BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s practical nursing program was recently ranked #1 in the state out of all other Indiana LPN programs, by PracticalNursing.org.

For the 2017-18 academic year 80 percent of practical nursing students completed the program, 100 percent passed the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), and 100 percent found employment within six months of graduation. In the Bloomington area there are 340 employed LPNs with an average hourly wage of $18.50. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an additional 2,482 positions will open statewide through 2020.

Students in Ivy Tech Bloomington’s nursing program have the opportunity to learn in simulation labs, as well as care for real patients in a variety of clinical settings. The program leads to a technical certificate that can be completed in one year, which qualifies students to work as an integral part of health care teams in home health care, hospitals, residential care facilities, physician’s offices, schools, and health departments. Students can also choose to continue their education at Ivy Tech to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (RN).

The practical nursing program is a highly-competitive, selective-entry program. Students must participate in a nursing information session prior to applying. The next information session is Thursday, July 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room N117 at the Lee J. Marchant School of Nursing.

Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Lee J. Marchant School of Nursing programs are approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. For more information and to apply, visit ivytech.edu/nursing and ivytech.edu/applynow.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.