Those interested in working legally as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Maryland must both complete a state-approved LPN Maryland program and pass the national NCLEX-PN licensing examination.
Every state is currently required by federal law to approve and regulate its own in-state licensed practical nurse (LPN) training programs. The Maryland Board of Nursing is the agency responsible for approving and monitoring MD LPN schools throughout the state.
This article show students where to find state-approved Maryland LPN programs, and explains the state's LPN licensing requirements.
LPN Maryland Licensing Requirements
Individuals who have not earned an accredited nursing degree or undergone an accredited nursing education program must fulfill the following requirements in order to work legally as an LPN in Maryland:
- Complete a state-approved MD LPN program
- Pass the national NCLEX-PN examination
- Pass a criminal history background check
Those who currently hold an active LPN license from out-of-state should know that Maryland participates in the Nursing Licensure Compact – a group of 23 states which have agreed to automatically accept valid LPN license transfers from member states. In addition, Maryland accepts license transfers from non-compact states through an endorsement process.
For information on a license transfer or license endorsement, and to receive the necessary applications, contact the Maryland Board of Nursing at 888-202-9861.
MD LPN Program Elements
Currently, 14 Maryland LPN programs are approved by the state's Board of Nursing. Below are some characteristics these programs share:
- All programs are at least a full academic year in length
- Programs contain a theoretical classroom learning component
- Programs contain a clinical learning component
Thirteen of the programs are housed at community colleges, twelve of which require a year of prerequisite courses before students can complete the program (at which point they may add another year of study to earn an associate degree).
In the classroom component, students learn several important nursing skill areas, including the following:
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
- Physical sciences
- Basic nursing procedures
- Maternity nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Nursing for adults and the elderly
In addition to the classroom work, students attending approved LPN Maryland schools perform clinical work (typically in a hospital) which is supervised by a nurse educator. This clinical experience both trains students for future LPN careers and prepares them for the NCLEX-PN examination.
Finding Maryland LPN Programs
While nearly all of the LPN programs approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing are located at community colleges throughout the state, there is one program available to high school students.
For a complete listing of MD LPN programs, reference the Board of Nursing's LPN school guide.
Benefits of LPN Maryland Training
Those who successfully finish one of several approved Maryland LPN Programs, and who subsequently pass the national licensure examination, are legally eligible to work as an LPN in Maryland.
With the state's aging population, LPN jobs are expected to be in high demand for many years to come, making an investment in nursing education a solid one.
For information on more nursing educational opportunities in Maryland and elsewhere, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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