Earn a PN diploma in Orlando and become possible
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Transfer credit | Up to 27 approved credits |
| Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses at our Orlando, Florida campus |
| Pathways | Pathways to further your nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN) |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
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Practical Nursing Diploma Program - Orlando, FL
The Diploma in Practical Nursing is a 37-credit career diploma program which prepares you to begin your nursing career as a practical nurse.
The Orlando campus program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical-surgical nursing, growth and development, pharmacology for nurses, and practical hands-on experience.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
What you'll learn in the Herzing University PN diploma program
The practical nursing program at Herzing University in Orlando, Florida provides theoretical, academic and clinical instruction in many different types of nursing to bridge the patient lifespan: including surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health.
Over the course of the program, you will learn the basics of nursing procedures, measuring vital signs, administering medication, and develop communication skills necessary to easily collaborate with other healthcare providers.
Most courses are delivered on-campus in Orlando; you may complete general education courses online.
| Program | Months i | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Practical Nursing | 12 | 37 |
Average number of months for students to complete program
Required Courses in Nursing
A minimum of 28.00 semester credit hours is required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this practical nursing program must complete a minimum of 8.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines.
The following nursing support course must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better. Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts is subject to dismissal from the nursing program.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
1.00 semester credit hours are required.
Resuming students should refer to the section on re-entering for additional requirements.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Lab Clinical Total Contact Hours Credits NP 100 Growth and Development 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 NP 110 Pharmacology for Nurses with Lab 22.50 15.00 0.00 37.50 2.00 NP 120 Fundamentals of Nursing with Lab and Clinical 45.00 45.00 22.50 112.50 5.00 NP 125 Medical Surgical Nursing I for LPNs 45.00 0.00 90.00 135.00 5.00 NP 230 Nursing Specialty 45.00 0.00 45.00 90.00 4.00 NP 235 Medical Surgical Nursing II for LPNs 45.00 0.00 90.00 135.00 5.00 NP 275 LPN Practical Experience 0.00 0.00 135.00 135.00 3.00 NP 280 Preparation for NCLEX-PN 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 104 English Composition I 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HC 101 Medical Terminology 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 SC 144 Intro to Anatomy and Physiology 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 Personal/Professional Development 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 Totals 382.50 90.00 382.50 855 37.00
Enrollment requirements
To be considered for admission into the Practical Nursing program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet the following criteria based on your cumulative GPA:
| Cumulative GPAi | Science Requirement | TEAS ii |
|---|---|---|
| 3.50–4.00 | None | None |
| 3.00–3.49 | "B" or better in Anatomy & Physiologyiii | None |
| 2.00 and higher | None | Composite TEAS of 48 |
i. Students with 18 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.
ii. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI).
iii. Students in the 3.00-3.49 GPA range who do not meet this requirement must earn a composite score of 48 on the TEAS.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Enrolling in a PN program is step #1 to starting your new career
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse happens in 4 steps:
- Enroll in the Herzing University practical nursing program
- Graduate and get your PN diploma
- Take and pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed
- Find your first job!
How long does it take to become an LPN?
The Herzing University PN program can take as little as 12 months to complete. After your training and earning your PN diploma, all that’s left for you is passing the NCLEX-PN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Florida.
I want to become a registered nurse (RN). Do I need more than a diploma in practical nursing?
Yes—you’ll need at least an associate’s degree in nursing to become a registered nurse, although we encourage you to pursue a bachelor's degree if you’re serious about becoming an RN. Hospitals and medical facilities are more often recommending or outright requiring nurses to earn their BSN degree.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
While practical nurses (LPN) and medical assistants often perform similar tasks, there are a few key differences to be aware of, including:
- Educational requirements
- Average salary
- Scope of practice
- Ongoing career opportunities
- Future outlook for jobs
Learn more about the difference between practical nursing and medical assisting and how to go from MA to LPN.
You may find some programs offering 6 month or 9 month paths to a PN diploma to become an LPN. Be mindful that accelerated diploma/degree programs aren’t for everyone and such a fast track can be overwhelming. If you’re considering a few months’ difference in time as a tipping point in your decision, remember the quality of your education is most important!
Herzing University’s 1-year PN diploma program gets you an excellent hands-on education in a short amount of time. You’ll learn the foundational concepts and skills in nursing needed to excel in your new career as an LPN.
Potential employers may prefer a candidate with experience as a CNA, but it’s not necessarily a requirement for getting a job as an LPN (same goes for going from CNA to RN).
You aren't required to go from CNA to LPN and there is no prerequisite to be a CNA before enrolling in the Herzing University PN program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average salary of $60,790 per year ($29.23 per hour).* Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state.
Although the majority of LPNs work in nursing homes, retirement communities or assisted living facilities, many LPNs work in:
- Physician's offices
- Hospitals
- Colleges
- Insurance carriers
- Home care
- Community food and housing
You can see a full industry profile for Licensed Practical Nurses from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
No, there are no accredited PN programs that are 100% online. LPN programs describing themselves as “online” will offer a hybrid option where you can take some classes online to supplement your primary classroom coursework.
Students enrolled in the Herzing PN program may complete general education courses online—but the bulk of the coursework must be completed on campus.
Ultimately there is no replacement for real hands-on clinical experience, practice in simulation labs and direct in-person support from nursing instructors with real healthcare experience. Learning the skills required to become an LPN requires the live educational experience to become an excellent Licensed Practical Nurse.
PN program coursework is meant to be challenging, but not impossible. As a Herzing student you’ll find support every step of the way, from faculty, staff, instructors and other students enrolled in the program. You’re never alone—and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Learn more about how hard nursing school is at Herzing University, and read some testimonials from former students describing their experience.
Because many hospitals are upping their educational requirements for nurses in general, the demand for LPNs in hospitals is falling relative to registered nurses with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
However, any claim they are being “phased out” isn’t accurate. LPNs remain in demand in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and many other environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job opportunities for LPNs will rise approximately 5% from 2022-2032.*
The landscape is changing, but LPNs remain a vital contributor in the nursing community.
Considering a career as an LPN?
Your first step is to get a hands-on education to learn the fundamentals of nursing in a career-focused program. Herzing University's practical nursing program combines classwork with clinical experiences to help you earn your diploma and prepare you to become an LPN in as few as 12 months. Our program is available at several of our ground campuses:
While Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) often work together in collaboration in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, their roles and responsibilities are very different. Learn more about the biggest differences between practical nurses (LPN/LVN) and registered nurses (RN).
Quite simply, yes! A PN diploma and a job as a LPN is a great way to quickly get involved in the nursing profession and get a better feel for what it means to be a nurse. Earning your diploma helps get you into a career with above average pay, and can springboard you into the next level of nursing education should you choose to continue advancing your education and career.
We can help you come to a better determination. Send us a request for more information and we can answer any questions you have about the PN program, and discuss how beneficial it can be for you to become a LPN.
The Student Experience at Herzing
I knew for a while that I wanted to be a doctor but didn’t know how to make that happen. That’s when I found Herzing’s one-year LPN program and I knew it would be the perfect step for someone like me.
Gail Radecki
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee CampusI’m amazed at how quickly things went by – I’m already done!
Eileen Saint-fleur
Nursing Student | Orlando CampusWhen the economy took a downturn, I decided to pursue a career in nursing. Herzing allowed me to get my degree in just 2 years!
Geoff Codlyn
Nursing Student | Madison CampusHerzing pushed me to finish strong. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me!
Ernesha Carter
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee CampusI chose Herzing because of the dedicated faculty. Everyone was so supportive!
Megan Kennamer
Nursing Student | Birmingham CampusAccreditation & Disclosures
The practical nursing program at Herzing University at the Orlando Campus located in Winter Park, Florida is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
2023 Calendar Year
| Campus | NCLEX® Pass Ratei | Completion Rate | Completion Rate 150% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 85.71% | 30.51% | 32.20% |
| Birmingham | 100.00% | 15.97% | 18.49% |
| Brookfield | 82.81% | 29.46% | 32.14% |
| Kenosha | 84.44% | 29.31% | 31.90% |
| Madison | 100.00% | 36.11% | 38.89% |
| Nashvilleii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Orlando | 85.71% | 23.08% | 28.21% |
| Tampa | 100.00% | 25.94% | 28.44% |
iNCLEX® pass rates reflect the rates as published by the respective board of nursing. iiThe Nashville Campus will not graduate their first cohort of PN students until 2024. | |||
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Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.