College News

Minnesota West Celebrates 50th Year of Nursing Program Graduates

4/15/21

Minnesota West Community & Technical College will celebrate the 50th Graduation of students from the Practical Nursing Program. The Practical Nursing Program admitted the very first students in 1970 whom graduated in the spring of 1971. In the 50 years since beginning, the Minnesota West Practical Nursing Program has graduated over 1,850 students.

The Practical Nursing program is a one year program and is designed to create upward mobility nursing education opportunities. After successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program, students will receive the Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Students may exit at this point or continue in the program to receive the Associate Degree in Nursing and are then eligible to take the RN licensing examination.

Dr. Dawn Gordon, Dean of Science & Nursing, states, “Minnesota West Community and Technical College welcomed our first Practical Nursing students into the program in 1970. The students graduated in 1971 and started the path of providing quality nurses for our communities. We are proud of our legacy of 50 years of Practical Nursing students!”

Minnesota West Nursing Program