Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024
There are plenty of opportunities to study nursing in Indiana, including a wide range of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs at schools throughout the “Hoosier State.”
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Students could earn an LPN certification — sometimes called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) certification — in as little as nine months and get a job at a hospital, doctor’s office, medical center, nursing home, or another healthcare facility in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Evansville, Richmond, Sellersburg, or Terre Haute.
LPNs in Indiana: Quick Facts
- It takes LPN students around 9-12 months to get an LPN certification, quicker than the four-year time frame required for a Registered Nurse (RN) degree.
- Salaries for LPNs in Indiana average $26.39 per hour or $47,365 a year, according to research from Indeed.
- The average overtime salary is $7,500 a year.
- The most popular benefits are referral programs, 401(k)s, paid-time-off, and license and tuition reimbursement.
- The LPN job outlook in Indiana is positive, with a 9.6 percent increase by 2028.
There are LPN schools across Indiana, with most programs in Indianapolis.
Overview of LPN Schools in Indiana
The Indiana State Board of Nursing, the organization responsible for regulating nursing programs in the state, has approved 21 practical nursing programs. Students learn the following skills:
- Nutrition management
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Home health management
- Patient care
- Vital signs collection
- Mental health management
- General nursing skills
Specialist programs cover disciplines such as pediatric, geriatric, and maternity care.
Accreditation
These two organizations recognize LPN programs in Indiana:
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), responsible for ensuring the educational quality of all colleges, community colleges, universities, and learning institutions in the central United States.
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), responsible for ensuring the educational quality of all programs at the associate, diploma, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
The Indiana State Board of Nursing also recognizes LPN programs in the state.
LPN Admissions Requirements
Most LPN programs in Indiana require the completion of:
- A high school diploma. GED, or equivalent with a GPA of 2.75+.
- The prerequisite courses for an LPN program. Applicants must have a C+ average.
- A proficient score on the ATI TEAS exam.
LPN schools also require applicants to pass a drug test and criminal background check. Students can gain an LPN certification through full-time or part-time training.
Tuition & Costs
LPN students pay for tuition and program supplies. If they live on campus, students also pay for accommodation and any living expenses. Tuition fees vary wildly between schools in Indiana. For example, LPN tuition costs $14,814 per year at Fortis College and around $10,000 per semester at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. Eligible students reduce tuition costs through grants and financial aid, while some healthcare providers reimburse students tuition and other fees if they work for their organization.
LPN Licensing Requirements in Indiana
It’s quicker to become an LPN in Indiana than an RN. LPN programs in the state take around 9-12 months, while nursing degrees last for four years.
Checklist to become an Indiana LPN
- Get an LPN certification from a school recommended by the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
- Apply for a license from the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
- Complete a CPR course and apply for a CPR card.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN examination.
NCLEX-PN Exam
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) authorizes the National Council Licensure Examination for Practice Nurses, or NCLEX-PN, in Indiana via the Indiana State Board of Nursing. The NCLEX-PN tests students for competency on various nursing topics, and students must pass this exam to work for a local healthcare organization.
LPN Reciprocity
- LPNs who enter Indiana from other states can get licensed through ‘endorsement.’ They must already have a nursing license from another state.
- LPNs who enter Indiana from another country can get licensed by passing the NCLEX-PN and receiving an evaluation from the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
LPN Salaries in Indiana
LPNs in the State of Indiana earn, on average, $26.39 per hour or $47,365 a year, according to Indeed. Entry-level LPNs earn, on average, $44,583, while those with over ten years of experience earn $50,922.
These are the biggest metropolitan areas in Indiana with the highest-paid average LPN salaries:
- Evansville, IN-KY ($50,460 per year)
- South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI ($49,200)
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($48,650)
- Fort Wayne, IN ($47,410)
- Bloomington, IN ($46,040)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/
LPNs with certifications like a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) degree can expect a significantly higher salary than the averages above.
Job Outlook for LPNs in Indiana
There is a shortage of qualified nurses in Indiana, with just 14.99 nurses per 1,000 population. (In contrast, Wyoming has 19.86 nurses per 1,000 population.) As a result, healthcare providers encourage entry-level LPNs to join their organizations by offering benefits such as sign-on bonuses.
Overall, the job outlook for Indiana LPNs is positive, with a 9.6 percent increase by 2028, according to Projections Central.
Top LPN Schools in Indiana
Fortis College
9001 Wesleyan Road, Suite 101
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(410) 337-5155
A practical nursing program that combines theory, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The program spans 16 months, making it a quicker alternative than a four-year nursing degree.
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis
9301 E. 59th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46216
(888) 489-5463
Ivy Tech Community College’s Indianapolis campus caters to students in the “Railroad City,” with a 96.9 percent pass rate (2020) for its practical nursing programs. Every year, this LPN course prepares students for the healthcare sector.
Ivy Tech Community College Greencastle
915 S. Zinc Mill Road
Greencastle, IN 46135
812-298-2232
Ivy Tech’s Greencastle campus teaches students the required skills for a rewarding nursing career in as little as three semesters. The school prepares students for the NCLEX-PN by covering topics such as human anatomy, medical terminology, and nursing care.
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 330-6013
Students at Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus learn a broad range of nursing skills, including patient care, medical-surgical nursing, care plan management, workforce development, and vital signs collection. The school has a 94.6 percent pass rate (2020) for its practical nursing programs.
Vincennes University
1002 No. 1st Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 888-8888
This popular program delivers nursing training over two semesters and nurtures students with a mix of classroom and clinical experience. Vincennes University also offers an LPN program at its Jasper campus.
Harrison College – Indianapolis
4200 So. East St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
888-544-4422
Graduates from this nursing education program work in various healthcare environments, including doctors’ offices, care facilities, and hospitals. During the course, students garner nursing skills such as infection control, medicine administration, and long-term care.
Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing
1501 Hartford St.
Lafayette, IN 47904
765-423-640
Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing has specialized in nursing training for over 120 years. Its full-time LPN program delivers classroom learning and clinical experience to students from various backgrounds.
Hondros School of Nursing
3500 Depauw Blvd Building 1, Suite 1070
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(855) 906-8773
A 12-month LPN program that provides students with an alternative to RN and certified nursing courses. Students take a mixture of online, classroom, and clinical modules.
J Everett Light Career Center
1901 E 86th St
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 259-5265
J Everett Light Career Center prepares students for the state licensure examination with intensive training. Graduates find opportunities at local hospitals and medical centers.
Brown Mackie College
(Indianapolis)
1200 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(Fort Wayne)
3000 East Coliseum Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(800) 285-7009
Brown Mackie College has campus locations in both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and offers LPN training at both. These schools serve students embarking on a new career in nursing, providing classroom-based learning and hands-on experience for hospital, doctor’s office, and nursing home environments.
Additional Resources
Learn more about becoming an LPN in Indiana:
Indiana State Board of Nursing: The organization that regulates practical nursing programs in the State of Indiana.
Professional Licensing Agency, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072 Indianapolis, IN 46204
Higher Learning Commission (HEC): The organization that maintains the educational quality of practical nursing programs across the central U.S.
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): The organization that administers the NCLEX-PN exam. Indiana students take this exam to become qualified practical nurses.
111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277