CNA to LPN Programs Minneapolis, MN

Certified nursing assistants may easily transition to a career as a licensed practical nurse by enrolling in a CNA to LPN bridge program. Most practical nursing programs in Minnesota require active status on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry or completion of a state-approved program for admittance. The training builds on the educational preparation of the nurse aide and prepares students with knowledge and skills to function within the practical nurse scope of practice. In twelve months or less, you can be on your way to a new career with exciting opportunities and higher pay. Moreover, you will be motivated to continue your studies to the associate of science in nursing and climb the career ladder where there is no limit.

Hennepin Technical College

The Practical Nursing Diploma program at Hennepin Technical College requires certification or training as a nurse aide. Students enrolled in the program must complete the requirements for the diploma to take the licensure exam for practical nurses. They have the option to complete general education courses to earn an AAS degree in addition to the diploma requirements. The AAS pathway is especially designed for students who plan to pursue a professional nursing degree. All pre-nursing coursework must be completed for admission to the program. The curriculum includes theory and hands-on experiences designed to build nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The diploma program requires completion of 49 credit hours. Course topics include human biology, anatomy and physiology I, anatomy and physiology II, nutrition basics or nutrition and health, writing and research, fundamentals of nursing, medical surgical nursing, and transition to practice.  Graduates 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. They will be prepared for success on the NCLEX-PN. Admission is limited to 48 students for each cohort. The duration of the program is 2 semesters.

Admission criteria:

• Must attend an application session before applying to the program
• Must complete the HESI Admission Assessment Exam and achieve a score of 70% or higher on the reading section and a cumulative score of 60% or greater on all 5 sections to be eligible for the program
• Must complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or greater – mathematical literacy or algebra, CPR/First Aid, Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aid or be listed on the registry for Nursing Assistants
• Apply for admission to HTC
• Submit a separate 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
• Complete the Nursing Program Immunization Form and the Baseline TB Form

Tuition and fees cost $187.97 per credit for resident and non-resident students. Students can expect to incur additional costs for textbooks, supplies, watch with second, uniforms, and the licensure exam.

• Website: https://www.hennepintech.edu
• Address: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
• Phone: (952) 995-1300
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 75.93%

St. Paul College

Current nursing assistant certification is required for admission to the Practical Nursing Diploma program at St. Paul College. The curriculum includes theory and hands-on instruction that builds on the education and experience of nursing assistants. It covers essential areas including basic therapeutic and preventative nursing care, direct patient care, medication knowledge and pharmaceutical interaction, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and the nursing process.  Students must complete a total of 40 credit hours to obtain the practical nursing diploma. Course modules include communications in healthcare, medical terminology, composition, human body systems, lifespan development, essentials of clinical pharmacology, foundations of nursing, medical surgical nursing, maternal child health, psychosocial nursing, transition to practice, and nursing clinical. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. The duration of the program is one year.

Admission criteria:

• Must complete the ACCUPLACER assessment and meet the minimum program entry requirements
• Complete the prerequisites prior to PRNS courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a minimum grade “C”
• Complete all college-level courses with GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Must attend a practical nursing seminar – upon acceptance to the program
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended outside of St Paul College
• Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS VI) with a minimum score of 53% or higher and a Reading minimum of 45% and English minimum of 45%
• Must have obtained a Nursing Assistant certificate – within the last five years – or have an active Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
• Submit record of required immunization prior to the semester in which the student registers for clinical courses
• Complete a CPR course before the clinical course – Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)

Tuition and fees cost $210.60 per credit. Additional costs for books, fees, clinical supplies, uniforms, and medical requirements must be covered by the student.

• Website: https://www.saintpaul.edu/
• Address: 235 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
• Phone: (651) 846-1600
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90.77%

Dakota County Technical College

The practical nursing program at Dakota County Technical College prepares certified nursing assistants with additional patient care skills that will enable them to administer safe, ethical, patient-centered nursing care in traditional and alternative health care settings. Classroom, simulated client care sessions, and instructor supervised clinical experiences at local health care facilities will cover the role and function of the practical nurse. The program requires completion of 43 credit hours including prerequisite courses. Courses modules include nursing assistant, anatomy and physiology, health career mathematics, medical terminology for nursing, lifespan development, foundations of nursing practice, pharmacology, adult health nursing, behavioral health concepts, maternal and child health, nursing capstone, and clinical practicum. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. Admission takes place in the spring, summer or fall semesters. The duration of the program is one year.

Admission criteria:

• Must apply for admission to DCTC
• Must complete the TEAS exam with a score of 60% or higher
• Must have a college cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Attend a nursing program information session
• Complete the prerequisite courses and submit proof of completion – Health Career Math, Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Assistant, Lifespan Development
• Must pass the state-approved CNA examination and be listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
• Submit a completed application to the Practical Nursing Program
• Complete the immunization form and health screen
• Must have current CPR certification – CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification card from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
• Must have health and liability insurance

The program cost of $12,966.95 includes tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, personal property fee, and other miscellaneous costs.

• Website: https://www.dctc.edu/
• Address: 1300 145th Street E., Rosemount, MN
• Phone: (651) 423-8000
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 75.56%

Anoka Technical College

Certified nursing assistants enroll in the practical nursing program at Anoka Technical College to prepare for entry-level employment as a practical nurse. The curriculum requires completion of 38 credit hours of theory and hands-on instruction. Areas of study 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, composition, transition to nursing practice, clinical application, and maternal child nursing. Graduates will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. New students are admitted in the Fall and Spring semesters. The duration of the daytime-only program is 12 months.

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to Anoka Technical College and be admitted
• Must be certified as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant – within one year
• Complete CPR requirement – American Heart Association BLS Provider or American Red Cross Basic Life/HeartCode
• Complete the TEAS with an Adjusted Individual Total Score of 53% or higher
• Complete the Student Record of Immunization and Health Status Form – must be signed by a licensed health care professional
• Submit an application to the Practical Nursing Program
• Attend a mandatory nursing orientation session
• Current health insurance coverage is strongly recommended
• Must provide documentation of primary COVID-19 vaccination series and a one booster dose is required
• Complete a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study

Tuition costs $232.54 per credit for practical nursing students. The cost includes technology fee, parking access, student activity fee, and student association fee. Other costs for supplies, uniforms, materials, and textbooks 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: 75.00%

St. Cloud Technical & Community College

The Practical Nursing program at SCTCC admits persons who have completed an approved nursing assistant program or hold an active license to practice as a CNA. The curriculum builds on their existing knowledge and experience and includes classroom and hands-on activities in the modern simulated lab and at local health care facilities. The diploma requires completion of 40 credit hours. 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. Prerequisite courses include medical terminology, human biology, lifespan development psychology, and written communication. Graduates of the Minnesota Board of Nursing approved program will be eligible to apply to sit the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. They may continue their education t 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 online and pay the application fee of $20
• Submit high school transcript – for applicants who graduated high school 5 or fewer years ago
• 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 American Heart Association – Basic Life Support certification
• Must have current Nursing Assistant certification or provide verification of completing a 75-hour NA course
• Submit an application for admission to the practical nursing program after completing the prerequisite requirements and obtain a score of 52.0 or higher
• Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen

Tuition costs $203.57 per credit hour for resident and non-resident students. Books and supplies cost an estimated $2,425.

• Website: https://www.sctcc.edu/
• Address: 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
• Phone: 1(800) 222-1009
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 82.19%

South Central College

The South Central College Practical Nursing Diploma admits persons who are currently on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. The program includes classroom theory and hands-on training in a simulated lab. Students will also participate in supervised clinical rotations at local health care facilities. The curriculum requires completion of 40 credit hours to award the Practical Nursing Diploma. Required technical courses include Health Care Core Foundations, Foundation of Nursing, Clinical Foundation, Nursing Interventions, Medication Administration, Pharmacology for Practical Nurses, Application of Nursing, Clinical Application, Laboratory Application, Maternal Child Nursing, and Psychosocial Nursing. Required arts and sciences include Composition, Lifespan Psychology, and Human Anatomy. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a practical nurse. The duration of the program is two semesters – after completing the pre-nursing requirements.

Admission criteria:

• Must be fully admitted to South Central College as a pre-nursing student
• Official high school transcripts must be submitted to Student Affairs
• Submit all official transcripts from non-Minnesota State Colleges
• Apply for admission to the Nursing Program – available twice per year
• Complete the entrance exam
• Attend a Nursing Information Session – Certificate of Attendance valid for one year
• Take and pass the TEAS at the Proficient Level or higher
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
• Must have completed a state-approved nurse aide program or be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
• 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

The total estimated cost of tuition and fees is $8,200.

• 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: 89.47%

Minnesota State College – Southeast

Minnesota State College Southeast hosts a practical nursing diploma for persons who are listed on any state registry as a certified nursing assistant. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide direct nursing care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home and community-based settings. Students must demonstrate competency in the classroom theory, laboratory experiences, simulated events, and supervised clinical rotations to graduate from the program. Course modules include anatomy and physiology, practical nursing I, practical nurse I clinical/lab, lifespan psychology, college writing, practical nurse II, and practical nursing II clinical/lab. Clinical rotations may require students to travel up to a 100-mile radius from their home campus. Completion of the general education coursework before entering the nursing program is recommended. Upon completion of the required 34 to 38 credit hours, students will receive a Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.

Admission criteria:

• Submit a completed application for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast
• Request college transcripts from all institutions attended (except any Minnesota State Intuitions attended after 1990). Transcripts must be sent directly from the previous institution to the Registrar’s Office
• Take and pass the Accuplacer placement test – exemption is available for applicants with an AAS degree or higher
• 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 – verification will be obtained from the State Registry
• 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 program cost of $9,176 includes tuition, fees, tool cost, books, and supplies.

• Website: https://www.southeastmn.edu/
• Address: 308 Pioneer Road, Red Wing, MN 55066
• Phone: 651-385-6300
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90.70%

Rochester Community and Technical College

Certified nursing assistants enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at Rochester Community and Technical College will acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for patients in various health care settings. They will learn via classroom theory, laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical experiences with defined program learning outcomes. Students must complete 39 credit hours to earn the Practical Nursing Diploma. Course modules include Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Reading and Writing Critically, General Psychology, Pharmacology for Practical Nursing, Success in Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals in the Care of the Older Adult, Family and Mental Health Concepts, Adult Nursing, and Integrated Clinical Application. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN for state licensure. The program can be completed in 2.5 semesters.

Admission criteria:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must apply and be accepted to RCTC
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 – based on the past five years of college credits
• Must demonstrate college-level reading and writing skills
• Complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher – Math 0094 or CHEM 1101 or higher
• Complete an approved Nursing Assistant course or hold 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 to the 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 $210.55 for in-state and out-of-state students.  Students will incur additional costs books, uniforms, fees, supplies, background check, CPR certification, and licensure exam.

• 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: 100.00%