LPN Beating Heart wallpaper

Nursing (LPN)

The Licensed Practical Nursing Program (LPN) at Lawson State is a certificate program. Licensed Practical Nurses are entry-level nurses that perform basic patient care tasks and help to keep patients comfortable. They work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and other medical professionals. Lawson State does offer a LPN to RN track, so if you are interested in starting out as an LPN first before advancing to the RN level, here is the program for you. The median salaries for LPN in the U.S. is $48,000. Healthcare is a high demand field. As such, students graduating with a LPN Certificate can anticipate strong salaries that often have bonus offerings as well. Many LPN's work in hospitals, clinics, heath facilities or enjoy even higher wages as a traveling LPN nurse.

Benefits of Choosing a Career as a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN):

Choosing a career path as a LPN Nurse will set you on a rewarding career path.  LPN Certified Nurses in high demand in the state and beyond.  There is currently a shortage in healthcare (especially following COVID), so this high demand career path will keep you engage.  Students interested in nursing, can expect to earn a competitive salary, and should also consider earning their RN (Registered Nursing degree) for even more added income in the future.  Presently, the median salary for LPN Nurses in the U.S is 48K.  Securing an LPN certificate qualifies you to serve in many healthcare capacities include the following: traveling nurse, home care LPN, nursing home, rehabilitation LPN, hospital LPN, urgent care LPN, doctor's office LPN, ER LPN and more.

Our LPN Certification is a 49 credit hours degree.  The certification will equip you to enter the job market skilled and employable.  To  increase your earning power, students should always continue their education to continue to grow and learn in their fields of study. Many LPN nurses go on to earn their Registered Nursing 2-year degree, RN Bachelors and Masters degree.

48k
Median U.S. salary for a LPN Nurse.  For more information on nursing salaries, conduct a web search. Salaries can vary per city and state.
656K
Number of jobs available in the U.S. for this field.
6%
Nursing has a 6% growth rate.  Meaning it is growing at a fast pace. 
Autumn Cox
LPN Graduate
I chose a career in nursing as I was inspired when my younger siblings (who are twins) were born. They are fraternal twins and one had to stay in the NICU for a month. During that time, I watched nurses help my family and... my siblings. I liked the idea of being in medical field and being able to help others.
Explore a Career in Nursing.  There are no limits.

 

LPN Application Process and Steps

CRITERIA TO APPLY TO THE LPN PROGRAM:

Once accepted, the LPN Program is a total of 3 semesters in length.  

For consideration of Summer admittance, LPN applications are due by 11:59 p.m on January 15th.  Applications should be submitted online via this online portal.

For consideration of Fall admittance, LPN applications are due by 11:59 p.m on May 15th.  Applications should be submitted online via this online portal.

The LPN Program is administered on the Bessemer campus of Lawson State. This program is ONLY taught on the Bessemer campus of Lawson State. There are TWO admittance cycles for the LPN program per year. 

Licensed Practial Nursing (LPN)--Cycles of Admittance (New Students)

LPN Day Program: (Bessemer Campus):
Lawson State Community College admits students to its LPN day program two times per year, every summer and fall.

Application into Lawson State's prestigious LPN nursing program is competitive.  Although we recommend that all students apply to our programs, students meeting minimum requirements or seeking readmission are not guaranteed admission.  Students seeking admission should work to maintain the highest GPA possible and concentrate on a superb performance in all science classes, beginning with BIO103 (as a pre-nursing student).  Admission into the Nursing program is based on your ranking against the criteria and your ranking against other students applying to the program.  Again, it is a competitive process, so meeting minimum qualifications does NOT guarantee acceptance.

Criteria (in terms of student selection) is established from assessing GPA's, student completion of pre-requisite courses, ACT exam outcomes, and grades achieved in Biology courses (and additional points awarded from HPS103 and MTH 186, if the student opts to take these courses). 

Each student is assessed by a Point System (The maximum number of points a student can obtain is 58 points.)

How to Calculate Your Application Points: 

Score of 18 or higher on the ACT= 36 points 

ACT or ACT Residual Test- Maximum 36 points (This score is based on your individual ACT score).

Selected Required Coursework- Maximum 12 points 

  • ENG 101 English Composition:                                                                                       A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • MTH 100 or Higher Level                                                                                                 A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 201 Anatomy & Physiology I                                                                                     A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 202 Anatomy & Physiology II                                                                                   A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points

Additional Points (OPTIONAL--Not Required) - Maximum 10 points

  • HPS 103 Foundation Competencies for Health Sciences                                               A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D/F = 0 points
  • MTH 186 Dosage Calculations                                                                                         A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 103 Principles of Biology I                                                                                         A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points

The first step to apply to the LPN Program is to apply to the College.  Your status at Lawson must be Active. 

  • Submit your Lawson State Application
  • Submit your Unofficial Transcripts to the College (from all former colleges you have   attended).

If you have previously been accepted to LSCC, but have not attended the college for more than one semester; you may be required to complete a new application to the college and provide additional information.

Please check with the Admissions office before you complete the LPN application to ensure your acceptance is Unconditional.

Before applying, ensure your Lawson State cumulative GPA is at least a 2.0.
Current or previous Lawson State students must a have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at Lawson State or your most recent college GPA must be a 2.0 or higher.

Check your ACT score.  All applications must have a score of 18 or higher on the ACT to apply to the LPN Program. A minimum score of 18 is required without exception (academic history and/or achievements cannot be considered in place of the ACT requirement).

ACT SuperScores of 18 or higher are accepted.

There is no expiration on test dates.

ACT On-Campus (formerly ACT Residual) scores MUST be from an Alabama Community College;

ACT On-Campus scores from any institution outside of the Alabama Community College System WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ACT scores listed on college transcripts will not be accepted

LPN applicants must complete the following pre-requisite coursework (see listing below).  In addition, applicants must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on four of the select pre-requisites (at the time of application):  ENG101, MTH100, BIO201 and BIO202.

General Education Pre-Reqs:

ORI101--Orientation to College (1 credit)

ENG101--English Composition (3 credits)

MTH100 or higher--Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)

BIO103--Principles of Biology--a pre-requisite for BIO201 (4 credits)

BIO201--Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab (4 credits)

BIO202--Anatomy and Physiology II w/lab (4 credits)

EARN EXTRA POINTS:  "Get a leg up".You can earn extra points towards your application and ranking if you take one or more of the following Pre-Nursing recommended electives:

HPS103: Foundation Competencies for Health Sciences                                          Professions Foundations (3 credits)                                                 

MTH186: Medical Dosage Calculations (1 credit)

RECOMMENDED COURSE (no extra points awarded but course is recommended if you have availabilty to take it).  Be sure to complete HPS103 and MTH186 before you enroll:

BIO120--Medical Terminology (2 credits)

Secure your UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT COPIES from ALL the colleges you have attended, including Lawson State for your LPN application.  Do NOT leave any colleges out. 

You must upload ALL unofficial transcripts to your LPN application regardless of whether or not they were previously submitted to the Admissions office (Including your Lawson State Community College transcripts).

We will NOT accept transfer credits listed on one transcript from a separate college, we need to see each transcript in its entirety.

NOTE: *It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain copies of each transcript from each institution previously attended and upload them to the application by the deadline. Failure to do so, will VOID your application.

Secure a copy of your official ACT scores.  You will have to upload your scores to your online application. All applicants must have an 18 or higher to apply to the LPN program.

NOTE: All ACT scores are verified by a third party.  Falsifying of any records can and likely will lead to disciplinary action being sought up through suspension from the College.

Submit your completed application with all required documents.  ONLY completed applications will be considered.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LPN APPLICATION:

Click HERE to submit your application online by the deadline.  All applications MUST be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the day it is due and include all required attachments (unofficial transcript copies, ACT scores, etc...).

For Summer Admissions, submit by Jan15th. (11:59 p.m.)

For Fall Admissions, submit by May 15th (1159 p.m.)

NOTE:  Be sure to submit all required documents including ALL your unofficial transcripts and official ACT scores.  Falsifying of any records can and likely will lead to disciplinary action being sought up through suspension from the College.

 

Take Your Next Steps

Start Your Degree Today

Interested in learning more about the application process and how you can get here? Our team is here to help you find your way. 

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Contact Us

Interested in learning more about the program? Reach out today!

Location

Bessemer Campus (Day LPN Program)
Building "A", Room 110
1100 9th Avenue, SW
Bessemer, AL 35022

Contact Information

Dr. Sherika Derico, Associate Dean of Health Professions
Email: sderico@lawsonstate.edu 

Dr. Katrina Swain, Nursing Chairperson,
Email: kswain@lawsonstate.edu