Program Overview
The Practical Nursing Diploma program prepares students to provide nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. The program emphasizes ethical and cultural sensitivities, which all healthcare professionals must exercise, as well as facilitates students in becoming safe, conscientious healthcare professionals committed to excellence and responsibility. Areas of preparation include scope of practice, ethical and legal considerations, communication, nursing skills, interpersonal/team building skills, problem solving, and health education/professional growth.
The Pine Technical & Community College Practical Nursing diploma program prepares students to take the practical nursing licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) upon successful completion of classroom and clinical coursework. Clinical experiences are scheduled in clinics, long-term care, transitional care, and assisted living settings. PTCC’s diploma program is designed with flexibility in mind; the program fulfills a prerequisite for the A.S. Degree in Nursing.
Practical Nursing Program Mission Statement and Program Goals
Mission of the Nursing Department
Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC) Nursing Department is committed to providing an opportunity for higher education in an affordable student-focused environment. The Nursing Department offers comprehensive educational opportunities, including general and transfer education, technical program education and lifelong learning.
The Nursing Department is committed to the advancement of teaching methodologies and technology, student development, and community service. The Nursing Department believes in the practical value of higher education as a means of economic and personal advancement in society. The Nursing Department respects and cares for students as individuals and as members of diverse groups, supporting their aspirations for a better life.
Practical Nursing Program Goals
Program completion: 75% of practical nursing students will complete the program at 150% of the program length, averaged over the past 3-years.
NCLEX-PN: 80% (or higher) of PN graduates will pass the NCLEX-PN on first attempt, averaged over 3-years.
2016 NCLEX-PN = 85.37%
2017 NCLEX-PN = 91.67%
2018 NCLEX-PN = 93.94%
2019 NCLEX-PN = 100%
Job Placement: 80% of PN graduates will be employed in their nursing field at 6-12 months post-graduation; 30% of PN graduates will continue on in their nursing education.
6-12 month Graduate Surveys: 50% of PN graduates will complete and return the 6-12 month graduate surveys; 80% of respondents will chose “Excellent” or “Good” for each survey question; 80% of respondents will rate program satisfaction as “Excellent” or “good”; Qualitative comments will be trended and changes made to program as needed for continuous quality improvement.
See all Program Requirements and Courses
Steps to Apply
Practical Nursing Program Information Sessions at PTCC!
Learn what is required for acceptance in the PN program. Nursing Advisors guide you through the program application process and all the requirements necessary for acceptance.
- Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 9 a.m., in the PTCC Auditorium
Can't attend an Information Session? Click here to view the powerpoint presentation.
STEP ONE: Become a Pine Student
1. Save a Pine and apply online at http://www.pine.edu/apply
2. 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
3. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
STEP TWO: Apply to the Practical Nursing Program
1. Apply online to the Practical Nursing Program. The online application for Spring 2022 start is now open!
Apply now by clicking the online link.
2. Meet all program timeline requirements
3. Application Due Date
Spring 2022 application due date: November 11, 2021
4. Students are required to complete ALL of the following requirements before full acceptance into the program.
- At the time of application, you must be registered for, or have completed the following prerequisite courses 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
- HPPC 1002 Medical Terminology
- HPPC1004 Pharmacology
Use the GPA Calculator to determine your prerequisite GPAFor questions regarding your prerequisites: Contact Jen Rancour.
- Are current and in good standing on the Minnesota or Wisconsin Nursing Assistant Registry
- Have taken the ATI TEAS exam within the last 12 months with an overall composite score of 53 or higher
ATI TEAS EXAM OFFERED AT PTCC
TEAS exams will be offered at the PTCC campus on the following dates:
Fri., October 29, 12:30 p.m.
1. Register to take the ATI TEAS test
- The test is $92.00 (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 (you may take the TEAS three times within a one year period)
- Important note when registering to take the TEAS test on the PTCC Campus!
There are 4 options you will see when registering for the TEAS:
TEAS online, proctored by ATI - Not available after April 30, 2022
TEAS online, proctored by an Institution
*TEAS in-person at an Institution - this is the option to choose to take the exam on the Pine Technical & Community College campus
TEAS in person at a PSI National Testing Center, proctored by PSI - Check this out for more TEAS information
- Need some help studying for the TEAS?
- TEAS Prep- Individualized study plan available
-
PN PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE
- Students are ranked by points using a rubric
- Ranking points are based on prerequisite courses GPA and TEAS score
There are a maximum of 40 seats in the PN program each fall and spring semester.
Employment Outlook
Accreditation and Recognition
The Minnesota Board of Nursing has approved this program since July 2003.
Minnesota Board of Nursing
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Pine Technical & Community College's Practical Nursing program has been ranked 10th in the state by TopNursing.org.
Contact Information
Jen Rancour (new students and admissions)
Gina Zorotovich (nursing program application questions)
Related Programs and Student Clubs
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
The U.S. Department of Education has implemented regulations (Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 [a][5][v]) which requires Pine Technical and Community College diploma program in Practical Nursing to make public whether a program will fulfill educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification required for employment in an occupation where the institution’s curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification.
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Pine Technical and Community College meets the state education requirements for a practical nursing license in the state of Minnesota. Pine Technical and Community College has not determined if the practical nursing program at Pine Technical and Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
Students should contact the Board of Nursing in the state in which they wish to be licensed for specific licensing requirements. Additionally, students may review the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website to review each state’s initial licensure educational requirements: https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm