Become a Highly Qualified Licensed Practical Nurse
Now offered at STLCC-South County.
STLCC offers a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program in a convenient South County location. The program, which includes patient simulation labs and patient care spaces designed to replicate a hospital, accepted its first students in the fall semester of 2024.
When you pursue the certificate of proficiency (CP) in practical nursing, you’ll be trained to become an LPN who can provide direct care to patients. This licensed practical nurse program is a quicker path into the nursing profession, offering you versatility and variety within health care.
In just two semesters, you’ll be eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination- Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) to gain licensure, launching your career in health care.
What is Practical Nursing at St. Louis Community College?
The practical nursing program prepares students to coordinate patient care and perform nursing tasks, including following the plan of care developed by the registered nurse, administering medications, performing nursing assessments, and providing basic care for the clients.
STLCC partners with Lutheran Senior Services, Mercy Health System and others to provide high-quality clinical opportunities. Practical nursing students have clinicals covering fundamentals, mental health, medical-surgical (med-surg) nursing, obstetrics and pediatrics.
Intravenous (IV) therapy is integrated into the practical nursing program. Graduates are prepared for employment as IV-certified licensed practical nurses immediately after graduation and satisfactory completion of the State Board of Nursing requirements for licensure.
What Can You Do with a Practical Nursing Certificate?
Practical nurses work under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) in a team nursing environment. Practical nurses implement the care plan, provide direct patient care and work in many different types of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Long-term care
- Acute rehabilitation
- Home care
- Physician offices
- Schools
Continue Your Nursing Journey with the RN Bridge
The RN Bridge is a course for licensed practical nurses and licensed paramedics, which allows students to bridge into the associate of applied science (AAS) in nursing program. After becoming an LPN and meeting all bridge admission requirements, this course is designed to expedite you to your next step in obtaining registered nurse licensure.
Upon completion of the bridge course, you'll join the two-year AAS in nursing students for the second year of the program. The RN Bridge course admits up to 36 students each spring and fall semester and is currently located at STLCC-South County. Read more about our RN bridge program.
CP in Practical Nursing
- Degree offered: Certificate in proficiency
- Locations: South County
- Hours to complete: 38-46
- Program contact email: stlcc-lpn@stlcc.edu
- Accreditation:
The practical nursing CP program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
STLCC will be pursuing accreditation from the Accreditation Commision of Education in Nursing (ACEN). - Helpful resources:
- This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
STLCC's practical nursing program is affordable, at $6,000 for the two-semester program (cost may vary based on pre-entry course costs). This is a fraction of the cost of other similar programs in the St. Louis area.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is contingent on meeting the established minimum criteria as defined in the Practical Nursing Program Handbook. Applicants also are required to complete a health history, criminal background check, and immunization record. Applicants selected for the program are required to have a physical examination.
Interested students should meet with a student success advisor to review admission requirements. Students must meet all admission requirements to apply for the program. When students have completed all admission requirements, they meet with an advisor to apply.
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- Demonstrate the role of the practical nurse by utilizing the nursing process and applying legal, ethical, and regulatory standards.
- Implement effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication with the multi-disciplinary health care team, clients, families, and communities across the lifespan.
- Implement teaching strategies to foster learning across the clients lifespan that facilitate health promotion and maintenance, and reduction of risks specific to clients, families, and communities across the lifespan.
- Coordinate client-centered care as part of a multidisciplinary health care team.
- Formulate self-awareness as it applies to health care concepts, and recognize cultural diversity to promote a practice of life-long learning.
Why You Should Choose STLCC's LPN Program
Graduate With Little or No Debt
We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4700 per year with tuition that's one-third lower than other local institutions.
Ramp Up High-Wage Skills
STLCC offers career-focused programs for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs. STLCC provides opportunities for college transfers, career development and workforce training.
Caring for Students
STLCC goes beyond academics with support services, ranging from stress and anxiety management to grants for childcare, emergency crisis support, clothing and free meals through Archers' Market and Brown Bag Cafe food pantry. We offer free tutoring on campus or online.
STLCC. What's your reason?