LPN Programs Minneapolis, MN

Under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, licensed practical nurses care for patients of diverse cultures, ages, and state of health. Using the knowledge and technical skills acquired in Practical Nursing programs, they help meet patients’ physical and psychosocial needs. Their duties include wound care, administration of medication, observing and reporting adverse reactions to medication, educating patients, performing treatments, and personal care. As the baby boomer generation retires in the next decade, it is an ideal time to enter the profession to fill the expected demands for professional nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of LPNs is expected to grow by 25 percent through 2020. Technical advances, the need to replace retiring nurses, and a new emphasis on preventative care all contribute to the growing need for more nurses in the healthcare system. Graduates of the practical nursing programs in Minneapolis must pass the NCLEX-PN exam to begin practicing in the state. LPNs may work in hospitals, healthcare clinics, home health agencies, long-term care facilities, and schools.

Hennepin Technical College

Hennepin Technical College offers a Practical Nursing Diploma and Practical Nursing AAS Degree program to equip students with the skills to become a vital part of a healthcare team. Classroom and clinical instruction include courses in basic nursing skills, pharmacology, psychosocial nursing, and practical nursing skills. Graduates will possess 40 credits at the conclusion of the Diploma program. They will demonstrate effective communication techniques, demonstrate nursing safety principles, manage care through planning and organizing, utilize information technology and evidence-based nursing judgment, and participate in quality improvement. The AAS Degree option prepares students to pursue a professional nursing degree at HTC. The program meets the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Nursing to prepare graduates for success on the NCLEX-PN. The school’s consistently high pass rate is a testament to their commitment to students’ success. The program is available at both the Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie Campuses. The full-time class meets 3.5 days a week from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete the prerequisite courses – mathematical literacy or algebra, CPR/First Aid, Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aid or be listed on the registry for Nursing Assistants, Anatomy and Physiology I and II or Human Biology, Nutrition Basics or Nutrition and Health, Short Form Composition and Reading
  • Submit a completed application to the nursing program
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Submit proof of completing high school or equivalency
  • Attend an interview with a member of the nursing department
  • Pass a criminal background check in accordance with Minnesota State Law
  • Complete a satisfactory drug screen
  • Submit a record of physical exam and immunization
  • Provide a record of negative TB test

Tuition costs $5,938 not including the cost of textbooks, fees, uniforms, and supplies.

  • Website: https://www.hennepintech.edu
  • Address: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
  • Phone: (952) 995-1300
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 89.74%

St. Paul College

The Practical Nursing Diploma program at St. Paul College prepares students for success on the state licensure exam. The Board-approved program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Course modules include communications in healthcare, medical terminology, human body systems, lifespan development, essentials of clinical pharmacology, foundations of nursing, nursing care of adults, maternal child health, psychosocial nursing, transition to practice, and nursing clinical. The curriculum covers 40 credit hours. Students must exercise patience and good communication and possess a professional work ethic and a genuine desire to help others to succeed in the program. It includes part-time and full-time options to accommodate working professionals. Full-time students complete the program in three semesters.

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete the ACCUPLACER assessment and meet the minimum requirements
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade “C” and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Complete all college-level courses with GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Must attend a practical nursing seminar
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended outside of St Paul College
  • Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) with a score of 50 or higher
  • Must have Nursing Assistant certification – within the last five years – or be currently listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
  • Submit record of required immunization
  • Complete a CPR course before the clinical course

Tuition for the diploma program is $7,848.80. The cost of books, uniforms, fees, and supplies are not included.

  • Website: https://www.saintpaul.edu/
  • Address: 235 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
  • Phone: (651) 846-1600
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 66.67%

Dakota County Technical College

A sequence of classroom instruction and clinical experiences in the practical nursing program at Dakota County Technical College equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to administer competent, safe, and patient care in various healthcare settings. Students learn in the classroom, lab, and off-campus clinical sites. Courses in the curriculum include nursing assistant, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, health career mathematics, foundations of nursing practice, adult health nursing, behavioral health concepts, maternal and child health, lifespan development, nursing capstone, and clinical practicum. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. New students are admitted in the spring, summer or fall semesters. The duration of the program is one year.

Admission criteria:

  • Must complete the TEAS exam
  • Must possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above in college coursework
  • Attend an information session
  • Submit a completed application for admission and the one-time ($20) fee
  • Complete the immunization form
  • Submit ACCUPLACER test scores to establish college readiness in Reading Comprehension
  • Must have current CPR certification
  • Must pass the state-approved CNA exam
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Submit to a drug screen
  • Must have health and liability insurance
  • Complete a physical exam and provide record of immunizations

The cost of completing the 42-credit program is $12,043.40 inclusive of tuition, textbooks, supplies, personal property fee, and miscellaneous costs.

  • Website: https://www.dctc.edu/
  • Address: 1300 145th Street E., Rosemount, MN
  • Phone: (651) 423-8000
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.55%

Anoka Technical College

The practical nursing program at Anoka Technical College prepares students for licensure in Minnesota and entry-level employment as a licensed practical nurse. Theory and practical instruction prepare students with knowledge and skills to function as competent healthcare professionals. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, dosage calculations for health care professionals, foundations of nursing, nursing interventions lab, health promotion across the lifespan, psychosocial nursing, nursing perspectives on aging, transition to nursing practice, and maternal child nursing. Graduates will have completed 38 credits to receive a Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. They may pursue an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. The program is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters with a daytime schedule only.

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to Anoka Technical College
  • Complete the Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant requirement
  • Complete CPR certification – – provide documentation of certification – American Heart Association BLD_S Provider or American Red Cross Basic Life/HeartCode
  • Complete the Accuplacer Assessments with a score of 275 or higher
  • Complete the TEAS with an Adjusted Individual Total Score of 53% or higher
  • Complete the Student Record of Immunization and Health Statis Form – must be signed by a licensed health care professional
  • Submit an application to the Practical Nursing Program
  • Attend a mandatory nursing orientation session
  • Must have current health insurance coverage
  • Complete a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study

Tuition for the program is $8,097.80 for students who complete the program in the normal time. The cost of books and supplies are not included.

  • Website: https://www.anokatech.edu/
  • Address: 1355 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303 Map It
  • Phone: (763) 433-1100
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.55%

St. Cloud Technical & Community College

The Practical Nursing program at SCTCC creates an opportunity for adults to prepare for employment in the healthcare industry. Experienced faculty will emphasize competent patient care within the framework of normal growth and development throughout the lifespan. During the clinical activities, students will work collaboratively with registered nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals to deliver medical care and meet the basic needs of patients. They will use the nursing process and understand the importance of safe practice in their role and function as a licensed practical nurse. Course topics include medical surgical nursing, basic nursing concepts, nursing skills, essentials of clinical pharmacology, clinical application, bridging to nursing practice, maternal child nursing, mental health nursing, and clinical practice. The program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing so graduates will be eligible to apply to sit the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. The foundational skills gained in the program will prepare the way for career mobility to the Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. Admission is limited to 50 candidates in the full-time cohort and 8 students part-time.

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to SCTCC and pay the $20 application fee
  • Submit high school transcript
  • Submit official college transcript from all colleges previously attended
  • Submit Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or MCA test Scores
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above – medical terminology, human biology, lifespan developmental psychology, written communication
  • Must have current CPR/AED Adult, Child & Infant (Health Care Provider level)
  • Must have current Nursing Assistant certification or provide verification of completing a 75-hour NA course
  • Submit an application for admission after completing the prerequisite requirements
  • Take and pass the TEAS exam – by invitation

Tuition for the program is $5,703 not including the cost for books and supplies.

  • Website: https://www.sctcc.edu/
  • Address: 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
  • Phone: 1(800) 222-1009
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 85.26%

Minnesota State College – Southeast

Minnesota State College Southeast facilitates a practical nursing program will teach adults the skills to earn a practical nursing diploma. Theory and practice use a concept-based approach that gives students a holistic view of the patient care. Areas of study include nursing judgment, evidence-based care, caring for diverse patients across the lifespan, health promotion, medication administration, assessment and nursing interventions, body systems, nursing process, leadership, quality improvement, grief/loss, ethical and legal issues, emergency and disaster preparedness, and culture, diversity, and spirituality. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Graduates will demonstrate competence in classroom theory, lab experiences, simulated events, and clinical rotations. The general education courses should be completed before applying to the nursing program.

Admission criteria:

  • Submit a completed application for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast
  • Pay the application fee of $20
  • Submit college transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Take and pass the Accuplacer placement test
  • Complete Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade C or higher
  • Complete the general education courses with a grade C or higher – Writing, Psychology
  • Submit an application to the Practical Nursing Program by the published deadline
  • Take the ATI TEAS exam before the application deadline – a score at the proficient level or higher is required
  • Must have current unencumbered registration as a nursing assistant
  • Complete a criminal background study
  • Complete the health and immunization requirements including current proof of immunization and TB testing
  • Must have current CPR certification – CPR Healthcare Provider certification from the American Health Association or American Red Cross
  • Submit to drug/alcohol testing of blood, urine, or hair

The estimated program cost of $8,996 includes tuition, total, books, and supplies.

Rochester Community and Technical College

The Practical Nursing program at Rochester Community and Technical College prepares adults for entry-level employment where they will care for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home health care, and community-based settings. The program will include classroom theory, skills practice in the lab, and off-campus patient care at a clinical site. The curriculum covers 39 credit hours. Course modules include Success in Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals in the Care of the Older Adult, Pharmacology for Practical Nursing, Reading and Writing Critically, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Family and Mental Health Concepts, Adult Nursing, General Psychology, and Integrated Clinical Application. Graduates will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN for state licensure.  They may enter the Associate Degree in Nursing program through the LPN-RN mobility option. The program can be completed in 2.5 semesters.

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Must meet the requirements for admission to RCTC
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 – based on the past five years of college credits
  • Demonstrate college-level reading and writing skills
  • Complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher
  • Complete an approved Nursing Assistant course or be in active status on the MN Nurse Aide Registry
  • Take and pass the TEAS exam – must score at Proficient Level (58.7%) or higher
  • Provide copy of current CPR certification – BLS for Healthcare Provider
  • Attend a mandatory Nursing Orientation upon acceptance tot eh program
  • Submit completed health forms, physical exam, immunizations (Hepatitis B, annual Mantoux)
  • Submit health insurance documents
  • Complete a State of Minnesota Background Study and a national criminal background check

Tuition costs $7,562 for resident students.  Expenses for books, uniforms, fees, supplies, background check, CPR certification, and licensure exam must be added.

  • Website: https://www.rctc.edu/
  • Address: 851 30th Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904-4999
  • Phone: 507-285-7210
  • Toll-Free: 1-800-247-1296
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.44%

South Central College

The South Central College Practical Nursing Diploma of Occupational Proficiency operates with the approval of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Theory and hands-on training will prepare adults to fill the role of a practical nurse where they will work with the healthcare team to promote safe and quality care to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Required technical courses include Health Care Core Foundations, Foundation of Nursing, Clinical Foundation, Nursing Interventions, Medication Administration, Maternal Child Nursing, Psychosocial Nursing, Laboratory Application, Application of Nursing, and Pharmacology for Practical Nurses. Required arts and sciences include Composition, Lifespan Psychology, and Human Anatomy. Graduates will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma after completing 40 credit hours and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for practical nursing licensure. The duration of the program is two semesters – after completing the pre-nursing requirements.

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to South Central College as a pre-nursing student
  • Complete the entrance exam
  • Attend a Nursing Information Session
  • Take and pass the TEAS at the Proficient Level or higher
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
  • Must maintain current CPR certification for Professional Healthcare Providers
  • Submit proof of Health Record and have vaccinations completed
  • Submit proof of current Health Insurance Card
  • Must participate in a background study

Tuition for the program is $8,725.

  • Website: https://southcentral.edu/
  • Address: 1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato, MN 56003
  • Phone: 507-389-7200
  • Toll Free: 800-722-9359
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88.24%

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.