As part of the health care team, licensed practical nurses work to promote, maintain, and restore health under the direction of a registered nurse. Licensed practical nurses care of patients of diverse backgrounds across the lifespan in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. They provide care that is individualized, respectful, culturally sensitive, safe, and competent, using their skills, clinical judgment, and knowledge to promote wellness, identify challenges in care, advocate for patients. LPNs use the nursing process in conjunction with established protocols and research to improve patient outcomes. Their duties include but are not limited to monitoring patient health by monitoring vital signs, take patient histories, change dressings and inserting catheters, assist with procedures, provide personal care, update patient charts, and work with registered nurses to develop, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.
LPNs work in nursing homes, hospitals, physician offices, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation centers. As more patients seek care in their homes, more practical nurses are finding jobs in home health settings where they work under the supervision of a registered nurse. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a need for 78,100 new practical nurses to meet market demand between 2018 to 2028. The projected job growth of 11 percent is faster than the average for all occupations.
Dakota County Technical College
The Practical Nursing Diploma program at Dakota County Technical College covers the skills and knowledge students need to administer safe and patient-centered care in various health care settings. Students will learn more of the practical nursing role through classroom lectures, simulation labs, and supervised clinical rotations in approved health care facilities. Experienced instructors will provide a supportive environment to foster the development of those skills that will enable graduates to function competently as practical nurses. The program requires completion of 42 credits for the practical nursing diploma. Course topics include Nursing Assistant, Anatomy and Physiology, Health Career Mathematics, Lifespan Development, Foundations of Nursing Practice, Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing I, Clinical I, Adult Health Nursing II, Clinical II, Behavioral Health Concepts, Maternal and Child Health, and Nursing Capstone. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters. Graduates of the Minnesota Board of Nursing approved program will be eligible to apply for the licensing examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Classes are available in the daytime only. New students are admitted in the Summer, Fall, or Spring semester.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a C or better – Health Career Math, Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Assistant, Lifespan Development
- Pass the state-approved Nursing Assistant exam and be listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
- Have current CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification/card from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
- Submit a completed application and non-refundable application fee of $20
- Take the Accuplacer or submit a completed exemption form
- Submit proof of high school graduation or official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Provide documentation of up-to-date immunizations
- Complete a satisfactory background study prior to the clinical courses
- Complete the TEAS Exam and have a college cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
- Health insurance is not required but strongly recommended
The cost of attendance is $11,824.16. It includes tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, and personal property fee. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.dctc.edu/academics/programs-majors/health-education/practical-nursing/
- Address: 1300 145th Street E., Rosemount, Minn. 55068-2999
- Phone: 651-423-8000
- Toll-free: 877-937-3282
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.52%
Anoka Technical College
The practical nursing program at Anoka Technical College prepares students for employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The training will include classroom theory, practical skills in a simulation lab, and supervised patient care experiences in various health care settings. The program requires completion of 38 credit hours. Course modules include Anatomy and Physiology, Dosage Calculations for Health Care Professionals, Foundations of Nursing, Nursing Interventions I: Lab, Health Promotion Across the Lifespan I, Clinical Application I, Psychosocial Nursing, and Nursing Perspectives in Aging. Second semester courses include Composition I, Transition to Nursing Practice, Health Promotion Across the Lifespan II, Nursing Interventions II: Lab, Clinical Application II, and Maternal Child Nursing. Students who complete all the required courses with a grade C or better, maintain current CPR certification, and complete the NCLEX-Practical Nursing success predictor test will graduate from the program. New students are admitted in the Fall and Spring semester.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application to ATC and secure admission
- Complete the Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant requirement
- Obtain and maintain CPR certification throughout the program – American Health Association BLS or American Red Cross Basic Life Support
- Complete and pass the Accuplacer Assessment
- Take and pass the TEAS V with a satisfactory score – an adjusted individual Total Score of 53% or higher
- Submit a completed Student Record of Immunization and Health Status document
- Submit a completed application to the Practical Nursing program
- Obtain a satisfactory report on a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study
- Current health insurance coverage is strongly recommended
The program will cost $8,783 for students who complete the program within the normal time.
- Website: https://www.anokatech.edu/ProgramsCourses/HealthScienceTech/PracticalNursing.aspx
- Address: 1355 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303
- Phone: (763) 433-1100
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.14 %
St Paul College
The Practical Nursing Diploma program at St Paul College prepares adults to meet the requirements for licensure as a Practical Nurse. The program combines theory in the classroom with practical experiences in a simulated environment and approved medical facilities. The content is delivered in online, hybrid, and traditional formats. Course topics are Communications in Healthcare, Medical Terminology, Composition I, Human Body Systems, Psychology Throughout the Lifespan, Essentials of Clinical Pharmacology, Foundations of Nursing, Clinical I, Nursing Care of Adults I, and Psycho/Social Nursing. Third semester courses are Clinical II, Clinical III, Nursing Care of Adults II, Maternal Child Health, and Transition to Practice. Program graduates will be able to participate in the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to provide basic nursing care to patients, communicate effectively with patients, families, and health care personnel, and meet student learning outcomes of the program. The duration of the program is three semesters. The will also be prepared to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam for employment in various health care facilities.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the Accuplacer assessment and meet the minimum program entry requirements
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.76 or higher and a minimum grade C – Communications in Healthcare, Medical Terminology, Human Body Systems, Composition I, Psychology Throughout the Lifespan
- Complete the college-level courses with a grade C or higher
- Submit official transcripts of all colleges attended
- Complete the TEAS VI with a score of 50 or higher
- Must have Nursing Assistant certification and be in active status on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
- Submit a record of required immunizations
- Attend a Practical Nursing Seminar upon acceptance to the program
- Provide evidence of CPR certification
- Submit to a background study
The cost of the program is $9,249 for students who complete the requirements in normal time.
- Website: https://www.saintpaul.edu/programs/practical-nursing
- Address: 235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Phone: 651-846-1600
- Fax: 651-846-1703
- Toll Free: 1.800-227-6029
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 52.63 %
Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College hosts a practical nursing program that is designed to prepare students for success on the licensure exam and practice as nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. The training will blend theory and hands-on experience to build nursing knowledge, abilities, and skills. Instructors will emphasize basic nursing skills, specialized nursing skills, and pharmacology. The curriculum meets the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Nursing, so graduates will be eligible to take the practical nursing state board licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Courses in the 41-credit diploma program include Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Practice, Nutrition Basics or Nutrition and Health, Human Biology or Anatomy and Physiology, and Short Form Composition and Reporting. The program admits a cohort of 48 students each Fall. Classes are full-time only and meet three days a week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and another half day from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The program can be completed in two semesters. Graduates of the diploma program have the option to complete additional general education requirements to obtain an AAS degree to enroll in a professional nursing degree program.
Admission criteria:
- Complete Accuplacer placement testing
- Have current CPR for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross
- Be listed on the Minnesota Department of Health Registry for Nursing Assistants
- Take and pass the HESI entrance exam with a minimum cumulative score of 60% and a reading score of 70%
- Attend a Mandatory Practical Nursing Application Information Session
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C – Anatomy and Physiology and English Composition
- Submit high school transcript or GED certificate
- Submit a completed application and fee of $20
The cost of the program is $10,093 for students who complete the requirements in normal time. The cost if textbooks, fees, uniforms, and supplies are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.hennepintech.edu/academic-programs/health-services/practical-nursing/index.html
- Address: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
- Toll Free: 1-888-569-5121
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 70.49%
Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College facilitates a Practical Nursing Program with the approval of the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing ACEN and includes theory and hands-on practice to prepare students to fill the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse. Experienced facility will provide a supportive learning environment for students to acquire basic nursing skills. Areas of study include Foundations of Practical Nursing, Nursing Care of Older Adults, Pharmacology, Clinical I, Nursing Care of Adults, Nursing Care of Women/Newborn/Children, Transition to Practice, Psychosocial Nursing Care, and Clinical II. Students must complete 39 credit hours to graduate with a practical nursing diploma. Full-time and part-time training options area available. The full-time program is available in the Fall and the part-time program begins in the Spring.
Admission criteria:
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher – Human Biology, Developmental Psychology, Composition I, One credit Elective
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS with a score of 41.3% or above
- Must be listed in active status on the CNA registry
- Apply and be accepted to Riverland Community College
- Submit a completed application and fee to the Practical Nursing program
- Complete a Department of Human Services (DHS) background study
Tuition for the program is $6,689.43. Books and supplies will cost an additional $1,850. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.riverland.edu/academics/programs/nursing-lpn-track-dip/description/
- Address: 1900 8th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912
- Phone: 507-433-0600
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90.48%