Practical Nursing
Program Overview
The Pine Technical College Practical Nursing diploma program prepares students to take the practical nursing licensure exam upon successful completion of classroom and clinical coursework. Classroom coursework includes Adult Nursing, Basic Nursing, Medication Administration, Psychosocial Nursing, Obstetrics/Pediatrics, and Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse classes. Clinical experiences are scheduled in long-term care, acute care, ambulatory care, public health and assisted living settings.
Apply to PTC's PN Program
Practical Nursing Program Plan (53 credits)
Preliminary courses
BIOL 1240 Health and Disease in Human Biology (4)
ENGL 1276 College Composition (4)
SPCH 1250 Intercultural Communications (3)
COCP 1201 Microsoft Office Basics (2)
HEOP 1208 Medical Dosages (1)
HEOP 1231 Human Development (3)
HEOP 1249 Medical Terminology (1)
HEOP 1254 Critical Thinking in Healthcare (1)
Additional requirements
Additional requirements to be met prior to application to Practical Nursing (PRSG) courses:
-- Proof of 75+ hour Nursing Assistant course.
-- Student must be in current, good standing on the Minnesota State Nursing Assistant Registry.
-- Current CPR for the Health Care Provider or CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
Not required, but recommended...
After completing preliminary courses, students will apply to gain entry to PRSG courses (also known as "second-year" courses). With limited space available, second-year courses are selective, and students are admitted based on a ranking/rubric. While it is not required, students will earn additional points on the ranking/rubric for providing proof of successful completion of a credit-based Trained Medication Aide course.
"Second-Year" PRSG courses
PRSG 2837 Basic Nursing Theory (1)
PRSG 2838 Basic Nursing Lab (2)
PRSG 2840 Medication Administration Theory (2)
PRSG 2841 Medication Administration Lab (2)
PRSG 2843 Clinical Lab I (4)
PRSG 2844 Adult Nursing I (4)
PRSG 2846 Adult Nursing II (4)
PRSG 2870 Obstetrics/Pediatrics (3)
PRSG 2875 Psycho-Social Nursing (2)
PRSG 2880 Clinical Lab II (8)
PRSG 2885 Role of the Practical Nurse (2)
About Transfer Credit
PTC welcomes transfer credit from other accredited institutions. Transfer credit will be accepted (pending accreditation of the institution where the credit was earned and other criteria such as grade-point average) and applied toward first-year (preliminary) courses only. Transfer credit will not be applied for second-year PRSG courses. The amount of transfer credit accepted may be limited if an applicant's cumulative transfer GPA is less than 3.2.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Students must first apply to PTC before an evaluation of transfer credit is carried out and transfer information is provided.
Nursing Program Handbook
The Nursing Program Handbook provides information regarding policies, procedures, available resources and common issues that are of concern to PTC nursing students. Students are responsible for using the handbook as a resource when questions arise and as a guide to academic and nonacademic policies and procedures.
Course Outlines
For more specific information about this program's required courses, visit the Course Outlines page.
Cost of Program
To determine the cost of this program, visit the Tuition and Fees page. For scholarship information, visit the Scholarships page. Tip: Look for the "Healthcare Scholarship!"
Career and Employment Information
The Pine Technical College Practical Nursing program provides specialized training for Practical Nurses. Practical Nurses are valuable members of the health care team meeting the basic physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients. In addition, PTC's program trains Practical Nurses to promote health and reinforce teaching for prevention of disease as a member of the health team and the community. Practical nurses help fill the nursing needs of many community healthcare agencies including long term care and assisted living facilities, hospitals, clinics, home care, and public health agencies. Nursing continues to have a critical shortage of workers as the United States population ages. Practical nurses play a crucial role in meeting the healthcare needs of our population and the outlook for employment is very strong.
Employment of LPNs is projected to grow faster than average. Overall job prospects are expected to be very good, but job outlook varies by industry. The best job opportunities will occur in nursing care facilities and home health care services, while applicants for jobs in hospitals may face competition.
