One of the common questions that aspiring licensed practical nurses ask is whether it is possible to become an LPN in 6 months or if there is an LPN program that will give them the credentials that will qualify them to take the NCLEX-PN exam. The short answer is yes, one can become an LPN in a year. Read on below to find out how you can become an LPN in as short as a year!

Enroll in A Fast-Track LPN Program

Although the majority of LPN programs take about 18 to 24 months, there are fast-track LPN programs that can be accomplished in as short as 6 months. A word of warning, though, just because a program is fast doesn’t mean that things will be easier. They will take less time, true, but fast-track LPN programs also mean that you have to put in the extra effort to learn the materials that you need to know before you take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure.

Before you commit to a 6-month LPN program, ask the school how much work you will have to put in daily as well as what the daily schedule is like. Note that no LPN program is 100% online so even online LPN courses will be required to meet inperson for learning the practical side of nursing via a skills lab.

Another important piece of information to check before enrolling in a fast-track LPN program is whether the school you are interested in is accredited. A nursing school that offers an accredited program that you can verify at the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing’s website is vital because your state board will only issue a license to a nurse who has passed the NCLEX-PN exam and has credentials from an approved nursing program. Graduating from an accredited nursing program is a requirement for licensure. Note too that a completion certificate is not the same as an associate degree. Although aspiring nurses from both programs may qualify for licensure, some employers have specific requirements for the nurses that they hire.

From CNA to LPN

If you are already a CNA, you may have an easier time completing a fast-track LPN program. Having CNA credentials will also allow you to find work before you get your LPN license. In some cases, it is easier to get into your preferred hospital as a CNA first and then get absorbed as an LPN when they have an opening once you already have the license. CNA courses can be as affordable as $1,500 to $2,000 and take only 1 to 3 months. You can then choose an accelerated LPN program after. This is also about the same route that you will take to become an LPN in a shorter time if you are a graduate of an allied medical course.

Get Your LPN License

Once you have your accredited LPN credentials, you are now ready for LPN licensing. You must take the NCLEX-PN exam to practice nursing in your state. Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses is key to getting your license from your state board of nursing.

The NCLEX-PN is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. You need to register for it before you can take the exam. Your credentials will be evaluated before you will be given an ATT and you will be required to pay a testing fee of $200 as well. You will take the exam on a computer at NCLEX-PN testing centers. The exam questions will be determined by the Computerized Adaptive Testing System which also tabulates your scores as you take the exam. Note that your scores can take a few weeks to be released to you.

Pass your NCLEX – PN  in 2023

The Test Plan is going to change in mid-2023 as announced by  the NCSBN, introducing NCLEX Next Gen. Glady, here at Global School Of Health,  we are ready for NCLEX Next Gen! If you’re planning to become an LPN in 2023, be sure to take advantage of the Global School of Health 35-Day NCLEX Bootcamp soon. The program is regularly updated to keep abreast with the latest in NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN preparations. Contact Global School of Health to find out more today!