If you'd like to become a nurse but aren't prepared to devote the next four years of your life to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, becoming a licensed practical nurse is a great option to consider. In North Carolina, as in all other states, LPNs must be licensed by the board of nursing. To do so, they must meet a number of requirements. These include completing an approved training program, passing a licensing exam and paying the necessary fees.
Of the many steps that are involved in becoming an LPN in North Carolina, enrolling in and completing a training program is among the most crucial. The quality of your training will directly impact how well you perform on the NCLEX-PN licensing exam; it will also affect your ability to find jobs. With these points in mind, read on to learn more about becoming an LPN in North Carolina and for recommendations for reputable LPN schools in the state.
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Top LPN Programs in North Carolina
Now that you know the basics about LPN programs in North Carolina, you are about ready to start searching for the right one for you. As you'll quickly learn, zeroing in on the right one can be challenging since there are so many options across the state. It's crucial to choose a program that is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing; it should also have competitive NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Get your search going by checking out these recommendations for LPN programs in North Carolina:
Beaufort County Community College
5337 US-264 ALT, Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 946-6194Bladen Community College
7418 NC Hwy 41W, Dublin, NC 28332 (910) 879-5500Brunswick Community College
50 College Rd NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 755-7300Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 726-2200Cape Fear Community College
411 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 362-7000Central Carolina Community College
1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, NC 27330 (919) 775-5401Cleveland Community College
137 S Post Rd, Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 669-6000Coastal Carolina Community College
444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (910) 455-1221College of The Albemarle
1208 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-0821Craven Community College
305 Cunningham Blvd, Havelock, NC 28532 (252) 444-6005Durham Technical Community College
1637 E Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703 (919) 536-7200ECPI University
4800 Airport Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208 (704) 399-1010ECPI University
4101 Doie Cope Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 (919) 571-0057ECPI University
7802 Airport Center Dr, Greensboro, NC 27409 (336) 665-1400Edgecombe Community College
225 Tarboro St, Rocky Mount, NC 27801 (252) 823-5166Fayetteville Technical Community College
2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 (910) 678-8400Forsyth Technical Community College
2100 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 723-0371Gaston College
201 US-321, Gastonia, NC 28052 (704) 922-6200Guilford Technical Community College
601 E Main St, Jamestown, NC 27282 (336) 334-4822Halifax Community College
College Dr, Weldon, NC 27890 (252) 536-2551Isothermal Community College
134 Maple St, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (828) 286-2218James Sprunt Community College
133 James Sprunt Dr, Kenansville, NC 28349 (910) 296-1429Lenoir Community College
231 North Carolina Hwy 58, Kinston, NC 28501 (252) 527-6223Mayland Community College
88 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 (828) 765-7351McDowell Technical Community College
54 College Dr, Marion, NC 28752 (828) 652-6021Montgomery Community College
1011 Page St, Troy, NC 27371 (910) 576-6222Nash Community College
522 N Old Carriage Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 443-4011Richmond Community College
1042 W Hamlet Ave, Hamlet, NC 28345 (910) 410-1700Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360 (910) 272-3700Rockingham Community College
215 Wrenn Memorial Rd, Wentworth, NC 27375 (336) 342-4261Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S, Granite Quarry, NC 28146 (704) 216-7222Sampson Community College
1801 Sunset Ave, Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-8081South College
140 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 398-2500South Piedmont Community College
3509 Old Charlotte Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110 (704) 290-5100Southeastern Community College
4564 Chadbourn Hwy, Whiteville, NC 28472 (910) 642-7141Surry Community College
630 S Main St, Dobson, NC 27017 (336) 386-8121The College of Davidson and Davie Counties
297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360 (336) 249-8186Vance-Granville Community College
200 Community College Rd, Henderson, NC 27537 (252) 492-2061Wayne Community College
3000 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534 (919) 735-5151Wilson Community College
902 Herring Ave E, Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 291-1195
Neighboring States: Georgia | South Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia
LPN Licensing Requirements in North Carolina
Before taking the first steps toward becoming an LPN in North Carolina, learn the basic requirements that are imposed by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. That way, you will know exactly what to do and when to do it, which will help you earn your license that much faster.
The most important LPN licensing requirements in North Carolina include:
- Completing a training program that is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. This usually takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months, but the length depends on various factors.
- Applying for your LPN license by examination with the North Carolina Board of Nursing. When applying, include authorization to perform a criminal background check as well as the licensing fee.
- Registering for, taking and passing the NCLEX-PN, the official licensing exam for LPNs. It's offered at testing sites around the state on dates throughout the year.
North Carolina belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC. This means that LPNs who hold valid multistate licenses in other participating states can just begin practicing here. If you come from a non-NLC state, an endorsement process is available.
In North Carolina, LPN licenses expire every two years on the last day of the licensee's month of birth. If you were born on May 15, then, your expiration date would be May 31 every two years. You can choose from several continuing education options to renew your license; consult the North Carolina Board of Nursing for more info.
North Carolina Board of Nursing
Submit your application for an LPN license to the North Carolina Board of Nursing, the same agency that handles all aspects of nurse licensing in North Carolina. Keep this contact information on hand for convenience:
North Carolina Board of Nursing
4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: (919) 782-3211
Fax: (919) 781-9461
LPN Salary & Employment Outlook in North Carolina
Although becoming an LPN in North Carolina is fairly straightforward, it also means having to invest time, money and effort into the process. Avoid wasting your time and money by confirming that you will be able to find gainful employment after earning your LPN license.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in North Carolina earn a median wage of $51,300 per year, which is equal to $24.66 per hour. This is less than the national average annual pay for LPNs, which is $54,620, or $26.26 per hour.
In addition to being eligible for well-paying jobs, you'll have access to plenty of them in North Carolina. According to the BLS, the LPN field in North Carolina will grow by 18 percent from 2014 to 2024. This is even faster than the national average rate of 16 percent, and it means that every year during that period, around 730 jobs will be added for LPNs.
LPN Salaries in North Carolina by Area
The amount that you are likely to earn as an LPN in North Carolina depends on a number of factors. In particular, where you are located in the state will dictate not only your earning potential but how easily you'll be able to find employment.
Here's a quick breakdown of LPN salaries and job outlook across the state:
| Area | Total Employments | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 1,600 | $26.69 | $55,520 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,500 | $26.52 | $55,160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 980 | $26.52 | $55,160 |
| Asheville | 980 | $26.15 | $54,380 |
| Burlington | 260 | $25.49 | $53,010 |
| Winston-Salem | 1,060 | $25.36 | $52,750 |
| Wilmington | 730 | $25.28 | $52,580 |
| Fayetteville | 1,100 | $25.25 | $52,520 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,300 | $25.19 | $52,400 |
| Rocky Mount | 190 | $25.19 | $52,390 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 640 | $24.86 | $51,700 |
| Greenville | 400 | $24.54 | $51,040 |
| Jacksonville | 140 | $23.47 | $48,810 |
| Goldsboro | 180 | $23.45 | $48,780 |
| New Bern | 250 | $23.22 | $48,300 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022
The faster you find and enroll in an approved LPN program, the faster you'll be able to start applying for LPN jobs in North Carolina. Find a program and enroll today!
