Practical Nursing

DIPLOMA

The Practical Nursing program expands upon the foundational skills of the Nursing Assistant. The curriculum prepares students to assist in the provision of general nursing care, think critically, and adhere to the Nursing Code of Ethics under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. Practical nursing students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This program provides a pathway for students who wish to pursue academic advancement or seek employment in a wide variety of healthcare settings.

PROGRAM FACT SHEET

Students completing this Diploma will be able to:

Demonstrate effective communication while providing culturally competent care to individual patients across the lifespan;
Use information and technology in the healthcare setting;
Work within an established plan of care for an individual patient to organize or assign aspects of care under the direction of an RN or other health care provider;
Utilize evidence-based nursing judgment while prioritizing care, implementing interventions, and promoting the health of individual patients across the lifespan;
Demonstrate professional behaviors and accountability to legal and ethical nursing practice standard for a competent practical nurse;
Participate in Quality Improvement (QI) by providing input into the development of policies and procedures and effectively using resources to achieve patient outcomes;
Report changes and responses to interventions to a RN or the appropriate licensed healthcare provider while providing a safe environment; and
Participate as a member of the inter-professional team, collaborating with other healthcare providers to promote safe, quality, patient-centered care.

JOB OUTLOOK COURSE SEARCH

Steps to Apply

Learn what is required for application to the Practical Nursing program. Attend an on-campus Nursing Information Session:

Third Tuesday of the month
Click here to register to attend the on-campus Nursing Information Session.

If you are unable to attend an on-campus session, click here to view the power point presentation.

Practical Nursing Program Application and Acceptance Timeline

Application Requirements

Students must apply to the Practical Nursing program for the Spring 2025 start. At the time of application students must have:

Completed all preliminary coursework by the end of the Fall 2024 semester (prior to program start), with a grade of “C” or better, and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
Be current on the Nursing Assistant Registry
Have taken the ATI TEAS exam within the last 18 months with an overall composite score of 53 or higher

Please note: Pine Technical & Community College only accepts TEAS scores from IN-PERSON proctored exams (no virtual/online testing scores are accepted.)

Step One: Become a Student

Save a Pine and apply online!
Request all external transcripts be sent to PTCC
- If you attended a Minnesota State school, your transcripts will automatically be sent
- If you attended a school outside the MNState system, contact the school to have your official transcripts sent to PTCC
- Utilize Transferology: Web-based transfer tool that provides fast and accurate course and transfer equivalency information.
Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Step Two: TEAS Test

TEAS exams will be offered at the PTCC campus this fall:

Thurs., Oct. 24, 8:30am
Sat., Nov. 16, 8:30am
Thurs., Dec. 5, 8:30am
Thurs., Dec. 14, 8:30am
Fri., Dec. 27, 8:30am

Register to take the ATI TEAS test
The test is $97.00 (cost subject to change by ATI)
Students need a 53 or better to be accepted into the Practical Nursing program
If you take the TEAS at PTCC, your scores will automatically be sent without extra costs to the student
If you take the TEAS at another location, you will need to have your scores sent to PTCC (extra cost)
You can take the TEAS more than once, and we will accept your highest score
Important note when registering to take the TEAS test!
Pine Technical and Community College only accepts TEAS scores from IN-PERSON proctored exams (no virtual/online testing scores are accepted.)

Step Three: Apply to the Practical Nursing Program

Apply online to the Practical Nursing Program for Spring 2025. The Spring 2025 application is now open, click here to apply.
At the time of Spring 2025 application, you must have completed the following preliminary coursework with a grade of “C” or better AND a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher:
- ENGL1276 College Composition
- BIOL1240 Health & Disease in the Human Body OR BIOL1250 General Biology, BIOL1260 Anatomy & Physiology I, and BIOL1270 Anatomy & Physiology II (must complete all 3 courses)
- HPPC1000 Medical Dosages (valid for 5 yrs.)
- HPPC 1002 Medical Terminology (valid for 5 yrs.)
- HPPC1004 Pharmacology (valid for 5 yrs.)

Are current and in good standing on the Minnesota or Wisconsin Nursing Assistant Registry

Have taken the ATI TEAS exam within the last 18 months with an overall composite score of 53 or higher

Please note: Pine Technical & Community College only accepts TEAS scores from IN-PERSON proctored exams (no virtual/online testing scores are accepted.)

Step Four: Program Acceptance

Students are ranked by points using a rubric
Ranking points are based on prerequisite coursework GPA and TEAS score

GPA calculator

There are a maximum of 40 seats in the PN program each fall and spring semester (may vary based on number of applicants and available faculty.)

Our Practical Nursing program has been ranked 4th in Minnesota by practicalnursing.org!

Their evaluation process considers various factors, including past and present first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates, weighted by year. Their methodology ensures affectiveness of how a program supports students in their journey toward licensure and beyond.

Additional Information

Transferology

Transferology is a free tool that can help you determine the transferability and applicability of your credits.

With Transferology you can:

Determine how your individual classes from other higher educational institutions will transfer to PTCC
Run a program plan to see how your classes could apply toward your PTCC degree
Plan for a smoother transfer process

Note: If your school or class is not listed in Transferology, this does not mean your credits will not transfer. The PTCC Admissions Application and PN Nursing Application must both be complete with all transcripts received before transcript evaluation begins.

For assistance, please contact PTCC Admissions at admissions@pine.edu.

Nursing Program Expenses List

Click here to view the Nursing Program Expenses List.

Accreditations

Program Completion and Job Placement

Program Goals:

Completion Rate: 60% of practical nursing (PN) students will complete the program at 150% of the program length, averaged over the past 3-years.

1st time NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80% (or higher) of PN graduates will pass the NCLEX-PN on first attempt, averaged over 3-years.

Job Placement Rate: 90% of PN graduates will either be employed in their field or be pursuing continued education in nursing at 6-12 months post-graduation.

Student Satisfaction: 80% of respondents will agree or strongly agree with survey questions regarding program satisfaction.

Results:

Completion
2021-2022            89%
2022-2023            74%
2023-2024            75%

NCLEX
2021                       92.45%
2022                       93.33%
2023                       100%

Job Placement
2021                       88%
2022                       100%
2023                       100%

Program Satisfaction
2022                       75%
2023                       >80%
2024                       >80%

2024-2025 Nursing Student Handbook

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call 800.521.7463.

2024-2025 Associate Degree Nursing Mobility and Practical Nursing Student Handbook.

Spring 2024 Grading Scale Addendum.

The Pine Technical and Community College Practical/Vocational Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing Programs are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487.

Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than October 16, 2024 to cneaaccreditation@nln.org.