Practical Nursing

• Practical Nursing — Diploma 56 credits

Major Description

The Practical Nursing Program prepares graduates to administer safe, ethical, multi-skilled, client-focused nursing care in traditional and alternative health care settings. The LPN role in the nursing process is used in classroom learning, in simulated client care, and in instructor-supervised experiences in the health care setting. This is a two-year program. Taking summer courses may decrease semester credit load as well as program length.

Nature of Work

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide direct client care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Physician's Assistant (PA) or Physician (MD). Potential employers include hospitals, long-term care facilities, health care clinics, schools, home health agencies and homes for special populations.

Career Opportunities

Opportunities for LPN's in health care are continually expanding. Employment may be obtained in government and private health care settings. Advancement within a work setting may occur with experience.

Graduates may choose to pursue an associate degree (ADN) in professional nursing through a community college or a baccalaureate degree (BSN) through a university. Articulation/mobility plans are in place at colleges and universities in the state of Minnesota. Faculty advisors are available to assist students with this process.

Program Delivery

Students can begin this program Fall or Spring semester. Courses are offered during the day. Full- or part-time starts are available.

Program Approval

The program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, 2829 University Avenue SE #500, Minneapolis, MN 55414, (612) 617-2270. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the licensing examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Professional Organization

The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. (NFLPN) is the professional organization for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses and practical/ vocational nursing students in the US and Canada.

NFLPN serves as the central source of information on what is new and changing in practical/vocational nursing education and practiced at the local, state and national levels. Students will be given membership information for the NFLPN.

Background Study Requirement

Background studies are required for health care providers with direct patient contact. All students must pass a background study prior to the clinical courses.

Admissions Requirements

Students interested in the Practical Nursing Program must first complete admission to DCTC as a Pre-Nursing student. This includes supplying proof of high school diploma or GED. The Pre-Nursing program allows students to enroll in prerequisite courses.

• Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide
• Medical Terminology
• First Aid/CPR for Allied Health

In order to be considered for admittance into the three core semester Practical Nursing Program, DCTC Pre-Nursing students must complete the following:

• Successfully complete a state approved Nursing Assistant training program.
• Pass the state approved national Nursing Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) and listed on the MN Nursing Assistant Registry.
• All students, regardless of previous degrees, must take the ACCUPLACER test for reading comprehension, sentence skills, and arithmetic skills. (Student who have completed a college level writing course that is eligible for transfer may be exempt from the sentence skill portion of the test).
  
  Students must score 80 in reading comprehension and 56 in arithmetic prior to admission into nursing core courses. If these scores are not achieved, developmental courses may be taken, and the ACCUPLACER test can be repeated until the required test scores are achieved.
• Successfully complete 11-12 nursing program required general education credits.

Student Outcomes

1. Graduates of the Practical Nursing program will be prepared for employment as licensed practical nurses.
2. Graduates will be prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN.
3. Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for successful practical nursing.
4. See General Education outcome statement
   

Faculty

Related Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Nursing Assistant
• General Education