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

Application Requirements

Students must apply to the Practical Nursing program for the Fall 2026 start. Applications will be open March 30, 2026-May 22, 2026. Late applications are accepted on a space available basis. Please see Step Three for additional information.

Application and Acceptance timeline.

At the time of application students must have:

Completed all preliminary coursework, with a grade of “C” or better, and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher (in preliminary coursework)
Be current on the MN/WI Nursing Assistant Registry
Have taken the ATI TEAS exam within the last 2 years with an overall composite score of 53 or higher
OR
Have taken the NLN NEX exam within the last 2 years with an overall composite score of 140 or higher.

Please note: Pine Technical & Community College only accepts TEAS scores from IN-PERSON proctored exams (no virtual/online testing scores are accepted.) NLN NEX must be taken on campus in the proctored testing environment.

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: Entrance Exam

To meet entrance requirements for the Practical Nursing (PN), students may take either the ATI TEAS exam or the NLN NEX exam.

TEAS & NLN NEX exams will be offered at the PTCC campus this spring & summer- for testing dates click here.

*On campus testing requires valid photo ID*

For entrance exam PREP support click here.

For consideration, TEAS and NLN NEX assessment scores must be dated within 2 years of the student’s current application to the nursing program.

TEAS EXAM-

Register to take the ATI TEAS exam
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.)
TEAS Score Acceptance End Date: TEAS scores may be used for admission until August 1, 2028.

NLN NEX EXAM-

Register to take the NLN NEX exam
- Click on “log in to the student testing website” and create/log in to your account
- Purchase/register for exam in the “store” tab at the top
NLN registration will close 3 days before the testing date.
The test is $77.50 (including the Proctor Fee). After registering for your exam, the Proctor Fee may be paid here (if this fee is not paid prior to testing, you will be unable to test).
Students need a 140 or better to be accepted into the Practical Nursing program
NLN NEX exam must be taken on campus
You can take the NLN NEX exam up to 3 times per application period, and we will accept your highest score

Step Three: Apply to the Practical Nursing Program

Apply online to the Practical Nursing Program for Fall 2026. The application opens on March 30, 2026, with the link located here. The application deadline for Fall 2026 is May 22, 2026. Late applications will open May 31st.
At the time of Fall 2026 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 in these courses:
- 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, and the grades from these courses will be averaged to determine the 4 credit GPA. See Admissions or Student Success for support with this.)
- 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 or NLN NEX within the last 2 years and met minimum score requirements.

Step Four: Program Acceptance

Students are ranked by points using a rubric
Ranking points are based on prerequisite coursework GPA and TEAS or NLN NEX score
Students who were on the previous semester waitlist will receive 5 bonus points on the program admissions scoring rubric.
Students who have completed the Healthcare Foundations certificate will earn 10 bonus points on the program admissions scoring rubric.

GPA calculator

Every fall semester 30 full time students are accepted, with an additional 10 part-time students. Students who are accepted into the part-time option will attend courses in-person 2 to 3 times a week.

Every spring semester 30 full time students, with an additional 10 part-time students are accepted.

Note: Number of accepted students may vary depending on faculty and clinical site availability.

Easier Transition for PN Graduates to move into AD-Mobility Program

Students that apply to begin the PN core coursework (PRSG courses) who also have all of the AD-Mobility preliminary general education courses completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better and a “C” or better in each course and a TEAS/ NLN NEX score meeting AD minimum requirements (within the last 2 years) will not need to apply to begin the AD program the fall after they graduate from the PN program. Contact the Nursing Department for more information.

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 effectiveness 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.

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) helps students
earn credit for demonstrating college/university level knowledge. You may have gained knowledge that qualifies for credit, from workplace, military, or community experiences.

CPL for Practical Nursing Students

Accreditations

Pine Technical and Community College Practical/Vocational Nursing Program holds continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. 202-909-2487.

Program Completion and Job Placement

Program Goals:

Completion Rate: 70% 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
2022-2023 74%
2023-2024 75%
2024-2025 73%

NCLEX
2023 100%
2024 100%
2025 100%

Job Placement or Continuing Education
2022 100%
2023 100%
2024 100%
2025 100%

Program Satisfaction
2023 >80%
2024 >80%
2025 >80%

2025-2026 Nursing Student Handbook

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

2025-2026 Associate Degree Nursing Mobility and Practical Nursing Student Handbook.

*Handbook is reviewed and updated every summer*

Program Supplies and Tools

Each program at PTCC may have specific requirements for laptops, tools, supplies, and uniforms. These items are essential for your success and are tailored to the unique needs of your program.

To ensure you’re fully prepared, please review the specific requirements for your program on our Program Supplies page. This page provides detailed information on what you’ll need, including:

Laptops: Recommended models and specifications
- MacBooks and Google Chromebooks are not recommended due to compatibility issues with products used in the Nursing Program courses.
Tools, Supplies & Uniforms: Required items for your field of study

Operation Lead: Bachelor of Science Nursing Transfer

Operation LEAD is a collaborative partnership between Bemidji State University and Pine Technical and Community College. We share a rich history of cooperation and are committed to producing highly skilled nurses for central and northern Minnesota through a seamless, supported pathway between Pine Technical and Community College’s Nursing A.S. and BSU’s RN to BS program.