Are you interested in pursuing a nursing career in Indiana?
That’s a great idea!
The job of an LPN is both meaningful and rewarding.
And with everything going on worldwide, the demand for nurses couldn’t be greater!
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there will be a 6% growth in the field from 2021 to 2031. This means you will have lots of career opportunities in the future.
Being an LPN is a good decision to kickstart your nursing career.
So, if you think being an LPN is what suits you, this article is for you!
We’re going to help you go through the process. We’ll discuss how to become an LPN in Indiana in 4 steps.
And we’ll also answer some FAQs, such as:
- How long will it take to get an LPN license by endorsement in Indiana?
- How much do LPNs in Indiana make annually?
- Are LPNs in demand in Indiana?
- Is Indiana an NLC state?
Without further ado, let’s get to know how you can become an LPN in Indiana.
How to Become an LPN in Indiana in 4 Steps
Here are the five steps to becoming an LPN in Indiana:
Step #1: Graduate from an Accredited LPN Program
Step #2: Get Your License
Step #3: Land Your First Job
Step #4: Renew Your License
Let’s dive in!
Step #1: Graduate from an Accredited LPN Program
To kickstart your nursing career as an LPN, the first thing you should do is graduate from a state-approved LPN program in Indiana.
Now, choosing a school is a crucial step to getting your license.
Approved LPN programs are offered in private career schools, colleges, and technical centers. A state-approved program suggests academic integrity and quality.
You can find a list of state-approved programs here.
In Indiana, LPN programs are completed in 1-2 years. The curriculum includes entry-level courses and laboratories including:
- Medical Technology
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Nutrition
To enroll in an LPN program in Indiana, you must meet specific requirements. Take note that each school has different admission requirements. But, let’s start with the basics:
- High school diploma or GED
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- Your TEAS exam should be proficient level or higher
- You must have taken or completed prerequisite courses if any
You should also be aware of the total cost of an LPN program in Indiana. But, don’t worry, compared to other nursing programs, LPN programs are much more affordable! Students in Indiana pay around $14,000 per year.
If students live on campus, additional costs such as accommodation and living expenses should be considered.
Financial aids and grants are also available for eligible students. Some healthcare providers also offer tuition fee reimbursements if eligible students work for them after graduating.
Step #2: Get Your License
Congrats, you’re almost there!
We know how thrilled you are to work in a healthcare organization. But, first, you need to obtain a license of practice issued in Indiana.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency handles all initial licensure and renewals.
There are two ways to obtain your LPN license in Indiana – by examination and endorsement.
Examination
Candidates must take and pass the NCLEX-PN examination to obtain their LPN license.
This will test your proficiency in various nursing topics and skills. All graduates of nursing schools are required to take it to ensure that they have all the skills needed to practice their profession.
The NCLEX-PN focuses mainly on high-level thinking, application, and decision-making capabilities to demonstrate one’s knowledge and skills. The four main categories of the exam are as follows:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
To help increase your chances of passing the exam, it’s a good idea to take NCLEX-PN practice tests to get a hint about what the real test is like.
To be able to take the exam, you need to register for it. Here are the registration steps:
- Submit your application for licensure to Indiana’s Board of Nursing.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
- Complete a Criminal Background Check.
- Submit or request for required documents:
- Name change documentation (if applicable)
- GED/High School Education
- Nursing education with a Certification of Completion
- Verification of Licensure for all licenses in a health profession that you have held or are holding
- Citizenship Documentation for Non-US Citizens
- Register with Pearson VUE either by phone or online.
- Pay the exam fee of $200.
- Wait for the Board of Nursing to evaluate if you are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or not.
- Wait to receive an Authorization to Test form via email.
- Schedule your examination and location with Pearson VUE within 90 days. If 90 days have passed, you need to submit all the requirements and pay the fee again.
Pearson VUE is the only company that handles test taking and administering of the NCLEX.
You must register with them and pay the application fee before the Indiana Board of Nursing will grant you eligibility to take the exam.
You may also request an NLC license in addition to the primary license. This will cost an additional $25.00.
You can refer to the Nurse Licensure Compact Information for further information.
Endorsement
Are you an LPN in another state with an active status?
Do you want to work in or permanently move to Indiana?
If so, you can apply for an LPN license through the endorsement process.
To qualify, candidates need to submit proof of completing a state-approved nursing program to the Indiana Board of Nursing and proof of passing the STATE or NCLEX examination.
The candidates also need to pay the $50 application fee.
You can also get a temporary permit with an additional fee of $10. The temporary permit is issued while processing the permanent license.
Here is a list of documents needed:
- Completed application form
- 2 ½ x 3 ½ signed picture
- Proof of active license
- Original state license verification
- Verification of ALL licenses held
- Fingerprint card
But it’s good to remember that Indiana is an NLC state.
This means that if you have a multistate license, you can practice in Indiana without having to get a separate license.
However, if you want to make Indiana your permanent state of residence, then you will still need to apply for a license using this method.
Step #3: Land Your First Job
You’re all set to land your first job as an LPN in Indiana!
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, LPNs in Indiana have projected annual job growth of about 40% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than other occupations.
Most LPNs work for the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, or convalescent. It is unlikely to see an LPN work in emergency care settings.
In Indiana, the majority of LPNs work in long-term, extended-care facilities.
Here are other healthcare settings where LPNs work:
- Private offices of physicians or dentists
- Primary care centers
- Assisted care facilities
- Home care
- Private duty nursing
- Assisted Living
- Mental facilities
- Adult daycare
- Schools
- Prisons
- Community health centers
- Addiction facilities
Step #4: Renew Your License
To continue working as an LPN in Indiana, you need to renew your license every October 31st of even-numbered years.
The good thing is, there are no continuing education requirements to renew your LPN license in Indiana.
Your license renewal notification will be sent via mail or email, that’s why it’s important to keep your address on file updated. You can complete your license renewal online or by mail using this form.
There is a renewal fee of $50. But if you renew your license late, you will be charged an additional $50.
If your license has expired for less than 3 years, you can still renew it online.
But if it has expired for more than 3 years, you will need to process a reinstatement. You need to complete the expired renewal form and attach a copy of all active licenses from another state.
Go here to verify an Indiana license.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an LPN in Indiana
We’ve already discussed the steps to becoming an LPN. But let’s answer a few more questions before we end.
How long will it take to get the LPN license by endorsement in Indiana?
If applying by endorsement, a temporary license or permit to practice in Indiana is issued while you are processing the required documents to receive a permanent license in Indiana.
It takes approximately 2-4 weeks to receive your temporary license. The fee for your temporary license is $10 and is only valid for 90 days.
Once all documents have been processed and verified, you may receive your permanent license in approximately 3-8 weeks.
How much do LPNs in Indiana make annually?
According to the BLS, LPNs in Indiana earn an average base of around $24.76 per hour or $51,500 annually.
Are LPNs in demand in Indiana?
Yes, healthcare professionals, including LPNs, are in demand in Indiana.
According to BLS, LPNs are expected to grow by 6% in 2029.
So you should go ahead and take the opportunity!
Is Indiana an NLC State?
Yes!
Indiana is the 34th state to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Because of this, RNs and LPNs in nearby states are allowed to hold a multistate license and have the opportunity to practice in healthcare facilities in Indiana and vice versa.
Conclusion
That’s it!
Hopefully, this article guided you on how to become an LPN in Indiana. We’ve included important information and FAQs that might help you in your journey.
Good Luck!