Fast-Track LPN Programs Online in Pennsylvania | Accelerated LPN Programs 2025

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are expected to increase by 3% overall in the U.S. over the next decade. However, demand in Pennsylvania is much higher, with an expected increase of 12%.

LPNs are entry-level members of a healthcare team. To become an LPN, you'll need to complete a practical nursing program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN), and obtain a license from your state.

Through fast-track LPN program online you can complete your training quickly. Some schools offer six-month LPN programs or even three-month LPN programs, but nine to 12 months are most common. Keep reading to discover accelerated online LPN programs in Pennsylvania.

Accelerated Online LPN Programs in Pennsylvania

There are several top accredited LPN programs, and some of them even offer schedules that allow students to become an LPN fast. Pennsylvania has several 11- and 12-month LPN programs.

In accelerated LPN programs, online learning is not usually available for most core courses. However, some fast-track programs do offer a few nursing classes online. Keep reading to discover the fastest LPN programs in Pennsylvania with some online courses.

1. Butler County Community College

Butler County Community College is a public school in Butler, PA. It offers a practical nursing certificate program that students can complete within three consecutive semesters.

While the nursing courses in this program are in person, some of the non-nursing requirements are available online. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and had a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2024.

Residents of Butler County pay $135 per credit, or $6,480 for the 48-credit program, before additional fees and costs. For other Pennsylvania residents, the tuition rate is $238 per credit.

2. Lehigh Carbon Community College

At Lehigh Carbon Community College, students can earn a practical nursing certificate. This program takes three semesters for students who have already completed the prerequisites, and most prerequisite courses are available online.

LCCC, based in Schnecksville, PA, had a pass rate of 100% on the NCLEX-PN last year. The school is accredited by the MSCHE and its practical nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The cost for this program is $778.33 per semester, or $2,334.99 for all three semesters. This includes textbooks and course materials, but does not include things like scrubs or certification fees.

3. Reading Area Community College

Reading Area Community College offers a practical nursing program that prepares students to provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed providers. The public college is located in Reading, PA, and is accredited by both the MSCHE and the ACEN.

This certificate program can be completed in three consecutive semesters for students who have already finished the prerequisite courses. Most prerequisites and even one of the nursing courses are offered online. The program had a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2024.

For Berks County residents, tuition is $3,240 per semester, making the entire program $9,720 with an estimated $8,167 extra in fees. To lower this price, students can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal grants, loans, and scholarships.

4. Venango Technology Center

A hybrid practical nursing program is available through the Venango Technology Center in Oil City, PA. Tuesday classes are online for part of the year, while students attend class on campus or at their clinical site Wednesdays through Fridays. The program takes 11 months to complete.

Venango Technology Center, which offers occupational training for high school students in addition to the practical nursing program, does not require institutional accreditation. However, its nursing program is accredited by the ACEN and had a 96.55% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN last year.

Tuition is $3,240 per semester, which works out to $9,720 in total, for Berks County residents. This does not include things like lab fees, textbooks, and certain assessments.

5. Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College is a public school based in Bethlehem, PA. It offers a three-semester practical nursing certificate that full-time students can complete in under a year.

While the nursing courses are all in person, some of the required non-nursing courses for this program are available online. The school had a 96.15% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN last year and is accredited by both the MSCHE and the ACEN.

Tuition for Northampton County residents is $1,950 per semester, which works out to $5,850 for three semesters. Again, this does not include costs like textbooks and other fees.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools for this list of fast track medical LPN programs in Pennsylvania, we focused on:

• Location: All schools are located within Pennsylvania.
• Accreditation: Every college on this list is regionally accredited.
• Approval: All practical nursing programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
• Accelerated LPN options: We looked at programs that students could complete in a year or less.
• Online learning: We choose programs that offer at least some courses online.

Most of the schools above are community colleges, also making them cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA.

What To Expect From Fast Track LPN Programs and Licensure

Most licensed practical nurse programs, whether they're traditional or accelerated LPN programs, combine a blend of classroom or online learning, hands-on labs and simulations, and clinical experiences. However, specific LPN prerequisites and requirements can vary by program.

If you're pursuing a fast-track medical LPN online, your online courses will often be limited to prerequisites, general education courses, and non-nursing requirements. However, sometimes a nursing course or two will be available online if it doesn't have a lab requirement.

Upon successful completion of the LPN program, nursing students will be able to take the licensure exam and obtain their license through the state's nursing board. Students who want to further their nursing career may decide to continue on to a degree program so they can take the NCLEX-RN and become registered nurses.

Many schools offer LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program options. After that, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These bachelor's degrees are often available online.

Coursework in Accelerated LPN Programs

Common course topics for accelerated LPN programs include:

• basic nursing skills
• gerontology
• medical-surgical nursing
• mental health
• pediatrics and obstetrics
• pharmacology

These courses not only prepare students with the nursing care skills they need but also skills in areas like critical thinking and problem-solving.

FAQs About the Fastest LPN Programs Online in Pennsylvania

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the quickest LPN programs in Pennsylvania.

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Do?

Licensed practical nurses provide basic patient care, which often includes tasks like taking vitals, changing bandages, and daily care tasks like helping patients eat, bathe, or dress. The Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that LPNs can work in many types of healthcare facilities, and their tasks can vary depending on their job placement. Common places for LPNs to work include:

• nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• hospitals
• home health care services
• physicians' offices

Some LPNs later choose to expand their career opportunities by becoming RNs. RNs have the training to take on more comprehensive tasks, like starting IVs and running diagnostic tests.

What Is the Fastest LPN Program in Pennsylvania?

The fastest LPN programs allow students to complete their learning in three to six months. Unfortunately, there are no accredited three-, six-, or nine-month LPN programs in Pennsylvania. However, all of the programs above can be completed in less than a year.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated LPN Programs in Pennsylvania?

The admissions requirements for accelerated LPN programs can vary. Common requirements include:

• a high school diploma or GED equivalent, sometimes with a minimum GPA
• a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) credential
• prerequisite health science or general education courses
• a passing score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
• passing a background check
• getting fingerprinted
• passing a drug test
• having all your vaccinations up to date

You can usually find information about admissions requirements on the program page or request information by contacting the school.

How Long Does It Take To Become an LPN in Pennsylvania?

The length of time it takes you to become an LPN in Pennsylvania depends on what program you choose and how long it takes you to take and pass the NCLEX-PN. With the programs above, you can become an LPN in about one year.

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