Practical Nursing

Admission Guidelines

You must complete all steps of the admissions process to be admitted into the Practical Nursing program. Please read the full explanations below this checklist.

1. Apply to Anoka Technical College and be admitted to the college.
2. Complete the Nursing Assistant requirement or Medical Assistant requirement
3. Complete the CPR requirement
4. Complete the Accuplacer Assessments and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V or ATI TEAS)
5. Complete the Student Record of Immunization (PDF)
6. Submit the Practical Nursing Program Application (PDF) with documentation of each the above

The following prerequisites must be completed and submitted as an entire package to the Enrollment Services Department (Rm 117) prior to admission to the Anoka Tech Practical Nursing program. All required documentation must be submitted in person; the Enrollment Services Department is unable to receive them via mail, online, or fax. Completed application packages are accepted on a rolling basis until the seats are filled. Students are notified within five (5) business days of application submission of the seat availability for the upcoming semester.

All admission requirements must be submitted in a packet to Enrollment Services (Rm 117) during the application period.

Choose EITHER Nursing Assistant OR Medical Assistant  complete all parts of either Option I or Option II

Also attached proof of the following:

• Valid CPR Requirement: American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider, American Red Cross Basic Life
  Support for Healthcare Providers, or Current First Responders Card
• Adjusted Individual Total Score of 50% or higher on the TEAS Test: Version V (TEAS V) OR ATI TEAS
• Completed Student Record of Immunization form (PDF). Must be signed and/or stamped by a health provider.

Completed application packages are accepted on a rolling basis until the seats are filled. Students are notified within five (5) business days of application submission of the seat availability for the upcoming semester.

Information to Note for Accepted Students:

After acceptance, the following items will be addressed in a mandatory nursing orientation session. You will be required to submit to your faculty advisor:

• Tuberculin testing results (skin or blood testing) or documentation of freedom from tuberculosis infection.
• Documentation of an annual, current influenza vaccination.
• A signed Student Affirmation of Health Insurance form confirming current health insurance coverage with a photocopy of documentation.
• Completion of a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study with approval for direct patient care.

State law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state. A student who is disqualified as a result of a background check will not be allowed to enter the program major. A student must receive a "Background Study Clearance" within 90 days preceding the start of clinical or fieldwork courses to be placed at a partnering facility. Any student failing to receive clearance will be disqualified from enrollment in the course. Arrests, charges or convictions of criminal offenses may cause a student to fail a background study. If a student is disqualified, the student has the right to request reconsideration of the disqualification. It is the responsibility of the student to request consideration by the Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner if he or she chooses to do so. An applicant is considered to be disqualified while in the reconsideration process.

Program Requirements

Consistent with the standards that define nursing practice, the outcomes of the Anoka Technical College program of learning is a graduate who is able to:

• adhere to professional standards of practice within safe, legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks of the practical nurse (Professional concepts: Safety, Professional Identity and Behavior)
• communicate effectively to deliver coordinated, interprofessional care through teamwork and collaboration (professional concepts: teamwork and collaboration)
• utilize holistic information to provide evidence-based patient care that contributes to continuously improving care processes (professional concepts: evidence-based care, quality improvement)
• demonstrate a caring and empathetic approach while managing individual patient's needs across the lifespan and health/illness continuum within a diverse community (professional concept: patient relationship-centered care)
• participate in supporting patient care through the utilization of information technology within the practical nurse scope of practice (professional concept: Informatics)

PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Student Achievement of Program Outcomes (PDF)

All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, diploma or certification must meet the grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

Refer to the Anoka Technical College Student Handbook.

Additionally, students must:

1. Complete all of the required courses as outlined on the program plan with a C or better grade in each course and an A in MATH 1010.
2. Maintain current CPR certification.
3. Complete NCLEX-Practical Nursing success predictor test.
4. Maintain an acceptable background check from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
5. Submit an application for graduation to Records/Registration Office.

Through a Minnesota Board of Nursing approved program of study, the Anoka Techical College Practical Nursing program prepares students for a diploma in Practical Nursing.

Graduates are educationally eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX - PN) and, after passing and obtaining state licensure, may use the title Licensed Practical Nurse.

After passing the PN exam, students are eligible to apply for licensure in all states.

There is a cost associated with this examination and a fee from the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

If you have any legal or medical questions regarding your potential for meeting the Board of Nursing requirements for licensure or your potential to practice professional nursing, contact the Minnesota Board of Nursing directly at 612-617-2270, or nursingboard.state.mn.us.

See Practical Nursing Handook for transferring credits into the program.

To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:

• Minnesota Transfer or
• Anoka Technical College transfer student

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) specialize in delivering skilled delegated nursing care to individual patients/client across the lifespan in all stages of wellness or illness at the direction of qualified healthcare providers. LPNs care for diverse adult and pediatric patients within an established plan of care and participate as a member of the healthcare team.

LPNs enjoy employment opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings, including clinics, long term care and transitional care centers, assisted living, home care, schools, hospitals, and group homes.

The LPN is a dynamic, vital member of the healthcare team and is legally responsible to practice practical nursing within the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act and the Minnesota Board of Nursing Rules.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Practical Nursing Diploma Gainful Employment Report

Christina Wilson
Practical Nursing Director

Teresa Truckenbrod
Clinical/Lab Coordinator

Kay Elmquist

Becky Edwards

Tamara Thell

Mary Nolan

Miriam Chickering

Michelle Ottomoeller

Patty Johnson
Lab Assistant

General Employment Sites for Nurses

• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• ISEEK
• Wage Information (DEED)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• College Grad Career Information
• Career Planner

Graduates may choose to pursue an associate degree in Nursing (ADN) through a community college or a baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN) through a university. Articulation/mobility plans are in place at colleges and universities in the state of Minnesota.

Other Resources

• Minnesota Board of Nursing
• National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing
• National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc.
• National League for Nursing
• The American Nurses Association Code for Nurses with Interpretive Statements

Faculty advisors are available to assist students with this process. 

Minnesota Board of Nursing Approved Practical Nursing Programs

Professional Development

For help with writing resumes, preparing for interviews, locating jobs and other professional preparation, students and graduates should contact Anoka Tech Career Services.