If you feel lost, sometimes, you just need to change your focus.
When looking for a new career, all it takes is knowing where to start. Learning how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina could change your world.
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Licensing Requirements To Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in North Carolina
You can apply for a license by examination or endorsement in North Carolina.
For more information, check out the requirements for LPNs at the North Carolina Board of Nursing website.
You must meet other criteria, however.
For instance, you will have to put in the minimum number of classroom and clinical hours required to achieve the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) eligibility.
Along with that, you will need to pass the NCLEX exam that the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) hosts.
Additional stipulations apply to endorsement verification.
For instance, you cannot transfer a current license if your state belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact.
5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in North Carolina
1. Gaston College
https://www.gaston.edu/health-human-services/nursing-programs/nursing-practical-2/
This school has received its credential from the Accreditation Commission for Education (ACEN).
The course curriculum they provide lines up with what you’ll see on the NCLEX-PN exam.
The training you receive here also prepares you for work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private physician practices, and specialists’ offices.
Moreover, you could work in a nursing home, long-term care facility, or retirement home after completing this three-term Practical Nursing certificate program.
2. Cape Fear Community College (CFCC)
The 12-month Practical Nursing program offered at CFCC will prepare you for work assisting a Registered Nurse (RN).
You will also become ready to help a general physician, specialist doctor, or dentist after completing this coursework.
At CFCC, you will experience a balance of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice.
Upon program completion, you should be ready to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
3. Edgecombe
You could have a holistic impact on the people you care for once you complete your Edgecombe training.
The time you spend on this coursework, which will take you about a year (spring, fall, and summer term), will also prepare you for your NCLEX-PN exam.
There’s no end to the types of healthcare settings you could work in when you are finished with this instruction.
What is more, you can fulfill your clinical or lab requirements while enrolled.
4. Durham Tech
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Durham Tech would take you about 12 months to complete.
You would enroll in core courses, such as anatomy or physiology, and spend time in labs and caretaking settings.
When you complete this coursework, you will more than likely be ready to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
5. East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI)
The 15-month Practical Nursing diploma program provides one step toward an LPN certificate in NC.
During this training, you will learn how to show compassion to struggling patients and their loved ones.
In addition, you will put your problem-solving skills in motion when helping clients with theirs.
The PN training you experience at ECPI also prepares you for the ethical and legal sides of working in the healthcare field.
During this time, you will develop the communication skills you need to have when making arrangements with clients, co-workers, and families.
Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in North Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Gaston College | 201 US-321, Dallas, NC 28034 |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) | 411 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Edgecombe | 2009 W. Wilson St. Tarboro, NC 27886 |
| Durham Tech | 1637 E Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703 |
| East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) | 4101 Doie Cope Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 |
Salary
A June 2022 report reveals that NC Practical Nurses earn an average yearly income of $48,279.
Depending on experience, location, and education, salaries can range from $43,838 to $53,703.
Cities where you can find jobs include Asheville, Bolivia, Charlotte, or Angier.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $49,574 |
| Raleigh | $48,973 |
| Greensboro | $48,365 |
| Durham | $48,690 |
| Winston-Salem | $48,482 |
| Fayetteville | $46,437 |
| Cary | $48,973 |
| High Point | $48,654 |
| Wilmington | $46,159 |
| Asheville | $46,520 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 980 | $54,380 | $26.15 | $60,680 | $46,750 |
| Burlington, NC | 260 | $53,010 | $25.49 | $61,150 | $46,190 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,500 | $55,160 | $26.52 | $64,020 | $43,140 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 980 | $55,160 | $26.52 | $65,390 | $43,150 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 1,100 | $52,520 | $25.25 | $62,650 | $41,950 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 180 | $48,780 | $23.45 | $57,730 | $38,970 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,300 | $52,400 | $25.19 | $59,250 | $46,300 |
| Greenville, NC | 400 | $51,040 | $24.54 | $59,260 | $43,560 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 640 | $51,700 | $24.86 | $59,890 | $39,870 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 140 | $48,810 | $23.47 | $61,840 | $39,540 |
| New Bern, NC | 250 | $48,300 | $23.22 | $59,000 | $39,290 |
| Raleigh, NC | 1,600 | $55,520 | $26.69 | $64,480 | $45,760 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 190 | $52,390 | $25.19 | $61,400 | $43,580 |
| Wilmington, NC | 730 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $60,790 | $46,320 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 1,060 | $52,750 | $25.36 | $61,230 | $44,400 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does North Carolina LPN training cost?
It depends on the school, but a certificate program will cost you an average of about $3,000-$5,000.
Some of your work experience may also count toward credit if you choose the right program.
Associate or bachelor’s degree learning programs may cost you about $5,000-$10,000 per year.
Financial aid and working from a certificate to a degree often help students cut costs.
Can I transfer my LPN license to North Carolina?
You may be able to, barring any exclusions.
For instance, you must intend on making NC your primary residence when applying for this state’s LPN license by endorsement.
You also must be in good standing where you most recently practiced.
If you meet the criteria defined by the state’s nursing board, you should have no problem transferring your license to NC.
How much does it cost to apply for the LPN license in NC?
Fees start at $75.
Renewal or reinstatement costs $100 as of April 2022.
This could change, so do your research on current information.
Can an NC LPN be promoted to an RN?
Yes, you can.
Some schools will welcome the chance for you to continue your nursing training.
It is a common and logical career move for most people interested in pursuing nursing as far as they can go.
How long does it take to become an LPN in NC?
The average training time for someone in a certificate program is about 12-15 months.
You may end up in school for at least two years if you want to earn an associate degree.
Achieving a bachelor’s degree in NC may take you three to four years.
