Delaware may the second smallest state, with only three counties, but it is extremely densely populated and holds the distinction of being the first state to ratify the Constitution. If you call Delaware your home, and you are have been seeking general information about the field, schooling, common job duties and licensing, then continue reading.

This page is broken down into multiple sections that cover some different but related aspects of the field. For example, the page starts with information about LPN programs in general, and some of what’s involved in schooling. The following sections after that cover some information about job duties, licensing, and schools where programs might be found (the last section on the page).

Licensed Practical Nurse Schooling: Fundamental Information

Students participating in Delaware LPN schooling programs may participate in classes, labs, and clinicals; these ensure that the student has a rounded education including theoretical schooling, practical schooling, and nursing experience. Classes may be a variety of general education and nursing classes. If the nursing classes require labs (and many of them likely will), students may learn practical techniques and broaden their skills while being supervised by a teacher. They can then take those skills into the real world, into a hospital or other setting, while participating in clinicals. Clinicals provide the real-world experience for LPN students that helps them learn the job while under close supervision. Often, clinicals are offered in several different areas that coincide with what the students are learning, and responsibilities in clinicals may start out light and progress as the students acquire skill and knowledge through classes, labs, and experience.

Basic Job Tasks of Delaware LPNs

Generally, LPN jobs will resemble each other; however, there is some variation due to the wide variety of locations where LPNs may work with patients. While in one setting, certain job tasks may be required, but they wouldn’t in another setting (for example, the difference in job duties of an LPN working in a NICU versus one who works at a nursing home), there are still some common ones that transcend location. For example, LPNs may provide bedside care to patients in most settings, however some specific tasks like helping with IVs may only be done in a hospital setting. LPNs may support other medical staff and also supervise or manage health care aides in some situations. There are a variety of things that LPNs do, and if you imaging the common duties that a nurse would have, it’s likely that an LPN would do many of those tasks.

Delaware LPN Licensing: Fundamental Information

Delaware is a Compact state, that is, a state that has chosen to participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact that allows resident-state-licensed nurses to practice in other states that are part of the Compact. However, nurses who live in Delaware must be licensed in Delaware, not in another Compact state. Information about Delaware’s requirements for licensing and the licensing process is provided below, but not all situations are covered or fee amounts provided due to ever-changing laws and regulations. For information on fees and special licensing situations (for example, licensing for a foreign nursing program graduate), visit the Delaware Board of Nursing webpage.

All practical nurses must be licensed in Delaware. To be licensed, applicants need to have finished an approved program (check with the Delaware Board of Nursing for more information before enrolling to be sure you’re choosing an approved program that suits your needs) with at least 200 hours of clinical experience. Applicants must be fingerprinted for a criminal background check and send in a notarized application along with a processing fee. Along with the application and fee, applicants must also submit a copy of a driver’s license, ID card, or other form of identification showing the resident state. If a copy of a passport is provided, the Delaware license is not valid in other Compact states. An official transcript and a completed nursing reference form must be sent from the nursing school to the Board. All applicants must pass the NCLEX nursing exam, as well. Temporary permits are available if the applicant already has an offer of employment and plans to begin working before taking the NCLEX; there is an extra fee for this, and the temporary permit expires 90 days after graduation or when Delaware Department of Health Receives an applicant’s NCLEX test results.

Local Delaware Schools and Schooling Centers That Might Have LPN Programs

Delaware Skills Center
1300 Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 654-5392

Delaware Technical & Community College
100 Campus Dr, Dover, DE 19904
(302) 857-1000

Leads School of Technology
2 Penns Way # 209, New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-0700

Tri-State Technical School
210 Laureltown, Laurel, DE 19956
(443) 523-8429

Poly Tech Adult Education
823 Walnut Shade Rd, Dover, DE 19901
(302) 697-4545

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