Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic nursing care to diverse individuals across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings through the delivery of safe, culturally sensitive, patient-centered care. They understand the importance of teamwork and participate as a vital member of the health care team. Under the supervision of a registered nurse, the LPN seeks to promote health and wellness, use clinical judgment in the identification of patient problems, and advocate for patients. They may also manage the care of the individual patient through the use of evidence-based care and the introduction of the nursing process. LPNs may supervise unlicensed assistive personnel, educate patients and their families, and function as a nurse manager in long term care facilities.
St. Paul College
Entry to the practical nursing program at St. Paul College requires a nurse assistant certification. The program is designed to prepare nurse aides to meet the requirements to become a licensed practical nurse. It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and requires completion of 40 credit hours. Course topics include communications in healthcare, medical terminology, human body systems, lifespan development, essentials of clinical pharmacology, foundations of nursing, medical surgical nursing, psychosocial nursing, maternal child nursing, and transition to practice. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. They will be prepared to provide safe, quality care that promotes health, recognize the patient or designee as the sourse of control or full partner in providing compassionate care, demonstrate competency within practical nurse scope of practice, and use critical thinking and nursing judgement when prioritizing care.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application to the practical nursing program
- Complete the ACCUPLACER assessment and meet minimum program entry requirements
- Complete all prerequisite courses prior to PRNS courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a minimum grade C in each course
- Complete all college level courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended outside of St Paul College
- Complete the 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 a record of immunizations prior to the semester in which the student registers for clinical courses
- Must successfully complete a CPR course prior to registering for PRNS 1481 Clinical I
Tuition costs $210.60 per credit. The cost does not include expenses for books and supplies. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.saintpaul.edu/
- Address: 235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Phone: (651) 846-1600
- Fax: (651) 846-1703
- Toll-Free: 1.800.227.6029
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80%
Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College’s Practical Nursing program prepares nurse aides to function as a part of the health care team in various health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, long-term care facilities, transitional care facilities, and assisted living facilities. The program will cover the skills needed to succeed as a practical nurse. It will blend theory and hands-on skills to develop nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Course topics include fundamentals of nursing, medical surgical nursing, transition to practice, nutrition and health, anatomy and physiology, and human biology. Students will acquire a diploma after completion of 49 credit hours. There is an option to obtain a degree at the same time or after graduating with the diploma. The degree option is designed for those who would like to fulfil some of the general education requirements to pursue a professional nursing degree. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX to become a licensed practical nurse. The program admits a cohort of 48 students each fall. Classes are full-time only with meeting times of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm three days a week and from 8:30 am to 12:20 pm one day. Clinical times are 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Must email a program representative for information before submitting an application
- Must apply for admission to Hennepin Technical College
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Must complete a nurse aide course to be currently on the Minnesota Department of Health Registry for Nursing Assistants
- Must complete a CPR course for Health Care Providers offered by the American Heart Association or the Professional Rescuer course offered by the American Red Cross
- Must obtain qualifying scores on reading, writing and math assessment tests
- Must obtain qualifying scores on the HESI entrance exam – scores of at least 60% cumulative and 70% in reading comprehension
- Complete necessary immunizations including the COVID series
- Complete a criminal background study
Tuition costs $197.97 per credit. Books and supplies are not included.
- Website: https://hennepintech.edu/index.html
- Address: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
- Phone: 952-995-1300
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.45%
Dakota County Technical College
The practical nursing program at Dakota County Technical College prepares nurse aides to provide safe and competent care as a practical nurse. Instructors will teach the practical nurse role within the nursing program through classroom learning, simulated client care, and instructor-supervised clinical experiences in health care settings. Course topics include foundations of nursing practice, pharmacology, adult health nursing, behavioral health concepts, clinical, maternal and child health, and nursing capstone. Prerequisite courses include nursing assistant, anatomy and physiology, health career math, medical terminology for nursing, and lifespan development.
Admission criteria:
- Must apply for admission to DCTC
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above
- Must complete a nurse aide course to be currently on the Minnesota Department of Health Registry for Nursing Assistants
- Must submit high school and college transcripts
- Must complete a CPR course for Health Care Providers offered by the American Heart Association or the Professional Rescuer course offered by the American Red Cross
- Must obtain qualifying scores on reading, writing and math assessment tests
- Must obtain qualifying scores on the ATI TEAS entrance exam
- Complete necessary immunizations including the COVID series
- Complete a criminal background study
The cost of completing the required 43 credit hours is $14,610. The cost of books and supplies is additional.
- Website: https://www.dctc.edu/
- Address: 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, Minn. 55068
- Phone: 651-423-8301
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.95%
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
The CNA to LPN program at St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The program culminates with a practical nursing diploma and requires completion of 40 credit hours. Students will acquire the skills to function as an LPN in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home health care, and as provide nurses. Course topics include medical surgical nursing, basic nursing concepts, nursing skills, essentials of clinical pharmacology, clinical application, bridging to nursing practice, maternal child nursing, and mental health nursing. Prerequisite courses include medical terminology, human biology, and lifespan developmental psychology. During the clinical experience, student will have the opportunity to work closely with physicians, registered nurses, and other health care professionals in the delivery of delegated medical care and skills. Students will use the nursing process as a framework and there will be an emphasis on safe practice and role of the licensed practical nurse. Graduates will be prepared to take the NCLEX-PN to obtain licensure as an LPN. The program provides a foundation for career mobility to an associate or bachelor’s RN major. Part-time and full-time options are available. New students are admitted in the spring and fall semesters.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to SCTCC online
- Pay the application fee of $20
- Submit high school transcript
- Submit official college transcript from all colleges previously attended
- Submit Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or MCA test scores
- Must have a minimum grade of C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on prerequisite coursework
- Must take and pass the ATI TEAS exam before the close of the PN application date
- Must provide MN State current registry number or provide verification of a 75-hour nurse assistant course taken in MN
- Must provide a copy of CPR card after acceptance to the PN program
- Must take and pass a MN Criminal Background study, electronic fingerprinting and drug testing
Tuition for the program is $8,860. Expenses for books and supplies cost an additional $2,425.
- Website: https://www.sctcc.edu/
- Address: 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
- Phone: (320) 308-5000
- Toll-Free: 1(800) 222-1009
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98.48%
Crystal G
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.