LPN Programs in Rochester NY: Online and On-Campus
Do you see a nursing career in your future? Get the facts on LPN programs in Rochester, NY, including top schools, cost and length, and financial aid options.
One of the quickest ways to join the nursing field is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Working under the direction of registered nurses and doctors, LPNs provide direct patient care, ensure that medical records are accurate, and do routine lab tests.
To get started on your LPN career, you’ll first need to obtain your LPN certificate from a state-approved education program. Whether you’re interested in getting your training at a nearby community college, through online classwork, or at an educational opportunity center, you’ll want to find the LPN program in Rochester, NY that best fits your academic and career needs.
Read on to get the details about campus and online LPN programs in Rochester, the steps to become a licensed practical nurse in NY, and what to expect in terms of salary and the job market.
Best LPN Programs in Rochester for 2023
To give you a better idea of what to expect from LPN programs in Rochester, NY, check out the three college spotlights below. Remember that the program you choose must be accredited to guarantee that it’s a high-quality program and will prepare you for licensure. The LPN programs spotlighted below are all accredited, offer high-quality education, and prepare students to pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
Rochester State University of New York (SUNY)
Rochester SUNY/Rochester EOC offers an accredited LPN program that is a combination of clinical experience and classroom work. Successful completion of the program qualifies students to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Students gain the knowledge and skills to provide basic healthcare, discuss care and comfort with patients, keep records, report patient status and concerns to supervisors, and monitor patient health. The program takes approximately just under a year to complete.
To be admitted, students must apply with a valid ID, proof of income, and proof of 12-month residency in New York State. Students then register for an entrance exam and, if their score qualifies them, they complete an interview. Students admitted into the program are required to submit additional documentation, including high school transcripts.
Rochester Regional Health IGH
The Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing offers an accredited LPN program lasting 10 months. Associated with Rochester General Hospital, the program is designed to help students develop a professional nursing identity, promote and maintain health in patients, work with other healthcare professionals to achieve positive outcomes, and prepare to practice in an ever-changing health care community.
Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing only accepts online applications by students who are at least 17 years of age with a high school diploma. Students must write an essay about why they want to be a nurse, provide at least two references, and complete an entrance assessment. If students have a qualifying score, they can expect an interview after which their applications will be accepted, declined, or placed on a waiting list.
The Genesee Valley BOCES School of Practical Nursing
The Genesee Valley BOCES School of Practical Nursing offers an excellent accredited LPN program that prepares students to pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The on-campus program typically requires two semesters to complete. Coursework topics include nutrition and diet therapy, community health nursing, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing, anatomy and physiology, and human growth and development.
To be admitted, a student must submit transcripts and letters of recommendation/reference, complete an essay about why they want to become an LPN, and pay an application fee. An applicant then schedules an interview with the staff and takes an entrance exam. According to the most recent data, the program has a 100% job placement rate for graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN.
FAQs About LPN Programs in Rochester
What skills do you learn in LPN programs in Rochester?
Students can expect to learn the basics of healthcare, such as placing catheters, changing dressings, monitoring and reporting patient status, providing for patients’ comfort, assisting with tests and procedures, taking patient histories, keeping documentation, and reporting concerns about patients to supervisors. Courses also cover the basic knowledge of growth and development, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, physiology, and more. For more information, check the links to the LPN programs listed above.
How much do LPN programs cost in Rochester?
Tuition is typically paid by semester, and many programs offer payment plans. However, there are some programs that have you pay by the credit, especially if you are attending part-time. Completing an entire program can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 and typically take just less than a year to 18 months. If you have access to one of New York state’s educational opportunity centers, you might be able to attend school tuition free. To get a better idea, review the three examples below.
Practical Nursing
Duration: approximately 10 months
Total Estimated Cost: $26,050
Licensed Practical Nurse Program
Duration: 3 terms (1200 clock hours)
Total Estimated Cost: $15,693
Licensed Practical Nursing Program
Duration: 12 months
Tuition: No Fee (students must meet income, residency, and other requirements)
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN program in Rochester?
Attending college is a huge financial commitment, so it might be a good idea to know how you’re going to pay for an LPN program in Rochester, NY. Fortunately, there are many financial aid options available that don’t require taking out student loans. If you’re working, some companies offer employee tuition assistance programs. Plus there are federal grants and private and public scholarships. To start your funding search, check out our LPN scholarships guide and main financial aid guide to give you an idea of what your options are.
How long do LPN programs in Rochester take to finish?
Most LPN programs in Rochester, NY, take approximately one year to 18 months to finish if you are attending full-time. If you attend part-time, the program will take longer. If the school you attend offers an accelerated program, there’s a chance you could finish even faster.
Inside Look at Online LPN Programs in Rochester
Online LPN programs in Rochester, NY, are similar to those in any other subject. Classes are delivered through either scheduled video meetings or prerecorded lectures that can be viewed at the student’s leisure. Assignments are typically submitted online, while tests are taken either online or in-person at a proctored location.
Online LPN programs offer several benefits. Not only can you attend classes from the comfort of home, you can also study whenever and wherever you choose. Without the need to travel to and from campus to attend classes, you can save money on your certification/diploma compared to a traditional program.
While coursework for LPN programs in Rochester, NY, may be taken online, clinical and lab requirements must be attended in-person. This means finding a healthcare facility, such as a hospital or clinic, that meets your program’s requirements.
Common Questions About Online LPN Programs in Rochester
Will earning my credential from an online LPN program in Rochester impact my ability to get certified or licensed?
No. Schools, especially accredited ones, work very hard to make sure their online classes are of identical content and quality as their on-campus classes. In short, there should be no difference in the coursework or material covered, so you can still get licensed if you complete an online LPN program.
Will employers care if some of my LPN classes were taken online?
No. Material covered in online LPN programs in Rochester, NY, is the same as that in on-campus programs. Employers only care that your LPN program is state-approved and that you hold a valid LPN license. What will not matter is whether your coursework was completed online or in person.
Are online LPN programs more affordable than campus programs in Rochester?
Typically, no. Online and in-person classes are roughly the same price, and there are some schools at which online classes cost a bit more. However, taking online classes will save you money (and time) because you won’t have to commute to campus. If you are able to take advantage of the Rochester SUNY/Rochester EOC hybrid learning program, you will not have to pay any tuition.
Can I complete my LPN training in Rochester faster by taking classwork online?
Unless you are specifically taking an accelerated program, online LPN programs in Rochester, NY, will require the same amount of time as in-person programs. Schools strive to make online and in-person courses very similar in curriculum and material, so you will be covering the same information.
LPN Licensing Information and Requirements in Rochester, NY
Licensing requirements for Rochester are the same as the general state requirements, which are:
- At least 17 years of age
- High school graduate
- Graduate of an approved nursing education program
- Passing score on the NCLEX-PN
Your New York State LPN license will be good for life unless annulled, revoked, or suspended by the New York State Board of Regents. Your license will allow you to practice as an LPN for three years before being renewed. Thereafter, you will be required to renew your license every three years. The fee for first-time registration is $143. For more information and to double-check requirements, visit this New York State Education page.
How Much You Can Earn as an LPN in Rochester, NY
Across the United States, the median salary for LPNs is $47,480. LPNs in Rochester earn wages lower than the national average, with median earnings at $42,820. LPNs is other major New York cities such as the Buffalo and Syracuse areas also fall below that national average, though LPNs in the New York City area earn above the national average. This list gives you a better idea of LPN salaries across the state.
Annual Earnings for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester, NY
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
| Rochester, NY | $33,870 | $42,820 | $51,520 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $44,310 | $57,040 | $67,800 |
| New York | $36,030 | $49,800 | $63,230 |
| United States | $34,560 | $47,480 | $63,360 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | $34,410 | $44,600 | $56,200 |
| Syracuse, NY | $34,090 | $43,560 | $55,240 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019
