Prepare to enter the nursing workforce as an LPN in approximately 12 months
Key Program Features
Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a career that offers many opportunities to pursue different paths and advancement options. LPNs generally work under the supervision of registered nurses and care for the ill, injured, convalescent and disabled. Lincoln Land Community College’s practical nurse program includes classroom, lab and clinical experience to prepare students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). The state NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2016-2017 was 86 percent, and job placement was 97 percent.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the LLCC licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate program is consistent with the college’s mission statement and philosophy of general education. The LPN program curriculum is based on current science, knowledge and evidence-based practice. The program philosophy, outcomes and competencies are based on the recommendations from the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative and the 2013 NCLEX-PN test plan. The LPN program has the specific mission of educating individuals to carry out the role of an LPN.
Nursing is defined as the “protection, promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and populations” (American Nurses Association, 2010, p.1) across the lifespan. Faculty assert that nursing is a practiced discipline that draws on knowledge from biological sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities. Individuals preparing to be nurses learn theories related to human needs, learning, developmental stages, communicable disease transmission and many other areas of human and community functioning (NLN 2010 p.19).
Learning is the responsibility of the student. The administration and faculty are responsible for providing a learner-centered environment. Faculty assume responsibility for developing, interpreting and evaluating the curriculum in nursing in relation to the stated philosophy and outcomes. Faculty are also responsible for inter-professional collaboration and support of communication channels with other disciplines and agencies.
Career Outlook
Use the Career Insight tool to see what opportunities in this field look like.
Certificate Program
Read more about the program and required courses for a practical nurse certificate:
Practical Nurse • Certificate of Achievement – time to completion: 1 year
Investment in Your Future
In addition to course tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with this program. To review a complete listing visit our LPN program expenses page. Please note that tuition, fees, book expenses and other program costs are subject to change.
There are ways to get help paying for college. Learn more about paying for college.
Application Dates and How to Apply
This program starts in the fall. LLCC’s LPN classes are offered at both the Jacksonville and Hillsboro outreach centers.
- Applications for the LPN program are accepted the first Monday in November at 8 a.m. through the last Friday in March at 5 p.m.
We want to ensure that each student is prepared to be successful in the LPN program. To help ensure that students are successful, our LPN program uses a selective admission process. Applicants must complete this selective admission process in addition to the LLCC general enrollment steps.
If you are a new student to LLCC, visit our Getting Started page first to learn more about these general enrollment steps.
If you are a current or returning student, proceed to the next steps listed below:
- Step 1: Be aware of LPN program application dates and deadlines. Please note that there are designated windows to apply.
- Step 2: Carefully review the LPN program admissions requirements page and be familiar with the selective admission procedures.
- Step 3: Review the ATI-TEAS Fact Sheet for Students page and information on how to register for the TEAS exam.
- Step 4: Schedule an appointment with a nursing student success coach to map out your plan! The nursing student success coaches are happy to assist you in working toward your educational goal of applying to the ADN program. To ensure that you stay on the right path towards this goal, we require all potential nursing applicants to meet with a nursing student success coach. Your student success coach will review with you in detail the admission requirements as well as the selective admission procedures. Once you have successfully completed all of the program admission requirements, your student success coach will provide you with the program application. Please note that the nursing student success coaches are only available at the main campus in Springfield. For information regarding their office hours and appointment scheduling, please visit the LLCC Student Success page.
Other Program Requirements
Once an applicant has been accepted into the LPN program, there are additional requirements that the applicant must meet:
- Physical and Immunizations – All LPN students must provide evidence of satisfactory physical and emotional health. A designated physical form is provided to students by the LLCC Health Professions Department. In addition, each student is also required to provide proof of immunizations.
- CPR Certification – All LPN students are required to be CPR certified. This certification must be either American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer) or American Heart Association (Healthcare Provider). Cards from organizations other than these are not accepted.
- Drug Screening – All LPN students are required to complete a drug screen conducted through a company selected by LLCC. The drug screen fee is paid by the student. If a student receives a positive drug screen result, he or she is dismissed from the program.
- Background Check – All nursing students are also required to complete a background check conducted through a company selected by the college. The background check fee is paid by the student. If you have a FELONY conviction of any kind and have questions on whether you can obtain a license, we highly recommend completing the Petition for Review form that can be found on the IDFPR website. The completed form and supporting documents can be mailed to:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation
Office of the General Counsel
320 W. Washington – 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786- In addition to mailing in the form and supporting documents, please also ensure that you review: Section 1300.100: Refusal to Issue a Nurse License Based on Criminal History Record.
- Illinois reviews each case on an individual basis. A final determination of licensure can only be made after an application for license by examination has been submitted from a graduate of an approved school.
- If you have been convicted of any criminal offense in any state or in federal court (other than minor traffic violations) include a letter/statement/certified copy of: the court records regarding your conviction, the nature of the offense and date of discharge, if applicable, a statement from the probation or parole office.
- The application will have specific questions concerning criminal backgrounds, definitions and listings for Livescan fingerprint centers. These applications can be found at:
- Functional Abilities – The functional capabilities required to participate in the program include:
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- Perform a full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, moving, lifting or pushing heavy equipment
- Bend, reach, pull, push, stoop and walk repeatedly throughout an eight-hour period
- Demonstrate auditory acuity to hear breath sounds by stethoscope (with correction, if needed)
- Demonstrate visual acuity to read small letters and numbers (with correction, if needed)
- Demonstrate bilateral upper extremity fine motor skills, including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination
- Communicate in a rational and coherent manner both orally and in writing with individuals of all professions and social levels
- Respond quickly and in an emotionally-controlled manner in clinical situations
- Adapt to irregular working hours
- Adapt effectively to clinical environments
- Maintain composure when subjected to high stress levels
Accreditation/Licensure
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
1-404-975-5000
LLCC Practical Nurse graduates are eligible to take the licensing NCLEX-PN examination. Please note that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant but such a conviction shall not operate as an absolute bar to licensure.
PCN Student Achievement Outcome Data
First-time NCLEX-PN Pass Rates – 2018: 95% 2019: 95% 2020: 64%
Employment rates with six months of graduation – 2018: 90% 2019: 100% 2020: 100%
Program completion rates – 2018: 71% 2019: 70% 2020: 74%
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Additional Information
Clinical Experiences
Clinical (hospital or other agency) experience is a major component of each LPN course. Under the guidance of a nursing instructor, the student focuses on concepts and applications and relates them to patient care through pre- and post-clinical conferences. An emphasis on meeting the needs of each individual patient is used as a basis for all learning experiences. Types of clinical experiences include care of the newborn infant, geriatric patient, maternity nursing, psychiatric nursing and medical/surgical nursing in various clinical settings.
Readmission and Attendance Policies
A student who fails or withdraws from a nursing course for any reason will be required to follow the specific readmission policies of the nursing program. Please be aware that the LPN program has a strict absence policy. Students may not miss greater than or equal to 10 percent of total class time in any nursing course or they will be dismissed from that course
Residency and Admission to the Nursing Program
Residency criteria: Chapter 112, Section 103-17, of the Illinois Public Community College Act requires that, whenever enrollment in a program must be restricted because of space limitations, a college must give preference to district residents. Consequently, admission to LLCC Health Professions programs for students who live outside of LLCC District #526 vary per program based on space availability and qualified applicant pools.
Residency and Tuition Rates
In order to qualify for in-district tuition rates, any student shall be a resident of the district at the time of registration or 30 days prior to the start date of the term in question. When the residency of a student or prospective student is not clear, proof of residency may be required. Any student may qualify for in-district tuition rates if employed within the LLCC district for 35 or more hours per week. Qualifying for the in-district tuition rate based on employment does not make the student a resident for restricted program admission purposes.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding program admission requirements or how to apply, please call LLCC Student Success at 217-786-2224 and request to speak with a nursing student success coach.
Sandra Chvala, Ed.M.
Administrative Assistant to the Dean, LPN – Hillsboro
Health Professions
217-786-2447
Sandra.Chvala@llcc.edu
Amber Babbs
Practical Nursing Program Assistant, Jacksonville
Health Professions
217-786-2574
Amber.Babbs@llcc.edu
Carrie Jacobs
Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Nursing
Health Professions
217-786-2445
Carrie.Jacobs@llcc.edu
Sonja Harvey DNP, RN
Associate Dean, Nursing
Health Professions
217-786-4913
Sonja.Harvey@llcc.edu