Diploma Program
Practical Nursing Program (LPN Prep)
Birmingham, AL
CLASSES START
Jan 6th
12 Mo. Program Length | 37 Credits |
On-campus Format | Hands-on Training |
Diploma Program
Practical Nursing Program (LPN Prep)
Birmingham, AL
Earn a PN diploma in Birmingham and become possible
| Accreditation | ACEN accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Transfer credit | Up to 27 approved credits |
| Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses at our campus in Birmingham, Alabama |
| QuickPaths | Pathways to further your nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN); transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
A second home near you
Join a vibrant class of students and faculty eager to help you find your way to a new career path.
Herzing University
Birmingham Campus
Call us
(205) 791-5860Visit us
280 West Valley AvenueBirmingham, AL 35209
Practical Nursing Diploma Program - Birmingham, AL
The Diploma in Practical Nursing is a 37-credit career diploma program which prepares you to register/apply to the Board of Nursing for clearance. If approved, the graduates can apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN.
The Birmingham campus program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in patient assessment, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child nursing, mental health nursing, and much more.
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.
Experienced faculty
Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.
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.
Learn More Today!
Curriculum
Herzing Birmingham PN program classes & curriculum details
The practical nursing program at Herzing University in Birmingham, Alabama provides theoretical, academic and clinical instruction in many different types of nursing to bridge the patient lifespan, including geriatric, obstetric, pediatric and mental health care.
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 Birmingham; you may complete general education courses online.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Practical Nursing - Birmingham | 12 | 37 |
i. 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
Requirements
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 | TEASii |
| 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. | ||
Now Through Dec 31st
Natalie Hassan Became Possible
Experienced PN program faculty helped Natalie both professionally and personally, changing her life for the better in many ways.
Careers
Enrolling in a PN program is step #1 to starting your new career
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse happens in 5 steps:
- Enroll in the Herzing University practical nursing program
- Graduate and get your PN diploma
- Apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the NCLEX-PN
- 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. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) licensing exam.
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 a RN. Hospitals and medical facilities are more often recommending or outright requiring nurses to earn their BSN degree.
Frequently Asked 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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:
Accreditations
Accreditations & Disclosures
1. The Practical Nursing program at Herzing University – Birmingham located in Birmingham, Alabama is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 ǀ 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 at http://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.
The Diploma in Practical Nursing program at Herzing University-Birmingham is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing (RSA Plaza, 770 Washington Avenue, Suite 250, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, 334-293-5200, www.abn.alabama.gov). Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) licensing exam.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals
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. | |||
* 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.
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