Are you passionate about healthcare and eager to make a difference in people’s lives? Pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) might be the perfect choice for you.
LPNs play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing hands-on care and support to patients. If you’re considering becoming an LPN in Kansas, it’s essential to choose the right program that will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best LPN programs in Kansas and guide you through the process of making an informed decision.
What does it mean to be an LPN in Kansas?
Before delving into the best LPN programs in Kansas, let’s start with a brief overview of what it means to be an LPN. Licensed Practical Nurses are healthcare professionals who work closely with registered nurses, physicians, and other medical staff.
They provide basic nursing care, such as monitoring patients’ vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily activities. LPNs often work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home healthcare settings.
You should also read our recent articles on the steps to take to become a medical doctor.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an LPN Program:
When selecting an LPN program, several factors should be considered to ensure a fulfilling educational experience. These factors include;
Accreditation And Licensure
Learners need to verify if the school they are applying to is accredited and can be a good route to getting licensed.
Most schools hold either a regional or national accreditation, however, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversee these accrediting agencies.
To get licensed, students are expected to complete an approved course, take the required NCLEX exam and submit an application to the state within 2 years of graduation with documents such as;
- Official transcript from the state-approved nursing program.
- Valid photo.
- Fingerprint card with a signed waiver.
- NCLEX registration.
Take your time to read more information on getting licensed in Kansas.
Program Duration And Schedule
Before getting enrolled, you want to check how long it will take you to finish the program so you can advance to getting licensed, the typical LPN program takes between one and two years to complete, depending on full-time or part-time attendance.
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Curriculum And Courses Offered
Applicants should consider learning about a program’s curriculum to select that which aligns with their career goals. Although all accredited courses will still lead to getting licensed, it is preferable to specialize in the path that suits your long-term goal.
However, the LPN curriculum at Kansas schools may contain some of the following course titles:
- Human Development
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Foundations of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal Child Nursing, and
- Gerontology
Affordability
It might interest you to know that most LPN programs are quite affordable, especially when you compare them to fees paid to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing.
You might even win scholarships, or grants to offset the cost. So look at programs that are within your budget and get started.
Admission Requirements
One of the most important factors to consider when looking for an LPN program is to check if you meet all admissions requirements. Different schools might have different requirements, however, here are some of the boxes you should check
- High school diploma or GED (must submit transcripts or scores)
- Complete all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better
- CNA certification may be required
- Satisfactory score on the ATI TEAS Assessment
- CPR certification may be required
Carefully evaluating these elements will help you find a program that aligns with your needs and goals.
Related: The 5 Best Medical schools in Kansas
What are the Top LPN Programs in Kansas?
1. North Central Kansas Technical College (NCKTC)
Established in 1964, NCKTC is a reputable public technical institution located in Beloit, and Hays in Kansas, United States.
The school offers two state-approved nursing programs; a Practical Nursing Program and an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program which is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse from the North Central Kansas Technical College, students have the option to pursue either the associate’s or certificate program that is based in Beloit.
For students, working professionals, or individuals who require distance learning, the school offers the flexibility to learn online.
With the associate’s degree and certifications, you will learn the basic ideas and practices used in nursing, and after completion, you can start your career directly in entry-level nursing positions. You can also further for a bachelor’s degree later on to expand your career options.
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2. Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC)
Founded in 1965, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution offering one of the best LPN programs in Kansas, approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and which leads to a nursing certificate.
This practical nursing certificate program is designed to be flexible for students to follow up from anywhere in the world, either online or on campus.
Most graduates immediately find jobs in entry-level nursing positions, however, you can take your career further and increase your earning potential by pursuing a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
3. Seward County Community College (SCCC)
Located in Liberal, Kansas, Seward County Community College is also one of the public institutions offering some of the best LPN programs in Kansas.
The Practical Nursing program takes ten months to complete, the school also offers a two-year associate’s degree program which can be taken on campus or online.
Basically, the ten-month Practical Nursing program serves as the first year of the associate’s degree program, therefore, to complete the associate’s program you should either complete the ten-month practical nursing program or have an equivalent coursework.
To be considered a graduate of this program, you must have completed both theoretical and clinical experiences which are in line with the ANA Standards of Practice, Standards of Professional Conduct, and Quality and Safety Education for nurses.
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4. Hutchinson Community College (HCC)
Located in Hutchinson, this public community college serves nearly 5000 credit students each semester, it is also the school with the only practical nursing program in the state of Kansas that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Students can take classes online or on campus and the program combines theory and practice emphasizing the roles of a practical nurse as a provider of care, manager of care, and member of the discipline of nursing.
Other than the fact that graduates can immediately join entry-level nursing positions, Hutchinson Community College’s PN program makes graduates eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
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5. Flint Hills Technical College (FHTC)
Located in Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a very recognized public community college offering one of the best LPN programs in Kansas.
One of the reasons most students enroll in this school is because of how caring the staff is and also the use of real-world applications to offer students hands-on clinical experiences.
Flint Hills Technical College offers both an associate and certificate program in nursing, and while the school’s campus is located in Emporia, Kansas, students can complete online programs from anywhere.
Most graduates transfer their credits to a recognized university to pursue their bachelor’s degree to reduce degree completion time, and with the associate degree or certificate, graduates can immediately apply to entry-level nursing positions.
6. Garden City Community College (GCCC)
Established in 1919 and located in Garden City, Kansas, this public community college has been providing post-secondary education for area residents, they are also one of the schools in the state with top-notch practical nursing programs leading to a certificate or an associate degree.
Like most PN schools in Kansas, Garden City Community College offers both online and on-campus study options, and after graduation, students and eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination.
To get into GCCC practical nursing program, applicants will be required to provide a current Kansas Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) certificate, and upon successful completion, graduates can enroll in entry-level nursing jobs, they can further for a bachelor’s degree to qualify for higher-paying jobs.
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7. Dodge City Community College (DCCC)
Ranked as the best school offering practical nursing programs by PracticalNursing.Org, Dodge City Community College is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The school offers a traditional two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree for students who have completed the practical nursing certificate in their first year with both theory and hands-on clinical experience.
One of the reasons this school is highly ranked is that while they offer top-notch LPN programs, they also assist their students towards licensure and beyond. Upon completion of the ADN curriculum, successful graduates are eligible to apply for licensure.
Classes are also flexible so students can either decide to take training while on campus or do that remotely, so distant students may not need to come to Kansas to take classes. Graduates of this program qualify to apply to entry-level nursing positions and can also transfer their credits into a bachelor’s program and advance their education.
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8. Colby Community College (CCC)
Established in 1964, Colby Community College is a public community college offering one of the best LPN programs in Kansas leading to an associate degree in nursing (ADN).
Colby Community College offers a Certificate in Practicing Nursing for learners in their first year, they also offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, and an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in pre-nursing.
The school also offers online classes for distance learning, and in addition to the top-notch coursework, the school organizes practical or hands-on training sessions to prepare students to build the required skills to be competent while working in the field.
Graduates of this program can find employment in entry-level nursing positions, to qualify for higher salaries and leadership roles, graduates of associate or certificate programs can pursue a bachelor’s degree.
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9. Barton Community College (BCC)
Located in Great Bend, Kansas. Barton Community College is a public community college offering both a Certificate of Practical Nursing and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN).
It takes a total of 45 credit hours to complete the PN program, some of the reasons people like it here is because the curriculum is very well-rounded and demanding and the school prepares its students with the necessary nursing skills needed to start their careers.
Students can also build lifelong partnerships by connecting and interacting with other students and healthcare professionals because the school is affiliated with the Barton Nursing Club.
For integrity, the Nursing Program at Barton Community College is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing while its Associate Degree Program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
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10. Coffeyville Community College
Founded in 1923, Coffeyville Community College is also a public community college offering both Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs in Coffeyville, Kansas.
You can decide to take classes online or on campus, and it takes one year to complete the Practical Nursing (PN) program and it is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level nursing positions with various healthcare organizations, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Graduates can transfer to a 4-year institution to complete their BSN, the school has an agreement with various 4-year institutions to allow their graduating students further their programs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right LPN program is a crucial step toward achieving your nursing career goals.
By considering factors like accreditation and licensure, program duration and schedule, curriculum, and courses offered, affordability, and admission requirements, you can ensure a comprehensive and enriching educational experience.
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