OVERVIEW
Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Just 15 Months
The Aquarius Institute’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program is a 15-month accelerated program designed to prepare students for entry-level nursing practice. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experience, students develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment needed to provide safe, compassionate patient care.
Students receive comprehensive training in nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and pediatric care, geriatrics, and mental health. Under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals, students gain valuable clinical experience caring for patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
CAREER OUTLOOK
Why Choose Practical Nursing?
Practical nursing offers a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact while entering the healthcare workforce in a relatively short amount of time. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in patient care across hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, and other healthcare settings.
100% Graduate Employment Rate
Our Practical Nursing graduates have achieved a 100% employment rate, reflecting the strong demand for skilled LPNs and the quality of our career-focused training.
Pathway to Registered Nursing
Becoming an LPN can serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Many graduates choose to continue their education through LPN-to-RN bridge programs while gaining valuable clinical experience in the workforce.
IDFPR Board Of Nursing Approved Program
Aquarius Institute’s Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing, preparing graduates to apply for the NCLEX-PN® examination. Our curriculum combines classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experience to prepare students for entry-level nursing practice.
Program Syllabus Breakdown
Students complete a comprehensive 3-term configuration prior to moving into targeted, one-on-one NCLEX-PN preparation. Each structural term is divided into three clinical areas: Theory, Skills Laboratory, and Clinical Externship Hours.
TERM 1
(15 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Anatomy & Physiology
Critical Thinking in Nursing [105]
Anatomy & Physiology [101]
Term 1 Subtotals
60 Lab Hours
TERM 2
(52 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Family Health Nursing [107]
Communicating in Nursing [108]
Geriatric / Mental Health Nursing [106]
Term 2 Subtotals
21 Lab Hours
TERM 3
(15 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Adult Health Nursing [109]
Transition to PN Practice [110]
Term 3 Subtotals
20 Lab Hours
Cumulative Program Metrics Breakdown
Aggregated metrics tracking across all didactic, clinical, and laboratory frameworks.
Cumulative Theory
378 Hours
Cumulative Skills Lab
101 Hours
Cumulative Clinical
400 Hours
Total Comprehensive Program Value
879 Clock Hours
Theory Foundations
Classroom instruction develops core competencies in clinical theory to prepare students for real-world nursing scenarios.
Skills Laboratory
Clinical Externship
One-on-One Dedicated NCLEX-PN Review
After successfully exiting the theory, lab, and clinical portions of training, students enter a rigorous one-on-one preparation regimen led by industry veteran instructors until the student exhibits complete confidence in passing the state licensure criteria.
We incorporate premium ATI exam preparation software to continually chart progression metrics, enabling real-time feedback loops and remediation after each session. Upon awarding the official Certificate of Completion, graduates are authorized to register for the IDFPR board exam pathways. Passing the exam licenses you as a Practical Nurse in Illinois, opening career search access across our large corporate employer network.
Program Syllabus Breakdown
Students complete a comprehensive 3-term configuration prior to moving into targeted, one-on-one NCLEX-PN preparation. Each structural term is divided into three clinical areas: Theory, Skills Laboratory, and Clinical Externship Hours.
TERM 1
(15 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Anatomy & Physiology [101]
(3hrs/wk for 15 wks)
Critical Thinking in Nursing [105]
Fundamentals of Nursing [102]
Term 1 Subtotals
60 Lab Hours
TERM 2
(52 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Family Health Nursing[107]
Communicating in Nursing [108]
Geriatric / Mental Health Nursing [106]
Term 2 Subtotals
21 Lab Hours
TERM 3
(15 Weeks Total Curriculum)
Adult Health Nursing [109]
Transition to PN Practice [110]
Term 3 Subtotals
20 Lab Hours
Program Structure
Our curriculum blends classroom learning with practical skills training and real-world clinical experience
Theory Hours
378 Hours
Skills Lab Hours
101 Hours
Clinical Hours
400 Hours
Total Comprehensive Program Value
879 Clock Hours
Theory Foundations
Build a strong foundation in nursing through comprehensive classroom instruction covering anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient care, medical-surgical nursing, and clinical decision-making.
Skills Laboratory
Practice essential nursing skills in a simulated clinical environment where students develop confidence and technical proficiency before working with patients during clinical training.
Clinical Internship
Apply classroom knowledge in real healthcare settings through supervised clinical experiences. Students work alongside experienced nursing professionals while providing patient care in a variety of clinical environments.
Personalized NCLEX-PN® Preparation
Preparing for the NCLEX-PN® is an integral part of the Aquarius Institute experience. Students receive one-on-one guidance from experienced nursing instructors, helping them strengthen their knowledge, address areas for improvement, and build confidence months before exam day.
Our program also includes access to ATI’s comprehensive NCLEX preparation platform, featuring practice assessments, personalized remediation, performance tracking, and exam-style questions designed to support student success.
Aquarius Institute is proud to have achieved a 100% NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate for graduates during the 2024–2026 reporting period. This achievement reflects our commitment to academic excellence, personalized instruction, comprehensive ATI review resources, and individualized NCLEX preparation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program, graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate the clinical knowledge and technical skills required of an entry-level Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Provide safe, compassionate, and patient-centered nursing care within the legal scope of practical nursing practice
Apply critical thinking, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills in a variety of healthcare settings
Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, physicians, and members of the healthcare team
Perform nursing procedures safely while adhering to established standards of practice, ethics, and patient safety
Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong learning in the nursing profession
Admission Requirements
Requirements
- Minimum 18 years of age.
- Proof of graduation from a U.S. accredited High School or equivalent
- Pass the HESI admissions entrance test administered by the Aquarius Institute with a minimum score of 70% or higher.
- Speak with an Admissions Counselor
International Credentials Processing
Note:Potential students with foreign backgrounds may submit documents to Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) or equivalent local agencies. ECE can be reviewed at https://www.ece.org/ or via 101 W. Pleasant St. Suite 200 Milwaukee WI 53212 (414-289-3400). File evaluation tracks from English transcript translations run an estimated out-of-pocket cost of $195.
Tuition, Financial Plans and Fees
Clear programmatic pricing with affordable monthly payment processing structures built without structural interest rates.
tuition breakdown
Amount Value
Registration Fee
$150.00
Textbooks
$1,220.00
Materials and Supplies
$310.00
NCLEX-LPN State of Illinois Exam Fee
$100.00
NCLEX-LPN Pearson Vue Fee
$220.00
Tuition
$18,000.00
Total Program Cost
$20,000.00
Down Payment Allocation
$3,850.00
Paid at the time of registration
AFFORDABLE Payment PLAN
$600.00 / mo
billing cycle starts October 21st, 2026
Other Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs
Estimated Incidental Type
Estimated Fee
Medical Apparel (Scrubs, Clinical Uniforms)
$50.00
Immunizations and Hepatitis Vaccine
$400.00
Tuberculosis Screening (PPD) Test OR Chest X-ray
$150.00
10 Panel Urine Drug Screen Screening Panel
$50.00
Criminal Background Evaluation Check
$42.00
CPR Healthcare Provider Certification Course
$75.00
History and Physical Medical Examination
$100.00
Student Professional Liability Malpractice Insurance
$38.00
Total Other Estimated Out-of-Pocket Cost
$905.00
Clinical Requirements
Proof of a Hepatitis B vaccination series provided 30 days prior to commencing medical clinical internship tracks (doctor notes or titer analysis).
Procure comprehensive medical malpractice liability insurance prior to assignment.
Possess active healthcare provider level CPR credentials.
Submit clear 2-step Tuberculosis (PPD) screening results or clear chest x-ray history documentation.
Exhibit functional visual acuity, auditory perception, spoken capability, and precise digital manual dexterity to meet nursing tasks.