How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Indiana

Indiana map

There are several schools in the state of Indiana that offer certificate and diploma courses to become licensed practical nurses.

Courses include full-time and part-time programs.

These programs may be completed in 12 to 24 months and are offered by community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools.

Course work includes a mixture of theoretical study, lab work, and clinical experience.

Upon successful completion of a state-approved, accredited program, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX Exam.

It is imperative to make sure, before selecting a program, that the program is certified by the appropriate accrediting body.

Students should typically look for the following accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

2 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Indiana

The LPN programs typically include course materials on medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology, clinical pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing, as well as medical surgical nursing.

There are only two schools that offer this program in the state of Indiana.

Vincennes University offers an LPN course at two locations: Vincennes & Jasper, Indiana.

Ivy Tech offers this course at Sellersburg, Fort Wayne, Columbus, Evansville, and Lafayette, Indiana campuses.

1. Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech Logo

Ivy Tech offers an accredited LPN course at approximately twenty of its locations across the state of Indiana and it is the only full-fledged community college in Indiana.

The community college offers a License Practical Nurse program where students are able to get hands-on training at some of Indiana’s most advanced training facilities.

This is a three-semester course that allows successful graduates the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure.

These programs are accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN) and the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the school itself is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

This program is a total of 45 credit hours, which translates to 13 general education courses.

There are three pre-requisite courses that must be taken before the NPL course is started:

  • Anatomy and Physiology  3 credit hours
  • English Composition 3 credit hours
  • Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours

This program may be completed in four semesters with one semester dedicated to a pre-requisite course and three semesters dedicated to the nursing course.

Admission to this course is limited and does include additional requirements that are over and above those stated by Ivy Tech.

Candidates must pass a mandatory drug and alcohol test as well as a background screening.

In-state students studying 12 credit hours or more, full-time, will pay $2,243.25, while out-of-state students studying 12 credits or more, full-time, will pay $4,388.55.

2. Vincennes University

Vincennes University Logo

Vincennes University offers a Nurse Practical course that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the  Indiana State Board of Nursing.

This program prepares students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

The program is offered at two of the school’s campuses: Vincennes Campus and Jasper Campus.

The course is a total of 45 to 46 credit hours.

The LPN program runs over two semesters and one summer. And, only one class is admitted annually.

Students are prepared through theoretical classes, lab work, and clinical rotation.

Lab work is conducted at the college laboratory, while clinical rotation is facilitated through acute and long-term care facilities and community agencies.

Candidates are required to pass a drug and alcohol test in addition to a background screening in order to be eligible for this course.

Tuition for this course is $7,920 for in-state students and $19,665 for out-of-state students.

These figures do not include fees, books, supplies, etc.

Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Indiana – Summary Table

Top 2 Schools in Indiana

School NameAddress
Ivy Tech50 Walnut St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Vincennes University1002 N 1st St, Vincennes, IN 47591

Salary

The average salary for this position in the state of Illinois may differ slightly, depending on the facility that you are employed at, your current level of experience, and the type of program that you graduated from.

On average, candidates may expect an entry-level salary of $40,755.

Candidates with some experience in the field may expect a median salary of $49,443 and, on the high end, a salary of $60,055.

Annual Salary Range:
$44K
$49K
$54K

Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Indiana

City NameSalary
Indianapolis$49,241
Fort Wayne$47,212
Evansville$47,832
South Bend$47,718
Gary$50,947
Hammond$50,947
Bloomington$46,616
Muncie$46,680
Anderson$46,862
Terre Haute$46,462
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Indiana

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IN230$53,940$25.93$60,830$46,130
Columbus, IN130$50,360$24.21$61,710$38,720
Elkhart-Goshen, IN240$58,430$28.09$70,460$47,430
Evansville, IN-KY640$53,910$25.92$62,180$43,770
Fort Wayne, IN1,100$53,670$25.8$63,040$41,750
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN3,780$57,820$27.8$67,740$47,690
Kokomo, IN130$56,330$27.08$63,170$46,420
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN330$57,160$27.48$66,070$47,740
Michigan City-La Porte, IN110$55,190$26.54$66,110$46,070
Muncie, IN280$52,930$25.45$61,280$41,650
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI480$56,630$27.22$64,100$46,310
Terre Haute, IN310$52,390$25.19$60,590$42,140
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, OCC Code 29-2061, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you take the Nclex PN in Indiana?

You are permitted to take the NCLEX PN three times before the Indiana Board requires you to make an appearance in order to get authorization to be able to test again.

Can I practice in another state with my license?

Indiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which means that you can practice in any of the other member states without having to obtain any additional licensure.

Do I need a high school diploma in Indiana to register for the LPN course?

Yes.

You are required to have a high school diploma or GED before you are able to apply for this course.

Can LPN pronounce death in Indiana?

A practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), in the state of Indiana, who are competently trained and licensed are within their scope of employment to pronounce death through the assessment of obvious or conclusive signs of death.

What happens in Indiana if you do not pass the NCLEX in 3 years?

If you are unable to attend the examination within the three-year period following your graduation from a suitably qualified school, you will need to attend another PLN course in order to take the examination.

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