The Aquarius Institute’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is a 15-month long program that is designed to give the most direct and streamlined route to becoming an LPN. This program will prepare individuals to provide fundamental nursing skills for sick, injured, convalescent, disabled, and terminally ill patients/clients under the directions of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Students are prepared to provide practical nursing assistance in structured healthcare settings where policies and procedures are specified and guidance is available. The training program is based on the role of the practical nurse as defined by the Illinois Nurse Practice Act (sec 55-30).

Why Practical Nursing?

In today’s healthcare climate, it has become increasingly apparent that the patient care workforce in a variety of settings needs to be expanded to solve our country’s current healthcare crisis. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Licensed Practical Nurses made an average of $48,070 per year in 2021. In Illinois, LPNs can make an upward of $55,000 a year according to www.incrediblehealth.com/salaries/lpn/il. 

Not only is becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse a great way to advance your career, but also the gateway to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). In order to sit for the NCLEX-RN, one must go through an accredited Bachelors of Nursing program. Choosing this pathway may take 4-5 years of training to achieve such a level of credentials. However, a state certified LPN can qualify for an RN program which may take 12-18 months. In about 3-4 years, and with an income earning credential under your belt, you can become an RN as well. 

IDFPR Board Of Nursing Approved Program

The Aquarius Institute’s LPN program is approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing, which allows our students to sit for the NCLEX-PN  examination. As a State Board certified program, we have stringent standards and a robust curriculum to prepare our students for the NCLEX-PN examination.

Program Overview

After enrolling into Aquarius Institute’s LPN program, students are tasked to complete our 3 term training program before they move on to one-on-one NCLEX-PN preparation. Each term contains units that are divided into three portions: Theory, Skills Laboratory, and Clinicals. Students will spend a designated number of hours each week engaging in these 3 portions of the unit.  

Total program clock hours: 879 clock hours 

Theory portion of this course consists of lectures, assignments, and examinations to solidify the students theoretical foundations in the subject they are learning. If the Unit has a laboratory portion, students will be given simulated events in which they will be taught the necessary skills needed at a healthcare site. Students will then implement what they have learned in their theory and laboratory training at a clinical site in which they will deal with patients and clients at the healthcare site.

After completing your theory, lab, and clinical part of your training, students will start a rigorous one to one training regimen led by industry veteran instructor, until the student is confident in their ability in passing the NCLEX-PN examination. Students will use ATI exam preparation software to gauge their progress, and instructors will evaluate and provide feedback after each training session. 

Students at this point in training will receive a certificate of completion from the school, which they will have to submit to sit for the NCLEX-PN board exam. After all paperwork has been submitted and they are confident in their ability to take the exam, all they have to do is take the exam. Graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN examination are licensed Practical nurses in the State of Illinois, and are eligible to work in a variety of healthcare settings as a practical nurse.

Once students have become licensed practical nurses, they are now eligible to seek careers in their respected field. If needed, the Aquarius Institute offers help in job search, as our large network of employers in the medical field need positions filled in the growing industry.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Aquarius Institute prides itself in taking an industry preparatory approach for its programs. In order to prepare our students, we have outlined learning outcomes that the LPN student must master in keeping with the program's mission and goals. These outcomes serve to guide the student toward fulfilling the program and succeeding in industry. They form the basis for measuring what the student has accomplished upon completion of the program. Upon completion of this Program, the graduate should be able to:

• Successfully pass the completion examination given by the School and certification examination given by the Nursing Board of Illinois
• Possess the clinical skills necessary for professional practice as an licensed practical nurse
• Provide patient care in competent and professional manner in the scope of being a practical nurse
• Utilize critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills in performing tasks 
• Use oral and written communication with patients, peers, and medical staff
• Ability to navigate multiple healthcare settings and be a competitive candidate in any setting

Admission Requirements

General Requirements:

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Proof of graduation from a U.S. accredited High School or equivalent as determined by appropriate accrediting agencies. Graduates from foreign schools require local evaluation 
• Official High School Transcript and have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or above
• Pass the HESI admissions test given by the Aquarius Institute (a minimum of 70% is passing) 
• Provide a current resume if applicable

Note: Foreign students may use Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) or any other U.S. equivalent agency. Contact Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) at https://www.ece.org/or ECE 101 W. Pleasant St. Suite 200 Milwaukee WI 53212-3963 Telephone number: 414-289-3400 available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) evaluates a foreign diploma and transcript from an English translation only. Estimated cost $195

Health Requirements

• Students must submit, obtain or have proof of a Hepatitis B vaccination, at the student's expense, 30 days prior to starting clinical internship
  • Must submit a doctor's note or titer result as proof or card for having Hepatitis B immunization.
  • Or have a signed refusal form in student's record
• Students must obtain malpractice insurance at the student's expense (prior to starting clinical internship training)
• Students must have visual acuity, hearing acuity, speaking ability, digital dexterity and physical ability to perform the required assessment, procedures and related preparation and testing issues
• Students must possess a valid CPR card prior to starting clinical internship
• If the potential student does not have a Tuberculosis (PPD) test then the student must obtain a 2 step Tuberculosis test (PPD), at the student's expense, before the start of the clinical internship. Students must submit a PPD result or if the previous PPD was positive the student must submit a chest x-ray as proof that student is clear from TB disease

Conditional Acceptance Status:

• The pre-entrance examination has to be completed before acceptance into the program. When this requirement has been met, the student would be accepted into the program on a conditional acceptance status.
• After being conditionally accepted into the program the potential student has to complete a satisfactory physical examination by a qualified physician (stating they are free of emotional, physical, infectious, and/or contagious disease), passing the drug screen, and passing the background check.
• When these three requirements have been met, then the student would be allowed to enroll into the program by signing the enrollment agreement and providing the initial down payment towards tuition.

Tuition and Fees

Costs:

OTHER ESTIMATED COSTS:

The LPN program requires a downpayment of $3,850 to be paid by the registration deadline. To see the different methods of payments accepted click here.