Licensed Practical NursingUndergraduate Certificate

The certificate program authorizes one to sit for a national examination, NCLEX -PN and achieve licensure. With licensure the LPN can provide direct care to patients, giving routine nursing care to all types of patients, and provide health teaching to clients in many settings. They often assist Registered Nurses in more complex, non-routine care. Typical duties include taking vital signs, administering prescribed medications, giving injections, preparing patients for medical examinations and surgical procedures, and recording information in the patient’s medical record.

This certificate program meets the requirements set out by the Alaska Board of Nursing for licensure as a Practical Nurse. Students develop these skills in the nursing skills and simulation labs, classroom, and clinical experiences in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.

APU’s LPN program is currently offered in the following locations: Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Students must be able to attend in-person labs and clinical rotations in the program for which they apply and are admitted.

Each program location starts in the fall term with an application deadline of May 1 and a notification date in June.

The program is 2 semesters long, a total of 27 credit hours and will be offered in a hybrid format. Lectures will be online and recorded to offer students a flexible schedule. Students will be required to meet in person at their program location facility several times a week, depending on location. APU Nursing faculty does not make the clinical schedule, it is dependent on our clinical partners and may include weekend or overnight shifts.

This is a full-time program. Although it is offered in hybrid format, you should expect to meet in-person at the clinical/educational partner site for lab work (see question 7), be available for your clinical rotations – which may include weekend or overnight shifts. Lastly, every class hour in nursing correlates to 3 hours of homework, reading, and studying. Even when you are not meeting in person, you should be prepared to build self-study time into your weekly schedule.

Admission to the LPN program requires the completion of HS 20500 Culturally Safe Healthcare ( 4 Credits) and SC 26000 Human Anatomy & Physiology (w/ a lab)  or equivalent. Both courses must be completed with a C or better and completed within the last 10 years.

Apply online with your $35 application fee. Click here to apply.

At home (or another location) the course will require the following:

i. A reliable computer & access to Blackboard
ii. A recent web browser
iii. An Internet Service Provider (ISP)
iv. An internet connection
v. Computer microphone, speakers, and camera

Bethel LPN students only: Computers at Yuut may be available for students to use.

• Costs for the LPN program can be found on our Cost of Attendance page under Undergraduate Students cost.

  Costs are estimates.  Some costs may be greater or less than estimated. Some courses have fees, such as lab fees, that are not included in mandatory fees listed. Basic cost of attendance information is updated annually at:  https://www.alaskapacific.edu/admissions/costs/.

Yes. Students should begin the financial aid process first by filling out the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, APU offers several other resources for scholarships and financial aid below:

• Tribal Health Systems Scholarship: Alaska Pacific University offers a scholarship for employees, board members, and dependents of the Alaska Tribal Health System, and a matching scholarship for ANTHC employees who are Alaska Native or American Indian. Click here for more details.
• Managed Scholarships: APU has several donor-funded scholarships that require a separate application to apply. For specific scholarship guidelines and awarding schedule, please use the above link.

Housing is available at Yuut on a space available basis. No spouses, partners, or pets are allowed. Students are responsible for food and lodging costs. Those costs are the responsibility of the student but may be factored into the Cost of Attendance for Federal Financial Aid grant, scholarship and, loan calculations.

Contact the APU Office of Admission at admissions@alaskapacific.edu

Yuut (Bethel, AK): Lailtrice Graham, lgraham@yuut.org

Foundation Health Partners (Fairbanks, AK): Karen Lapp, Karen.Lapp@foundationhealth.org

Anchorage: APU Nursing Department, nursing@alaskapacific.edu

Bartlett Regional Hospital (Juneau, AK): Jennifer Twito, jtwito@bartletthospital.org

1. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the APU Practical Nursing Certificate Program, the student will file a form in the state in which he/she wishes to take the national nursing licensure examination. These forms are available online at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/nur4111.pdf

If a student is interested in licensure in another state, they are responsible for contacting that state’s Board of Nursing office for information. A list of state licensure requirements is available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Website: https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm

Students requiring accommodations will refer to the State Board of Nursing for information.