LPN Program Back at Several Technical High Schools

Last year, a licensed practical nurse or LPN program that had been offered at the state's ten technical high schools was cut by then-Governor Rell for budget reasons. The decision was loudly protested by students, members of the health care community and legislators.

 

This year the state board of education has allocated $1.2 million to start up the program again, this time at six technical high schools. However, tuition has gone up according to Department of Education spokesman, Tom Murphy. 

 

"Now it's still not the 54-hundred dollars that it was, it's twice that. But the $1.2 million in state dollars to subsidize the program helps to make it accessible and affordable to those students."

 

Murphy says despite the tuition increase, the rate is still competitive and more affordable than other private and non-public LPN programs. 

 

The 18-month program has space for 250 adult education students. 

 

But there's already a waiting list for the program. It starts on January 20 at technical high schools in Hartford, Waterbury, Middletown, Hamden, Norwich and Bridgeport.