On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.
Program Overview
A hands-on path to licensure in about a year
Rasmussen University’s Practical Nursing Diploma prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN and begin working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Coursework runs online while skills labs and clinicals happen at a campus near you, so you can finish in as few as 12 months — with no waitlist at many locations. 1
You’ll practice real bedside skills — assessment, medication administration, wound care, and patient communication — in simulation labs before you ever step onto a clinical floor, preparing you for a role with 54,000 projected LPN openings a year . 2
Careers & Outcomes
What you will be able to do on day one.
The Practical Nursing diploma is built backward from the bedside — the skills you will be checked off on, the knowledge the NCLEX-PN tests, and the settings that hire LPNs.
Learning Outcomes
Prepare for the NCLEX-PN® and a career in nursing
Our LPN program is designed to help you prepare to sit for the licensure exam, start your career as a hands-on care provider, and advance your education when you’re ready.
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90.85%
of our LPN students in Florida passed the NCLEX-PN exam in 2025.
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Prepare to Take the NCLEX-PN® Exam
Our LPN program is designed to help you prepare to sit for the national council licensure examination, or NCLEX exam. After successful completion of the licensing exam, you’ll be on your way to a confident nursing profession.
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Pursue a Meaningful Career
Many LPNs are satisfied with their careers as a hands-on care provider. Our Practical Nursing grads are prepared to start their careers in a wide range of environments.
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Advance with Our LPN to RN Bridge
If you decide to advance your education to increase your scope of practice, we offer a bridge option to becoming a registered nurse (RN) through our Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs.
Skills You’ll Gain
Hands-on skills for real patient care.
Through clinical experiences, experienced faculty and real-world scenarios, you’ll build the clinical and transferable skills employers value.
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Compassionate Patient Care
Our real-world partnerships help you succeed as an LPN through extensive hands-on clinical experiences as you earn your Practical Nursing Diploma. -
Healthcare Industry Insight
Learn from experienced Practical Nursing program faculty and leadership who can provide a strong foundation in the medical field. -
Critical Thinking and Confidence
By dealing with real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how to think and act quickly in the interest of your patients’ health. -
Experience Across Healthcare Settings
Gain clinical exposure in healthcare settings like clinics and long-term care. -
Transferable Skills
Develop employer-valued transferable skills, or soft skills, including critical thinking, digital fluency, communication and more.
Typical Career Paths
Start your career in a wide range of settings.
The Practical Nursing Diploma program can help you gain quick entry into the field. The projected job growth nationally for licensed practical nurses between 2025 and 2035 is 3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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5.9%
The projected job growth for licensed practical nurses between 2024 and 2034 is 5.9% in Minnesota, according to the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
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2.3%
and 2.3% in Florida, according to the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN).
As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), common careers take place in:
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Assisted living centers
- Rehabilitation centers
- Outpatient/ambulatory care centers
- Home health care services
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
The BLS reports that licensed practical nursing duties may include:
- Monitor patients’ health by checking their blood pressure, body temperature and other vital signs.
- Provide basic patient care and comfort.
- Discuss care with patients and listen to their concerns and communicate with family members.
- Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice nurses or physicians.
- Document patient care and maintain health records.
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| Lorem ipsum | Consectetur | Tempor | Incididunt labore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolor sit amet | 12–15 adipiscing | $3,240 | Ut enim ad minim veniam |
| Quis nostrud exercitation | 9–11 adipiscing | $2,430 | Ullamco laboris nisi |
| Aliquip ex ea | 6–8 adipiscing | $1,620 | Duis aute irure dolor |
| Reprehenderit voluptate | 3–5 adipiscing | $810 | Velit esse cillum |
Education Advancement
Your LPN Is a Starting Line
The Practical Nursing diploma gets you licensed and working fastest — and every nursing credential above it is built to accept the LPN you already hold.
You are here
Step 1
Practical Nursing Diploma
Prepare for the NCLEX-PN and start helping patients as an LPN.
Request more info
Step 2
ADN / RN
Bridge into an associate degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and practice as a registered nurse.
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Step 4
MSN/DNP
Advance into nurse practitioner, education, professional or executive leadership specialties.
LPN to RN Bridge
Finish faster, sit for the NCLEX-RN®8 and prepare for opportunities as a registered nurse (RN).
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt.
| Lorem ipsum | Consectetur | Tempor | Incididunt labore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolor sit amet | 12–15 adipiscing | $3,240 | Ut enim ad minim veniam |
| Quis nostrud exercitation | 9–11 adipiscing | $2,430 | Ullamco laboris nisi |
| Aliquip ex ea | 6–8 adipiscing | $1,620 | Duis aute irure dolor |
| Reprehenderit voluptate | 3–5 adipiscing | $810 | Velit esse cillum |
Curriculum
Signature Courses in the Practical Nursing Program
A sample of courses that define the Rasmussen Practical Nursing diploma — from your first skills lab to the capstone that prepares you for the transition to practice.
Featured Courses
This course introduces students to skills required for basic care and comfort of individuals experiencing alterations in skin integrity, nutrition, and metabolism. Students demonstrate appropriate techniques for data collection, medical asepsis, standard precautions, and universal precautions. Accurate medication calculation and demonstration of safe medication administration are required.
This course provides foundational knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics as related to client care. Major drug classifications, as well as principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are explored for medications affecting the body systems. Legal, ethical, and professional considerations surrounding medication administration are explored. Resources needed for safe medication preparation and administration, as well as principles of professional communication related to client safety, are presented.
This course introduces students to foundational knowledge for Practical Nursing, including basic care, comfort, and nutrition. Students identify client-centered interventions for individuals with concerns related to safety and mobility. Nursing care for the client with infectious, inflammatory, immunologic, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and sensory or perception disorders is explored. The clinical component provides students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in healthcare settings.
This capstone course serves as the culminating experience of the Practical Nursing Program. Students synthesize the knowledge needed to deliver client-centered nursing care inclusive of physiological and psychosocial integrity, health promotion and maintenance, and quality improvement, while collaborating to provide a safe and effective care environment. Students demonstrate clinical reasoning and engage in reflection and self-analysis as they prepare for transition to practice.
Take the First Step Toward Your LPN License
Request your free program guide and an admissions advisor will walk you through campus options, clinical placement, start dates, and what it takes to sit for the NCLEX-PN — no application fee, no obligation.
Cost & Aid
Estimated Tuition and Fees
Tuition is charged per credit hour. The figures below show the Practical Nursing diploma at full price and with the LPN Care Grant, before transfer credit or other financial aid.
Practical Nursing Diploma
Tuition per credit
$384
Total credits
56
Total tuition
$21,504
Total fees
$5,645
Estimated total tuition and fees
$27,149
Potential savings with LPN Care Grant
$2,000
Estimated total tuition and fees with grant
$25,149*
Use our tuition estimator
*This reflects pricing for Florida students. Please speak with an admissions representative or use the tuition estimator tool to calculate your costs.
Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
Ways to Save
Bringing the cost down before you borrow
Most Practical Nursing students pay less than the estimate above. These are the routes that reduce it — and you may qualify for more than one.
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Military
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Corporate
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Financial Aid
94% of Rasmussen University's full-time undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid.10 You’re not alone figuring out how to pay for nursing school. -
Transfer Credit
Get your transfer credits reviewed in one business day (on average). You can also take a $149 self-directed assessment to show that you don’t need to take a specific course.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Grant eligibility, award amounts and aid packages vary by student, campus and state — figures above are not a guarantee of award.
Answering the Call to Care.
A few minutes with a Practical Nursing graduate on what the program asked of her, and what it gave back.
BSN
CLASS OF 2025
Rosa S.
When I think of all that I have overcome, I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude. I just remember the days I didn't know if I would even be alive, or be here to make it to graduation.
Shortly after I enrolled at Rasmussen, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It was like a bomb had just been dropped in my life. I was just trying to get through nursing school. I had a five year old at the time, and I automatically went into fight mode. It was just terrifying.
I did have to take two medical leaves because I had to have two separate surgeries. I didn't want to come back to school after the second one. I was defeated, not really as hopeful. I was nervous, I was afraid, I didn't think that I would be able to make it to the end.
I reached out to Rasmussen. They immediately were like, Rosa, take what time you need. You can come back when you're ready. I was super grateful with just the amount of support and the amount of reassurance as well.
It's a humbling experience to be the patient, to be helpless, to have to rely on everyone around you, especially when you're normally the caregiver. I had to sit back and allow others to take care of me, and to trust that my care was in good hands. As a nurse, I aim to provide that reassurance in every patient that I come in touch with.
I want them to feel like they can trust me. I want them to feel like I will advocate for them.
Dr. Carrie Daninhirsch, Provost, Rasmussen University:
Welcome to the Rasmussen University 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
Rosa S.:
We are cancer free today and we are believing it's going to stay that way. I'm just so grateful for Rasmussen, for all of their support throughout my journey, and for my own village and my family and my support system.
Announcer:
Rosa Skinner
[cheers]
Rosa S.:
I am still here and I am still pushing and I really have just overcome so much. I am over the moon that my son gets to watch me walk that stage. He pushed me to keep going every day and my husband never let me give up, no matter what it was going to take. And I'm just grateful that my parents are here to witness it, that they're proud of me. And it's just is super special.
I'm Rosa Skinner, and I am a proud Rasmussen University graduate.
I am over the moon that my son gets to watch me walk that stage, and that I’m able to be an example for him — to show that if mommy did it, you can do it as well.
Rosa L.
Nursing Graduate
Admissions
Built to Get You Started — Not to Hold You Back
No college prerequisites and no prior healthcare experience required — just one straightforward application. You'll need a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the nursing entrance exam.
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Prerequisite Courses for Admission
No prior college coursework? No problem. You can begin the Practical Nursing program right away.
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Waitlists at Many Campuses
Qualified applicants can usually start at their chosen campus when it works best for their schedule.1
$0
Application Fee
There is no cost to apply, and financial aid assistance is available for those who qualify.
Your First Step
Start at a Nursing Information Session
Every nursing journey at Rasmussen begins the same way — with a required information session, where you meet the School of Nursing team and get your questions answered before you apply.
What happens at a session
Get answers on courses and scheduling, cost and financial aid, transfer credit, and what clinicals ask of you.
- Tour the campus, often including the simulation lab
- Talk through your path with a School of Nursing admissions representative
Registering
Pick a campus, program, date, and time, in person or virtually — details follow by email. You can also bring a friend to the same session.
Campuses
Find a Campus Near You
Browse the map to find the Rasmussen University campus closest to you.
Find your nearest campus
Select a campus
Choose from the list or map.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions prospective Practical Nursing students ask us most.
Both are licensed nurses, but they train for different lengths of time and practice at different scopes. An LPN earns a diploma in about a year and provides direct patient care under the supervision of an RN or physician. An RN completes an associate or bachelor's degree and takes on broader assessment, care planning, and delegation responsibilities. Many LPNs later bridge into an RN program.
The Practical Nursing diploma can be completed in as few as 12 months attending full time. Your actual timeline depends on your campus, whether you attend full or part time, and any transfer credit you bring in.
No — and no accredited nursing program can. Your coursework runs online, but skills labs and clinical rotations must be completed in person so you can practice hands-on care under supervision. That blend is why the program is offered at campuses rather than fully online
Neither is required. You'll need a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the nursing entrance exam. Before clinicals begin you'll also complete a background check, a drug screen, and current immunization records.
Yes. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical nurses, and your final course includes preparation built around the exam's test plan. Program approval and licensure requirements are set by each state's board of nursing, so confirm the details for the state where you plan to practice.
Still have questions? Talk with an admissions advisor: 833-606-1911
Why Students Choose Rasmussen.
The faculty knew my name, knew my schedule, and knew when I was struggling. I never felt like a number — I felt like someone they were personally invested in getting across the finish line.
Marcus T.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Graduate
From the blog
How to Get into Nursing School: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Consider these six critical steps to help you get into nursing school and start your journey in this fulfilling career path.
Read the articleReady to Change Your Life?
Get personalized program information or apply today—no fees required.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
American Public University System (the System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The System is comprised of American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN). HLC accredits degree-granting institutions nationwide and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The practical nursing program at Rasmussen University part of American Public University System at the:
- Central Pasco campus, located in Odessa, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Eagan campus (with an off-campus instructional site in Hennepin/Anoka) located in Eagan, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Mankato campus, located in Mankato, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Moorhead campus, located in Moorhead, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- St. Cloud campus, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.