPNs are always in high demand because they accomplish many of the same tasks as RNs or NPs but without the same extensive education.

• Most LPN programs take 12 to 18 months to complete.
• LPNs in Delaware average $27.75 per hour with an additional $7,750 in overtime each year.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the LPN job growth rate is much higher than average at 9% for LPNs in Delaware.
• According to Indeed, licensed practical nurses in Lewes, DE, typically earn the highest salary at $35.72 per hour.
• Wilmington, Camden, and Dover are the best metro areas for LPN opportunities and job growth in Delaware.

Overview of LPN Schools in Delaware

There are three schools with approved LPN courses in Delaware. However, two schools have multiple locations, so there are six locations where you can receive LPN training throughout the state. Because each school is unique and has its own benefits, you can find one that ideally suits your needs.

The curriculums are all similar with both classroom instruction as well as hands-on training, however, they differ slightly from one campus to the next.

Typical LPN program studies include:

• Fundamentals of nursing
• Anatomy and physiology
• Nursing clinicals
• Human growth and development
• Specialized nursing courses (maternal/pediatric, surgical, etc.)
• NCLEX preparation

LPN Accreditation

Each Delaware LPN program must be accredited by a nursing organization such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE). Ideally, your school is accredited and also approved by the Board of Nursing.

LPN Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements vary from one school to the next, so check with your school’s admissions department for details. However, minimum requirements are fairly standard and include:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Entrance examination
• Orientation
• Background check

LPN Tuition & Costs

Each LPN program has separate tuition and fees, which you need to consider when choosing your school. For example, tuition for the Polytech Adult Education Nursing Program is $12,699 with additional charges for uniforms, drug check, background check, application, license fee, and license exam fee. However, some institutions offer financial assistance via federal grants, loans, or scholarships for qualifying students.

LPN Licensing Requirements in Delaware

You must apply for LPN licensure in Delaware online; paper applications aren’t accepted.

A practical nursing program with 200 hours of clinical experience is required to obtain your licensure. Most LPN programs in Delaware take three semesters or 12 to 18 months to complete.

Checklist to become a Delaware LPN:

1. Complete your LPN program with a minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience.
2. Apply for licensure online through the Delaware Board of Nursing.
3. Attend CPR training and receive your CPR certification card.
4. Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

You must renew your license every two years. Renewal requires 24 continuing education hours including 3 hours on the topic of substance abuse.

NCLEX-PN Exam

Before your licensure is complete, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam, which is administered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The exam includes four main sections:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Integrity

This exam is required for all LPNs.

LPN Reciprocity

Delaware is not an Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) state, so LPNs with licensure from another state must apply for a Delaware LPN license by reciprocity.

LPN Salaries in Delaware

LPNs in Delaware average $27.75 per hour, which is significantly more than the national average salary of $20.17 per hour.

These are the major metropolitan areas and average LPN salaries in Delaware:

• Philadelphia—Camden—Wilmington ($57,590)
• Dover ($51,770)
• Salisbury ($49,780)

Source: https://www.bls.gov/

Nursing salaries vary greatly from one area to the next, but other considerations may also affect your salary. If you work in a physician’s office, you may have a slightly lower salary than LPNs who work in a hospital or surgical settings. Likewise, LPNs who work in certain specializations may command higher salaries than others. Night and weekend shifts often pay more than day shifts, and experienced LPNs are usually paid more than recent program graduates.

Job Outlook for LPNs in Delaware

The job outlook is wonderful for LPNs in Delaware. The BLS reports anticipated job growth rates of 9 percent over the next several years for LPNs in all states. The need for LPNs is bound to increase due to an aging population and an uptick in health concerns. Because demand is so high, you may find employers offering additional incentives to new LPNs. These could include sign-on bonuses, flexible scheduling, higher pay rates, educational incentives such as student loan repayment, and more.

Once you start your career as an LPN, you can pursue additional education opportunities for specialization or a registered nursing degree. Many employers are flexible when working with these students, and some may even offer to pay for your ongoing education.

Nursing is a lifetime career for many with excellent benefits and competitive salaries.

Top LPN Schools in Delaware

Delaware Skills Center
500 Ships Landing Way
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 654-5392

A division of the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, the Delaware Skills Center’s primary objective is to rebuild Delaware’s workforce. Students experience both classroom instruction as well as hands-on training. Courses are aligned with NCLEX-PN standards, and the school provides clinical experiences and shadowing opportunities.

Delaware Technical & Community College – Terry / Dover
100 Campus Drive
Dover, Delaware 19904-1383
(302) 857-1000

The Dover (or Terry) campus of Delaware Technical & Community College is named after late Governor Charles L. Terry. It serves Kent County residents and the surrounding areas. The campus is located on 112 acres and includes seven buildings for a total of 265,000 square feet. This location also has an athletic complex with a walking path. It’s accessible by Delaware Central Transit with scheduled stops at multiple campus locations.

Delaware Technical & Community College – Stanton
400 Stanton-Christiana Road
Newark, Delaware 19713
(302) 266-3300

Delaware Technical & Community College’s Stanton campus serves residents of New Castle County and surrounding areas. Its programs are career-oriented, and they also provide community service activities. It’s located near I-95 on Stanton-Christiana Road.

Delaware Technical & Community College – George / Wilmington
300 N. Orange St.
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 571-5300

The Wilmington location of Delaware Technical & Community College is named after Orlando J. George, Jr. It offers career-focused programs for residents of New Castle County. Community Service activities are also encouraged and available. It’s located in downtown Wilmington on N. Orange Street.

Delaware Technical & Community College – Owens / Georgetown
21179 College Drive
Georgetown, Delaware 19947
(302) 259-6000

Located in Sussex County, the Owens Campus of Delaware Technical & Community College is the first location founded by the college. It’s centrally located in Georgetown and covers 147 acres. The college and its administration maintain important partnerships with the communities, public schools, and four-year institutions throughout the state. Many students choose to study at Delaware Tech and then transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Polytech Adult Education – Woodside
823 Walnut Shade Road
Woodside, DE 19980
(302) 697-4545

The Polytech Adult Education Center provides practical nurse training at its Woodside campus. These facilities cover 68,000 square feet with 16 classrooms, seven shops, three computer labs, a health services lab, and a conference center. The average class size is between 10 and 25 students. Lab sizes are usually even smaller for better hands-on instruction.

Additional Resources

Delaware Board of Nursing

The Delaware Board of Nursing is the government authority for nurses throughout the state of Delaware. They issue nursing licenses, ensure nursing compliances, and establish nursing standards, as well as provide accreditation for nursing education programs in Delaware.

Delaware Nurses Association

Founded in 1911, the Delaware Nurses Association represents nurses of all kinds throughout the state. Their mission is: To improve healthcare in Delaware by the advancement of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Membership includes nursing boards from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories. The NCSBN created the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams, and maintains and administers those exams for nurses throughout the U.S.