Practical Nursing

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Overview

  • Delivery: Daytime, Evening and Online Classes
  • Start: Fall or Spring Semester, Full- or Part-Time
  • Location: Rosemount Campus
  • NCLEX Pass Rate (2010): Above 96%

Outcomes

Gainful Employment Reports

 

Major Description

This program equips graduates with the knowledge and skill set to administer safe, ethical, patient-centered nursing care in traditional and alternative health care settings. The Practical Nurse (PN) role within the nursing process is taught through classroom learning, simulated client care and instructor-supervised clinical experiences in health care settings.

Work Environment

Graduates of the Practical Nurse program must pass the NCLEX examination to become licensed. Licensed practical nurses, (LPNs), provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), advanced practice nurse (APN), physician 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.

Potential Job Titles

  • Clinic Nurse
  • Hospital Staff Nurse
  • Charge Nurse
  • Home Health Nurse
  • Nursing Technician
  • Office Nurse

Salary Data

  • Average Wage: $20.59/hour
  • Top Earners: $25.01/hour

Program Approval

The program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the licensing examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Professional Affiliations

In the U.S. and Canada, the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN) is the professional organization for:

  • Licensed practical nurses
  • Licensed vocational nurses
  • Practical/vocational nursing students

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 the DCTC admissions process as a Pre-Nursing student, which includes supplying proof of high school diploma or GED.

Prerequisites

The Pre-Nursing program allows students to enroll in the following prerequisite courses:

  • Nursing Assistant
  • First Aid/CPR for Allied Health

Pre-Nursing students must complete the following to be admitted to the Practical Nursing program's core courses:

  • Complete a state-approved nursing assistant training program
  • Pass the state-approved National Nursing Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination
  • Be listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
  • All students, regardless of previous degrees, must take the ACCUPLACER test for Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills and Arithmetic Skills.
    • Students who have completed a transfer-eligible, college-level writing course may be exempt from the sentence skills section of the test
    • Prior to admission to the program's core courses, students must score:
      • 78 in Reading Comprehension
      • 56 in Arithmetic Skills
    • Students who fail to achieve the above scores may take developmental courses and repeat the ACCUPLACER until the requirements are met.
  • Complete the Practical Nursing program's 11 to 12 required general education credits

Academic Advisor

Dean

  • Sherralyn Cox
    Dean of Design and Health/Human Services

Instructors

Carol Buttz 651-423-8467 carol.buttz@dctc.edu BIO
Jean Carson 651-423-8374 jean.carson@dctc.edu BIO
Patricia Kujala 651-423-8220 patricia.kujala@dctc.edu BIO
Janet Rainford   janet.rainford@dctc.edu BIO
Debra Gisch   debra.gisch@dctc.edu BIO
Felicia O'Neil   felicia.oneil@dctc.edu BIO
Brenda Arneson   brenda.arneson@dctc.edu BIO

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