Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a comfortable salary and enjoy a wealth of other benefits.

It’s a stable career with plenty of growth and opportunities for the foreseeable future. Nursing students can enroll in an LPN program in Vermont and start working faster than registered nurses (RNs) or nurse practitioners (NPs). If you want to fast-track your nursing career, consider LPN schooling as a viable alternative to a traditional nursing degree.

• Most LPN programs take one year to complete for full-time students, and you can obtain licensure once you complete a program.
• Licensed practical nurses in Vermont average $29.86 per hour and earn an additional $7,750 in overtime each year.
• Job growth rate is much higher than average at 9% for LPNs in Vermont, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Nurses in Middlebury, VT, average higher salaries than the rest of the state at $38.01 per hour.
• Burlington, VT,  offers the most educational opportunities and job opportunities for new LPNs in Vermont.

Overview of LPN Schools in Vermont

There is only one accredited LPN school in Vermont, but the school has multiple campuses across the state. It should be easy to find a location that’s convenient to your home or workplace. There are both full-time and part-time programs available.

Each campus follows the same curriculum with both in-class study as well as practical labs and clinical studies. The nursing school at Vermont Tech is a ladder program, so students can continue their education after earning their Practical Nursing (PN) certificate, or they can immediately enter the workforce.

LPN program topics include:

• Introduction to Nutrition
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• Principles and Practices of Nursing I, II, & III with Lab
• The Nurse-Client Relationship
• Pharmacology for Nursing
• Human Growth and Development

LPN Accreditation

A nursing program must be accredited to obtain LPN licensure. The national nursing organization is the National League for Nursing Commission, and the regional organization is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE). Vermont Tech is accredited by both and approved by the Vermont Secretary of State.

LPN Admissions Requirements

The minimum admissions requirements for the nursing program include:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Entrance examination
• Interview
• Background check
• Letter of recommendation
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on nursing courses to proceed through the ladder

LPN Tuition & Costs

Tuition varies from one LPN program to the next. You should contact your school for the latest tuition information. For example, Vermont Technical College estimates $21,219 in total tuition for in-state students to attend its LPN program. Other fees add to a total estimated cost of  $23,529 (with tuition included), and room and board aren’t included in these costs. The room and meal plan is an additional $14,238. However, students often qualify for financial aid via grants, student loans, or scholarships, which can help ease the financial expense.

LPN Licensing Requirements in Vermont

A practical nursing program is the quickest way to start your nursing career in Vermont. The Vermont Tech LPN program takes just one year (or three semesters) to complete.

Checklist to become a Vermont LPN:

1. Complete an LPN program.

2. Apply for licensure with the Vermont Secretary of State.

3. Attend CPR training and receive your CPR certification card.

4. Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

You must renew your license on May 31st of every even-numbered year. Renewal requires 400 active practice hours over the past two years or 960 hours in the last five years.

NCLEX-PN Exam

To apply for LPN licensure in Vermont, you’re required to register and pay the fee for the NCLEX-PN exam 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

All LPNs in Vermont are required to pass the exam.

LPN Reciprocity

To apply for LPN licensure in Vermont via endorsement, you must have a current license in another state or jurisdiction. Submit an application with the fee along with Verification of Licensure.

If you’re moving to Vermont from another country, you must submit a Credentials Evaluation Service ProfessionalReport and pass the NCLEX exam.

LPN Salaries in Vermont

Vermont LPNs earn an average of $29.86 per hour, which is substantially more than the national average salary of $20.17 per hour.

These are the average salaries in the major metropolitan areas of Vermont according to the BLS:

• Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($53,870)
• Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area ($48,640)
• Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area ($52,040)

Each metropolitan has its own average salary for LPNs in Vermont, but there are other factors that may affect your pay rate. If you work in a hospital or surgical setting, you will likely make more per hour than an LPN who works in a physician’s office or clinic. If you have specialized training or expertise, you may earn more than other LPNs. You may also earn more if you opt for weekend or night shifts, and nurses with greater experience typically earn more than recent program graduates.

Job Outlook for LPNs in Vermont

LPNs have numerous job opportunities in Vermont. The BLS anticipates job growth of 9 percent between now and 2029. As health issues continue to increase and the population grows, the demand for LPNs also grows. Many employers are offering bonuses and other incentives for LPNs in Vermont. These may include perks such as flexible schedules, tuition or student loan reimbursement, sign-on bonuses, performance bonuses, and higher pay rates.

LPNs who want to continue their education to become registered nurses or gain specialized skills will find many opportunities in Vermont. Vermont Tech offers a ladder program specifically for students who wish to continue their nursing education after completing the LPN program. Specialty occupations include geriatric nursing, long-term care nursing, nurse anesthesiology, and midwifery. These and other specialties are in high demand throughout New England.

If you’re looking for a long-term career with stability and a higher-than-average salary, nursing is the ideal solution.

Top LPN Schools in Vermont

Vermont Technical College – Williston Campus
201 Lawrence Place
Williston, VT 05495
(802) 879-2323

Williston is one of the main campuses of Vermont Technical College. It’s located at Lawrence Place near I-89.

Vermont Technical College – Johnson / Morrisville Campus
Northern Vermont University – Johnson
337 College Hill Road
Johnson, VT 05656
(877) 337-7116

This program is located at Northern Vermont University. It’s a conjunction between Vermont Technical College and Northern Vermont University for pre-nursing students who wish to pursue a degree.

Vermont Technical College – Stafford Technical Center
8 Stratton Road
Rutland, VT 05701
(877) 337-7116

This campus is also known as the Rutland campus. It’s located at the Stafford Technical Center.

Vermont Technical College – White River Junction
CCV – Wilder
145 Billings Farm Road
White River Junction, VT 05001
(877) 337-7116

Students may complete prerequisite classes at the Community College of Vermont. Afterward, they can apply to the LPN program at Vermont Tech.

Vermont Technical College – St. Albans
CCV – St. Albans
142 South Main Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
(877) 337-7116

This campus is located at the Community College of Vermont in St. Albans. Students can complete coursework here before transferring to Vermont Tech.

Vermont Technical College – Middlebury
Hannaford Career Center
51 Charles Avenue
Middlebury, VT 05753
(877) 337-7116

Students may complete coursework at the Hannaford Career Center before transferring to Vermont Tech.

Vermont Technical College – Lyndon

Northern Vermont University – Lyndon
1001 College Road
Lyndonville, VT 05851
(877) 337-7116

This program is located at Northern Vermont University in Lyndon. It’s a conjunction between Vermont Technical College and Northern Vermont University for pre-nursing students who wish to pursue a degree.

Vermont Technical College – Brattleboro
Brooks House
41 Harmony Place
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-5570

Vermont Technical College has a campus located at Brooks House in the historic area of Brattleboro. Students may complete LPN coursework here.

Vermont Technical College – Newport
CCV – Newport
100 Main Street
Newport, VT 05855
(877) 337-7116

This campus is located at the Community College of Vermont in Newport. Students can complete coursework here before transferring to the nursing program at Vermont Tech.

Vermont Technical College – Bennington
105 Union Street
PO Box 650
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-8811

Located on Union Street, the Bennington branch of Vermont Technical College offers coursework for its nursing program.

Vermont Technical College – Central Vermont Medical Center
130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602
(877) 337-7116

Vermont Tech offers an LPN training program via the Central Vermont Medical Center. Students may obtain employment at the Medical Center or its affiliates after completing the program.

Additional Resources

Vermont Secretary of State – Nursing

The Vermont Secretary of State is the state’s governing authority for all nursing, healthcare, and health-related issues. They are the licensing authority for LPNs and other nursing professionals.

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, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The NCSBN created, maintains, and administers the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN examinations.