Practical Nursing

Category: Healthcare

Program Description

Are you ready to start your journey towards a career in nursing? Our Practical Nursing Program at Hennepin Technical College might be the perfect fit for you!

In Hennepin Technical College’s Practical Nursing program, you’ll take your certified nursing assistant and basic life saving skills to the next level. As a student, you will gain the skills to become an important part of the healthcare team in a variety of clinical settings.

To prepare you for success, your education includes courses ranging from basic nursing skills to psychosocial nursing, from pharmacology to actual patient care. It’s a blend of theory and hands-on experience that builds your nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Nursing for qualifying to take the practical nursing state board licensing examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon successful completion of the examination, you’ll be a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Mission: To provide excellence in nursing education, preparing students for success in national licensure and practice as nurses serving the healthcare needs of a diverse community.

Each fall, a cohort of approximately 48 students will be admitted to the Brooklyn Park campus.
Each spring, a cohort of approximately 48 students will be admitted to the Eden Prairie campus.
Schedule details are released at the beginning of the semester. Clinicals are in the community and may be scheduled for mornings, evenings, or weekends.
The program is two semesters in length.

Program Information

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Overview

Workforce services for eligible adults are available through this program authorized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Click for more info!

Class Time: Day
Semester: Fall (Brooklyn Park), Spring (Eden Prairie)
Campus: Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie

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Program Requirements

Due to accreditation requirements, all students will need to obtain the diploma. There is an option to obtain a degree, either at the same time or after graduating with the diploma. The diploma is required to take the licensure exam and for entry into practice; therefore the degree is an option in addition to the diploma. The AAS Degree option in Practical Nursing is designed for those who would like to fulfill some of the general education requirements to pursue a professional nursing degree. Students are encouraged to contact the program to which they wish to transfer for specific information about their requirements to ensure the student selects the appropriate courses.

Students must complete the "pre-nursing" coursework before being accepted into the program. This requires a separate Nursing Application which is obtained at an application session. The dates of the application sessions can be found under the "Entry Requirements" below. If you are interested in starting the Practical Nursing program, please apply using the regular college application.

National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN)

Student Learner Program Outcomes (Award Outcomes)
- Participates in quality improvement by using innovative thinking founded upon a spirit of lifelong learning
- Contributes to the goals of the healthcare team using legal and ethical nursing frameworks within the scope of practice of the LPN
- Utilizes the nursing process, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to promote safe, quality care across the lifespan
- Demonstrates client specific care inclusive of socioeconomic, cultural, and developmental criteria through use of focused assessments, therapeutic communication, and holistic nursing theory

Wages/Outlook/Advancement

Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Opportunities for employment may be available in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, long-term care facilities, transitional care facilities, assisted living facilities, industry and the armed forces.

Tools/Other Expenses

Stethoscope = $100 - 200
Watch with second hand = $10
Nursing Lab Supply Kit = $38
Voucher for Nursing Scrub Uniform = $48

The Practical Nursing Program at Hennepin Technical College location in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: 404-975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made be the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is initial accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Articulation

Graduates of the practical nursing program may attend a mobility program leading to an ADN or BSN in professional nursing and the opportunity to take the RN licensure exam. Students are encouraged to contact their RN program of choice for specific details on admission requirements.

USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Hennepin Tech Practical Nursing curriculum is designed to help prepare students to sit for the professional licensure exam for Minnesota. At this time, Hennepin Tech is unable to make a determination if the Practical Nursing program meets the licensing requirement for any state or US protectorate besides Minnesota. You will want to contact the licensing board in which state you intend to pursue licensure for their requirements: below we provide a link to a list of each states licensing board. If you have further questions about licensure for Practical Nurses, please feel free to reach out to the Director of Nursing.

For more information on state licensing boards and their contact information for Practical Nursing visit the NursingLicensure.org website.

Last reviewed 03/01/2024

Award Name	Award Type	Location	Planning Guide	WIOA
Practical Nursing	AAS	Brooklyn Park Eden Prairie	PDF	Yes
Practical Nursing	Diploma	Brooklyn Park Eden Prairie	PDF	Yes

Some of the General Education requirements have changed and are not reflected in the current catalog. Please schedule an appointment with your program advisor to see how this might affect you.

Applying to the Practical Nursing Program:

Interested students must contact their Student Success Advisor for more information about the application process.
Apply to Hennepin Technical College
The Student Success Advisor will discuss the following requirements if applicable:
- complete placement testing
- have any prior coursework evaluated for transfer
Complete pre-requisite courses:
1. EMSV1020 or 8-hour CPR course for Health Care Providers offered by the American Heart Association or 8-hour CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer course offered by the American Red Cross
2. NAHA1002 or NAHA1010 or currently on the Minnesota Department of Health Registry for Nursing Assistants
3. BIOL1400 or BIOL2005
4. BIOL2125 and BIOL2225
5. ENGL1250 or ENGL1100 or ENGL1070 or ENGL1080
6. NURS1121 or EMSV1146
7. Qualifying scores in reading, writing and math assessment tests
Qualifying scores on the TEAS entrance exam
1. Scores of at least 60% for both cumulative and reading comprehension. The TEAS entrance exam may be attempted twice prior to a semester start. If students are unsuccessful, there must be at least a 3-month break before attempting the TEAS assessment for the following semester enrollment. No more than 4 attempts are allowed within a 12-month time period.
Complete immunizations
Apply for the Nursing Program
1. Online Application
2. Students may apply to the Practical Nursing Program during the semester of prerequisite completion. Students should be in regular contact with the Nursing Advisor to remain on-track to graduation.